TV

Damages
2x09 You Got Your Prom Date Pregnant
Are the FBI investigating Patty, or not? Why is the apparently-primary UNR plot so often sidelined? Will William Hurt's name forever be in the credits even though he doesn't appear to be in it any more? These are the burning questions.

Louis Theroux: A Place for Paedophiles
I never used to bother with Louis Theroux's programmes, but after finding his San Quentin prison doc very interesting (way back in January 2008, as it turns out -- you can read my thoughts on it at my old blog) this semi-sequel (as it were) looked like an equally intriguing prospect.
And it was -- a difficult issue handled intelligently and thoughtfully, devoid of any inappropriate humour. There are many questions raised -- not just about paedophiles and how we should treat them, but about the legality and morality of the institution that was his subject -- but no easy answers handed down.
This is quality documentary making and we should be thankful that there's someone prepared to make such work and that we have a network prepared to fund and broadcast it.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]

The Wire
1x12 Cleaning Up
If you'd told me this was the final episode I wouldn't've been surprised, which means I'm rather intrigued to see what cards they have left to play. Should be an interesting final episode...

Films

State of Play (2009)
[#20 in 100 Films in a Year 2009]
Not that I'm boasting (maybe a little), but I got to see this at a preview screening ahead of its UK release this Wednesday. The real question is, is it as good as the TV series? The answer: of course it bloody isn't. But, fortunately, it's a very good film nonetheless.
My full review is up at 100 Films now.

Articles

Matthew McConaughey’s Next 10 Movie Posters by Daniel O'Brien
(from Cracked.com)
These spoof posters may be a long way from the standard of other similar Photoshop-based gags you see around the web, but, crucially, most of them are funny. Can't always guarantee that.

new review at 100 Films

The Birds (1963)

The titular demented avians attack, and attack again, a near relentless series of assaults and set pieces that allow Hitchcock to show off his apparently endless array of shooting and editing tricks. And it’s all achieved without a single note of music — yet some sections are almost unbearably tense, built entirely with camera angles and masterful editing.

Read the full review at 100 Films.

There are currently 16 new films in the review pipeline at 100 Films, not to mention two shorts, a film I've previously seen, and an alternate cut. As ever, updates here as and when they're posted.