Cathy Come Home
[#59 in 100 Films in a Year 2008]
Ken Loach's 1966 Wednesday Play about a family's descent into homelessness, which directly led to the formation of the charity Shelter and, later, changes in British law.
Fiona's Story
One-off drama starring Gina McKee as the wife of a man who is found to have downloaded child porn. It's Jeremy Northam who gives the piece's stand-out performance as the layered, complex husband, an ultimately nasty character who is consequently much more interesting than the rather stock Worried Wife character McKee's landed with.
Outnumbered
1x05 Episode 5 [2nd watch]
Spooks
5x08 Agenda
Bloody Christians. Nice to see them as the villains for once. Brilliant. Down side: Adam seems to be following almost exactly the same plot arc that Tom travelled along in the run up to his dismissal from the show, and the trailer for the next episode suggests a total rehash of those elements from Tom's penultimate storyline. Oh dear. Still, at least I know Adam doesn't leave.
Sunday, 31 August 2008
Saturday, 30 August 2008
TV
Gilmore Girls
5x02 A Messenger, Nothing More
"Huzzah!"
Outnumbered
1x04 Episode 4 [2nd watch]
Spooks
5x06 Hostage Takers Part 1
5x07 Hostage Takers Part 2
Presumably one of the reasons Spooks don't bandy their episode titles about is that they sometimes give the game away -- the twists at the end of part one are virtually nonexistent if you know it's going to turn into a hostage situation! On the other hand, part one is subpar across the board, so maybe it wouldn't've matter. Part two wasn't too bad though.
5x02 A Messenger, Nothing More
"Huzzah!"
Outnumbered
1x04 Episode 4 [2nd watch]
Spooks
5x06 Hostage Takers Part 1
5x07 Hostage Takers Part 2
Presumably one of the reasons Spooks don't bandy their episode titles about is that they sometimes give the game away -- the twists at the end of part one are virtually nonexistent if you know it's going to turn into a hostage situation! On the other hand, part one is subpar across the board, so maybe it wouldn't've matter. Part two wasn't too bad though.
Films
Beauty and the Beast (1991)
[3rd or so watch]
It's hardly a little-known piece of trivia, but Beauty and the Beast was the first (and, 17 years on, is still the only) animated film to be nominated for the Best Picture Oscar. Well-deserved it was too.
[3rd or so watch]
It's hardly a little-known piece of trivia, but Beauty and the Beast was the first (and, 17 years on, is still the only) animated film to be nominated for the Best Picture Oscar. Well-deserved it was too.
Articles
Review of Robot Chicken: Star Wars DVD by James Gray
(from DVD Times)
"Never, I would hazard to guess, has a single twenty-minute episode of anything been the focus of so much comprehensive coverage [but] it’d be daft to criticise a DVD for having too many extras [though] there's still a good argument to be made that no single episode is worth an entire DVD release"
(from DVD Times)
"Never, I would hazard to guess, has a single twenty-minute episode of anything been the focus of so much comprehensive coverage [but] it’d be daft to criticise a DVD for having too many extras [though] there's still a good argument to be made that no single episode is worth an entire DVD release"
100 Films on a Cover
Empire, not content with conducting a ludicrously huge reader poll to find the 500 greatest films ever made, have also roped in 150 (as yet unnamed) "key directors and producers" and "the world's most influential film critics" to have their say.
And Empire, not content with conducting a ludicrously huge reader poll and gathering the opinion of key directors, producers and critics to find the 500 greatest films ever made, have gone and created a "magazine milestone" -- 100 different covers for the issue featuring the list! In fact, it's 101, with the 101st being a subscriber-only cover that's currently secret. I'm currently quite glad that Empire's the only magazine I've bothered to keep up my subscription to.
I'm a bit of a collector and hoarder, but even I'm not made enough to fork out £150 to get all 100 covers. That said, at just £1.50 an issue it's a pretty reasonable deal, all things considered, and certainly better than the one Total Film offered when they did their 21 different Bond covers a short while back. Nonetheless, I'll surely try to get my hands on a few different ones, and here's my current pick of the bunch -- mainly, films I love that have especially cool covers, but also some that just look good.
Click to enlarge.
And Empire, not content with conducting a ludicrously huge reader poll and gathering the opinion of key directors, producers and critics to find the 500 greatest films ever made, have gone and created a "magazine milestone" -- 100 different covers for the issue featuring the list! In fact, it's 101, with the 101st being a subscriber-only cover that's currently secret. I'm currently quite glad that Empire's the only magazine I've bothered to keep up my subscription to.
I'm a bit of a collector and hoarder, but even I'm not made enough to fork out £150 to get all 100 covers. That said, at just £1.50 an issue it's a pretty reasonable deal, all things considered, and certainly better than the one Total Film offered when they did their 21 different Bond covers a short while back. Nonetheless, I'll surely try to get my hands on a few different ones, and here's my current pick of the bunch -- mainly, films I love that have especially cool covers, but also some that just look good.
Click to enlarge.
Friday, 29 August 2008
TV
God, the Devil and Bob
1x03 Date From Hell
The Tudors
2x05 His Majesty's Pleasure
After three opening episodes that continued the first season's model of going nowhere fast, these last two have seen The Tudors finally pick up the pace. Thank God! No, do -- He's what most of the plot's about right now.
Would I Lie To You?
2x08 (29/8/08 edition) [season finale]
1x03 Date From Hell
The Tudors
2x05 His Majesty's Pleasure
After three opening episodes that continued the first season's model of going nowhere fast, these last two have seen The Tudors finally pick up the pace. Thank God! No, do -- He's what most of the plot's about right now.
Would I Lie To You?
2x08 (29/8/08 edition) [season finale]
Films
Bond from the Beginning #10:
The Spy Who Loved Me (1977)
[2nd watch]
See here for my thoughts on this film.
The Spy Who Loved Me (1977)
[2nd watch]
See here for my thoughts on this film.
Articles
Australia Pushed Back To Thanksgiving by Chris Hewitt
(from Empire Online)
More amusing witterings: "Looks like Harry Potter And The Shift Into Next Summer has had a real impact on the November schedules in the States... Australia has just moved back by a whopping 12 days, to November 26. [It] remains to be seen how a film that could only become more Australian if Rolf Harris showed up will play on the weekend when America is celebrating its most patriotic holiday. Australia is still scheduled to open here on Boxing G’day."
Duchovny enters sex rehab clinic
(from BBC News)
Well that's... unusual...
Interview: Quantum of Solace Game Co-Design Director Adam Gascoine by Devin Zydel
(from CommanderBond.net)
"Daniel Craig was actually the most reluctant [to lend his voice and likeness to the game]. He’s a big gamer himself and didn’t want to be in a poorly made licensed game, so we sat him down and let him play an early build. He loved it and came back to us to say “Okay, I’ll do it.” Since then he’s been a very important part of making the game what it is."
Young Bond computer game aims to get boys reading by Alison Flood
(from guardian.co.uk)
If you haven't heard about The Shadow War online game, you may also want to check out links such as this and this; but I mention the Guardian article more for this little snippet: "Higson said there had also been "a lot of film interest" in the books. "It's just finding the time to get it right – it's very difficult to find a kid with the charisma to pull off the character of Bond at that age.""
(from Empire Online)
More amusing witterings: "Looks like Harry Potter And The Shift Into Next Summer has had a real impact on the November schedules in the States... Australia has just moved back by a whopping 12 days, to November 26. [It] remains to be seen how a film that could only become more Australian if Rolf Harris showed up will play on the weekend when America is celebrating its most patriotic holiday. Australia is still scheduled to open here on Boxing G’day."
Duchovny enters sex rehab clinic
(from BBC News)
Well that's... unusual...
Interview: Quantum of Solace Game Co-Design Director Adam Gascoine by Devin Zydel
(from CommanderBond.net)
"Daniel Craig was actually the most reluctant [to lend his voice and likeness to the game]. He’s a big gamer himself and didn’t want to be in a poorly made licensed game, so we sat him down and let him play an early build. He loved it and came back to us to say “Okay, I’ll do it.” Since then he’s been a very important part of making the game what it is."
Young Bond computer game aims to get boys reading by Alison Flood
(from guardian.co.uk)
If you haven't heard about The Shadow War online game, you may also want to check out links such as this and this; but I mention the Guardian article more for this little snippet: "Higson said there had also been "a lot of film interest" in the books. "It's just finding the time to get it right – it's very difficult to find a kid with the charisma to pull off the character of Bond at that age.""
Super Bond interviews
No, it's not a new super-powered direction for the franchise, but rather interviews that are super about Bond -- and, specifically, Quantum of Solace. They're from a German site, but don't worry, they're in English.
So, check out the latest utterances of...
Gemma Arterton ('Agent Fields')
She's in bloody everything nowadays, y'know. "I’m glamorous but I don’t think I’m hot glamorous. There was this thing with my character where we wanted to make her really retro and a bit of a throwback. I can’t reveal her first name yet but it’s typically Fleming and quite cheeky and a little bit tongue in cheek."
Barbara Broccoli & Michael G. Wilson (producers)
"Bond is pursuing the people behind Vesper’s betrayal and her death. He is tracking them down and the mystery unfolds. He runs into CIA people later who are very ambivalent about their role in all of this." Americans are bad! Yay!
Marc Forster (director)
"Judi Dench is one of the greatest actresses living today... personally I could watch her read the phone book... I wanted to give her more scenes and have her interact with Bond more because she is the only woman Bond doesn’t see in a sexual context... The relationship between them is fascinating and I think it’s really important so I wanted more scenes between them and to go into that relationship with more depth."
Quantum of Solace hits UK cinemas on October 31st and the US on November 14th (allow my to say, "ha ha!"). For a full list of release dates by country, look here.
A new trailer is due in the next couple of weeks.
So, check out the latest utterances of...
Gemma Arterton ('Agent Fields')She's in bloody everything nowadays, y'know. "I’m glamorous but I don’t think I’m hot glamorous. There was this thing with my character where we wanted to make her really retro and a bit of a throwback. I can’t reveal her first name yet but it’s typically Fleming and quite cheeky and a little bit tongue in cheek."
Barbara Broccoli & Michael G. Wilson (producers)"Bond is pursuing the people behind Vesper’s betrayal and her death. He is tracking them down and the mystery unfolds. He runs into CIA people later who are very ambivalent about their role in all of this." Americans are bad! Yay!
Marc Forster (director)"Judi Dench is one of the greatest actresses living today... personally I could watch her read the phone book... I wanted to give her more scenes and have her interact with Bond more because she is the only woman Bond doesn’t see in a sexual context... The relationship between them is fascinating and I think it’s really important so I wanted more scenes between them and to go into that relationship with more depth."
Quantum of Solace hits UK cinemas on October 31st and the US on November 14th (allow my to say, "ha ha!"). For a full list of release dates by country, look here.
A new trailer is due in the next couple of weeks.
Thursday, 28 August 2008
TV
Big Cat Week
2x02 (4/1/2005 edition)
God, the Devil and Bob
1x01 In the Beginning
1x02 Andy Runs Away
I loved this when it first aired back in 2000, and I'm pleased to say that, unlike Hot Shots, it's still funny to me today. Hurray!
Mock the Week
6x08 (28/8/08 edition)
The Tudors
2x04 The Act of Succession
2x02 (4/1/2005 edition)
God, the Devil and Bob
1x01 In the Beginning
1x02 Andy Runs Away
I loved this when it first aired back in 2000, and I'm pleased to say that, unlike Hot Shots, it's still funny to me today. Hurray!
Mock the Week
6x08 (28/8/08 edition)
The Tudors
2x04 The Act of Succession
Articles
Quite a few today -- maybe I should start breaking these down / posting them throughout the day?
Documentaries Being Screened In Empty Auditoriums In N.Y.
(from Studio Briefing)
"Nine documentary films are being screened in mostly empty theaters at a New York arthouse this week in order to quality for Oscar consideration... The New York Times reported that when its reporter looked into the 7:00 p.m. screenings, it found two theaters with not a single person in the seats and one with just three."
Filming under way for new series of Torchwood
(from BBC Press Office)
Press release announcing the third season of Torchwood, a single five-part story entitled Children of Earth. One of the main guest stars is Peter Capaldi, from Doctor Who's The Fires of Pompeii. Another case of spatial genetic multiplicity in Cardiff?
Ghostbusters Tops Funny Films Poll
(from WENN)
I love Ghostbusters, so this is worth reporting. Follow the links for more of the list.
Movie Reviews: Hamlet 2
(from Studio Briefing)
While the trailer looked surprisingly good, it seems the film itself is as bad as you'd expect.
Pitt and Clooney at Venice debut
(from BBC News)
"Pitt picked up an award that he won in Venice last year -- the best actor's prize for The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford. "You can run but you can't hide," Pitt joked as he accepted the award. "It was an honour to receive this last year and it remains an honour to accept this this year.""
The Strangers Set For A Sequel by Chris Hewitt
(from Empire Online)
Don't even really know what it is (and the article contains spoilers), but it makes this valid point: "Rogue is hoping that the [sequel] might see The Strangers develop into a Saw-like franchise. With the best will in the world, we hope not, for very few horror franchises have suffered from the law of diminishing returns like the Saw series. Isn’t it best to burn out with a couple of really good, strong efforts, than to fade away with increasingly awful sequels?"
Torchwood Season Three Revealed
(from Torchwood Official Site)
Mentioned purely for this quote: "Russell T Davies outlined his vision in a tone meeting with key production staff where he told them, 'I usually give you all one or two tone words when we have a meeting like this, but if I were to give you two words this time, they would be "Euros Lyn". More than ever before, this series of Torchwood will be director-led, and it will look absolutely amazing.'" How unusual, and therefore intriguing...
West Wing writer tackles Facebook
(from BBC News)
"Screenwriter Aaron Sorkin has agreed to make a film about the founders of social networking site Facebook... "I have a fairly specific idea of what the first 15 pages of the screenplay will be and no idea what will happen on pages 16 thru 130," he wrote. "I have very strong feelings about the internet and its effect on our national culture, but frankly those feelings are being countered by the sophistication, kindness, curiosity and wit of the posts in this site. You people are screwing me up with your civility and intelligence.""
Also:
Get Ready For Facebook: The Movie by Chris Hewitt
(from Empire Online)
Mentioned for these two somewhat amusing comments: "Empire has to ask: who is sad enough to start a fake Facebook page for Aaron Sorkin? ... should Sorkin’s next status update read, ‘Aaron was only kidding about the Facebook thing – it’s a very bad idea’?"
Documentaries Being Screened In Empty Auditoriums In N.Y.
(from Studio Briefing)
"Nine documentary films are being screened in mostly empty theaters at a New York arthouse this week in order to quality for Oscar consideration... The New York Times reported that when its reporter looked into the 7:00 p.m. screenings, it found two theaters with not a single person in the seats and one with just three."
Filming under way for new series of Torchwood
(from BBC Press Office)
Press release announcing the third season of Torchwood, a single five-part story entitled Children of Earth. One of the main guest stars is Peter Capaldi, from Doctor Who's The Fires of Pompeii. Another case of spatial genetic multiplicity in Cardiff?
Ghostbusters Tops Funny Films Poll
(from WENN)
I love Ghostbusters, so this is worth reporting. Follow the links for more of the list.
Movie Reviews: Hamlet 2
(from Studio Briefing)
While the trailer looked surprisingly good, it seems the film itself is as bad as you'd expect.
Pitt and Clooney at Venice debut
(from BBC News)
"Pitt picked up an award that he won in Venice last year -- the best actor's prize for The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford. "You can run but you can't hide," Pitt joked as he accepted the award. "It was an honour to receive this last year and it remains an honour to accept this this year.""
The Strangers Set For A Sequel by Chris Hewitt
(from Empire Online)
Don't even really know what it is (and the article contains spoilers), but it makes this valid point: "Rogue is hoping that the [sequel] might see The Strangers develop into a Saw-like franchise. With the best will in the world, we hope not, for very few horror franchises have suffered from the law of diminishing returns like the Saw series. Isn’t it best to burn out with a couple of really good, strong efforts, than to fade away with increasingly awful sequels?"
Torchwood Season Three Revealed
(from Torchwood Official Site)
Mentioned purely for this quote: "Russell T Davies outlined his vision in a tone meeting with key production staff where he told them, 'I usually give you all one or two tone words when we have a meeting like this, but if I were to give you two words this time, they would be "Euros Lyn". More than ever before, this series of Torchwood will be director-led, and it will look absolutely amazing.'" How unusual, and therefore intriguing...
West Wing writer tackles Facebook
(from BBC News)
"Screenwriter Aaron Sorkin has agreed to make a film about the founders of social networking site Facebook... "I have a fairly specific idea of what the first 15 pages of the screenplay will be and no idea what will happen on pages 16 thru 130," he wrote. "I have very strong feelings about the internet and its effect on our national culture, but frankly those feelings are being countered by the sophistication, kindness, curiosity and wit of the posts in this site. You people are screwing me up with your civility and intelligence.""
Also:
Get Ready For Facebook: The Movie by Chris Hewitt
(from Empire Online)
Mentioned for these two somewhat amusing comments: "Empire has to ask: who is sad enough to start a fake Facebook page for Aaron Sorkin? ... should Sorkin’s next status update read, ‘Aaron was only kidding about the Facebook thing – it’s a very bad idea’?"
"sing the theme toon..."
James Bond Theme (Casino Royale Trailer Version) by Pfeifer Broz. Music
Nearly two years on, I finally found the damn thing! And it's brilliant. You can download it for yourself here (less than legally, I should add, but there's no way to purchase the music as it's never been officially released).
Nearly two years on, I finally found the damn thing! And it's brilliant. You can download it for yourself here (less than legally, I should add, but there's no way to purchase the music as it's never been officially released).
Wednesday, 27 August 2008
Films
Texas Across the River (1966)
[#58 in 100 Films in a Year 2008]
Now eight films behind with my reviews...
[#58 in 100 Films in a Year 2008]
Now eight films behind with my reviews...
Articles
Alicia Keys And Jack White May Perform On James Bond-Themed X Factor by Devin Zydel
(from CommanderBond.net)
I hate The X Factor as much as the next person with any taste, but this could be fun. Well, a chance to hear the new theme would be good at least.
Hellboy defeats Batman in cinemas
(from BBC News)
"Comic book movie Hellboy II: The Golden Army has knocked The Dark Knight off the number one spot in the UK and Ireland box office chart. [It] took £2.97m on its opening weekend." Hardly a huge haul, but then TDK (which finally dropped from first down to fourth) is in its fifth week.
New Pics From Oliver Stone’s W by Glen Ferris
(from Empire Online)
A preview of Empire's preview of Oliver Stone's forthcoming film W.. Stone says that Bush is "a circular character; even now he harkens back to who he was in 2000. His speeches are the same. There doesn’t seem to be a growth. There’s a fundamental inability in the man, a King Lear kind of hubris, where he can’t admit to any fault, whereas Nixon [the subject of Stone's previous Presidential biopic] seems to have been genuinely haunted by doubt and uncertainty. As a result, this is a very different type of movie. While Nixon was a very rich meal, this is more of a soufflé. And with a soufflé, you never quite know until it bakes." And it will be baked & served on November 7th in the UK.
(from CommanderBond.net)
I hate The X Factor as much as the next person with any taste, but this could be fun. Well, a chance to hear the new theme would be good at least.
Hellboy defeats Batman in cinemas
(from BBC News)
"Comic book movie Hellboy II: The Golden Army has knocked The Dark Knight off the number one spot in the UK and Ireland box office chart. [It] took £2.97m on its opening weekend." Hardly a huge haul, but then TDK (which finally dropped from first down to fourth) is in its fifth week.
New Pics From Oliver Stone’s W by Glen Ferris
(from Empire Online)
A preview of Empire's preview of Oliver Stone's forthcoming film W.. Stone says that Bush is "a circular character; even now he harkens back to who he was in 2000. His speeches are the same. There doesn’t seem to be a growth. There’s a fundamental inability in the man, a King Lear kind of hubris, where he can’t admit to any fault, whereas Nixon [the subject of Stone's previous Presidential biopic] seems to have been genuinely haunted by doubt and uncertainty. As a result, this is a very different type of movie. While Nixon was a very rich meal, this is more of a soufflé. And with a soufflé, you never quite know until it bakes." And it will be baked & served on November 7th in the UK.
Tuesday, 26 August 2008
TV
Mutual Friends
1x01 Episode One
Not bad, though it does fall into the usual comedy-drama trap of not being all that much of either. That said, there were a few good laugh-out-loud moments. But it's too long at an hour -- 30 minutes would've suited it better.
Outnumbered
1x03 Episode 3 [2nd watch]
The Tudors
2x01 Everything is Beautiful
2x02 Tears of Blood
1x01 Episode One
Not bad, though it does fall into the usual comedy-drama trap of not being all that much of either. That said, there were a few good laugh-out-loud moments. But it's too long at an hour -- 30 minutes would've suited it better.
Outnumbered
1x03 Episode 3 [2nd watch]
The Tudors
2x01 Everything is Beautiful
2x02 Tears of Blood
Music
Selections from the Avenue Q Soundtrack by the original Broadway cast
Since seeing this and getting hold of the music, I've been listening to the following tracks fairly regularly:
Everyone's a Little Bit Racist
The Internet is For Porn
My Girlfriend, Who Lives in Canada
There is Life Outside Your Apartment
Silent Cry (Deluxe Edition) by Feeder
[3rd listen]
Stand out tracks for me (so far) are:
We Are the People
Itsumo
Silent Cry
Who's the Enemy
Into the Blue
Since seeing this and getting hold of the music, I've been listening to the following tracks fairly regularly:
Silent Cry (Deluxe Edition) by Feeder
[3rd listen]
Stand out tracks for me (so far) are:
Articles
Battlestar Galactica franchise steams ahead by Chris Talbott
(from Mail.com)
Long-ish article on two forthcoming Battlestar Galactica spin-offs (in spite of the series' falling ratings).
A fall TV season with questions in the air by Frazier Moore
(from Mail.com)
"It's hard to make an argument that viewers are breathlessly awaiting ABC's fall season -- or any other network's... only 17 new series have been slotted for fall -- about half the usual number." General article about the state of US TV as it heads into the time of year when, traditionally, all their new shows start. It's quite an interesting analysis (yes, even for normal folks) handily broken down by topic -- including one on the number of international formats they've copied, many of them British.
National Lampoon To Spoof Gladiator/300 by Chris Hewitt
(from Empire Online)
"Dear God, someone make them stop!"
New Che Poster Online by Glen Ferris
(from Empire Online)
"Steven Soderbergh's epic Che Guevara biopic, which is going under the alternating titles ofChe, Guerilla and The Argentine -- what the final title will be depends on whether or not Soderbergh decides to run the movie in its full four-hour cut or split it into two seperate flicks." So, that answers that then.
Rushdie anger at policeman's book
and
Bodyguard apologises to Rushdie
(from BBC News)
"A former police officer has apologised to Sir Salman Rushdie for false claims he made in a book about the author." I came across the latter first, which (presumably for legal reasons) doesn't repeat the claims made. Thankfully, the first one helps explain things. (Incidentally, the latter article was called "Apology for Rushdie over claims" when I read it earlier. Why the change? Odd things do go on at the BBC News site...)
Two More Riddick Films Coming? by Helen O'Hara
(from Empire Online)
Seriously? Chronicles of Riddick (which, all things considered, was badly in need of a subtitle) was four years ago already (seems longer) and hardly an unequivocal success.
Warner 'sues over Puttar movie'
(from BBC News)
"Harry Potter maker Warner Bros is suing an Indian film company over the title of upcoming film Hari Puttar: A Comedy Of Terrors, according to reports." A bit like Fox suing over Watchmen, they've left it suspiciously late.
(from Mail.com)
Long-ish article on two forthcoming Battlestar Galactica spin-offs (in spite of the series' falling ratings).
A fall TV season with questions in the air by Frazier Moore
(from Mail.com)
"It's hard to make an argument that viewers are breathlessly awaiting ABC's fall season -- or any other network's... only 17 new series have been slotted for fall -- about half the usual number." General article about the state of US TV as it heads into the time of year when, traditionally, all their new shows start. It's quite an interesting analysis (yes, even for normal folks) handily broken down by topic -- including one on the number of international formats they've copied, many of them British.
National Lampoon To Spoof Gladiator/300 by Chris Hewitt
(from Empire Online)
"Dear God, someone make them stop!"
New Che Poster Online by Glen Ferris
(from Empire Online)
"Steven Soderbergh's epic Che Guevara biopic, which is going under the alternating titles ofChe, Guerilla and The Argentine -- what the final title will be depends on whether or not Soderbergh decides to run the movie in its full four-hour cut or split it into two seperate flicks." So, that answers that then.
Rushdie anger at policeman's book
and
Bodyguard apologises to Rushdie
(from BBC News)
"A former police officer has apologised to Sir Salman Rushdie for false claims he made in a book about the author." I came across the latter first, which (presumably for legal reasons) doesn't repeat the claims made. Thankfully, the first one helps explain things. (Incidentally, the latter article was called "Apology for Rushdie over claims" when I read it earlier. Why the change? Odd things do go on at the BBC News site...)
Two More Riddick Films Coming? by Helen O'Hara
(from Empire Online)
Seriously? Chronicles of Riddick (which, all things considered, was badly in need of a subtitle) was four years ago already (seems longer) and hardly an unequivocal success.
Warner 'sues over Puttar movie'
(from BBC News)
"Harry Potter maker Warner Bros is suing an Indian film company over the title of upcoming film Hari Puttar: A Comedy Of Terrors, according to reports." A bit like Fox suing over Watchmen, they've left it suspiciously late.
Monday, 25 August 2008
TV
Big Cat Week
2x01 (3/1/2005 edition)
Or Big Cat Diary 7x01, depending on how you want to look at it. Who'd've though a simple BBC wildlife series would have complex season/episode numbering issues? It'll be even worse when the 2008 series starts, cos they've changed the name back to Diary. Does that make it Big Cat Diary 7x01 this year, skipping the three Weeks; or is it 10x01, despite 6, 7 & 8 being Weeks? More importantly, why do I care? (I've gone with 2x01 here, incidentally, because it is technically Week series two, and is labelled as such on the DVD I'm watching from. So there.)
Dragons' Den
6x06 (25/8/08 edition)
Edinburgh Military Tattoo
Or, at least, bits of it.
Marple
3x03 Towards Zero [2nd half]
Outnumbered
1x01 Episode 1 [2nd watch]
1x02 Episode 2 [2nd watch]
BBC Three are repeating this excellent half-improvised sitcom about parenting, ahead of a second series on BBC One sometime in the future. You really should watch it, it's great.
Spooks
5x05 The Message
2x01 (3/1/2005 edition)
Or Big Cat Diary 7x01, depending on how you want to look at it. Who'd've though a simple BBC wildlife series would have complex season/episode numbering issues? It'll be even worse when the 2008 series starts, cos they've changed the name back to Diary. Does that make it Big Cat Diary 7x01 this year, skipping the three Weeks; or is it 10x01, despite 6, 7 & 8 being Weeks? More importantly, why do I care? (I've gone with 2x01 here, incidentally, because it is technically Week series two, and is labelled as such on the DVD I'm watching from. So there.)
Dragons' Den
6x06 (25/8/08 edition)
Edinburgh Military Tattoo
Or, at least, bits of it.
Marple
3x03 Towards Zero [2nd half]
Outnumbered
1x01 Episode 1 [2nd watch]
1x02 Episode 2 [2nd watch]
BBC Three are repeating this excellent half-improvised sitcom about parenting, ahead of a second series on BBC One sometime in the future. You really should watch it, it's great.
Spooks
5x05 The Message
Articles
Sci Fi sinks SG Atlantis by Tim Surette
and
Stargate reopens new Universe by Tim Surette
(from TV.com)
Could the Stargate franchise finally be dead? As it turns out, no, of course it isn't.
Tropic film holds on to top spot
(from BBC News)
The Dark Knight battles on, sitting in 4th place this weekend behind Tropic Thunder (in only its second week) and two new releases -- and only $5.8m behind #1 too. But this particular article is worth reading because, thanks to poor writing, it implies Titanic took $601m this weekend.
and
Stargate reopens new Universe by Tim Surette
(from TV.com)
Could the Stargate franchise finally be dead? As it turns out, no, of course it isn't.
Tropic film holds on to top spot
(from BBC News)
The Dark Knight battles on, sitting in 4th place this weekend behind Tropic Thunder (in only its second week) and two new releases -- and only $5.8m behind #1 too. But this particular article is worth reading because, thanks to poor writing, it implies Titanic took $601m this weekend.
Sunday, 24 August 2008
TV
Beijing 2008 Olympics: Closing Ceremony
I'm still not convinced that the Chinese should have the Olympics -- apparently, according to some commentators, the human rights issues seem "long ago" now. Idiots. Anyway, it was lower key than the stunning opening ceremony, but in an of itself you'd never describe it as "low key". Best bit? Boris Johnson, of course. Boris Johnson is always the best bit. The Memory Tower was pretty impressive, though Zhang Yimou's work is somewhat undermined by his recent criticisms of the West actually having human rights. (Watched on the BBC, what with now being back in the UK.)
Marple
3x03 Towards Zero [1st half]
ITV's scheduling of its Marples and Poirots is decidedly odd -- it has at least four of the latter completed but unbroadcast (the last was shown about two years ago), while this Marple premiered in Canada in February 2007, but only just aired here the other week. There's another episode (Nemesis) that also aired in Canada back then, and in Finland (Finland!) in January to boot, as well as Australia, and probably others, which they still haven't scheduled for the UK. They're an odd lot at ITV... (Additionally, these are the last two episodes starring Geraldine McEwan, who has been replaced by Julia McKenzie -- perhaps ITV are just trying to delay the change-over?)
I'm still not convinced that the Chinese should have the Olympics -- apparently, according to some commentators, the human rights issues seem "long ago" now. Idiots. Anyway, it was lower key than the stunning opening ceremony, but in an of itself you'd never describe it as "low key". Best bit? Boris Johnson, of course. Boris Johnson is always the best bit. The Memory Tower was pretty impressive, though Zhang Yimou's work is somewhat undermined by his recent criticisms of the West actually having human rights. (Watched on the BBC, what with now being back in the UK.)
Marple
3x03 Towards Zero [1st half]
ITV's scheduling of its Marples and Poirots is decidedly odd -- it has at least four of the latter completed but unbroadcast (the last was shown about two years ago), while this Marple premiered in Canada in February 2007, but only just aired here the other week. There's another episode (Nemesis) that also aired in Canada back then, and in Finland (Finland!) in January to boot, as well as Australia, and probably others, which they still haven't scheduled for the UK. They're an odd lot at ITV... (Additionally, these are the last two episodes starring Geraldine McEwan, who has been replaced by Julia McKenzie -- perhaps ITV are just trying to delay the change-over?)
Films
Hot Shots! (1991)
I've seen Hot Shots! before, though I couldn't say how many times. The last was years ago though, and I've grown up, which seems to have dulled its humour considerably. There are still some funny bits at least.
I've seen Hot Shots! before, though I couldn't say how many times. The last was years ago though, and I've grown up, which seems to have dulled its humour considerably. There are still some funny bits at least.
Saturday, 23 August 2008
TV
Gilmore Girls
4x22 Raincoats and Recipes [season finale]
Mock the Week
6x05 (7/8/08 edition)
Poirot
10x04 Taken at the Flood [season finale]
A weak tale, with a particularly implausible and unengaging plot. Also, the title is meaningless.
Would I Lie To You?
2x07 (22/8/08 edition)
4x22 Raincoats and Recipes [season finale]
Mock the Week
6x05 (7/8/08 edition)
Poirot
10x04 Taken at the Flood [season finale]
A weak tale, with a particularly implausible and unengaging plot. Also, the title is meaningless.
Would I Lie To You?
2x07 (22/8/08 edition)
Films
Flushed Away (2006)
[#57 in 100 Films in a Year 2008]
Still really, really far behind with my reviews...
[#57 in 100 Films in a Year 2008]
Still really, really far behind with my reviews...
Friday, 22 August 2008
TV
Dragons' Den
6x05 (18/8/08 edition)
The most padded show on TV is still great entertainment, a massive intellectual cut above shows like The X Factor despite occasionally sharing some of the same traits. This season there's extra footage available online, though quite why this isn't put into the show at the expense of Evan Davis' repetitive commentary I don't know.
Gilmore Girls
4x20 Luke Can See Her Face
4x21 Last Week Fights, This Week Tights
Mock the Week
6x07 (21/8/08 edition)
A particularly hilarious episode.
Poirot
10x02 Cards on the Table [2nd watch]
[2nd half]
6x05 (18/8/08 edition)
The most padded show on TV is still great entertainment, a massive intellectual cut above shows like The X Factor despite occasionally sharing some of the same traits. This season there's extra footage available online, though quite why this isn't put into the show at the expense of Evan Davis' repetitive commentary I don't know.
Gilmore Girls
4x20 Luke Can See Her Face
4x21 Last Week Fights, This Week Tights
Mock the Week
6x07 (21/8/08 edition)
A particularly hilarious episode.
Poirot
10x02 Cards on the Table [2nd watch]
[2nd half]
Articles
Eon Productions Pass On Devil May Care Film Rights by Matt Weston
and
Broccoli And Faulks Talk Devil Film Rights Snub by Matt Weston
(from CommanderBond.net)
"Eon Productions had passed on the movie rights to Sebastian Faulks’ one-off James Bond novel, Devil May Care... “Devil May Care is a period book which is set in the 1960s, and it really wouldn’t fit as one of the films that Eon has been making recently,” Broccoli [said]... Faulks, meanwhile, raised a valid point: “I would have thought that if you could move Casino Royale from the 1950s you could move Devil May Care from the Sixties.”"
The Movie-Con Blog by Olly Richards
(from BFI Presents the Empire Movie-Con)
Oh new Watchmen footage, how I wish thee could be seen!
Production Stopped On The Sweeney Film by Chris Hewitt
(from Empire Online)
Cancelled by damn Yanks for fear of a lack of international appeal. Damn Yanks. If it was only going to cost $16m, surely it would've made that back in the UK alone; and, if it was any good, it would make enough worldwide to top it up? But hey, what do studio execs know? (Answer: not much.)
"We wanted to join the family of Barry, Bassey, Connery and Craig." by Matt Weston
(from CommanderBond.net)
"Jack White discusses his collaboration with Alicia Keys on [new Bond theme] Another Way To Die." And he sounds like a bit of a cock, to be honest.
Will This Be The Worst Film Ever? by Helen O'Hara
(from the Empire blog)
O'Hara makes a good case for why the forthcoming 'satire' An American Carol may be the most morally repulsive film ever made. See what you think by watching the trailer here.
and
Broccoli And Faulks Talk Devil Film Rights Snub by Matt Weston
(from CommanderBond.net)
"Eon Productions had passed on the movie rights to Sebastian Faulks’ one-off James Bond novel, Devil May Care... “Devil May Care is a period book which is set in the 1960s, and it really wouldn’t fit as one of the films that Eon has been making recently,” Broccoli [said]... Faulks, meanwhile, raised a valid point: “I would have thought that if you could move Casino Royale from the 1950s you could move Devil May Care from the Sixties.”"
The Movie-Con Blog by Olly Richards
(from BFI Presents the Empire Movie-Con)
Oh new Watchmen footage, how I wish thee could be seen!
Production Stopped On The Sweeney Film by Chris Hewitt
(from Empire Online)
Cancelled by damn Yanks for fear of a lack of international appeal. Damn Yanks. If it was only going to cost $16m, surely it would've made that back in the UK alone; and, if it was any good, it would make enough worldwide to top it up? But hey, what do studio execs know? (Answer: not much.)
"We wanted to join the family of Barry, Bassey, Connery and Craig." by Matt Weston
(from CommanderBond.net)
"Jack White discusses his collaboration with Alicia Keys on [new Bond theme] Another Way To Die." And he sounds like a bit of a cock, to be honest.
Will This Be The Worst Film Ever? by Helen O'Hara
(from the Empire blog)
O'Hara makes a good case for why the forthcoming 'satire' An American Carol may be the most morally repulsive film ever made. See what you think by watching the trailer here.
Thursday, 21 August 2008
TV
Friday Night With Jonathan Ross
14x25 (11/7/08 edition) [season finale]
Mock the Week
6x06 (14/8/08 edition)
The first time I've watched something on BBC iPlayer through my Virgin Media TV service. The image quality was below normal, of course, but not noticeably so most of the time. In fact, it all worked pretty darn well.
Poirot
10x02 Cards on the Table [2nd watch]
[1st half]
14x25 (11/7/08 edition) [season finale]
Mock the Week
6x06 (14/8/08 edition)
The first time I've watched something on BBC iPlayer through my Virgin Media TV service. The image quality was below normal, of course, but not noticeably so most of the time. In fact, it all worked pretty darn well.
Poirot
10x02 Cards on the Table [2nd watch]
[1st half]
Films
Gentlemen Prefer Blondes (1953)
[#56 in 100 Films in a Year 2008]
I'm getting really, really far behind with my reviews now...
[#56 in 100 Films in a Year 2008]
I'm getting really, really far behind with my reviews now...
Articles
Review of X-Men (Animated Television Series): Season 1 - Volume 1 DVD by Eamonn McCusker
(from DVD Times)
My God I used to love this show. I can't wait to finally get it on DVD. The theme music is absolutely classic -- all together now: "dododododo do-do, dododododo do-do! Dododododo-do-do... do-do, dooo-do!"
(from DVD Times)
My God I used to love this show. I can't wait to finally get it on DVD. The theme music is absolutely classic -- all together now: "dododododo do-do, dododododo do-do! Dododododo-do-do... do-do, dooo-do!"
Wednesday, 20 August 2008
TV
Friday Night With Jonathan Ross
14x24 (4/7/08 edition)
On which I discovered they're making a film spin-off from The Thick of It, called In the Loop.
Never Mind the Buzzcocks
19x05 (23/11/08 edition) [2nd watch]
Buzzcocks has been so much better since Simon Amstell took over as host (it's been almost two years now). In this episode, a squeaky-voiced pink-shirt-wearing Daniel Bedingfield seems to be trying to out-camp John Barrowman. Ha!
Would I Lie To You?
2x05 (8/8/08 edition)
14x24 (4/7/08 edition)
On which I discovered they're making a film spin-off from The Thick of It, called In the Loop.
Never Mind the Buzzcocks
19x05 (23/11/08 edition) [2nd watch]
Buzzcocks has been so much better since Simon Amstell took over as host (it's been almost two years now). In this episode, a squeaky-voiced pink-shirt-wearing Daniel Bedingfield seems to be trying to out-camp John Barrowman. Ha!
Would I Lie To You?
2x05 (8/8/08 edition)
Articles
Legal Battle Over Watchmen Movie
(from WENN)
Well this came out of nowhere.
Tropic Thunder Topples Dark Knight by Olly Richards
(from Empire Online)
"The Dark Knight may have slipped, but it only went as far as number two, taking another $16.8 million. That's pushed it to $471.5 million domestically, making it the second highest grossing film of all time, after Titanic. Yes, it's surpassed Star Wars, which has earned $461 million in its various releases."
Review of The Jane Austen Book Club by Angie Errigo
(from Empire Online)
Review of Stardust by Dan Jolin
(from Empire Online)
"Patchy but great fun, peppering plenty of black humour into a sweet if silly fairy-tale romance."
Russell Crowe To Play Bill Hicks? by Helen O'Hara
(from Empire Online)
A biopic of Bill Hicks? Could be cool. But really, why not just watch some recordings of his gigs?
(from WENN)
Well this came out of nowhere.
Tropic Thunder Topples Dark Knight by Olly Richards
(from Empire Online)
"The Dark Knight may have slipped, but it only went as far as number two, taking another $16.8 million. That's pushed it to $471.5 million domestically, making it the second highest grossing film of all time, after Titanic. Yes, it's surpassed Star Wars, which has earned $461 million in its various releases."
Review of The Jane Austen Book Club by Angie Errigo
(from Empire Online)
Review of Stardust by Dan Jolin
(from Empire Online)
"Patchy but great fun, peppering plenty of black humour into a sweet if silly fairy-tale romance."
Russell Crowe To Play Bill Hicks? by Helen O'Hara
(from Empire Online)
A biopic of Bill Hicks? Could be cool. But really, why not just watch some recordings of his gigs?
Tuesday, 19 August 2008
Films
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (2007)
[2nd watch]
Better second time round.
The Jane Austen Book Club (2007)
[#54 in 100 Films in a Year 2008]
[2nd watch]
Better second time round.
The Jane Austen Book Club (2007)
[#54 in 100 Films in a Year 2008]
Monday, 18 August 2008
TV
Mock the Week
6x02 (17/7/08 edition)
6x03 (24/7/08 edition)
6x04 (31/7/08 edition)
Would I Lie To You?
2x02 (18/7/08 edition)
2x03 (25/7/08 edition)
2x04 (1/8/08 edition)
6x02 (17/7/08 edition)
6x03 (24/7/08 edition)
6x04 (31/7/08 edition)
Would I Lie To You?
2x02 (18/7/08 edition)
2x03 (25/7/08 edition)
2x04 (1/8/08 edition)
Sunday, 17 August 2008
Saturday, 16 August 2008
TV
Invincible
Behind-the-Scenes
Free behind-the-scenes video for the 'motion comic' made my MTV. Based on the extended preview at the front of this very light-weight "making of", it has the advantage of a full voice cast, but the actual animation is incredibly minimal. Sort of the inverse of...
Watchmen Motion Comics
Chapter I (of 12)
The first Warner Premiere Motion Comic, available through iTunes in the US (it doesn't seem to have turned up in the UK yet). The original comic is brilliant and, aside from a sometimes-iffy narrator (a full voice cast would've been better) this is an excellent rendition. It's surprisingly animated too -- perhaps not quite up to scratch for a fully-animated show (especially with those speech bubbles floating around), but a lot more than just moving things around within the frame or somesuch.
Behind-the-Scenes
Free behind-the-scenes video for the 'motion comic' made my MTV. Based on the extended preview at the front of this very light-weight "making of", it has the advantage of a full voice cast, but the actual animation is incredibly minimal. Sort of the inverse of...
Watchmen Motion Comics
Chapter I (of 12)
The first Warner Premiere Motion Comic, available through iTunes in the US (it doesn't seem to have turned up in the UK yet). The original comic is brilliant and, aside from a sometimes-iffy narrator (a full voice cast would've been better) this is an excellent rendition. It's surprisingly animated too -- perhaps not quite up to scratch for a fully-animated show (especially with those speech bubbles floating around), but a lot more than just moving things around within the frame or somesuch.
Back in the UK!
0!
As this is posted, I should be somewhere in the air, flying Business Class from Newark to Bristol. Oo-ooh, I know. However, thanks to horrendous delays, I'll probably be sat in the Business Lounge at Newark waiting for a flight.
For a full explanation, please see the start of the countdown.
As this is posted, I should be somewhere in the air, flying Business Class from Newark to Bristol. Oo-ooh, I know. However, thanks to horrendous delays, I'll probably be sat in the Business Lounge at Newark waiting for a flight.
For a full explanation, please see the start of the countdown.
TV
Buffy the Vampire Slayer: The Animated Series
Unreleased Promo
Back in 2001 and 2002, Joss Whedon & co tried to get an animated version of Buffy off the ground. A four-minute promo was completed in 2004, but no network picked up the show. Finally, just a few days ago, that promo leaked online. Hurrah! A must-see for anyone who ever liked Buffy -- it looks great, though the voice actress for Buffy sounds nothing like Sarah Michelle Gellar.
Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog
Acts 1 - 3 (of 3)
"#1 Downloaded TV Season on iTunes 3 WEEKS RUNNING!"
And it's funny. Which is the point. So all is good. Surprisingly few songs though. And Whedon can't resist a tragic twist or two.
Unreleased Promo
Back in 2001 and 2002, Joss Whedon & co tried to get an animated version of Buffy off the ground. A four-minute promo was completed in 2004, but no network picked up the show. Finally, just a few days ago, that promo leaked online. Hurrah! A must-see for anyone who ever liked Buffy -- it looks great, though the voice actress for Buffy sounds nothing like Sarah Michelle Gellar.
Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog
Acts 1 - 3 (of 3)
"#1 Downloaded TV Season on iTunes 3 WEEKS RUNNING!"
And it's funny. Which is the point. So all is good. Surprisingly few songs though. And Whedon can't resist a tragic twist or two.
Articles
10 Shows You Should Be Watching by Shirley Halperin, Jeff Jensen, Tim Stack, Dan Snierson, Jennifer Armstrong, Lindsay Soll, Ken Tucker & Mandi Bierly
(from Entertainment Weekly #995/996, p.34-35)
List-article of ten low-rated US TV shows that are (allegedly) great. Featuring Breaking Bad, Reaper, Flight of the Conchords, Friday Night Lights, Greek, The Paper, Gossip Girl (in spite of the fuss, it seems few watch it), In Treatment, Brotherhood, and Bones (cos 9.7m average is "no one").
20 fall movies we can't wait to see by Adam Markovitz
(from EW.com)
Pictorial preview of some of the big films still to come in 2008. Includes the great truism, "There's a thin line between ''And the Oscar goes to...'' and ''The Hallmark Channel proudly presents...''"
Be Still My Geeking Heart by Olly Richards
(from Empire Online)
A Joss Whedon Batman film? Let me say that again: a Joss Whedon Batman film?! Sorry, Chris Nolan -- we all love you, but nothing short of Joss in charge of Batman Begins 3 is going to satiate us now.
Mad Men (Summer TV Preview) by Missy Schwartz
(from Entertainment Weekly #995/996, p.26-33)
(from Entertainment Weekly #995/996, p.34-35)
List-article of ten low-rated US TV shows that are (allegedly) great. Featuring Breaking Bad, Reaper, Flight of the Conchords, Friday Night Lights, Greek, The Paper, Gossip Girl (in spite of the fuss, it seems few watch it), In Treatment, Brotherhood, and Bones (cos 9.7m average is "no one").
20 fall movies we can't wait to see by Adam Markovitz
(from EW.com)
Pictorial preview of some of the big films still to come in 2008. Includes the great truism, "There's a thin line between ''And the Oscar goes to...'' and ''The Hallmark Channel proudly presents...''"
Be Still My Geeking Heart by Olly Richards
(from Empire Online)
A Joss Whedon Batman film? Let me say that again: a Joss Whedon Batman film?! Sorry, Chris Nolan -- we all love you, but nothing short of Joss in charge of Batman Begins 3 is going to satiate us now.
Mad Men (Summer TV Preview) by Missy Schwartz
(from Entertainment Weekly #995/996, p.26-33)
Friday, 15 August 2008
TV
Doctor Who [new]
4x13 Journey's End [2nd watch; season finale]
See here for my thoughts on this story. [coming soon]
Heroes Season 3 Trailer
A brilliant two-minute trail for the forthcoming third season of Heroes, subtitled "Villains". It looks absolutely fantastic, even if it does use the very tired "Choose a Side" tagline.
Tin Man
Part 3 Conclusion (aka Tin Man) [final episode]
Y'know, one of the worst things about this is that it's packed with the cheap fantasy trick of pointlessly renaming everyday things in the fantasy world, such as "years" being called "annuals". It just draws attention to itself, making otherwise fine bits of dialogue objectionable. Well, actually, there are plenty worse things -- the CGI springs to mind, which would have been much better if they hadn't tried to reach beyond their means with such a large volume of needless or needlessly-long shots. I do find the references to the original stories amusing though, even if they help cement this as nothing more than an interesting curio for The Wizard of Oz than a fully independent piece of drama.
4x13 Journey's End [2nd watch; season finale]
See here for my thoughts on this story. [coming soon]
Heroes Season 3 Trailer
A brilliant two-minute trail for the forthcoming third season of Heroes, subtitled "Villains". It looks absolutely fantastic, even if it does use the very tired "Choose a Side" tagline.
Tin Man
Part 3 Conclusion (aka Tin Man) [final episode]
Y'know, one of the worst things about this is that it's packed with the cheap fantasy trick of pointlessly renaming everyday things in the fantasy world, such as "years" being called "annuals". It just draws attention to itself, making otherwise fine bits of dialogue objectionable. Well, actually, there are plenty worse things -- the CGI springs to mind, which would have been much better if they hadn't tried to reach beyond their means with such a large volume of needless or needlessly-long shots. I do find the references to the original stories amusing though, even if they help cement this as nothing more than an interesting curio for The Wizard of Oz than a fully independent piece of drama.
Films
Body of Lies Trailer (#2A)
It's better than the crappy one they showed before The Dark Knight, but I still have no bloody idea what it's actually about (other than, y'know, the War on Terror -- so what else is new?)
It's better than the crappy one they showed before The Dark Knight, but I still have no bloody idea what it's actually about (other than, y'know, the War on Terror -- so what else is new?)
Articles
Empire Essay: Rififi by Kim Newman
(from Empire Online)
Effectively an extended review, but an interesting article-like one -- though be warned that it's spoiler-packed.
Reviews from Empire Online of:
The 39 Steps by Ian Freer
"the most satisfying of Hitchcock’s Brit period, a thrilling, rollercoaster romp, made before the phrase ‘rollercoaster romp’ existed."
The 39 Steps by Kim Newman
"After the curtain has fallen, you'll be happy for a week."
Le Cercle Rouge DVD by David Parkinson
"noir-ish urban Western"
The Lady Vanishes by Alan Morrison
"a fun romp celebrating the stiff-upper-lippedness of our great nation."
The Lady Vanishes DVD by David Parkinson
"Hitchcock was the master of confined spaces and he makes splendid use of the train's compartments and corridors... However, it's the dialogue and characterisation that make [it] so mischievously gratifying."
The Passion of Joan of Arc by David Parkinson
"so humblingly powerful or so purely cinematic. One of the most inspired and inspiring films ever made."
Rififi DVD by Michael Hayden
"A masterful piece of genre filmmaking. Dassin's direction raises this textbook French film noir to crime classic status."
Le Samourai by Kim Newman
"Keeping the dialogue minimal and the action high on the agenda, life in Paris' underworld proves to be surprisingly yet suitably violent and threatening."
(from Empire Online)
Effectively an extended review, but an interesting article-like one -- though be warned that it's spoiler-packed.
Reviews from Empire Online of:
The 39 Steps by Ian Freer
"the most satisfying of Hitchcock’s Brit period, a thrilling, rollercoaster romp, made before the phrase ‘rollercoaster romp’ existed."
The 39 Steps by Kim Newman
"After the curtain has fallen, you'll be happy for a week."
Le Cercle Rouge DVD by David Parkinson
"noir-ish urban Western"
The Lady Vanishes by Alan Morrison
"a fun romp celebrating the stiff-upper-lippedness of our great nation."
The Lady Vanishes DVD by David Parkinson
"Hitchcock was the master of confined spaces and he makes splendid use of the train's compartments and corridors... However, it's the dialogue and characterisation that make [it] so mischievously gratifying."
The Passion of Joan of Arc by David Parkinson
"so humblingly powerful or so purely cinematic. One of the most inspired and inspiring films ever made."
Rififi DVD by Michael Hayden
"A masterful piece of genre filmmaking. Dassin's direction raises this textbook French film noir to crime classic status."
Le Samourai by Kim Newman
"Keeping the dialogue minimal and the action high on the agenda, life in Paris' underworld proves to be surprisingly yet suitably violent and threatening."
Thursday, 14 August 2008
TV
Damages
1x11 I Hate These People [2nd watch]
1x12 There's No 'We' Anymore [2nd watch]
1x13 Because I Know Patty [2nd watch; season finale]
Damages is utterly brilliant, and certainly stands up to a second viewing -- in fact, it might even better, because the whole thing's clearly been planned out and well executed from the start (either that, or they've done a damn fine job of bluffing that it was!) I can't wait for season two.
Doctor Who [classic]
Trailer for The War Machines
These new(-ish) 'Coming Soon' trailers for Who DVDs can be a bit of a mixed bag -- certainly, I've never seen a Hartnell one that works. Until now! This War Machines one is utterly brilliant, so it's typical that it won't see the light of day on a proper DVD. It's available for free online at least, but it deserves a full-res DVD release.
1x11 I Hate These People [2nd watch]
1x12 There's No 'We' Anymore [2nd watch]
1x13 Because I Know Patty [2nd watch; season finale]
Damages is utterly brilliant, and certainly stands up to a second viewing -- in fact, it might even better, because the whole thing's clearly been planned out and well executed from the start (either that, or they've done a damn fine job of bluffing that it was!) I can't wait for season two.
Doctor Who [classic]
Trailer for The War Machines
These new(-ish) 'Coming Soon' trailers for Who DVDs can be a bit of a mixed bag -- certainly, I've never seen a Hartnell one that works. Until now! This War Machines one is utterly brilliant, so it's typical that it won't see the light of day on a proper DVD. It's available for free online at least, but it deserves a full-res DVD release.
Films
The Golden Compass (2007)
[#51 in 100 Films in a Year 2008]
My Best Friend's Girl 'Red Band' Trailer
Of moderate funniness. The poster (which star Dane Cook has had a good old rant about) certainly doesn't seem to represent the film accurately: it makes it look like Bridget Jones' Diary, when (based on this trailer) it's more like Wedding Crashers.
For the first time ever (in this history of this blog), you can see this trailer right here:
[#51 in 100 Films in a Year 2008]
My Best Friend's Girl 'Red Band' Trailer
Of moderate funniness. The poster (which star Dane Cook has had a good old rant about) certainly doesn't seem to represent the film accurately: it makes it look like Bridget Jones' Diary, when (based on this trailer) it's more like Wedding Crashers.
For the first time ever (in this history of this blog), you can see this trailer right here:
Theatre
The 39 Steps
(at the Cort Theatre, New York)
"Hitchcock Meets Hilarious" proudly proclaim the posters and website for this originally-British comedy, and they're right on the money. Four cast members play dozens of characters in this wittily-staged comedy spy thriller, with a plot as Hitchcockian as they come. In fact, the title "Alfred Hitchcock's The 39 Steps" -- which is bandied about on the posters and everywhere else, but not (it would seem) technically the title -- would be a better full moniker, as the play is adapted from that version more than the original novel (I gather) and is stuffed with references to other famous Hitchcock films. Recommended.
(at the Cort Theatre, New York)
"Hitchcock Meets Hilarious" proudly proclaim the posters and website for this originally-British comedy, and they're right on the money. Four cast members play dozens of characters in this wittily-staged comedy spy thriller, with a plot as Hitchcockian as they come. In fact, the title "Alfred Hitchcock's The 39 Steps" -- which is bandied about on the posters and everywhere else, but not (it would seem) technically the title -- would be a better full moniker, as the play is adapted from that version more than the original novel (I gather) and is stuffed with references to other famous Hitchcock films. Recommended.
Articles
Can Knight Beat Titanic?
(from Studio Briefing)
As noted on Monday, The Dark Knight is going to beat Star Wars -- so what's new? Well, chiefly of note here is this quote from "Warner Bros. distribution chief" Dan Fellman: "Titanic was once in a lifetime, and I don't think we'll ever have another gross like that in the history of the industry". There are so many things wrong with that it's hard to know where to start, but... Titanic was "once in a lifetime", so it will happen again... but we'll never see its like again... in history... So, in the past, we will never see its like again, apart from in another lifetime. Yeah, well done Dan.
Dane Cook Rips Best Friend's Girl Poster by Chris Hewitt
(from Empire Online)
As in slags it off big-time, not tears it up. Bad article title, Empire. Funny story though, and Cook seems to have a point. See my thoughts on the trailer for more.
O'Brien anger over Rocky remake
(from BBC News)
Translation: "Richard O'Brien isn't happy that Sky One & MTV are remaking The Rocky Horror Picture Show". Except that's still not quite the case, as this quote shows: "It was announced on Wednesday that the new version... would be co-produced by O'Brien. But he told the BBC he would not be involved "in any way". "I have no view on whether it should be remade but it doesn't have my blessing," he added." Chalk up yet another misleading headline for BBC News.
Three New Articles From the Doctor Who Restoration Team
I always look forward to new articles from the Restoration Team, as I find the work they do quite astounding and interesting. Today, we're treated to articles on three forthcoming classic Who DVDs; namely...
- The War Machines (+ two articles on the story's VHS restoration, here and here)
- Four to Doomsday
- The Trial of a Time Lord
That said, the only one of those with very much detail is The War Machines. Trial has an incredible extras package though.
Universal Buys Wheel Of Time by Helen O'Hara
(from Empire Online)
But what are the chances of them actually making a film / film series out of Robert Jordan's long series of massive novels? (The average page count for each book is 850 -- a total of 9,353 pages across the 11 so far published!) Very very slim, I should imagine. Unlike the books. (Ho ho!)
(from Studio Briefing)
As noted on Monday, The Dark Knight is going to beat Star Wars -- so what's new? Well, chiefly of note here is this quote from "Warner Bros. distribution chief" Dan Fellman: "Titanic was once in a lifetime, and I don't think we'll ever have another gross like that in the history of the industry". There are so many things wrong with that it's hard to know where to start, but... Titanic was "once in a lifetime", so it will happen again... but we'll never see its like again... in history... So, in the past, we will never see its like again, apart from in another lifetime. Yeah, well done Dan.
Dane Cook Rips Best Friend's Girl Poster by Chris Hewitt
(from Empire Online)
As in slags it off big-time, not tears it up. Bad article title, Empire. Funny story though, and Cook seems to have a point. See my thoughts on the trailer for more.
O'Brien anger over Rocky remake
(from BBC News)
Translation: "Richard O'Brien isn't happy that Sky One & MTV are remaking The Rocky Horror Picture Show". Except that's still not quite the case, as this quote shows: "It was announced on Wednesday that the new version... would be co-produced by O'Brien. But he told the BBC he would not be involved "in any way". "I have no view on whether it should be remade but it doesn't have my blessing," he added." Chalk up yet another misleading headline for BBC News.
Three New Articles From the Doctor Who Restoration Team
I always look forward to new articles from the Restoration Team, as I find the work they do quite astounding and interesting. Today, we're treated to articles on three forthcoming classic Who DVDs; namely...
- The War Machines (+ two articles on the story's VHS restoration, here and here)
- Four to Doomsday
- The Trial of a Time Lord
That said, the only one of those with very much detail is The War Machines. Trial has an incredible extras package though.
Universal Buys Wheel Of Time by Helen O'Hara
(from Empire Online)
But what are the chances of them actually making a film / film series out of Robert Jordan's long series of massive novels? (The average page count for each book is 850 -- a total of 9,353 pages across the 11 so far published!) Very very slim, I should imagine. Unlike the books. (Ho ho!)
Wednesday, 13 August 2008
TV
Damages
1x09 Do You Regret What We Did? [2nd watch]
1x10 Sort of Like a Family [2nd watch]
Tin Man
Part 2 Search for the Emerald
An improvement on the first part, as it breaks away from slavishly re-imagining the original story, but it still suffers from a cookie-cutter fantasy plot, low production values, a turgid pace and hammy acting.
1x09 Do You Regret What We Did? [2nd watch]
1x10 Sort of Like a Family [2nd watch]
Tin Man
Part 2 Search for the Emerald
An improvement on the first part, as it breaks away from slavishly re-imagining the original story, but it still suffers from a cookie-cutter fantasy plot, low production values, a turgid pace and hammy acting.
Films
Trailers for:
Ashes of Time: Redux
Babylon A.D.
Exciting near-future action flick, or just a Children of Men rip off?
Bangkok Dangerous
Surprisingly exciting trailer for the new Nic Cage actioner. He's looking a bit old for that haircut though.
Choke
Adaptation of the new Chuck Palahniuk novel. Looks very good.
City of Ember
Could-be-fun kiddy post-apocalypse sci-fi.
Cthulhu
Looks like a cheap fan film to me.
Death Race
Provided there's not too much plot and plenty of cool car action, this could actually be pretty cool. Then again, it is directed by Paul W.S. Anderson.
Defiance
Promising new work from the director of Blood Diamond.
Hamlet 2
It has no right to look any good, but this looks hilarious.
Igor
Was looking forward to this. Not at all now. Disappointing for me, "oh dear" for whoever edited the trailer.
Righteous Kill
Conversely, this looks brilliant. Maybe it can even live up to the hype its pairing of stars brings.
Twilight
I'm sure fans of the books will love it, but it looks just as crappy as it sounds.
W.
"Odd" is just about the best word to describe this. Fitting, I suppose. But since when was Tony Blair blond?
Ashes of Time: Redux
Babylon A.D.
Exciting near-future action flick, or just a Children of Men rip off?
Bangkok Dangerous
Surprisingly exciting trailer for the new Nic Cage actioner. He's looking a bit old for that haircut though.
Choke
Adaptation of the new Chuck Palahniuk novel. Looks very good.
City of Ember
Could-be-fun kiddy post-apocalypse sci-fi.
Cthulhu
Looks like a cheap fan film to me.
Death Race
Provided there's not too much plot and plenty of cool car action, this could actually be pretty cool. Then again, it is directed by Paul W.S. Anderson.
Defiance
Promising new work from the director of Blood Diamond.
Hamlet 2
It has no right to look any good, but this looks hilarious.
Igor
Was looking forward to this. Not at all now. Disappointing for me, "oh dear" for whoever edited the trailer.
Righteous Kill
Conversely, this looks brilliant. Maybe it can even live up to the hype its pairing of stars brings.
Twilight
I'm sure fans of the books will love it, but it looks just as crappy as it sounds.
W.
"Odd" is just about the best word to describe this. Fitting, I suppose. But since when was Tony Blair blond?
Articles
Hollywood feels the crunch by Peter Bowes
(from BBC News)
iPhone Software Sales Take Off: Apple's Jobs by Nick Wingfield
(from The Wall Street Journal)
Brief interview with Steve Jobs about the stunning success of the new iPhone App Store.
Zak Penn Writes The Argonauts by Helen O'Hara
(from Empire Online)
"Zak Penn is to write and produce a new take on The Argonauts, the crew who accompanied the Greek hero Jason in his search for the Golden Fleece. Penn's story will be an "original take" on the legend... But this is just one of a wave of Greek-themed projects in Hollywood at the moment... there's Louis Leterrier working on Clash of the Titans; Warners is planning a 300 sequel... Relativity Media is making War of Gods about Theseus; Brett Ratner's mulling God of War (don't confuse those two; this one's based on a game); and there are at least three Hercules projects in development, including Peter Berg's Hercules: The Thracian Wars (based on a comic). Oh, and DreamWorks is making a different film called The Argonauts, about modern treasure-hunters thrown back through time when they find the original Argo."
(from BBC News)
iPhone Software Sales Take Off: Apple's Jobs by Nick Wingfield
(from The Wall Street Journal)
Brief interview with Steve Jobs about the stunning success of the new iPhone App Store.
Zak Penn Writes The Argonauts by Helen O'Hara
(from Empire Online)
"Zak Penn is to write and produce a new take on The Argonauts, the crew who accompanied the Greek hero Jason in his search for the Golden Fleece. Penn's story will be an "original take" on the legend... But this is just one of a wave of Greek-themed projects in Hollywood at the moment... there's Louis Leterrier working on Clash of the Titans; Warners is planning a 300 sequel... Relativity Media is making War of Gods about Theseus; Brett Ratner's mulling God of War (don't confuse those two; this one's based on a game); and there are at least three Hercules projects in development, including Peter Berg's Hercules: The Thracian Wars (based on a comic). Oh, and DreamWorks is making a different film called The Argonauts, about modern treasure-hunters thrown back through time when they find the original Argo."
Tuesday, 12 August 2008
TV
Damages
1x05 A Regular Earl Anthony [2nd watch]
1x06 She Spat at Me [2nd watch]
1x07 We Are Not Animals [2nd watch]
1x08 Blame the Victim [2nd watch]
Tin Man
Part 1 Into the Storm
Sci-Fi's SF/F re-imagining of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, originally shown last December in the US and this May in the UK... but I watched it on a legal download via TV. That works fine, though I swear it was shot for widescreen and presented here in 4:3 (not iTunes' fault, I'm sure). As for the show itself... well...
1x05 A Regular Earl Anthony [2nd watch]
1x06 She Spat at Me [2nd watch]
1x07 We Are Not Animals [2nd watch]
1x08 Blame the Victim [2nd watch]
Tin Man
Part 1 Into the Storm
Sci-Fi's SF/F re-imagining of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, originally shown last December in the US and this May in the UK... but I watched it on a legal download via TV. That works fine, though I swear it was shot for widescreen and presented here in 4:3 (not iTunes' fault, I'm sure). As for the show itself... well...
Articles
Dark Knight Rules The Box Office Again by Olly Richards
(from Empire Online)
For the first time since Lord of the Rings 3 in 2003/4, The Dark Knight makes it to four weeks at the top of the US box office. While it's likely to drop next weekend, under the double whammy of the highly-anticipated Tropic Thunder (though that will do business on Wednesday and Thursday that won't get counted) and the even-more-highly-anticipated Star Wars: The Clone Wars, TDK should still overtake Star Wars as the second-highest-grossing-film-in-the-US-ever by the end of the week. Can it best Titanic? I still don't think so, but you never know...
Invisibility cloak 'step closer'
(from BBC News)
No, seriously. Well, sort of.
(from Empire Online)
For the first time since Lord of the Rings 3 in 2003/4, The Dark Knight makes it to four weeks at the top of the US box office. While it's likely to drop next weekend, under the double whammy of the highly-anticipated Tropic Thunder (though that will do business on Wednesday and Thursday that won't get counted) and the even-more-highly-anticipated Star Wars: The Clone Wars, TDK should still overtake Star Wars as the second-highest-grossing-film-in-the-US-ever by the end of the week. Can it best Titanic? I still don't think so, but you never know...
Invisibility cloak 'step closer'
(from BBC News)
No, seriously. Well, sort of.
Monday, 11 August 2008
Articles
Inside the World of Warner Premiere Motion Comics
(from Newsarama.com)
Quite interesting interview about Warner's new Motion Comics thingies (turning DC Comics into part-animated, narrated videos). Unfortunately it's clearly an interview with some form of mid-level executive rather than fan or creative, as it's packed with copywriter-sanitized middle-management marketing speak.
Review of Star Wars: The Clone Wars by James Dyer
(from Empire Online)
"It may not be what the (now older) fans are hoping for, but this is entirely in keeping with Lucas’ original vision -- whether you like it or not."
(from Newsarama.com)
Quite interesting interview about Warner's new Motion Comics thingies (turning DC Comics into part-animated, narrated videos). Unfortunately it's clearly an interview with some form of mid-level executive rather than fan or creative, as it's packed with copywriter-sanitized middle-management marketing speak.
Review of Star Wars: The Clone Wars by James Dyer
(from Empire Online)
"It may not be what the (now older) fans are hoping for, but this is entirely in keeping with Lucas’ original vision -- whether you like it or not."
Sunday, 10 August 2008
Films
Hamlet (1996)
[#50 in 100 Films in a Year 2008]
[1st half]
Kenneth Branagh's four-hour full-text adaptation of arguably Shakespeare's most famous play. So long it has an official intermission inserted, which is where I watched to -- it's a bit much for one sitting if you ask me. At least the current David Tennant-starring production, which I'll be seeing in September, has been edited.
[#50 in 100 Films in a Year 2008]
[1st half]
Kenneth Branagh's four-hour full-text adaptation of arguably Shakespeare's most famous play. So long it has an official intermission inserted, which is where I watched to -- it's a bit much for one sitting if you ask me. At least the current David Tennant-starring production, which I'll be seeing in September, has been edited.
Non-Fiction
Overheard in New York by S. Morgan Friedman & Michael Malice
Forward by Marc Shaiman
Introduction: The Whole World is Listening by Lawrence Block
"Behind Closed Doors"
"Going Underground" (pages 101-137)
'Best of' volume from the blog of the same name, which collects amusing things people have been overheard saying in New York (the title really is self explanatory).
Forward by Marc Shaiman
Introduction: The Whole World is Listening by Lawrence Block
"Behind Closed Doors"
"Going Underground" (pages 101-137)
'Best of' volume from the blog of the same name, which collects amusing things people have been overheard saying in New York (the title really is self explanatory).
Saturday, 9 August 2008
TV
Beijing 2008 Olympics: Opening Ceremony
I'm still not convinced that the Chinese should have the Olympics (the IOC insist that the Olympics should not be political and are about unity or harmony or something, yet they're in a country infamous for its human rights violations? Do they have no sense of irony?), but this opening ceremony -- a vast, impressive mix of techniques and styles, directed by filmmaker Zhang Yimou -- is too startling to miss. Of course, they wasted a helluva lot of money on it, so of course it does. I expect any participant who did their bit wrong will be taken out and shot. (Watched on NBC with US commentary, which was surprisingly good.)
I'm still not convinced that the Chinese should have the Olympics (the IOC insist that the Olympics should not be political and are about unity or harmony or something, yet they're in a country infamous for its human rights violations? Do they have no sense of irony?), but this opening ceremony -- a vast, impressive mix of techniques and styles, directed by filmmaker Zhang Yimou -- is too startling to miss. Of course, they wasted a helluva lot of money on it, so of course it does. I expect any participant who did their bit wrong will be taken out and shot. (Watched on NBC with US commentary, which was surprisingly good.)
Articles
Beijing Olympics: Britain sends twice as many public workers as athletes by Gordon Rayner, Sarah Knapton and Jon Swaine
(from Telegraph.co.uk)
"Whilst Team GB comprises 313 athletes, more than 600 publicly-funded workers will be attending the Games... In 2004, just seven public servants attended the Athens Olympics." Except these opening statistics are incredibly misleading, as the article later reveals that "by far the biggest British contingent at the Games will be the BBC, which has sent 437 staff... The record number is 33 more than the corporation sent to Athens" -- so include that and the seven becomes 413! The reason for the extra people is that we're hosting the next Olympics and this is a chance for various officials to find out how it's done. Perhaps we are overspending on this, but at least some of it is justifiable.
How do other countries rate Batman?
(from BBC News)
After the controversy over the BBFC's rating of The Dark Knight, BBC News looks at how eight other nations rated the film. Two of them, including France, gave it the equivalent of a U!
"It's kind of locked in this no-man's land." by Matt Weston
(from CommanderBond.net)
Interview with Rare's senior software engineer, Nick Burton, about what's going on with the GoldenEye remake for Xbox LIVE Arcade / Wii. It's a big legal problem, really. Burton also talks about whether or not GoldenEye's shadow hangs over the company.
Nigerian advises against 86 wives by Andrew Walker
(from BBC News)
It starts out sounding like an amusing story about an old guy with a ludicrous number of wives, but it quickly becomes clear it's actually some sort of scary cult thing goin' on.
Potter prequel book sets record
(from BBC News)
"A book featuring a new Harry Potter tale by JK Rowling has become the fastest-selling collection of short stories of all time in the UK. What's Your Story? contains 13 postcard-sized tales by authors including Doris Lessing, Nick Hornby and Sebastian Faulks... Irvine Welsh, Michael Rosen, Tom Stoppard and Margaret Atwood... More than 10,000 copies were bought on its first day of release, with some shops sold out by Thursday lunchtime." It's only available from Waterstone's, as it's launched from their initiative, but the BBC article cunningly doesn't mention this!
(from Telegraph.co.uk)
"Whilst Team GB comprises 313 athletes, more than 600 publicly-funded workers will be attending the Games... In 2004, just seven public servants attended the Athens Olympics." Except these opening statistics are incredibly misleading, as the article later reveals that "by far the biggest British contingent at the Games will be the BBC, which has sent 437 staff... The record number is 33 more than the corporation sent to Athens" -- so include that and the seven becomes 413! The reason for the extra people is that we're hosting the next Olympics and this is a chance for various officials to find out how it's done. Perhaps we are overspending on this, but at least some of it is justifiable.
How do other countries rate Batman?
(from BBC News)
After the controversy over the BBFC's rating of The Dark Knight, BBC News looks at how eight other nations rated the film. Two of them, including France, gave it the equivalent of a U!
"It's kind of locked in this no-man's land." by Matt Weston
(from CommanderBond.net)
Interview with Rare's senior software engineer, Nick Burton, about what's going on with the GoldenEye remake for Xbox LIVE Arcade / Wii. It's a big legal problem, really. Burton also talks about whether or not GoldenEye's shadow hangs over the company.
Nigerian advises against 86 wives by Andrew Walker
(from BBC News)
It starts out sounding like an amusing story about an old guy with a ludicrous number of wives, but it quickly becomes clear it's actually some sort of scary cult thing goin' on.
Potter prequel book sets record
(from BBC News)
"A book featuring a new Harry Potter tale by JK Rowling has become the fastest-selling collection of short stories of all time in the UK. What's Your Story? contains 13 postcard-sized tales by authors including Doris Lessing, Nick Hornby and Sebastian Faulks... Irvine Welsh, Michael Rosen, Tom Stoppard and Margaret Atwood... More than 10,000 copies were bought on its first day of release, with some shops sold out by Thursday lunchtime." It's only available from Waterstone's, as it's launched from their initiative, but the BBC article cunningly doesn't mention this!
Friday, 8 August 2008
Films
Mad Detective Trailer
Out in US cinemas now; out on DVD in the UK on 3rd November from Masters of Cinema. Looks pretty good to me.
Out in US cinemas now; out on DVD in the UK on 3rd November from Masters of Cinema. Looks pretty good to me.
Music
Quantum of Solace (song) by Joe Cornish
Thanks to Empire Online for bringing this to my attention -- an alternate theme for the forthcoming 22nd Bond film by comedian Joe Cornish (the second half of comedy duo Adam & Joe). "Did The Bond Producers Pick Wrong Song?" asks the headline. Well, no, but once it gets going it does have a few half decent jokes.
Thanks to Empire Online for bringing this to my attention -- an alternate theme for the forthcoming 22nd Bond film by comedian Joe Cornish (the second half of comedy duo Adam & Joe). "Did The Bond Producers Pick Wrong Song?" asks the headline. Well, no, but once it gets going it does have a few half decent jokes.
Articles
Ang Lee Is Taking Woodstock by Olly Richards
(from Empire Online)
"the only way this could sound less like an Ang Lee project would be if you threw in a big, green, giant man... oh, hang on."
After directing films as diverse as Sense and Sensibility, Brokeback Mountain and Hulk, I don't think anything can sound unlike an Ang Lee project.
James Cameron's 'Avatar' creating tech buzz by Carolyn Giardina
(from THR.com)
Very interesting article (especially once it gets going) about the amazing technical innovations on James Cameron's forthcoming (in December 2009) film Avatar.
Is Hollywood overestimating the clout of the geek? by Steven Zeitchik
(from THR.com)
Great article about the importance (or not?) of the Comic-Con geek-crowd to the success of movies and TV shows.
Lucas says Indiana Jones needs Ford to continue by Ryan Pearson
(from Mail.com)
Interesting interview with George Lucas in which he discusses a potential Indy 5, Star Wars in 3D, and Brad Pitt & Angelina Jolie (yes, really).
Net address bug worse than feared by Maggie Shiels
(from BBC News)
Though the article seems to conclude that, actually, the bug is relatively minor and unlikely to cause problems. BBC News is beginning to seem a bit sensationalist to me.
Rebecca Hall Joins Ealing's Dorian Gray by Chris Hewitt
(from Empire Online)
"Hall isn’t alone in joining the cast of Oliver Parker’s movie, which is currently shooting. In fact, roughly half the population of Britain has signed on in one fell swoop, with Ben Chaplin, Emilia Fox, Rachel Hurd-Wood, Max Irons..., Fiona Shaw, Pip Torrens, Douglas Henshall, Caroline Goodall, Michael Culkin, Johnny Harris, Hugh, Pugh, Barney McGrew, Cuthbert, Dibble and Grub all signing on the line that is dotted. And that, dear readers, is one hell of a cast." Plus there's Colin Firth and Maryam d'Abo, as well as Prince Caspian himself Ben Barnes as the titular Gray.
(from Empire Online)
"the only way this could sound less like an Ang Lee project would be if you threw in a big, green, giant man... oh, hang on."
After directing films as diverse as Sense and Sensibility, Brokeback Mountain and Hulk, I don't think anything can sound unlike an Ang Lee project.
James Cameron's 'Avatar' creating tech buzz by Carolyn Giardina
(from THR.com)
Very interesting article (especially once it gets going) about the amazing technical innovations on James Cameron's forthcoming (in December 2009) film Avatar.
Is Hollywood overestimating the clout of the geek? by Steven Zeitchik
(from THR.com)
Great article about the importance (or not?) of the Comic-Con geek-crowd to the success of movies and TV shows.
Lucas says Indiana Jones needs Ford to continue by Ryan Pearson
(from Mail.com)
Interesting interview with George Lucas in which he discusses a potential Indy 5, Star Wars in 3D, and Brad Pitt & Angelina Jolie (yes, really).
Net address bug worse than feared by Maggie Shiels
(from BBC News)
Though the article seems to conclude that, actually, the bug is relatively minor and unlikely to cause problems. BBC News is beginning to seem a bit sensationalist to me.
Rebecca Hall Joins Ealing's Dorian Gray by Chris Hewitt
(from Empire Online)
"Hall isn’t alone in joining the cast of Oliver Parker’s movie, which is currently shooting. In fact, roughly half the population of Britain has signed on in one fell swoop, with Ben Chaplin, Emilia Fox, Rachel Hurd-Wood, Max Irons..., Fiona Shaw, Pip Torrens, Douglas Henshall, Caroline Goodall, Michael Culkin, Johnny Harris, Hugh, Pugh, Barney McGrew, Cuthbert, Dibble and Grub all signing on the line that is dotted. And that, dear readers, is one hell of a cast." Plus there's Colin Firth and Maryam d'Abo, as well as Prince Caspian himself Ben Barnes as the titular Gray.
Thursday, 7 August 2008
Articles
Batman film breaks another record
(from BBC News)
The Dark Knight is now the fastest film to reach $400m in the US (after breaking just about every other record in existence on its way there). The previous record holder was Shrek 2, which managed it in 43 days -- The Dark Knight did it in just 18.
The Dark Knight Hits $400m Domestic
(from Empire Online)
A more amusingly-told version of the above news.
(from BBC News)
The Dark Knight is now the fastest film to reach $400m in the US (after breaking just about every other record in existence on its way there). The previous record holder was Shrek 2, which managed it in 43 days -- The Dark Knight did it in just 18.
The Dark Knight Hits $400m Domestic
(from Empire Online)
A more amusingly-told version of the above news.
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