Agatha Christie's Marple
5x01 The Pale Horse
A Bank Holiday means ITV trot out a Marple; one that was probably filmed half a decade ago, knowing them. It's also not adapted from a Marple story, as per about half the episodes (it seems).
[Watch it (again) on ITV Player.]
Tuesday, 31 August 2010
Articles
Review: CLiNT Magazine #1 by Danny Graydon
(from Bleeding Cool)
Review of Mark Millar's attempt to bring comics back to the British mainstream -- essentially, by packaging a few that are either written by star-studded names or tied to successful movies in which a bunch of lad's mag content. Hopefully it has potential -- the basic idea of selling comics into the mainstream has legs -- but it sounds like a faltering start.
Of course, the alternative perspective is that all the lad's mag twaddle that doesn't appeal to people with taste who already enjoy comics will appeal to the kind of people who don't read comics but might be persuaded to, and so it'll hit that market right on the nose, while comics fans will buy it and ignore the laddish bits. What you're still missing are the audience who aren't adverse to comics but have grown beyond the level of a particularly filthy 13-year-old boy.
Maybe if CLiNT's a success someone will try another new magazine aimed at them. Fingers crossed.
(from Bleeding Cool)
Review of Mark Millar's attempt to bring comics back to the British mainstream -- essentially, by packaging a few that are either written by star-studded names or tied to successful movies in which a bunch of lad's mag content. Hopefully it has potential -- the basic idea of selling comics into the mainstream has legs -- but it sounds like a faltering start.
Of course, the alternative perspective is that all the lad's mag twaddle that doesn't appeal to people with taste who already enjoy comics will appeal to the kind of people who don't read comics but might be persuaded to, and so it'll hit that market right on the nose, while comics fans will buy it and ignore the laddish bits. What you're still missing are the audience who aren't adverse to comics but have grown beyond the level of a particularly filthy 13-year-old boy.
Maybe if CLiNT's a success someone will try another new magazine aimed at them. Fingers crossed.
Monday, 30 August 2010
TV
The Deep
Part 4 Everything Put Together Falls Apart
As full of codswallop as The Deep is, I do quite like its structure: it's a five-part story, yes, but each episode also manages to present a fairly self-contained, almost stand-alone chunk of this longer narrative. That's quite neat.
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
How I Met Your Mother
5x14 The Perfect Week
[Watch it (again) on 4oD.]
Vexed
1x03 Episode 3 [season finale]
Well, in spite of what the Radio Times had to say, I enjoyed that. Here's hoping for a second run.
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
Part 4 Everything Put Together Falls Apart
As full of codswallop as The Deep is, I do quite like its structure: it's a five-part story, yes, but each episode also manages to present a fairly self-contained, almost stand-alone chunk of this longer narrative. That's quite neat.
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
How I Met Your Mother
5x14 The Perfect Week
[Watch it (again) on 4oD.]
Vexed
1x03 Episode 3 [season finale]
Well, in spite of what the Radio Times had to say, I enjoyed that. Here's hoping for a second run.
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
Articles
BBC's Sherlock to return in 2011 by Colin Daniels & Paul Millar
(from Digital Spy)
The return of Sherlock has already been announced, this just confirms the already-suspected format (another three 90-minuters) and already-suspected time (in a year). The real news here is that Luther has managed to earn itself another run. Be interesting to see how they get out of that cliffhanger, and where they take the characters from there.
(from Digital Spy)
The return of Sherlock has already been announced, this just confirms the already-suspected format (another three 90-minuters) and already-suspected time (in a year). The real news here is that Luther has managed to earn itself another run. Be interesting to see how they get out of that cliffhanger, and where they take the characters from there.
Sunday, 29 August 2010
TV
Dexter
4x07 Slack Tide
That was probably the most uneventful, borderline-dull episode of Dexter ever. Apart from the nice twist at the end, that is, even if I did see it coming.
Who Do You Think You Are?
7x06 Alexander Armstrong
I don't normally watch this (as you may've noticed from its near total absence from this blog), but this one was meant to be rather good. It certainly has a surprising, quite extraordinary ending.
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
Would I Lie To You?
4x06 (27/8/10 edition)
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
4x07 Slack Tide
That was probably the most uneventful, borderline-dull episode of Dexter ever. Apart from the nice twist at the end, that is, even if I did see it coming.
Who Do You Think You Are?
7x06 Alexander Armstrong
I don't normally watch this (as you may've noticed from its near total absence from this blog), but this one was meant to be rather good. It certainly has a surprising, quite extraordinary ending.
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
Would I Lie To You?
4x06 (27/8/10 edition)
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Articles
Next series of Doctor Who to be split transmission (from the BBC Press Office)
and
Live blog: Doctor Who Masterclass by Neil Wilkes (from Digital Spy)
Today's big TV news, then: the next series of Doctor Who will be split in two, with the first seven episodes to air from Easter (when the whole series has aired since the revival), followed by the remaining six in the Autumn, and the regular Christmas special. It seems to have divided opinion, but I quite like it.
While it's been nice to a large, unbroken 13-episode run, this means (as Moffat noted) that kids (and, indeed, fans) will never be a few months away from new Who on the telly, and that we get two season openers and two season finales every year. I hope this doesn't mean they go overboard on the Great Big End Of The Universe finales we've had for all five series so far, though; but it does mean an extra promotional push, which is always a good thing -- it attracts new viewers. Plus Who surely works better as the nights are drawing in, rather than when the distractions of sunny evenings are beginning to open up.
Also worth a quick watch is this two minute video of Moffat making the announcement. In it he mentions something no news article I've seen has covered: that we shouldn't think of this as "one series split in two" but as "two separate series". He has a point when he says that 13 eps of Who is two series compared to most UK shows, true; but, more interestingly (from a fan point of view) will this mean they're branded and released as Series Six and Series Seven? Or are his words here the same as when he called Series Five Series One, and they'll just get released as Series Six Part One & Series Six Part Two (or just the Complete Series Six)?
I know it doesn't really matter, especially to the casual viewer, but as a fan it's the kind of thing we ponder. Well, I ponder.
and
Live blog: Doctor Who Masterclass by Neil Wilkes (from Digital Spy)
Today's big TV news, then: the next series of Doctor Who will be split in two, with the first seven episodes to air from Easter (when the whole series has aired since the revival), followed by the remaining six in the Autumn, and the regular Christmas special. It seems to have divided opinion, but I quite like it.
While it's been nice to a large, unbroken 13-episode run, this means (as Moffat noted) that kids (and, indeed, fans) will never be a few months away from new Who on the telly, and that we get two season openers and two season finales every year. I hope this doesn't mean they go overboard on the Great Big End Of The Universe finales we've had for all five series so far, though; but it does mean an extra promotional push, which is always a good thing -- it attracts new viewers. Plus Who surely works better as the nights are drawing in, rather than when the distractions of sunny evenings are beginning to open up.
Also worth a quick watch is this two minute video of Moffat making the announcement. In it he mentions something no news article I've seen has covered: that we shouldn't think of this as "one series split in two" but as "two separate series". He has a point when he says that 13 eps of Who is two series compared to most UK shows, true; but, more interestingly (from a fan point of view) will this mean they're branded and released as Series Six and Series Seven? Or are his words here the same as when he called Series Five Series One, and they'll just get released as Series Six Part One & Series Six Part Two (or just the Complete Series Six)?
I know it doesn't really matter, especially to the casual viewer, but as a fan it's the kind of thing we ponder. Well, I ponder.
this week on 100 Films
Just 1 new review was posted to 100 Films in a Year this week, and it was...
Snake Eyes (1998)
More next Sunday.
Snake Eyes (1998)
I always like a bit of noir. Snake Eyes fits the bill, with ‘heroic’ characters of questionable morality, voluptuous femme fatales, vicious villains, double dealings, punch-ups in shadowy alleys, and dozens of other generic signifiers that I’ll leave it for you to discover and/or remember. I was rather surprised to discover it wasn’t on Wikipedia’s era-encompassing list of film noir (until I added it)
More next Sunday.
Saturday, 28 August 2010
TV
Joanna Lumley's Nile
Part 4 (of 4)
Proms 2010
Prom 49 A Celebration of Rodgers and Hammerstein
The full programme for this Prom can be found online here.
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
Part 4 (of 4)
Proms 2010
Prom 49 A Celebration of Rodgers and Hammerstein
The full programme for this Prom can be found online here.
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
Articles
5 Annoying Trends That Make Every Movie Look the Same by Dan Seitz
(from Cracked.com)
Funny, but true.
(from Cracked.com)
Funny, but true.
Friday, 27 August 2010
Films
The Met Ball (2010)
[#88a in 100 Films in a Year 2010]
Short companion piece to The September Issue, covering the organisation of 2007's New York Metropolitan Museum of Art Costume Institute Gala, aka the Met Ball.
[#88a in 100 Films in a Year 2010]
Short companion piece to The September Issue, covering the organisation of 2007's New York Metropolitan Museum of Art Costume Institute Gala, aka the Met Ball.
Collection Count
Collection Count tracks my DVD/Blu-ray collection via a number of statistics every week.
As mentioned last week, a large number of DVDs are now turning up for a nice big jump. And there's still a lot more to come. This batch includes my 100th Blu-ray -- that's only taken me just over a year, then. It was The Inglorious Bastards, if you're interested.
Number of titles in collection: 1,207 [up 6]
Of which DVDs: 1,105 [up 3]
Of which Blu-rays: 102 [up 3]
Number of discs in collection: 2,959 [up 18]
Number of films in collection: 1,265 [up 7]
Number of TV episodes in collection: 4,195 [up 19]
Statistic of the week:
Total running time of collection (approx.):
208 days, 8 hours, and 33 minutes.
(Up 2 days, 3 hours, and 11 minutes from last month.)
See you next week, faithful reader.
As mentioned last week, a large number of DVDs are now turning up for a nice big jump. And there's still a lot more to come. This batch includes my 100th Blu-ray -- that's only taken me just over a year, then. It was The Inglorious Bastards, if you're interested.
Number of titles in collection: 1,207 [up 6]
Of which DVDs: 1,105 [up 3]
Of which Blu-rays: 102 [up 3]
Number of discs in collection: 2,959 [up 18]
Number of films in collection: 1,265 [up 7]
Number of TV episodes in collection: 4,195 [up 19]
Statistic of the week:
Total running time of collection (approx.):
208 days, 8 hours, and 33 minutes.
(Up 2 days, 3 hours, and 11 minutes from last month.)
See you next week, faithful reader.
Thursday, 26 August 2010
Articles
How cute – Star Wars meets Winnie the Pooh
(from Live for Films)
Does what it says there, like. There's also a few not pictured.
(from Live for Films)
Does what it says there, like. There's also a few not pictured.
Wednesday, 25 August 2010
TV
Grandma's House
1x03 The day Simon announced that he was in control of the Universe
Perhaps the best episode yet. After my initial doubts, this has certainly settled into its own, rather good, rhythm.
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
Vexed
1x02 Episode 2
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
1x03 The day Simon announced that he was in control of the Universe
Perhaps the best episode yet. After my initial doubts, this has certainly settled into its own, rather good, rhythm.
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
Vexed
1x02 Episode 2
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
Tuesday, 24 August 2010
TV
The Deep
Part 3 Ghosts of the Deep
Over halfway through now... thank God...
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
Joanna Lumley's Nile
Part 3 (of 4)
That Mitchell and Webb Look
4x06 Episode 6 [season finale]
Part 3 Ghosts of the Deep
Over halfway through now... thank God...
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
Joanna Lumley's Nile
Part 3 (of 4)
That Mitchell and Webb Look
4x06 Episode 6 [season finale]
Articles
Award-Winning Anime Director Satoshi Kon Passes Away
(from Anime News Network)
I have to admit, I didn't recognise his name when I saw it as the top twitter trend earlier tonight. But I do recognise the names of everything he's directed, all highly-acclaimed productions -- and, it seems to me, it's not often that everything someone's done is well-thought-of. Not to mention the fact that he was just 47, which is too young. RIP.
Take That, Theatrical Re-Release! Avatar Special Edition DVD Will Feature Sixteen Minutes of New Footage by Russ Fischer
(from /Film)
Clearly Cameron & co aren't happy with the couple of billion dollars Avatar has raked in with its original theatrical run and first DVD/BD release -- there's got to be a slightly-longer theatrical re-release, and a slightly-longer-again- DVD/BD re-release, and no doubt a slightly-changed-again 3D Blu-ray release even further down the line. Maybe they're aiming for trillions now...
(from Anime News Network)
I have to admit, I didn't recognise his name when I saw it as the top twitter trend earlier tonight. But I do recognise the names of everything he's directed, all highly-acclaimed productions -- and, it seems to me, it's not often that everything someone's done is well-thought-of. Not to mention the fact that he was just 47, which is too young. RIP.
Take That, Theatrical Re-Release! Avatar Special Edition DVD Will Feature Sixteen Minutes of New Footage by Russ Fischer
(from /Film)
Clearly Cameron & co aren't happy with the couple of billion dollars Avatar has raked in with its original theatrical run and first DVD/BD release -- there's got to be a slightly-longer theatrical re-release, and a slightly-longer-again- DVD/BD re-release, and no doubt a slightly-changed-again 3D Blu-ray release even further down the line. Maybe they're aiming for trillions now...
Monday, 23 August 2010
TV
Dexter
4x06 If I Had a Hammer
Halfway. I'd intended to make this season last a little while... Oops.
Dragons' Den
8x07 Episode 7
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
4x06 If I Had a Hammer
Halfway. I'd intended to make this season last a little while... Oops.
Dragons' Den
8x07 Episode 7
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
Articles
'Ground Zero mosque'? The reality is less provocative by Charlie Brooker
(from Comment is free at guardian.co.uk)
Insightful and amusing, as always.
(from Comment is free at guardian.co.uk)
Insightful and amusing, as always.
Sunday, 22 August 2010
TV
Dexter
4x05 Dirty Harry
This season of Dexter is certainly managing an above-average number of twists and surprises, what with the ending to the previous episode and now this one. (UK pace viewers can find out in about three and four weeks.)
Roger & Val Have Just Got In
1x03 The Dining Room Curtains
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
4x05 Dirty Harry
This season of Dexter is certainly managing an above-average number of twists and surprises, what with the ending to the previous episode and now this one. (UK pace viewers can find out in about three and four weeks.)
Roger & Val Have Just Got In
1x03 The Dining Room Curtains
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
Games
Tales of Monkey Island
Chapter 1 Launch of the Screaming Narwhal
The fifth Monkey Island game has been out for a long while now (over a year -- crikey, really?!), and I've even had the DVD version for a few weeks, so I'm not quite sure why it's taken me so long to get round to playing it. Expectation, I suppose -- I've loved the Monkey Island games for as long as I've been using computers; they're a part of my childhood, and my adolescence, and they're excellent -- who knew if this could live up to it?
I shouldn't have worried though, because it's brilliant. Not all of it -- the control method is frequently awkward (though as this isn't a fast-paced pixel-specific kind of game that's an irritant rather than major flaw), and there's a pair of sections that rival the Doctor Who Adventure Games for mind-numbing easily-failed repetitive boredom.
But by far the majority is entertaining, brain-taxing (in a very good way), and funny too. Hurrah! In fact, it was so good I played it all in one sitting -- which lasted about four hours (I'm sure it could be completed much faster, but I enjoy exploring everything and working through every dialogue tree that I can manage).
And there's four more episodes to go -- even better! Not to mention that it seems to have been a huge success. Dare we hope for a Monkey Island 6? I hope we don't have to wait as long (nine years!) next time.
Chapter 1 Launch of the Screaming Narwhal
The fifth Monkey Island game has been out for a long while now (over a year -- crikey, really?!), and I've even had the DVD version for a few weeks, so I'm not quite sure why it's taken me so long to get round to playing it. Expectation, I suppose -- I've loved the Monkey Island games for as long as I've been using computers; they're a part of my childhood, and my adolescence, and they're excellent -- who knew if this could live up to it?
I shouldn't have worried though, because it's brilliant. Not all of it -- the control method is frequently awkward (though as this isn't a fast-paced pixel-specific kind of game that's an irritant rather than major flaw), and there's a pair of sections that rival the Doctor Who Adventure Games for mind-numbing easily-failed repetitive boredom.
But by far the majority is entertaining, brain-taxing (in a very good way), and funny too. Hurrah! In fact, it was so good I played it all in one sitting -- which lasted about four hours (I'm sure it could be completed much faster, but I enjoy exploring everything and working through every dialogue tree that I can manage).
And there's four more episodes to go -- even better! Not to mention that it seems to have been a huge success. Dare we hope for a Monkey Island 6? I hope we don't have to wait as long (nine years!) next time.
this week on 100 Films
3 new reviews were posted to 100 Films in a Year this week, and they were...
Final Destination 3 (2006)
Inglourious Basterds (2009)
Matchstick Men (2003)
More next Sunday.
Final Destination 3 (2006)
what of The Point: the deaths? Some are moderately inventive, and one or two even provoked a crumb of the intended amusement, but somehow it didn’t click as it was clearly intended to (i.e. more with the humour of the second than the fear of the first).
Inglourious Basterds (2009)
The whole film is a grab-bag of filmmaking styles, techniques and modes, thrown together with a gleeful abandon. Tarantino uses what he wants when he wants it, sometimes for no reason at all, and with no eye to creating a stylistic whole.
Matchstick Men (2003)
Matchstick Men ends with a twist. One of those great big changes-everything-you’ve-just-seen numbers that have a habit of making a film notorious. I’m almost loathe to mention it, because I’ve never read a review that mentions it. Maybe they’re playing along trying to keep the secret. But not me, because I bloody hated it. The twist, that is. The rest of the film is pretty good
More next Sunday.
Saturday, 21 August 2010
TV
Dexter
4x04 Dex Takes a Holiday
The Making of King Arthur
Nothing to do with the recent(-ish) film, everything to do with how the Normans appropriated and developed the myth (and what happened to it over the next couple of centuries). Written and presented by Simon Armitage, who seems distinctly odd and a little self-centred. But then he is a poet.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Proms 2010
Prom 1 The First Night of the Proms: Symphony of a Thousand
Every year, I intend to watch or listen to more of the Proms. Last year I managed one (and a half); this year, so far, none. But this -- more properly known as Mahler's Symphony No.8 -- was about to disappear from my iPlayer downloads, so... (If anyone's interested, the full programme can be read here.)
I've also got Prom 2, The Mastersingers of Nuremberg, but that also disappears tomorrow and it's five hours long. Not looking so good.
Would I Lie To You?
4x05 (20/8/10 edition)
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
4x04 Dex Takes a Holiday
The Making of King Arthur
Nothing to do with the recent(-ish) film, everything to do with how the Normans appropriated and developed the myth (and what happened to it over the next couple of centuries). Written and presented by Simon Armitage, who seems distinctly odd and a little self-centred. But then he is a poet.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Proms 2010
Prom 1 The First Night of the Proms: Symphony of a Thousand
Every year, I intend to watch or listen to more of the Proms. Last year I managed one (and a half); this year, so far, none. But this -- more properly known as Mahler's Symphony No.8 -- was about to disappear from my iPlayer downloads, so... (If anyone's interested, the full programme can be read here.)
I've also got Prom 2, The Mastersingers of Nuremberg, but that also disappears tomorrow and it's five hours long. Not looking so good.
Would I Lie To You?
4x05 (20/8/10 edition)
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Articles
So Bryan Singer just called regarding Matthew Vaughn's X-Men: First Class... I'm quite excited now. by Harry Knowles
(from Ain't It Cool News)
Ah AICN, still with their amateurish design and useless headlines. They do get good scoops though, and here's a great one -- or, rather, few -- about the forthcoming fourth (or fifth, if you count Wolverine) X-Men film. It's going to be set in the '60s, with a young, walking, full-head-of-hair-owning Charles Xavier setting up the titular mutant supergroup with an equally young Magneto.
Even more new details in the article.
(from Ain't It Cool News)
Ah AICN, still with their amateurish design and useless headlines. They do get good scoops though, and here's a great one -- or, rather, few -- about the forthcoming fourth (or fifth, if you count Wolverine) X-Men film. It's going to be set in the '60s, with a young, walking, full-head-of-hair-owning Charles Xavier setting up the titular mutant supergroup with an equally young Magneto.
Even more new details in the article.
Friday, 20 August 2010
TV
Dexter
4x03 Blinded By the Light
I believe it's tonight season four started on FX over here. Tum tee tum...
Joanna Lumley's Nile
Part 2 (of 4)
4x03 Blinded By the Light
I believe it's tonight season four started on FX over here. Tum tee tum...
Joanna Lumley's Nile
Part 2 (of 4)
Articles
The lexicography of Starbucks by Jon Kelly
(from BBC News Magazine)
Ultraviolet light reveals how ancient Greek statues really looked by Esther Inglis-Arkell
(from io9)
Well I never.
(from BBC News Magazine)
An English professor's stubborn refusal to use a coffee chain's terminology has struck a chord around the world. But why are brands so keen to impose their jargon on us?...
Tony Thorne, King's College London's former language centre head... believes the impact of such marketing techniques is insidious. "Some of this stuff is ludicrous in its complexity," he says... "It's intended to bamboozle and intimidate. I see it as a form of corporate bullying."
Ultraviolet light reveals how ancient Greek statues really looked by Esther Inglis-Arkell
(from io9)
Well I never.
Collection Count
Collection Count tracks my DVD/Blu-ray collection via a number of statistics every week.
Nothing this week. Not a sausage. I currently have quite a number of DVDs and BDs on their way from various places around the globe; I imagine they'll all turn up in one batch, just... because...
Number of titles in collection: 1,201 [no change]
Of which DVDs: 1,102 [no change]
Of which Blu-rays: 99 [no change]
Number of discs in collection: 2,941 [no change]
Number of films in collection: 1,258 [no change]
Number of TV episodes in collection: 4,176 [no change]
Statistic of the week:
Collections of short films:
12
(1.0% of the total)
I don't actually have a total for the number of short films I own across these collections (and the odd couple on other sets too). Maybe I'll make that a stat-creating task for the future...
See you next week, faithful reader.
Nothing this week. Not a sausage. I currently have quite a number of DVDs and BDs on their way from various places around the globe; I imagine they'll all turn up in one batch, just... because...
Number of titles in collection: 1,201 [no change]
Of which DVDs: 1,102 [no change]
Of which Blu-rays: 99 [no change]
Number of discs in collection: 2,941 [no change]
Number of films in collection: 1,258 [no change]
Number of TV episodes in collection: 4,176 [no change]
Statistic of the week:
Collections of short films:
12
(1.0% of the total)
I don't actually have a total for the number of short films I own across these collections (and the odd couple on other sets too). Maybe I'll make that a stat-creating task for the future...
See you next week, faithful reader.
Thursday, 19 August 2010
Articles
Box Office Bob-omb: 5 Reasons Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World Failed To Find An Audience by Josh Tyler
(from Cinema Blend)
First 100 days: David Cameron and Nick Clegg lose buddy movie script by Marina Hyde
(from Comment is free at guardian.co.uk)
Star Wars on Blu-ray: George, don't do that… by Joe Utichi
(from Film Blog at guardian.co.uk)
Turns out George Lucas isn't just a fan-irritater with his CGI'd-up Star Wars 'special' editions, but also a great big hypocrite:
(from Cinema Blend)
Here's what it all comes down to: There were big expectations for Scott Pilgrim vs. the World, but only from the handful of people who'd already seen it. But it was always a movie without a specific audience. It's a broad movie built on a lot of different niche elements, and as much as we'd like to believe moviegoers are open-minded enough to step outside their comfort zone, most of the time they won't. The mistake was in thinking that all the different audiences Scott Pilgrim speaks to were the same audience, when they're not.
First 100 days: David Cameron and Nick Clegg lose buddy movie script by Marina Hyde
(from Comment is free at guardian.co.uk)
if even the terminally artless wing of the Conservative party are now viewing the coalition through the prism of Hollywood movies, the rest of us will be miles ahead. We can see that what we are dealing with is a malfunctioning buddy movie.
Star Wars on Blu-ray: George, don't do that… by Joe Utichi
(from Film Blog at guardian.co.uk)
Turns out George Lucas isn't just a fan-irritater with his CGI'd-up Star Wars 'special' editions, but also a great big hypocrite:
A 1988 congressional hearing heard that colourising old black-and-white films would constitute "destruction of our film heritage". The speaker's statement continued: "In the future it will become easier for old negatives to become lost and be 'replaced' by new altered negatives. This would be a great loss to our society. Our cultural history must not be allowed to be rewritten."
It's hard to believe now, but that speaker was George Lucas.
Wednesday, 18 August 2010
TV
Grandma's House
1x02 The day Simon decided it might be a nice idea to surprise his mother with a gift
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
The Normans
Part 3 Normans of the South [final episode]
I've said all I need to about this series, really -- the concluding part is just as good as the first two.
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
Vexed
1x01 Episode 1
In their review, the Radio Times seemed to imply this was the most horrendous thing to blight our screens for decades. Conversely, I really enjoyed it. It's not flawless, but mostly it's entertaining, funny, and I think most of the bits that RT complained about were actually misinterpreted by them.
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
1x02 The day Simon decided it might be a nice idea to surprise his mother with a gift
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
The Normans
Part 3 Normans of the South [final episode]
I've said all I need to about this series, really -- the concluding part is just as good as the first two.
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
Vexed
1x01 Episode 1
In their review, the Radio Times seemed to imply this was the most horrendous thing to blight our screens for decades. Conversely, I really enjoyed it. It's not flawless, but mostly it's entertaining, funny, and I think most of the bits that RT complained about were actually misinterpreted by them.
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
Tuesday, 17 August 2010
TV
The Deep
Part 2 Into the Belly of the Beast
Still risible. It looks like it might have enough central plot to sustain a two-hour film, which has then been padded with problem-of-the-episode bits and dull emotional subplots to make a five-hour series. And the problems are compounded by poor dialogue, stupid characters, illogical plot jumps, and weak acting.
I'm beginning to wonder if it was written as a deliberately bad B-movie-style kind of thing, before the director & cast took it seriously. I hope for the writer(s)'s sake it was...
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
Dragons' Den
8x06 Episode 6
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
That Mitchell and Webb Look
4x05 Episode 5
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
Would I Lie To You?
4x04 (13/8/10 edition)
Part 2 Into the Belly of the Beast
Still risible. It looks like it might have enough central plot to sustain a two-hour film, which has then been padded with problem-of-the-episode bits and dull emotional subplots to make a five-hour series. And the problems are compounded by poor dialogue, stupid characters, illogical plot jumps, and weak acting.
I'm beginning to wonder if it was written as a deliberately bad B-movie-style kind of thing, before the director & cast took it seriously. I hope for the writer(s)'s sake it was...
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
Dragons' Den
8x06 Episode 6
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
That Mitchell and Webb Look
4x05 Episode 5
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
Would I Lie To You?
4x04 (13/8/10 edition)
Articles
The greatest rant you'll see this week: World War II is full of plot holes, and the writers should all be fired by Charlie Jane Anders
(from io9)
Saw this a little while ago, forgot to mention it. It's very funny. The full rant can be found here.
Scott Pilgrim Vs. The Lamentable Weekend Gross — what happened? by Cyriaque Lamar
(from io9)
Geeks don't equal cash, as we've seen. This suggests three things that may have gone wrong, complete with amusing video.
(from io9)
Saw this a little while ago, forgot to mention it. It's very funny. The full rant can be found here.
Scott Pilgrim Vs. The Lamentable Weekend Gross — what happened? by Cyriaque Lamar
(from io9)
Geeks don't equal cash, as we've seen. This suggests three things that may have gone wrong, complete with amusing video.
Monday, 16 August 2010
The World at War Blu-ray is a travesty
I think I may have bemoaned this in the past, but my anger has been provoked again, so here we go.
A quick summary: The World at War is a classic documentary series about World War 2. It was made in 4:3 (fullscreen). The forthcoming remastered DVD and Blu-ray has cropped it -- i.e. cut out a significant chunk of the image -- to 16:9 (widescreen).
That's not on.
The company behind it, Fremantle (also behind plenty of other pop culture travesties, like everything that stars Simon Cowell), have recently (or, recently enough that I've only just noticed) issued their reasons for this bastardisation. Essentially, "because 4:3 is old and 16:9 is modern". They have more specifics than that, but they're all rubbish.
Normally I don't like Amazon reviews about an unreleased product that the reviewer hasn't seen/read/heard... but sometimes there are exceptions, and this is one of them -- especially when there are a bunch of misguided five-star reviews saying how great it is the series is now in widescreen. So I've joined the one-star review crowd.
My review can be found here. I'd copy & paste it, but I'd hate for Amazon to delete it on the assumption I'd nicked it from my own blog (as it were). I'd appreciate if you'd go click "Yes" at the bottom, to say it was helpful, even if you don't really care. I appreciate that by posting it here I'm also chancing people clicking "No" just for the hell of it, but... well, please don't.
And it would also be good to click "Yes" on these two well-informed reviews as well. And, just for good measure, a "No" on this one and, particularly, this one (as you can see in the comments, the guy who wrote the latter is a right idiot).
You're allowed to disagree with me, of course, but if you do then (in this instance) you're just plain wrong.
A quick summary: The World at War is a classic documentary series about World War 2. It was made in 4:3 (fullscreen). The forthcoming remastered DVD and Blu-ray has cropped it -- i.e. cut out a significant chunk of the image -- to 16:9 (widescreen).
That's not on.
The company behind it, Fremantle (also behind plenty of other pop culture travesties, like everything that stars Simon Cowell), have recently (or, recently enough that I've only just noticed) issued their reasons for this bastardisation. Essentially, "because 4:3 is old and 16:9 is modern". They have more specifics than that, but they're all rubbish.
Normally I don't like Amazon reviews about an unreleased product that the reviewer hasn't seen/read/heard... but sometimes there are exceptions, and this is one of them -- especially when there are a bunch of misguided five-star reviews saying how great it is the series is now in widescreen. So I've joined the one-star review crowd.
My review can be found here. I'd copy & paste it, but I'd hate for Amazon to delete it on the assumption I'd nicked it from my own blog (as it were). I'd appreciate if you'd go click "Yes" at the bottom, to say it was helpful, even if you don't really care. I appreciate that by posting it here I'm also chancing people clicking "No" just for the hell of it, but... well, please don't.
And it would also be good to click "Yes" on these two well-informed reviews as well. And, just for good measure, a "No" on this one and, particularly, this one (as you can see in the comments, the guy who wrote the latter is a right idiot).
You're allowed to disagree with me, of course, but if you do then (in this instance) you're just plain wrong.
Sunday, 15 August 2010
TV
Dexter
4x01 Living the Dream
Season 4 starts on UK TV sometime this week, I believe -- plus season 5 kicks off before long in the US -- so what better time to get round to it for myself. Somehow I doubt I'll have the patience to make it last 12 weeks, but you never know.
4x01 Living the Dream
Season 4 starts on UK TV sometime this week, I believe -- plus season 5 kicks off before long in the US -- so what better time to get round to it for myself. Somehow I doubt I'll have the patience to make it last 12 weeks, but you never know.
Films
Bride & Prejudice (2004)
[#82 in 100 Films in a Year 2010]
Final Destination 3 (2006)
[#83 in 100 Films in a Year 2010]
[#82 in 100 Films in a Year 2010]
Final Destination 3 (2006)
[#83 in 100 Films in a Year 2010]
Articles
Expendables Explode, Eat Pray Love Carbo-Loads, Scott Pilgrim Powers Down by Brandon Gray
(from Box Office Mojo)
So much for all that Comic-Con-based hype, then.
(from Box Office Mojo)
Scott Pilgrim scored a modest estimated $10.5 million [to come 5th for the weekend], which was less than Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist's $11.3 million opening weekend. It also paled compared to the launches of Kick-Ass ($19.8 million) and Zombieland ($24.7 million), among recent fan boy affairs.
So much for all that Comic-Con-based hype, then.
this week on 100 Films
2 new reviews were posted to 100 Films in a Year this week, and they were...
Final Destination 2 (2003)
True Lies (1994)
More next Sunday.
Final Destination 2 (2003)
Final Destination 2 is daft. The concept’s daft, the new additions are daft, the characters are daft, and most of all the deaths are daft. And that’s why it’s an awful lot of fun.
True Lies (1994)
True Lies is unusual on director James Cameron’s CV in that it’s a funny, daft comedy, a spoof of other action films. Where it differs from most spoofs is that it’s also a proper action movie.
More next Sunday.
Saturday, 14 August 2010
TV
Robin Hood
3x13 Something Worth Fighting For Part 2 [series finale]
And that's that for this version of Robin Hood. It's a shame the series got cancelled after it was made -- a lot of the ending is very definitive, but with the chance of a fourth run they had to leave it open somehow; if the news had come sooner they could've just rounded it off properly. Oh well.
Roger & Val Have Just Got In
1x02 The Unglamorous Row
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
The Sandbaggers
3x07 Opposite Numbers [series finale]
And that's Sandbaggers over forever too, sadly -- and on a cliffhanger, damn 'em. Brilliant as ever though. I guess I'll just have to get my hands on Queen & Country for my political/spy fix.
3x13 Something Worth Fighting For Part 2 [series finale]
And that's that for this version of Robin Hood. It's a shame the series got cancelled after it was made -- a lot of the ending is very definitive, but with the chance of a fourth run they had to leave it open somehow; if the news had come sooner they could've just rounded it off properly. Oh well.
Roger & Val Have Just Got In
1x02 The Unglamorous Row
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
The Sandbaggers
3x07 Opposite Numbers [series finale]
And that's Sandbaggers over forever too, sadly -- and on a cliffhanger, damn 'em. Brilliant as ever though. I guess I'll just have to get my hands on Queen & Country for my political/spy fix.
Films
Ocean's Eleven (1960)
[#80 in 100 Films in a Year 2010]
All those people who say the remake is better... are right.
Sherlock Holmes Faces Death (1943)
[#79 in 100 Films in a Year 2010]
The 6th film in the Rathbone/Bruce series (I've previously reviewed the preceding five). It's a good entry, moving away from the WW2-spying Nazi-fighting tales of the last three films and back towards proper Holmesian detective work. Apparently the next couple are even better, so I look forward to those.
Star Trek: Insurrection (1998)
[#81 in 100 Films in a Year 2010]
[#80 in 100 Films in a Year 2010]
All those people who say the remake is better... are right.
Sherlock Holmes Faces Death (1943)
[#79 in 100 Films in a Year 2010]
The 6th film in the Rathbone/Bruce series (I've previously reviewed the preceding five). It's a good entry, moving away from the WW2-spying Nazi-fighting tales of the last three films and back towards proper Holmesian detective work. Apparently the next couple are even better, so I look forward to those.
Star Trek: Insurrection (1998)
[#81 in 100 Films in a Year 2010]
Friday, 13 August 2010
TV
How I Met Your Mother
5x12 Girls Vs. Suits
Three recognisable (ish) guest stars, a great big song-and-dance number, and a mother-related plot? That's the kinda palaver you wheel out for a) the first ep back after a Christmas break and b) the 100th episode. And there I was thinking it must've been a sweeps one.
[Watch it (again) on 4oD.]
5x12 Girls Vs. Suits
Three recognisable (ish) guest stars, a great big song-and-dance number, and a mother-related plot? That's the kinda palaver you wheel out for a) the first ep back after a Christmas break and b) the 100th episode. And there I was thinking it must've been a sweeps one.
[Watch it (again) on 4oD.]
Collection Count
Collection Count tracks my DVD/Blu-ray collection via a number of statistics every week.
A variety of sales make this the biggest update for a while; and there's more to come, as a pile of Criterion DVDs and BDs wing their way to me across the Atlantic. Lovely. (Though my bank balance doesn't agree.)
Number of titles in collection: 1,201 [up 7]
Of which DVDs: 1,102 [up 6]
Of which Blu-rays: 99 [up 1]
Number of discs in collection: 2,941 [up 9]
Number of films in collection: 1,258 [up 5]
Number of TV episodes in collection: 4,176 [up 16]
Statistic of the week:
Titles in regular Amaray cases:
737
(61.4% of the total)
Yep, this is the kind of thing I keep a record of. "Amaray cases", for the uninitiated, are the standard plastic DVD cases that most DVDs come in, especially these days -- Way Back When, when digipacks (i.e. those cardboard fold-out ones) were commonplace for any significant release with more than one disc, and Warner insisted on those dreadful snapper cases, it seemed a worthwhile thing to note. These days, everything comes in a version of Amarays it seems -- you get two or three discs squeezed into regular cases with those stacking systems, or The Bit In The Middle, and whole TV series in those thick ones that hold four or five or six or more discs. Personally, I miss digipacks and all that lovely cardboard, but hey-ho.
What this total doesn't include is boxes with multiple Amarays -- I class those, cunningly, as "box sets" -- or those thin plastic cases you sometimes get, or those thick ones (like you get whole TV series in), or standard Blu-ray cases. I don't know if the latter are being called Amarays (the name originates from the manufacturer/patent holder/something like that of DVD cases), but I just call them Blu-ray Cases, so...
Still awake? No? Well, never mind, it's over now.
See you next week, faithful reader.
A variety of sales make this the biggest update for a while; and there's more to come, as a pile of Criterion DVDs and BDs wing their way to me across the Atlantic. Lovely. (Though my bank balance doesn't agree.)
Number of titles in collection: 1,201 [up 7]
Of which DVDs: 1,102 [up 6]
Of which Blu-rays: 99 [up 1]
Number of discs in collection: 2,941 [up 9]
Number of films in collection: 1,258 [up 5]
Number of TV episodes in collection: 4,176 [up 16]
Statistic of the week:
Titles in regular Amaray cases:
737
(61.4% of the total)
Yep, this is the kind of thing I keep a record of. "Amaray cases", for the uninitiated, are the standard plastic DVD cases that most DVDs come in, especially these days -- Way Back When, when digipacks (i.e. those cardboard fold-out ones) were commonplace for any significant release with more than one disc, and Warner insisted on those dreadful snapper cases, it seemed a worthwhile thing to note. These days, everything comes in a version of Amarays it seems -- you get two or three discs squeezed into regular cases with those stacking systems, or The Bit In The Middle, and whole TV series in those thick ones that hold four or five or six or more discs. Personally, I miss digipacks and all that lovely cardboard, but hey-ho.
What this total doesn't include is boxes with multiple Amarays -- I class those, cunningly, as "box sets" -- or those thin plastic cases you sometimes get, or those thick ones (like you get whole TV series in), or standard Blu-ray cases. I don't know if the latter are being called Amarays (the name originates from the manufacturer/patent holder/something like that of DVD cases), but I just call them Blu-ray Cases, so...
Still awake? No? Well, never mind, it's over now.
See you next week, faithful reader.
Thursday, 12 August 2010
TV
Robin Hood
3x12 Something Worth Fighting For Part 1
Only 14 months after it was actually on, I've finally got round to watching this. I'd forgotten what it was like... which is to say, was the writing and acting always this bad? I swear the villains are straight off CBBC...
3x12 Something Worth Fighting For Part 1
Only 14 months after it was actually on, I've finally got round to watching this. I'd forgotten what it was like... which is to say, was the writing and acting always this bad? I swear the villains are straight off CBBC...
Films
Late Spring (1949)
[#78 in 100 Films in a Year 2010]
I got on considerably better with this than I did Tokyo Story a few years ago, though it would be a lie to say I'd had some kind of revelation about the genius of Ozu.
[#78 in 100 Films in a Year 2010]
I got on considerably better with this than I did Tokyo Story a few years ago, though it would be a lie to say I'd had some kind of revelation about the genius of Ozu.
Wednesday, 11 August 2010
TV
Grandma's House
1x01 The day Simon told his family about his important decision
Former Never Mind the Buzzcocks host Simon Amstell turns his hand to sitcom writing and acting. This sample exchange (from the programme itself; you can view the clip here) sums it up:
Simon: Maybe I'll write something or act a bit.
Grandpa: Oh dear...
Tanya: Act?! You can't act. Can you?
Grandpa: No.
Yet for all that, it ultimately manages a few laughs. I'll stick with it; we'll see how it goes.
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
The Normans
Part 2 Conquest
I don't watch that many documentaries, often put off (as much as anything) by all the talk of pointless camerawork and other OTT visuals. This keeps it simple: presenter, talking, with accompanying period illustrations or other evocative shots. OK, so a lot of the footage has very little to do with what he's talking about, but what are they meant to show? No, this is brilliant, and (based on what I read of other programmes) more documentaries should follow its style.
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
The Sandbaggers
3x06 Who Needs Enemies
This is the penultimate-ever episode of The Sandbaggers, so I'm running out of chances to say this: this series is excellent. If you're at all interested in spy dramas/thrillers or other series of that ilk, it's a must-see.
1x01 The day Simon told his family about his important decision
Former Never Mind the Buzzcocks host Simon Amstell turns his hand to sitcom writing and acting. This sample exchange (from the programme itself; you can view the clip here) sums it up:
Simon: Maybe I'll write something or act a bit.
Grandpa: Oh dear...
Tanya: Act?! You can't act. Can you?
Grandpa: No.
Yet for all that, it ultimately manages a few laughs. I'll stick with it; we'll see how it goes.
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
The Normans
Part 2 Conquest
I don't watch that many documentaries, often put off (as much as anything) by all the talk of pointless camerawork and other OTT visuals. This keeps it simple: presenter, talking, with accompanying period illustrations or other evocative shots. OK, so a lot of the footage has very little to do with what he's talking about, but what are they meant to show? No, this is brilliant, and (based on what I read of other programmes) more documentaries should follow its style.
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
The Sandbaggers
3x06 Who Needs Enemies
This is the penultimate-ever episode of The Sandbaggers, so I'm running out of chances to say this: this series is excellent. If you're at all interested in spy dramas/thrillers or other series of that ilk, it's a must-see.
Articles
Dalek Birthday Cake
(from Geeks are Sexy)
That's... just... wow...
Click to enlarge.
The Tempest – Poster for the new adaption
(from Live for Films)
I know you shouldn't judge a book by its cover, but... wow that's a good poster.
Click to enlarge.
(from Geeks are Sexy)
That's... just... wow...
Click to enlarge.
The Tempest – Poster for the new adaption
(from Live for Films)
I know you shouldn't judge a book by its cover, but... wow that's a good poster.
Click to enlarge.
Tuesday, 10 August 2010
TV
The Deep
Part 1 To the Furthest Place
Oh dear. Such a promising idea, wasted with poor writing, unconvincing characters, weak acting, a turgid pace, pointless flashbacks, an implausible set... I laughed out loud several times, usually at the bits that were Deadly Serious. How rubbish. How disappointing. And I'll still watch the rest... all four hours of it... ugh.
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
How I Met Your Mother
5x11 Last Cigarette Ever
[Watch it (again) on 4oD.]
Roger & Val Have Just Got In
1x01 The Guarantee
Conversely (to The Deep), this is beautifully written and acted, both funny and real. Super.
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
Part 1 To the Furthest Place
Oh dear. Such a promising idea, wasted with poor writing, unconvincing characters, weak acting, a turgid pace, pointless flashbacks, an implausible set... I laughed out loud several times, usually at the bits that were Deadly Serious. How rubbish. How disappointing. And I'll still watch the rest... all four hours of it... ugh.
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
How I Met Your Mother
5x11 Last Cigarette Ever
[Watch it (again) on 4oD.]
Roger & Val Have Just Got In
1x01 The Guarantee
Conversely (to The Deep), this is beautifully written and acted, both funny and real. Super.
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
Articles
Girl quits her job on dry erase board, emails entire office by Leo
(from the Chive)
Read this. Stick with it. It's worth it.
Serious funny business by Will Gompertz
(from Today on BBC News)
On the rise and rise of stand-up comedy.
Sherlock returning for second series by Ryan Love & Paul Millar
(from Digital Spy)
Hurrah!
(from the Chive)
Read this. Stick with it. It's worth it.
Serious funny business by Will Gompertz
(from Today on BBC News)
On the rise and rise of stand-up comedy.
Sherlock returning for second series by Ryan Love & Paul Millar
(from Digital Spy)
Hurrah!
Monday, 9 August 2010
Articles
Matthew Vaughn Agreed to Direct X-Men: First Class Because He Believes Superhero Movies Will Be Dead Soon by Adam Quigley
(from /Film)
Vaughn speaks with honesty and sense. That said, he may be calling the death a mite too soon -- with Batman 3, The Avengers and a rebooted Spider-Man on the way, amongst others, is the superhero movie really dead just yet? Surely there's a few more years, perhaps half a decade, left at least. I suppose we'll see...
6 ways Torchwood's new season will change everything by Fred Topel (from blastr)
and
Torchwood relaunch is more global by Hanh Nguyen (from Zap2it)
Mostly stuff we've already heard, but a couple of extra bits. I think. When you read enough of these things it becomes hard to know if it's new info or just something you'd assumed already.
(from /Film)
Vaughn speaks with honesty and sense. That said, he may be calling the death a mite too soon -- with Batman 3, The Avengers and a rebooted Spider-Man on the way, amongst others, is the superhero movie really dead just yet? Surely there's a few more years, perhaps half a decade, left at least. I suppose we'll see...
6 ways Torchwood's new season will change everything by Fred Topel (from blastr)
and
Torchwood relaunch is more global by Hanh Nguyen (from Zap2it)
Mostly stuff we've already heard, but a couple of extra bits. I think. When you read enough of these things it becomes hard to know if it's new info or just something you'd assumed already.
Sunday, 8 August 2010
TV
The Sandbaggers
3x05 Sometimes We Play Dirty Too
Sherlock
1x03 The Great Game [season finale]
Generally, a very good episode. Not sold on the cut-price-John-Simm-Master of a Moriarty though. So much for him being "the next great one".
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
3x05 Sometimes We Play Dirty Too
Sherlock
1x03 The Great Game [season finale]
Generally, a very good episode. Not sold on the cut-price-John-Simm-Master of a Moriarty though. So much for him being "the next great one".
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
Films
Final Destination 2 (2003)
[#76 in 100 Films in a Year 2010]
Read my review here.
Nanny McPhee (2005)
[#75 in 100 Films in a Year 2010]
[#76 in 100 Films in a Year 2010]
Read my review here.
Nanny McPhee (2005)
[#75 in 100 Films in a Year 2010]
Articles
James Marsters' Captain John Hart Will Likely Not Be In Starz Torchwood Reboot by Carl Cortez
(from iF Magazine)
No surprise -- can't really imagine Captain John fitting in with a Children of Earth-style story. It'll be a shame if they never bring him back though.
Also, it's not really a reboot, is it? Not in the sense we usually mean, like Casino Royale or Star Trek. So tsk, stop that now, American journalists, who seem to think just because a US network is now a production partner rather than simply buying broadcast rights means it's now a Whole New Show.
Torchwood gets new title: The New World by James Hibberd
(from the live feed at The Hollywood Reporter)
Don't worry, they're not renaming the whole show: just as season three was called Torchwood: Children of Earth, season four is to be called Torchwood: The New World. Apt.
(from iF Magazine)
No surprise -- can't really imagine Captain John fitting in with a Children of Earth-style story. It'll be a shame if they never bring him back though.
Also, it's not really a reboot, is it? Not in the sense we usually mean, like Casino Royale or Star Trek. So tsk, stop that now, American journalists, who seem to think just because a US network is now a production partner rather than simply buying broadcast rights means it's now a Whole New Show.
Torchwood gets new title: The New World by James Hibberd
(from the live feed at The Hollywood Reporter)
Don't worry, they're not renaming the whole show: just as season three was called Torchwood: Children of Earth, season four is to be called Torchwood: The New World. Apt.
this week on 100 Films
2 new reviews were posted to 100 Films in a Year this week, and they were of two of the most-discussed -- and best -- films of the year so far...
Inception (2010)
Kick-Ass (2010)
More next Sunday.
Inception (2010)
This [rather long] review ends by calling Inception a “must-see”. I’m telling you this now for two reasons. Primarily, because this review contains major spoilers, and seems daft to end a review aimed at those who’ve seen the film with a recommendation that they should see it. Secondly, because Inception — and here’s your first spoiler, sort of — also begins at the end.
Kick-Ass (2010)
By using various other superhero movies and TV series as its starting point, but grounding them in (a version of) the real world — with attendant debates about violence etc — Kick-Ass fills a void in need of filling — by which I mean: as Watchmen was to superhero comics, so Kick-Ass is to superhero films.
More next Sunday.
Saturday, 7 August 2010
TV
Rev.
1x05 Episode 5
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
Wallander [Swedish]
2x13 Vittnet (aka The Witness) [series finale]
A pretty low-key and regular last-ever-episode, even by Wallander's standards. And actually, by Wallander's standards, it wasn't up to much as an episode, sadly. Still, an appropriate ending: in no way definite or overly sentimental, but clearly The End. That, at least, was nicely done.
Would I Lie To You?
4x03 (6/8/10 edition)
Spectacularly played by Kevin Bridges. Watch his round here.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
1x05 Episode 5
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
Wallander [Swedish]
2x13 Vittnet (aka The Witness) [series finale]
A pretty low-key and regular last-ever-episode, even by Wallander's standards. And actually, by Wallander's standards, it wasn't up to much as an episode, sadly. Still, an appropriate ending: in no way definite or overly sentimental, but clearly The End. That, at least, was nicely done.
Would I Lie To You?
4x03 (6/8/10 edition)
Spectacularly played by Kevin Bridges. Watch his round here.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Casino Royale, in the style of Casino Royale
As the rubbish 1967 version was on TV this afternoon, here's a nifty trailer for it -- done in the style of the 2006 version.
man hit by van to Inception music
Does what it says on the tin. Of course, it has no right to be as funny as it is...
Friday, 6 August 2010
TV
The Sandbaggers
3x04 My Name is Anna Wiseman
You Have Been Watching
2x08 Crime Special [season finale]
The episode postponed because of one or other of the shooting sprees the other month. Now first broadcast at the end of a post-midnight repeat run on E4. (For some reason, it's still absent from the official episode guide, but is nonetheless on 4oD. Odd.)
[Watch it (again) on 4oD.]
3x04 My Name is Anna Wiseman
You Have Been Watching
2x08 Crime Special [season finale]
The episode postponed because of one or other of the shooting sprees the other month. Now first broadcast at the end of a post-midnight repeat run on E4. (For some reason, it's still absent from the official episode guide, but is nonetheless on 4oD. Odd.)
[Watch it (again) on 4oD.]
Articles
Bruce Feirstein interview: James Bond, Blood Stone and modernising GoldenEye by Michael Leader
(from Den of Geek!)
Interesting point in this interview: writing GoldenEye, the film, was all about having to move Bond into a new, post-Cold War world; now, writing the GoldenEye game remake, which updates the story to today, 15 years on from the film, involves updating it to a much-changed world again. Which is kind of interesting. It's also increased my already-quite-high interest in the game. Crap, I'm gonna have to buy a console again, aren't I...
Mark Gatiss interview: writing Sherlock, and where it’s heading next by Simon Brew (from Den of Geek!)
and
Sir Arthur Conan Doyle writes villains like no other by Steven Moffat (from guardian.co.uk)
Just to whet your appetite ahead of this Sunday's Sherlock series finale, here's a pair of articles: the first an interview with co-creator Mark Gatiss about the series' conception and where it may go next; the second by co-creator Steven Moffat on why Holmes' nemesis, Moriarty, is so legendary, plus which are the best screen versions.
And in other Sherlock news...
Sherlock DVD & Blu-ray Cover Art
(from Sherlocking)
Seems like we now have nearly all the details for the DVD/BD release of this excellent series: all three episodes (naturally), commentaries on the first and third, a half-hour making-of, and, perhaps best of all, the unaired one-hour pilot. It could only be better if they'd done commentaries on episode two and the pilot -- hopefully the making-of will cover why the latter was rejected and the series rethought.
Torchwood attracts Buffy, Breaking Bad, House writers by Maureen Ryan
(from The Watcher at Chicago Tribune)
Or, the list of writers for Torchwood's forthcoming fourth season. Only one other UK writer (besides RTD): John Fay, who penned the middling Mobile but also two episodes of the outstanding Children of Earth (aka Torchwood season 3, of course).
Of the three yanks now involved, one is Jane Espenson, of excellent work such as Buffy and Battlestar Galactica, while the other two I've not heard of, but have worked on the likes of The X Files and House. It'll be interesting to see how Americanised this makes a series that obviously started out as very British/Welsh.
(from Den of Geek!)
Interesting point in this interview: writing GoldenEye, the film, was all about having to move Bond into a new, post-Cold War world; now, writing the GoldenEye game remake, which updates the story to today, 15 years on from the film, involves updating it to a much-changed world again. Which is kind of interesting. It's also increased my already-quite-high interest in the game. Crap, I'm gonna have to buy a console again, aren't I...
Mark Gatiss interview: writing Sherlock, and where it’s heading next by Simon Brew (from Den of Geek!)
and
Sir Arthur Conan Doyle writes villains like no other by Steven Moffat (from guardian.co.uk)
Just to whet your appetite ahead of this Sunday's Sherlock series finale, here's a pair of articles: the first an interview with co-creator Mark Gatiss about the series' conception and where it may go next; the second by co-creator Steven Moffat on why Holmes' nemesis, Moriarty, is so legendary, plus which are the best screen versions.
And in other Sherlock news...
Sherlock DVD & Blu-ray Cover Art
(from Sherlocking)
Seems like we now have nearly all the details for the DVD/BD release of this excellent series: all three episodes (naturally), commentaries on the first and third, a half-hour making-of, and, perhaps best of all, the unaired one-hour pilot. It could only be better if they'd done commentaries on episode two and the pilot -- hopefully the making-of will cover why the latter was rejected and the series rethought.
Torchwood attracts Buffy, Breaking Bad, House writers by Maureen Ryan
(from The Watcher at Chicago Tribune)
Or, the list of writers for Torchwood's forthcoming fourth season. Only one other UK writer (besides RTD): John Fay, who penned the middling Mobile but also two episodes of the outstanding Children of Earth (aka Torchwood season 3, of course).
Of the three yanks now involved, one is Jane Espenson, of excellent work such as Buffy and Battlestar Galactica, while the other two I've not heard of, but have worked on the likes of The X Files and House. It'll be interesting to see how Americanised this makes a series that obviously started out as very British/Welsh.
Collection Count
Collection Count tracks my DVD/Blu-ray collection via a number of statistics every week.
Absolutely no changes this week, though a few orders should see a pile of nice shiny new titles arriving in the next few weeks. Exciting stuff.
However, as alluded to in the past couple of updates, I do have a special stat of the week this time. 'Special' as in it took some extra effort to compile; this doesn't guarantee it'll be interesting.
Number of titles in collection: 1,194 [no change]
Of which DVDs: 1,096 [no change]
Of which Blu-rays: 98 [no change]
Number of discs in collection: 2,932 [no change]
Number of films in collection: 1,253 [no change]
Number of TV episodes in collection: 4,160 [no change]
Statistic of the week:
Things I'd seen before buying them:
Titles: 347 (29.1%)
Films: 279 (22.3%)
TV episodes: 1323 (31.8%)
Be it at the cinema, on TV, or a rented or borrowed DVD -- or even VHS -- these are all the things I'd actually seen before I invested in the DVD/Blu-ray for myself. As you can see, I buy an awful lot of stuff 'blind'.
I've broken it down into both titles and films for one simple reason: box sets. There are some sets I own where I'd seen some but not all of the films before purchasing; these are only counted in the Titles number if I'd seen more of the set than not before purchasing. Hopefully this way it somehow evens out statistically. The straight Films number, of course, counts all films I'd seen, even if that's just one from a set of six, because… well, that's just accurate, isn't it?
The TV number is different again, in that it's more guesswork (in places). Just how many episodes of The World at War were we shown in school? How many episodes of Bugs did I miss while on holiday over a decade ago? Did I see all of Captain Scarlet when I was little or just some episodes? And so on. As for their inclusion in the titles number, I've also taken some leeway -- I've still not seen the second half of Buffy season 4 (why not you fool?!), never mind seeing it before buying it, but I've counted that set anyway. Angel, on the other hand, I've only watched the first half of season 1 (why not the rest you fool?!) and so not counted it.
Yes, I spend my time concerned with things like this.
See you next week, faithful reader.
Absolutely no changes this week, though a few orders should see a pile of nice shiny new titles arriving in the next few weeks. Exciting stuff.
However, as alluded to in the past couple of updates, I do have a special stat of the week this time. 'Special' as in it took some extra effort to compile; this doesn't guarantee it'll be interesting.
Number of titles in collection: 1,194 [no change]
Of which DVDs: 1,096 [no change]
Of which Blu-rays: 98 [no change]
Number of discs in collection: 2,932 [no change]
Number of films in collection: 1,253 [no change]
Number of TV episodes in collection: 4,160 [no change]
Statistic of the week:
Things I'd seen before buying them:
Titles: 347 (29.1%)
Films: 279 (22.3%)
TV episodes: 1323 (31.8%)
Be it at the cinema, on TV, or a rented or borrowed DVD -- or even VHS -- these are all the things I'd actually seen before I invested in the DVD/Blu-ray for myself. As you can see, I buy an awful lot of stuff 'blind'.
I've broken it down into both titles and films for one simple reason: box sets. There are some sets I own where I'd seen some but not all of the films before purchasing; these are only counted in the Titles number if I'd seen more of the set than not before purchasing. Hopefully this way it somehow evens out statistically. The straight Films number, of course, counts all films I'd seen, even if that's just one from a set of six, because… well, that's just accurate, isn't it?
The TV number is different again, in that it's more guesswork (in places). Just how many episodes of The World at War were we shown in school? How many episodes of Bugs did I miss while on holiday over a decade ago? Did I see all of Captain Scarlet when I was little or just some episodes? And so on. As for their inclusion in the titles number, I've also taken some leeway -- I've still not seen the second half of Buffy season 4 (why not you fool?!), never mind seeing it before buying it, but I've counted that set anyway. Angel, on the other hand, I've only watched the first half of season 1 (why not the rest you fool?!) and so not counted it.
Yes, I spend my time concerned with things like this.
See you next week, faithful reader.
Thursday, 5 August 2010
TV
The Normans
Part 1 Men from the North
An excellent series, this first part covering how Vikings conquered the North of France, creating Normandy, and eventually went on to invade Britain -- in 1066, of course. That's about as far as this episode (the first of three) goes.
Part of a major season on the BBC about the Normans, including various other programmes with varying degrees of interest (Norman walks? No thanks).
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
Rev.
1x04 Episode 4
Fallen rather behind on this. Still recommend it, though. If you missed it, I believe you've got until Monday before all episodes are removed from iPlayer.
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
That Mitchell and Webb Look
4x04 Episode 4
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
Part 1 Men from the North
An excellent series, this first part covering how Vikings conquered the North of France, creating Normandy, and eventually went on to invade Britain -- in 1066, of course. That's about as far as this episode (the first of three) goes.
Part of a major season on the BBC about the Normans, including various other programmes with varying degrees of interest (Norman walks? No thanks).
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
Rev.
1x04 Episode 4
Fallen rather behind on this. Still recommend it, though. If you missed it, I believe you've got until Monday before all episodes are removed from iPlayer.
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
That Mitchell and Webb Look
4x04 Episode 4
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
Wednesday, 4 August 2010
TV
Dragons' Den
8x04 Episode 4
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
Top Gear
15x06 (1/8/10 edition) [season finale]
Series of Top Gear pass by far too fast.
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
8x04 Episode 4
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
Top Gear
15x06 (1/8/10 edition) [season finale]
Series of Top Gear pass by far too fast.
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
Tuesday, 3 August 2010
TV
How I Met Your Mother
5x10 The Window
[Watch it (again) on 4oD.]
The Sandbaggers
3x03 Unusual Approach
Excellent as ever, this is a particularly enjoyable episode: Burnside is sent off to Greece to feature in a comedy subplot, while SIS deal with one of their most dangerous missions in his absence. More dramas like this today wouldn't go amiss.
Stand Up for the Week
1x06 (30/7/10 edition) [season finale]
After that brief, bizarre burst of Whitehall-like a few weeks back, he's now sunk to his lowest levels of laughter-lackingness yet. And he seems to have taken the whole show with him. I'm not sure how I've stuck with it to episode six, to be honest, but I certainly didn't make it to the end of this one (in fact, it was so good, I fell asleep).
[Watch it (again) on 4oD.]
That Mitchell and Webb Look
4x03 Episode 3
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
5x10 The Window
[Watch it (again) on 4oD.]
The Sandbaggers
3x03 Unusual Approach
Excellent as ever, this is a particularly enjoyable episode: Burnside is sent off to Greece to feature in a comedy subplot, while SIS deal with one of their most dangerous missions in his absence. More dramas like this today wouldn't go amiss.
Stand Up for the Week
1x06 (30/7/10 edition) [season finale]
After that brief, bizarre burst of Whitehall-like a few weeks back, he's now sunk to his lowest levels of laughter-lackingness yet. And he seems to have taken the whole show with him. I'm not sure how I've stuck with it to episode six, to be honest, but I certainly didn't make it to the end of this one (in fact, it was so good, I fell asleep).
[Watch it (again) on 4oD.]
That Mitchell and Webb Look
4x03 Episode 3
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
Articles
The 100 Greatest Family Films Ever! by Andrew Collins, Barry Norman & Mark Kermode
(from Radio Times, 7-13 August 2010, p12-18)
This is a very bizarre list. It does what it says on the tin, counting down the 100 greatest family films, voted for by the public, and most if not all are worthy inclusions... but the order they've wound up in is baffling. Temple of Doom 12 places above Raiders of the Lost Ark? Beauty and the Beast down at 96th, below a host of other, lesser (and, I thought, less-loved) Disneys? I know polls like this often clash with personal opinion, but even accounting for that there are numerous bizarre instances of X-beating-Y in this list (even beyond the two I've cited).
Kick-Ass DVD and Blu-ray Interview with Mark Millar
(from MovieWeb)
After Matthew Vaughn yesterday, now comic creator/writer Mark Millar chips in with some words on how Kick-Ass was received and the plans for Kick-Ass 2, both in comic form and on the big screen.
(from Radio Times, 7-13 August 2010, p12-18)
This is a very bizarre list. It does what it says on the tin, counting down the 100 greatest family films, voted for by the public, and most if not all are worthy inclusions... but the order they've wound up in is baffling. Temple of Doom 12 places above Raiders of the Lost Ark? Beauty and the Beast down at 96th, below a host of other, lesser (and, I thought, less-loved) Disneys? I know polls like this often clash with personal opinion, but even accounting for that there are numerous bizarre instances of X-beating-Y in this list (even beyond the two I've cited).
Kick-Ass DVD and Blu-ray Interview with Mark Millar
(from MovieWeb)
After Matthew Vaughn yesterday, now comic creator/writer Mark Millar chips in with some words on how Kick-Ass was received and the plans for Kick-Ass 2, both in comic form and on the big screen.
Monday, 2 August 2010
TV
Mock the Week
9x06 (29/7/10 edition)
The tradition best-of/outtakes mid-series show, as MtW takes a month(-ish) break for the Fringe.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Sherlock
1x02 The Blind Banker
Another enjoyable episode. Apparently this didn't go down as well as the first with some viewers/bloggers. I'd agree it wasn't as good, but it follows up one of the best bits of TV in a long time -- in itself, it's still a perfectly good tale.
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
9x06 (29/7/10 edition)
The tradition best-of/outtakes mid-series show, as MtW takes a month(-ish) break for the Fringe.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Sherlock
1x02 The Blind Banker
Another enjoyable episode. Apparently this didn't go down as well as the first with some viewers/bloggers. I'd agree it wasn't as good, but it follows up one of the best bits of TV in a long time -- in itself, it's still a perfectly good tale.
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
Articles
Matthew Vaughn Talks Kick-Ass DVD/Blu-Ray, Deleted Scenes, And Kick-Ass 2 by Rick Marshall
(from MTV Splash Page)
Well, I think that title pretty much has it covered.
(from MTV Splash Page)
Well, I think that title pretty much has it covered.
Twilight spoof, yay!
It's taking the piss out of Twilight! Yay!
On the other hand, all the jokes are either obvious or rubbish. Though the use of a spade near the end very nearly redeems the whole thing.
On the other hand, all the jokes are either obvious or rubbish. Though the use of a spade near the end very nearly redeems the whole thing.
Sunday, 1 August 2010
TV
Dragons' Den
8x03 Episode 3
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
Wallander [Swedish]
2x12 Indrivaren (aka The Collector)
If I didn't know better, I'd think this was the last one.
But it isn't.
Would I Lie To You?
4x02 (30/7/10 edition)
Having heard Ruth Jones tell the story about her tortoise before, it was a particular joy to see the other team flounder in their disbelief. Lee Mack's genuine shock when the truth is revealed was, of course, especially amusing...
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
8x03 Episode 3
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
Wallander [Swedish]
2x12 Indrivaren (aka The Collector)
If I didn't know better, I'd think this was the last one.
But it isn't.
Would I Lie To You?
4x02 (30/7/10 edition)
Having heard Ruth Jones tell the story about her tortoise before, it was a particular joy to see the other team flounder in their disbelief. Lee Mack's genuine shock when the truth is revealed was, of course, especially amusing...
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
this week on 100 Films
2 new reviews were posted to 100 Films in a Year this week, and they were...
Get Smart (2008)
Mulan (1998)
Plus, with today being August 1st, there's the July update. Shiny.
More next Sunday.
Get Smart (2008)
mostly quite good fun. Not all the jokes hit home, but enough do to keep it amusing — which is better than some comedies manage. Even after three Austin Powers films it seems there’s enough left to do with the spy genre to keep a comedy rolling along. And to make sure things don’t get dull, there’s a few action sequences that are surprisingly decent too
Mulan (1998)
The thing that stands out about Mulan, particularly now, is how very Americanised it is. That’s nothing new for Disney, of course, but it feels a little odd these days. When we’re so used to increased attempts at appropriate cultural reverence from Hollywood movies, it’s almost uncomfortable to hear such American accents from clearly Chinese characters.
Plus, with today being August 1st, there's the July update. Shiny.
More next Sunday.
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