Colditz
1x02 Missing, Presumed Dead
Having spent episode one introducing us to a collection of characters and how they landed themselves in Colditz -- without a single scene at the titular prison -- episode two now jumps back to England to start again with a new chap. It certainly seems an unusual way to structure a series. And the number of scenes set in Colditz this episode? None, again.
Downton Abbey
1x06 Episode Six
[Watch it (again) on ITV Player.]
Dragons' Den
What Happened Next 5 Theo Paphitis [season finale]
Due South
1x04 Manhunt [2nd watch]
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Poirot
12x02 Hallowe'en Party
ITV chose to air this on Wednesday. Much more appropriate today, I feel.
[Watch it (again) on ITV Player.]
Sunday, 31 October 2010
Articles
Johnny Cash comic hits iPhone, iPad by Mark Langshaw
(from Digital Spy)
(from Digital Spy)
the App scans the user's device for music by the late country and Western star to accompany each scene.Ooh, that's clever then.
Saturday, 30 October 2010
TV
Lots today, including Sarah Jane guest starring the Doctor. But first...
Colditz
1x01 The Undefeated
Apparently Colditz hasn't been shown on UK TV for 15 years, and next month's DVD release is the first time it's been out on DVD too. And there I was thinking it was popular. Still, it makes it understandable why Yesterday have made such a fuss about this repeat run, currently showing weeknightly at 10.
Episode one (which actually features no scenes whatsoever at the titular prison) is very of its time in terms of pace and style. Though that's not necessarily a bad thing -- look how much I loved The Sandbaggers, for instance -- it'll take a few more episodes for it to settle in and for me to decide what I really think.
Due South
1x03 Diefenbaker's Day Off [2nd watch]
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Have I Got News For You
40x03 (28/10/10 edition; extended repeat)
[Watch the extended version (again) on iPlayer.]
The Mentalist
3x03 The Blood On His Hands
[Watch it (again) on Demand Five.]
Michael McIntyre's Comedy Roadshow
2x06 Leeds [season finale]
Please make it 45 minutes again! Everyone was very good tonight, but all were cut off far too quickly.
The Sarah Jane Adventures
4x05 Death of the Doctor Part One
4x06 Death of the Doctor Part Two
I think it's safe to say this is the story everyone's been waiting for (and I'm sure it got higher ratings because of it), as the new Doctor meets not only Sarah Jane but also another former companion, Jo Grant, and Russell T Davies writes for the 11th Doctor for the first time.
And it certainly paid off, both in excitement and emotion -- Sarah Jane's speech at the end, about the fates of other companions, was (for this Who fan, at least) incredibly moving. It also ably proves why a) all Who fans should be watching SJA, and b) why, for all the Moffat-love, RTD's departure is a loss to the series.
[Watch parts one and two, or a compilation of both, on iPlayer.]
Colditz
1x01 The Undefeated
Apparently Colditz hasn't been shown on UK TV for 15 years, and next month's DVD release is the first time it's been out on DVD too. And there I was thinking it was popular. Still, it makes it understandable why Yesterday have made such a fuss about this repeat run, currently showing weeknightly at 10.
Episode one (which actually features no scenes whatsoever at the titular prison) is very of its time in terms of pace and style. Though that's not necessarily a bad thing -- look how much I loved The Sandbaggers, for instance -- it'll take a few more episodes for it to settle in and for me to decide what I really think.
Due South
1x03 Diefenbaker's Day Off [2nd watch]
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Have I Got News For You
40x03 (28/10/10 edition; extended repeat)
[Watch the extended version (again) on iPlayer.]
The Mentalist
3x03 The Blood On His Hands
[Watch it (again) on Demand Five.]
Michael McIntyre's Comedy Roadshow
2x06 Leeds [season finale]
Please make it 45 minutes again! Everyone was very good tonight, but all were cut off far too quickly.
The Sarah Jane Adventures
4x05 Death of the Doctor Part One
4x06 Death of the Doctor Part Two
I think it's safe to say this is the story everyone's been waiting for (and I'm sure it got higher ratings because of it), as the new Doctor meets not only Sarah Jane but also another former companion, Jo Grant, and Russell T Davies writes for the 11th Doctor for the first time.
And it certainly paid off, both in excitement and emotion -- Sarah Jane's speech at the end, about the fates of other companions, was (for this Who fan, at least) incredibly moving. It also ably proves why a) all Who fans should be watching SJA, and b) why, for all the Moffat-love, RTD's departure is a loss to the series.
[Watch parts one and two, or a compilation of both, on iPlayer.]
Friday, 29 October 2010
TV
The Event
1x01 I Haven't Told You Everything
1x02 To Keep Us Safe
It feels like this has come in for quite a lot of flack, but personally I quite liked it. It's not the greatest start to a series ever, this is true, but while the writing, acting, etc, aren't exceptional they are fine -- which is more than FlashForward managed most of the time. I was also more engaged and intrigued than I was by Lost, plus it seems to have potential for on-going stories (something else FlashForward really lacked). So, we'll see... though the way the US viewing figures have tailed off (almost halving since the pilot) doesn't bode well for long-term success and/or renewal.
All that said, the SUV that could apparently travel as fast as a plane was ludicrous.
[Watch I Haven't Told You Everything and To Keep Us Safe (again) on 4oD.]
The Graham Norton Show
8x01 (22/10/10 edition)
Graham moves into the Wossy slot, but fortunately they haven't messed around with the format of his show. Super.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
1x01 I Haven't Told You Everything
1x02 To Keep Us Safe
It feels like this has come in for quite a lot of flack, but personally I quite liked it. It's not the greatest start to a series ever, this is true, but while the writing, acting, etc, aren't exceptional they are fine -- which is more than FlashForward managed most of the time. I was also more engaged and intrigued than I was by Lost, plus it seems to have potential for on-going stories (something else FlashForward really lacked). So, we'll see... though the way the US viewing figures have tailed off (almost halving since the pilot) doesn't bode well for long-term success and/or renewal.
All that said, the SUV that could apparently travel as fast as a plane was ludicrous.
[Watch I Haven't Told You Everything and To Keep Us Safe (again) on 4oD.]
The Graham Norton Show
8x01 (22/10/10 edition)
Graham moves into the Wossy slot, but fortunately they haven't messed around with the format of his show. Super.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Collection Count
Collection Count tracks my DVD/Blu-ray collection via a number of statistics every week.
Several DVD-to-Blu-ray upgrades fiddle the stats this week; a few more are on their way to do the same next time too.
Number of titles in collection: 1,227 [up 1]
Of which DVDs: 1,101 [down 2]
Of which Blu-rays: 126 [up 3]
Number of discs in collection: 3,008 [up 1]
Number of films in collection: 1,296 [up 2]
Number of TV episodes in collection: 4,280 [no change]
Statistic of the week:
Number of double-dips:
119
With (as noted) several DVD-to-BD upgrades this week, I was curious just how many titles I've upgraded (i.e. double-dipped) in my collection. This number represents the number of times I've re-bought something I already owned, be it on DVD or BD, whether I kept the previous edition or not.
Incidentally, my most-dipped title is -- surprisingly, as I'm not especially a horror fan -- The Evil Dead. Not only that, but I still own all the copies I bought. (For the curious: my first copy was the fabulously packaged "Book of the Dead" Edition, my second a trilogy box set, and my third a box of banned films that happened to include The Evil Dead. Thanks to the trilogy set having two copies of the film (in its original fullscreen and cropped widescreen forms), I actually own four copies of it.)
See you next week, faithful reader.
Several DVD-to-Blu-ray upgrades fiddle the stats this week; a few more are on their way to do the same next time too.
Number of titles in collection: 1,227 [up 1]
Of which DVDs: 1,101 [down 2]
Of which Blu-rays: 126 [up 3]
Number of discs in collection: 3,008 [up 1]
Number of films in collection: 1,296 [up 2]
Number of TV episodes in collection: 4,280 [no change]
Statistic of the week:
Number of double-dips:
119
With (as noted) several DVD-to-BD upgrades this week, I was curious just how many titles I've upgraded (i.e. double-dipped) in my collection. This number represents the number of times I've re-bought something I already owned, be it on DVD or BD, whether I kept the previous edition or not.
Incidentally, my most-dipped title is -- surprisingly, as I'm not especially a horror fan -- The Evil Dead. Not only that, but I still own all the copies I bought. (For the curious: my first copy was the fabulously packaged "Book of the Dead" Edition, my second a trilogy box set, and my third a box of banned films that happened to include The Evil Dead. Thanks to the trilogy set having two copies of the film (in its original fullscreen and cropped widescreen forms), I actually own four copies of it.)
See you next week, faithful reader.
Thursday, 28 October 2010
TV
Dave's One Night Stand
1x02 Jack Whitehall
Despite the fact I usually loathe Jack Whitehall, this was rather good all round, particularly the songs by one of his guests.
[Watch it (again) on Dave's website. The first episode, starring Ben Elton, is also available.]
Dragons' Den
What Happened Next 4 Deborah Meaden
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
The Rob Brydon Show
1x01 (17/9/10 edition)
Still resolutely watching these entirely out of order. I don't think it really matters.
Who'd've thought Brydon's duets with Tom Jones would be so... good? He's surprisingly musical.
1x02 Jack Whitehall
Despite the fact I usually loathe Jack Whitehall, this was rather good all round, particularly the songs by one of his guests.
[Watch it (again) on Dave's website. The first episode, starring Ben Elton, is also available.]
Dragons' Den
What Happened Next 4 Deborah Meaden
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
The Rob Brydon Show
1x01 (17/9/10 edition)
Still resolutely watching these entirely out of order. I don't think it really matters.
Who'd've thought Brydon's duets with Tom Jones would be so... good? He's surprisingly musical.
Films
Born Free (1966)
[#109 in 100 Films in a Year 2010]
Rambo: First Blood Part II (1985)
[#110 in 100 Films in a Year 2010]
[#109 in 100 Films in a Year 2010]
Rambo: First Blood Part II (1985)
[#110 in 100 Films in a Year 2010]
Articles
Nolan: Dark Knight Rises finds the future in IMAX, not 3-D by Geoff Boucher
(from Hero Complex at the Los Angeles Times)
Talking of which...
Peter Jackson explains Hobbit casting by Naomi Rainey
(from Digital Spy)
Richard Armitage does seem odd casting for a four-foot-tall stocky dwarf, but I can see where Jackson is coming from -- most of the lead characters are dwarves, so some variation amongst them makes sense.
(from Hero Complex at the Los Angeles Times)
[It won't be in 3D because] we want the look and feel of the film to be faithful to what has come before... Our ambition for the third movie is to complete a story that has begun. This is not starting over, this is not rebooting. We're finishing something, and keeping a consistency with what's come before has real value.Good point. Can someone please tell this to Peter Jackson before The Hobbit starts shooting?
Talking of which...
Peter Jackson explains Hobbit casting by Naomi Rainey
(from Digital Spy)
Richard Armitage does seem odd casting for a four-foot-tall stocky dwarf, but I can see where Jackson is coming from -- most of the lead characters are dwarves, so some variation amongst them makes sense.
Wednesday, 27 October 2010
TV
Band of Brothers
Part Six Bastogne [2nd watch]
This is one of the episodes that most sticks in my memory (as I may've mentioned, I haven't watched the series for almost a decade, so that feels a little significant). It was, naturally, another very good instalment.
Film 2010 with Claudia Winkleman
Episode 2 (20/10/10 edition)
In many respects, Film 2010's 8-year-old blogger should've been the best person to talk about Back to the Future. But then it's more than two years old, so I guess he refuses to watch it. (Thank God he didn't, incidentally. I hope he's gone now...)
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
Just Good Friends
1x02 Hello Again
Law & Order: UK
3x07 Anonymous [season finale]
Another good, strong episode for the season finale. I think L&O has improved a bit this series.
[Watch it (again) on ITV Player.]
Mad Men
4x07 The Suitcase
Even by Mad Men's consistently high standards, this was an exceptionally excellent episode. Awards all round, please.
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
Part Six Bastogne [2nd watch]
This is one of the episodes that most sticks in my memory (as I may've mentioned, I haven't watched the series for almost a decade, so that feels a little significant). It was, naturally, another very good instalment.
Film 2010 with Claudia Winkleman
Episode 2 (20/10/10 edition)
In many respects, Film 2010's 8-year-old blogger should've been the best person to talk about Back to the Future. But then it's more than two years old, so I guess he refuses to watch it. (Thank God he didn't, incidentally. I hope he's gone now...)
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
Just Good Friends
1x02 Hello Again
Law & Order: UK
3x07 Anonymous [season finale]
Another good, strong episode for the season finale. I think L&O has improved a bit this series.
[Watch it (again) on ITV Player.]
Mad Men
4x07 The Suitcase
Even by Mad Men's consistently high standards, this was an exceptionally excellent episode. Awards all round, please.
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
Podcast
Radio Free Skaro
#221 2 Entertain or Not 2 Entertain
Doctor Who-related podcast, which this edition has a lengthy interview with Dan Hall, commissioning editor (i.e. Man In Charge Of) the classic series DVD releases. If you're interested, be sure to skip straight to the interview (starts at 20:06, to be precise) -- the opening twenty minutes are an irritatingly waffley discussion of Sarah Jane Adventures and other really boring waffle about Who news, which simply proves some podcasters still need to learn how to edit -- and also that they really should edit.
As for the interview itself, as a Who fan and DVD fan I found most of it rather reassuring. There's a lot of discussion about things that feel irrelevant or don't need going over (it opens with a massively overlong chat about the syncing up of the US & Australian release schedule with the UK one), but the stuff on future Revisitations sets, the possibility of more animated episodes, the release of Shada and the possible potential for Blu-ray is all interesting.
#221 2 Entertain or Not 2 Entertain
Doctor Who-related podcast, which this edition has a lengthy interview with Dan Hall, commissioning editor (i.e. Man In Charge Of) the classic series DVD releases. If you're interested, be sure to skip straight to the interview (starts at 20:06, to be precise) -- the opening twenty minutes are an irritatingly waffley discussion of Sarah Jane Adventures and other really boring waffle about Who news, which simply proves some podcasters still need to learn how to edit -- and also that they really should edit.
As for the interview itself, as a Who fan and DVD fan I found most of it rather reassuring. There's a lot of discussion about things that feel irrelevant or don't need going over (it opens with a massively overlong chat about the syncing up of the US & Australian release schedule with the UK one), but the stuff on future Revisitations sets, the possibility of more animated episodes, the release of Shada and the possible potential for Blu-ray is all interesting.
Articles
Christopher Nolan reveals title of third Batman film and that ‘it wont be the Riddler’ by Geoff Boucher
(from Hero Complex at the Los Angeles Times)
While the title isn't the most exciting proposition -- The Dark Knight Rises -- I'm glad they won't be using the Riddler. He's different to the Joker, of course, but I was concerned that he'd be too similar to the way The Dark Knight used the Joker to really work as a different-enough villain. Personally, Catwoman seems the most obvious choice to me, but we'll see.
In even better news, though, it won't be in 3D! Hurrah! Here's hoping it'll all be in IMAX -- I likely won't be able to see it on an IMAX screen, but the IMAX segments of The Dark Knight look so amazing on Blu-ray that I want to be able to see it there.
(from Hero Complex at the Los Angeles Times)
While the title isn't the most exciting proposition -- The Dark Knight Rises -- I'm glad they won't be using the Riddler. He's different to the Joker, of course, but I was concerned that he'd be too similar to the way The Dark Knight used the Joker to really work as a different-enough villain. Personally, Catwoman seems the most obvious choice to me, but we'll see.
In even better news, though, it won't be in 3D! Hurrah! Here's hoping it'll all be in IMAX -- I likely won't be able to see it on an IMAX screen, but the IMAX segments of The Dark Knight look so amazing on Blu-ray that I want to be able to see it there.
Tuesday, 26 October 2010
TV
Band of Brothers
Part Five Crossroads [2nd watch]
Russell Howard's Good News
3x01 (21/10/10 edition; extended repeat)
In a Good News rarity, this edition's stand-up -- Jimmy McGhie -- was actually quite good and likeable. Wonders never cease.
Even better, they've finally started putting the extended version on iPlayer. I would say "well done" but, well, I'm not sure it's good to congratulate someone for something they should've done a long time ago.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Story of England
Part 4 Peasants Revolt to Tudors
"That the Pope of Rome is Father Antichrist, and false in all his workings, a false extortioner, and a deceiver of the people"
True today, of course, but written in the early 1400s. Seems people of the past were always more progressive than we think...
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
Whites
1x04 Episode 4
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
Part Five Crossroads [2nd watch]
Russell Howard's Good News
3x01 (21/10/10 edition; extended repeat)
In a Good News rarity, this edition's stand-up -- Jimmy McGhie -- was actually quite good and likeable. Wonders never cease.
Even better, they've finally started putting the extended version on iPlayer. I would say "well done" but, well, I'm not sure it's good to congratulate someone for something they should've done a long time ago.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Story of England
Part 4 Peasants Revolt to Tudors
"That the Pope of Rome is Father Antichrist, and false in all his workings, a false extortioner, and a deceiver of the people"
True today, of course, but written in the early 1400s. Seems people of the past were always more progressive than we think...
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
Whites
1x04 Episode 4
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
Articles
Ronald D. Moore on Why Galactica Steered Clear of ‘Technobabble,’ Aliens by Lisa Grossman
(from Underwire at Wired)
The whole article's interesting for anyone who likes Battlestar Galactica, though be warned it has some huge spoilers towards the end.
(from Underwire at Wired)
I can’t tell you how many messages I’ve gotten that say, “I’ve watched this episode three times, and I hate it more every time I watch it.” Well, that’s a fan.A spot-on description of sci-fi fans.
The whole article's interesting for anyone who likes Battlestar Galactica, though be warned it has some huge spoilers towards the end.
Monday, 25 October 2010
TV
Ask Rhod Gilbert
1x04 Episode 4
I think I must've misunderstood something: I thought Russell Kane was a comedian, but I've seen him on several programmes now and it's not just that I don't find him funny, the studio audiences never seem to laugh either.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Band of Brothers
Part Four Replacements [2nd watch]
Due South
1x02 Free Willie [2nd watch]
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
A History of Horror with Mark Gatiss
Part 2 Home Counties Horror
Mark Gatiss' excellent personalised history of horror films continues into the '50s, '60s and '70s with the rise and fall of Hammer horror, not to mention other British, British-inspired and gothic horrors. Plus, 'folk horror' films, a term Gatiss seems to have coined (at least, that was the impression the programme gave), covering the likes of Witchfinder General, The Wicker Man and Blood on Satan's Claw.
The series is so good, it's almost a shame it's so short and focused -- a couple more episodes dealing with pre-Universal horror and where the genre has gone in more recent years (as I believe tonight's final part only covers US horror in the '60s and '70s), done with the same level of insight and quality, would be most welcome.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Spooks
9x05 Episode 5
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
1x04 Episode 4
I think I must've misunderstood something: I thought Russell Kane was a comedian, but I've seen him on several programmes now and it's not just that I don't find him funny, the studio audiences never seem to laugh either.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Band of Brothers
Part Four Replacements [2nd watch]
Due South
1x02 Free Willie [2nd watch]
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
A History of Horror with Mark Gatiss
Part 2 Home Counties Horror
Mark Gatiss' excellent personalised history of horror films continues into the '50s, '60s and '70s with the rise and fall of Hammer horror, not to mention other British, British-inspired and gothic horrors. Plus, 'folk horror' films, a term Gatiss seems to have coined (at least, that was the impression the programme gave), covering the likes of Witchfinder General, The Wicker Man and Blood on Satan's Claw.
The series is so good, it's almost a shame it's so short and focused -- a couple more episodes dealing with pre-Universal horror and where the genre has gone in more recent years (as I believe tonight's final part only covers US horror in the '60s and '70s), done with the same level of insight and quality, would be most welcome.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Spooks
9x05 Episode 5
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Articles
New Eighth Doctor costume revealed by Chuck Foster
(from Doctor Who News Page)
Considering he now exists solely on audio, and therefore in stories of dubious canonicity and outside the mass public consciousness (arguably, even outside mass fan consciousness), the reveal of a new costume for the 8th Doctor might just be considered an irrelevancy. Or, if like me you still love McGann's incarnation, it's a little bit interesting and perhaps even exciting.
I like where they've gone with it -- it echoes the TVM costume while being new, though the bag seems unnecessary. The retro sonic screwdriver is also nice -- it would fit neatly with the TVM-stlye console room, I feel.
Still, there's no denying this revisionism comes too late. Back when Big Finish did their second 'season' of 8th Doctor audio and the promo photos had a shaven-headed McGann, I felt they should've officially restyled the 8th Doctor with short hair and a more modern costume... more-or-less exactly the look the new TV series gave Chris Eccleston just a few years later, in fact. At this point, it's rather a last-ditch attempt to drum up more interest and make the 8th Doctor's adventures still feel current -- which Big Finish naturally want to do, as he's the most recent Doctor they're allowed to use.
(from Doctor Who News Page)
Considering he now exists solely on audio, and therefore in stories of dubious canonicity and outside the mass public consciousness (arguably, even outside mass fan consciousness), the reveal of a new costume for the 8th Doctor might just be considered an irrelevancy. Or, if like me you still love McGann's incarnation, it's a little bit interesting and perhaps even exciting.
I like where they've gone with it -- it echoes the TVM costume while being new, though the bag seems unnecessary. The retro sonic screwdriver is also nice -- it would fit neatly with the TVM-stlye console room, I feel.
Still, there's no denying this revisionism comes too late. Back when Big Finish did their second 'season' of 8th Doctor audio and the promo photos had a shaven-headed McGann, I felt they should've officially restyled the 8th Doctor with short hair and a more modern costume... more-or-less exactly the look the new TV series gave Chris Eccleston just a few years later, in fact. At this point, it's rather a last-ditch attempt to drum up more interest and make the 8th Doctor's adventures still feel current -- which Big Finish naturally want to do, as he's the most recent Doctor they're allowed to use.
Sunday, 24 October 2010
TV
Band of Brothers
Part Three Carentan [2nd watch]
Downton Abbey
1x05 Episode Five
[Watch it (again) on ITV Player.]
Have I Got News For You
40x02 (21/10/10 edition; extended repeat)
[Watch the extended version (again) on iPlayer.]
Just Good Friends
1x01 After All This Time
QI
8x06 Happiness (extended repeat)
[Watch the extended version (again) on iPlayer.]
Sarah Jane's Alien Files
1x02 Episode 2
I'm warming to this a bit now... but perhaps that's because I watched it while wrapping some presents, which it happened to be the perfect length to cover.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Part Three Carentan [2nd watch]
Downton Abbey
1x05 Episode Five
[Watch it (again) on ITV Player.]
Have I Got News For You
40x02 (21/10/10 edition; extended repeat)
[Watch the extended version (again) on iPlayer.]
Just Good Friends
1x01 After All This Time
QI
8x06 Happiness (extended repeat)
[Watch the extended version (again) on iPlayer.]
Sarah Jane's Alien Files
1x02 Episode 2
I'm warming to this a bit now... but perhaps that's because I watched it while wrapping some presents, which it happened to be the perfect length to cover.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Film / Theatre
Oklahoma!
A filmed version of the late-'90s West End revival, directed by Trevor Nunn and starring Maureen Lipman and a pre-X-Men Hugh Jackman.
A filmed version of the late-'90s West End revival, directed by Trevor Nunn and starring Maureen Lipman and a pre-X-Men Hugh Jackman.
this week on 100 Films
6 (six!) new reviews were posted to 100 Films in a Year this week, and they were...
The Band Wagon (1953)
Brigadoon (1954)
Gigi (1958)
Grindhouse (2007)
Meet Me in St. Louis (1944)
Witchfinder General (1968)
More next Sunday.
The Band Wagon (1953)
In this behind-the-scenes musical, Fred Astaire plays Tony Hunter, a slightly washed-up star of stage and screen. One can’t help but wonder if his performance has an autobiographical edge. It’s of no concern to the viewer though, because he’s as wonderful as ever.
Brigadoon (1954)
The Scottish accents are appalling, the costumes and setting gratingly twee, the Highlands recreated entirely on a soundstage... But the ill-conceived cast, costumes and studio-bound setting begin to pale under the charm of Gene Kelly and the machinations of the plot. Even the Scottish accents, though consistently dreadful, eventually become less irritating.
Gigi (1958)
a film about largely horrid people doing morally dubious things. It begins with an elder gentleman singing Thank Heaven for Little Girls; not because they bring a youthful joy to old age, but because they’re a constant source of new young ladies for him to have affairs with — he’s a dirty old man really.
Grindhouse (2007)
Rodriguez packs every scene with at least one element you should expect from this style of cinema: graphic blood-spurting violence, horrific mutations, vicious zombies, over-the-top logic-light gunfights, entirely random explosions, clichéd dialogue, stock characters, extended shots of the female form… Have I missed anything? If I have, it’s probably there too.
Meet Me in St. Louis (1944)
at times it reminded me of Pride & Prejudice, albeit a version with much of the dramatic tension removed. For instance, Austen’s tale spends a long time creating a bad impression of Mr Darcy, only to eventually reveal his (mostly) good intentions. St. Louis manages all of five minutes in which the Darcy-ish character is suspected of having done something dastardly before the truth is revealed.
Witchfinder General (1968)
it’s more like an historical action-adventure [than a horror film], with soldiers dashing around the countryside, horseback chases, bar brawls, ambushes and the occasional sword fight.
More next Sunday.
Saturday, 23 October 2010
TV
Argumental
3x10 (19/10/10 edition)
Poor Ben Miller -- he did really well and didn't win once.
Band of Brothers
Part Two Day of Days [2nd watch]
Merlin
3x07 The Castle of Fyrien
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Never Mind the Buzzcocks
24x01 Episode 1
So Mark Ronson made for a pathetically weak host, which I suppose was to be expected. It just goes to show, reading aloud from an autocue requires more talent than you'd think. That Paul Foot guy was surprisingly good though.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
The Sarah Jane Adventures
4x03 The Vault of Secrets Part One
4x04 The Vault of Secrets Part Two
[Watch parts one and two, or a compilation of both, on iPlayer.]
3x10 (19/10/10 edition)
Poor Ben Miller -- he did really well and didn't win once.
Band of Brothers
Part Two Day of Days [2nd watch]
Merlin
3x07 The Castle of Fyrien
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Never Mind the Buzzcocks
24x01 Episode 1
So Mark Ronson made for a pathetically weak host, which I suppose was to be expected. It just goes to show, reading aloud from an autocue requires more talent than you'd think. That Paul Foot guy was surprisingly good though.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
The Sarah Jane Adventures
4x03 The Vault of Secrets Part One
4x04 The Vault of Secrets Part Two
[Watch parts one and two, or a compilation of both, on iPlayer.]
Articles
PSP named UK's 'most returned gadget' by Mark Langshaw
(from Digital Spy)
With all the residual PlayStation hatred of a former N64 owner (not to mention GameCube, Gameboy Advance and DS), I'd just like to say... hahahahahahahahahaha! PSP sucks!
*ahem* I do apologise. Well, a bit. Not much though.
(from Digital Spy)
With all the residual PlayStation hatred of a former N64 owner (not to mention GameCube, Gameboy Advance and DS), I'd just like to say... hahahahahahahahahaha! PSP sucks!
*ahem* I do apologise. Well, a bit. Not much though.
Friday, 22 October 2010
TV
Band of Brothers
Part One Currahee [2nd watch]
Despite owning it on DVD since its release, and now Blu-ray too (well, instead), I don't believe I've watched Band of Brothers since its original BBC Two broadcast. With 10 days 'til sort-of-sequel The Pacific is released on DVD & Blu-ray, it seems a good time to finally reacquaint myself with its predecessor.
It's still thoroughly excellent, even though (as I recall it) the best is yet to come. One notable thing, nine years after it was first shown: how many of the faces are now much more recognisable. It's an incredible cast.
House
7x03 Unwritten
The Mentalist
3x02 Cackle-Bladder Blood
[Watch it (again) on Demand Five.]
Michael McIntyre's Comedy Roadshow
2x05 Bristol
So they're in Bristol, but they don't have Russell Howard on? What is the world coming to...
Though there's something even more troubling about this episode: Squeezing five comedians into the show's regular 45 minutes usually means we don't get to see enough of the good ones (equally, it means the poor ones are gone pretty quickly), but this edition is cut down to just 30 (for no apparent reason). It means everyone bar McIntyre is really rushed; ridiculously so, in fact. Why, people-who-do-such-things, why?
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
Part One Currahee [2nd watch]
Despite owning it on DVD since its release, and now Blu-ray too (well, instead), I don't believe I've watched Band of Brothers since its original BBC Two broadcast. With 10 days 'til sort-of-sequel The Pacific is released on DVD & Blu-ray, it seems a good time to finally reacquaint myself with its predecessor.
It's still thoroughly excellent, even though (as I recall it) the best is yet to come. One notable thing, nine years after it was first shown: how many of the faces are now much more recognisable. It's an incredible cast.
House
7x03 Unwritten
The Mentalist
3x02 Cackle-Bladder Blood
[Watch it (again) on Demand Five.]
Michael McIntyre's Comedy Roadshow
2x05 Bristol
So they're in Bristol, but they don't have Russell Howard on? What is the world coming to...
Though there's something even more troubling about this episode: Squeezing five comedians into the show's regular 45 minutes usually means we don't get to see enough of the good ones (equally, it means the poor ones are gone pretty quickly), but this edition is cut down to just 30 (for no apparent reason). It means everyone bar McIntyre is really rushed; ridiculously so, in fact. Why, people-who-do-such-things, why?
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
Articles
BBC confirms BBC One HD launch details by Andrew Laughlin
(from Digital Spy)
Hooray! With the existing BBC HD even more freed up to show stuff from the other channels, hopefully this will mean less instances of stuff not getting an HD simulcast. Sarah Jane in particular has been annoying me in this respect -- while CBBC and BBC One are showing two eps per week, on Monday/Tuesday and Wednesday/Thursday respectively, BBC HD is showing just one episode every Saturday. What? Why? Gits.
Director Norrington quits Crow remake by Simon Reynolds
(from Digital Spy)
I'd be lying if I said I'd been massively excited for this film, but the people involved and the 'new direction' talk had piqued my interest. So, this news is a shame.
Neil Gaiman drops Doctor Who hints by Morgan Jeffery
(from Digital Spy)
Beware spoilers, though I think Gaiman does a good job of genuinely teasing without giving away anything significant. In other words, it's more fuel for speculation (much more) without providing anything definitive.
Warner Bros confirms Hobbit cast by Christian Tobin
(from Digital Spy)
It's been the talk of the 'net today, but in case you missed it, nine of the leading roles in The Hobbit (in addition to the likes of Ian McKellen and Andy Serkis returning) have been confirmed. They're a mix of "brilliant!", "interesting..." and "I have no idea who that is".
(from Digital Spy)
Hooray! With the existing BBC HD even more freed up to show stuff from the other channels, hopefully this will mean less instances of stuff not getting an HD simulcast. Sarah Jane in particular has been annoying me in this respect -- while CBBC and BBC One are showing two eps per week, on Monday/Tuesday and Wednesday/Thursday respectively, BBC HD is showing just one episode every Saturday. What? Why? Gits.
Director Norrington quits Crow remake by Simon Reynolds
(from Digital Spy)
I'd be lying if I said I'd been massively excited for this film, but the people involved and the 'new direction' talk had piqued my interest. So, this news is a shame.
Neil Gaiman drops Doctor Who hints by Morgan Jeffery
(from Digital Spy)
Beware spoilers, though I think Gaiman does a good job of genuinely teasing without giving away anything significant. In other words, it's more fuel for speculation (much more) without providing anything definitive.
Warner Bros confirms Hobbit cast by Christian Tobin
(from Digital Spy)
It's been the talk of the 'net today, but in case you missed it, nine of the leading roles in The Hobbit (in addition to the likes of Ian McKellen and Andy Serkis returning) have been confirmed. They're a mix of "brilliant!", "interesting..." and "I have no idea who that is".
Collection Count
Collection Count tracks my DVD/Blu-ray collection via a number of statistics every week.
And it's been doing so for a whole year!
Normally this would be the latest running time update (which is only logical -- I do it monthly, of course it would coincide with the anniversary), but I've expanded it rather for a sort-of-celebratory Statistic of the Week. More after the latest numbers...
...which this week see the Back to the Future trilogy hit Blu-ray. Gorgeous set, it is, and replaces my old DVDs. Plus two new DVDs and you get this:
Number of titles in collection: 1,226 [up 2]
Of which DVDs: 1,103 [up 1]
Of which Blu-rays: 123 [up 1]
Number of discs in collection: 3,007 [up 7]
Number of films in collection: 1,294 [up 1]
Number of TV episodes in collection: 4,280 [up 60]
Statistic of the week:
In honour of Collection Count reaching its first anniversary, I've decided to see how much my collection has grown in the past year. Exciting stuff, eh?
So without further delay, in the last 12 months my collection has increased as follows...
Number of titles in collection: up 169 (15.99%)
Of which DVDs: up 79 (7.7%)
Of which Blu-rays: up 90 (272.7%)
Number of discs in collection: up 391 (14.95%)
Number of films in collection: up 200 (18.3%)
Number of TV episodes in collection: up 628 (17.2%)
Plus, in that first-ever post I included the first running time total. And so...
Total running time of collection (approx.):
212 days, 6 hours, and 58 minutes
-- up 32 days, 14 hours, and 5 minutes since last year! (That's 18.32%, fact fans.)
Well crikey. What a year, and all that.
See you next week for the start of Year 2, faithful reader.
And it's been doing so for a whole year!
Normally this would be the latest running time update (which is only logical -- I do it monthly, of course it would coincide with the anniversary), but I've expanded it rather for a sort-of-celebratory Statistic of the Week. More after the latest numbers...
...which this week see the Back to the Future trilogy hit Blu-ray. Gorgeous set, it is, and replaces my old DVDs. Plus two new DVDs and you get this:
Number of titles in collection: 1,226 [up 2]
Of which DVDs: 1,103 [up 1]
Of which Blu-rays: 123 [up 1]
Number of discs in collection: 3,007 [up 7]
Number of films in collection: 1,294 [up 1]
Number of TV episodes in collection: 4,280 [up 60]
Statistic of the week:
In honour of Collection Count reaching its first anniversary, I've decided to see how much my collection has grown in the past year. Exciting stuff, eh?
So without further delay, in the last 12 months my collection has increased as follows...
Number of titles in collection: up 169 (15.99%)
Of which DVDs: up 79 (7.7%)
Of which Blu-rays: up 90 (272.7%)
Number of discs in collection: up 391 (14.95%)
Number of films in collection: up 200 (18.3%)
Number of TV episodes in collection: up 628 (17.2%)
Plus, in that first-ever post I included the first running time total. And so...
Total running time of collection (approx.):
212 days, 6 hours, and 58 minutes
-- up 32 days, 14 hours, and 5 minutes since last year! (That's 18.32%, fact fans.)
Well crikey. What a year, and all that.
See you next week for the start of Year 2, faithful reader.
Thursday, 21 October 2010
TV
8 Out of 10 Cats
10x08 Science Special
[Watch it (again) on 4oD.]
Dragons' Den
What Happened Next 3 James Caan
It's been nearly a month since I last watched this. Crikey. (I know that's not that interesting, but... surprised, I am.)
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
How I Met Your Mother
5x22 Robots Vs. Wrestlers
[Watch it (again) on 4oD.]
10x08 Science Special
[Watch it (again) on 4oD.]
Dragons' Den
What Happened Next 3 James Caan
It's been nearly a month since I last watched this. Crikey. (I know that's not that interesting, but... surprised, I am.)
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
How I Met Your Mother
5x22 Robots Vs. Wrestlers
[Watch it (again) on 4oD.]
Wednesday, 20 October 2010
TV
Law & Order: UK
3x06 Masquerade
L&O:UK just got recommissioned for another run of 13 episodes... which, thanks to the way they broadcast them, means series 5 & 6.
[Watch it (again) on ITV Player.]
Mad Men
4x06 Waldorf Stories
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
Mock the Week
9x12 (14/10/10 edition) [season finale]
Season-ending highlights/outtakes. Always surprisingly good.
(Skipped the last proper episode thanks to the frequently-useless people who control what goes up on Virgin Media's version of iPlayer. Fortunately, I've downloaded it from the online iPlayer for viewing at some point.)
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
3x06 Masquerade
L&O:UK just got recommissioned for another run of 13 episodes... which, thanks to the way they broadcast them, means series 5 & 6.
[Watch it (again) on ITV Player.]
Mad Men
4x06 Waldorf Stories
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
Mock the Week
9x12 (14/10/10 edition) [season finale]
Season-ending highlights/outtakes. Always surprisingly good.
(Skipped the last proper episode thanks to the frequently-useless people who control what goes up on Virgin Media's version of iPlayer. Fortunately, I've downloaded it from the online iPlayer for viewing at some point.)
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Tuesday, 19 October 2010
TV
Due South
1x01 Pilot Part 2 [2nd watch]
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
House
7x02 Selfish
I somehow failed to note when I watched episode one of this season, which is a rather surprising oversight (I've now dropped it in somewhere that seems vaguely plausible). I thought I'd not made my comment on how they've finally changed the title sequence, something they've needed to do for years (ever since he took on a new team). Amusingly, they've done it in the cheapest way possible, dropping in new shots for the new cast names.
Whites
1x03 Episode 3
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
1x01 Pilot Part 2 [2nd watch]
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
House
7x02 Selfish
I somehow failed to note when I watched episode one of this season, which is a rather surprising oversight (I've now dropped it in somewhere that seems vaguely plausible). I thought I'd not made my comment on how they've finally changed the title sequence, something they've needed to do for years (ever since he took on a new team). Amusingly, they've done it in the cheapest way possible, dropping in new shots for the new cast names.
Whites
1x03 Episode 3
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
Monday, 18 October 2010
TV
Due South
1x01 Pilot Part 1 [2nd watch]
I used to love Due South when it first aired -- about 15 years ago now! It's always worrying revisiting something you once loved after so long. While it undeniably looks dated now, it's still good fun, and I'm sure will improve once it settles down into the series proper. BBC Two are repeating it weekdays at 1pm (though it seems to be constantly pre-empted by stuff this week), and making it available on iPlayer too.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
A History of Horror with Mark Gatiss
Part 1 Frankenstein Goes to Hollywood
This has come under fire from some for not being a particularly complete history. Did they not actually watch it? Gatiss sets out his stall early on: this series both covers three specific eras of horror and is based around his personal predilections. However much the whole of horror cinema may owe to something like Nosferatu, it was a more-or-less isolated example, not part of a significant Horror movement. Besides which, the clue's in the title: it's A History of Horror, not The History of Horror. And, actually, a bloody good programme it was too.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Sarah Jane's Alien Files
1x01 Episode 1
I'm not certain to what degree this can be classed as "pointless". Essentially, it's a glorified way of recapping previous Sarah Jane Adventures stories: new scenes show Sarah Jane and Mr Smith creating a database of aliens, entering details they learnt from previous encounters. In practice, this mostly means a lightweight fact file and a couple of plot recaps. It's not even very thorough though: this edition covered the Trickster, an enemy Sarah Jane as encountered thrice (so far), but they only covered two stories. I fear my completist nature will see me watch the rest of the series, but I really shouldn't bother.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Spooks
9x04 Episode 4
"Should we discuss the illegal act of breaking into another country's embassy?" "Debate? What? No, just do it! Action action action!"
Oh Spooks, you used to be so good...
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Story of England
Part 3 The Great Famine & The Black Death
Cheery.
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
1x01 Pilot Part 1 [2nd watch]
I used to love Due South when it first aired -- about 15 years ago now! It's always worrying revisiting something you once loved after so long. While it undeniably looks dated now, it's still good fun, and I'm sure will improve once it settles down into the series proper. BBC Two are repeating it weekdays at 1pm (though it seems to be constantly pre-empted by stuff this week), and making it available on iPlayer too.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
A History of Horror with Mark Gatiss
Part 1 Frankenstein Goes to Hollywood
This has come under fire from some for not being a particularly complete history. Did they not actually watch it? Gatiss sets out his stall early on: this series both covers three specific eras of horror and is based around his personal predilections. However much the whole of horror cinema may owe to something like Nosferatu, it was a more-or-less isolated example, not part of a significant Horror movement. Besides which, the clue's in the title: it's A History of Horror, not The History of Horror. And, actually, a bloody good programme it was too.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Sarah Jane's Alien Files
1x01 Episode 1
I'm not certain to what degree this can be classed as "pointless". Essentially, it's a glorified way of recapping previous Sarah Jane Adventures stories: new scenes show Sarah Jane and Mr Smith creating a database of aliens, entering details they learnt from previous encounters. In practice, this mostly means a lightweight fact file and a couple of plot recaps. It's not even very thorough though: this edition covered the Trickster, an enemy Sarah Jane as encountered thrice (so far), but they only covered two stories. I fear my completist nature will see me watch the rest of the series, but I really shouldn't bother.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Spooks
9x04 Episode 4
"Should we discuss the illegal act of breaking into another country's embassy?" "Debate? What? No, just do it! Action action action!"
Oh Spooks, you used to be so good...
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Story of England
Part 3 The Great Famine & The Black Death
Cheery.
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
Articles
Snyder explains Sucker Punch 3D axe by Simon Reynolds
(from Digital Spy)
First Harry Potter 7 Part 1 drops its 3D, now Sucker Punch... The Hobbit next, please?
Steven Moffat teases Sherlock series two by Tara Fowler
(from Digital Spy)
(from Digital Spy)
First Harry Potter 7 Part 1 drops its 3D, now Sucker Punch... The Hobbit next, please?
Steven Moffat teases Sherlock series two by Tara Fowler
(from Digital Spy)
"The critical words, I’d say, would be - Adler, Hound, Reichenbach," declared Moffat.I can't think of three other words Mr Moffat could have chosen that would've gotten me more excited. Can't wait.
Sunday, 17 October 2010
TV
Downton Abbey
1x04 Episode Four
Maggie Smith is beyond excellent.
[Watch it (again) on ITV Player.]
Film 2010 with Claudia Winkleman
Episode 1 (13/10/10 edition)
So Film... is back, with its new host and its new team (or family, or multiplex, or whatever name they settle on). Personally, I rather liked it. Claudia Winkleman did a bang up job, devoid of her usual irritating presenting style, and having two critics (OK OK, one critic and one presenter/fan, but still) chatting rather than a straight review-to-camera was like the highly successful US At the Movies (aka Siskel & Ebert / Ebert & Roeper). Indeed, in many ways this format is superior to having just a sole critic.
As for the team... neat idea, though that Antonia immediately rubbed me up the wrong way. Don't think I'll get on with her opinions. The "8 year old blogger", on the other hand, seems a complete idiot. His Top 5 list was pathetic, his "I only like films that are about two years old, and that's OK" attitude was idiotic, and even the hosts were taking the mick out of him. He should be dispensed with forthwith.
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
QI
8x05 H Animals (extended repeat)
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
1x04 Episode Four
Maggie Smith is beyond excellent.
[Watch it (again) on ITV Player.]
Film 2010 with Claudia Winkleman
Episode 1 (13/10/10 edition)
So Film... is back, with its new host and its new team (or family, or multiplex, or whatever name they settle on). Personally, I rather liked it. Claudia Winkleman did a bang up job, devoid of her usual irritating presenting style, and having two critics (OK OK, one critic and one presenter/fan, but still) chatting rather than a straight review-to-camera was like the highly successful US At the Movies (aka Siskel & Ebert / Ebert & Roeper). Indeed, in many ways this format is superior to having just a sole critic.
As for the team... neat idea, though that Antonia immediately rubbed me up the wrong way. Don't think I'll get on with her opinions. The "8 year old blogger", on the other hand, seems a complete idiot. His Top 5 list was pathetic, his "I only like films that are about two years old, and that's OK" attitude was idiotic, and even the hosts were taking the mick out of him. He should be dispensed with forthwith.
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
QI
8x05 H Animals (extended repeat)
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Films
Meet Me in St. Louis (1944)
[#106 in 100 Films in a Year 2010]
Star Trek: Nemesis (2002)
[#107 in 100 Films in a Year 2010]
[#106 in 100 Films in a Year 2010]
Star Trek: Nemesis (2002)
[#107 in 100 Films in a Year 2010]
Articles
McIntyre's Roadshow pips Piers chatshow by Paul Millar
(from Digital Spy)
Piers Morgan's ratings down! X Factor's ratings down! Strictly beat X Factor during the time they were head to head!
If it weren't for the fact that, at its peak last night, 49% of the viewing public were watching X Factor, I'd be a little proud.
Why I'm calling time on Screen Burn by Charlie Brooker
(from guardian.co.uk)
The always-grumpy, always-funny Charlie Brooker is stopping his Screen Burn column after 11 years. This seemed to cause a minor storm across twitter... evidently from people who missed the sentence where Brooker clearly says, "I'll be back later in the year with a new column, right here in these pages."
(from Digital Spy)
Piers Morgan's ratings down! X Factor's ratings down! Strictly beat X Factor during the time they were head to head!
If it weren't for the fact that, at its peak last night, 49% of the viewing public were watching X Factor, I'd be a little proud.
Why I'm calling time on Screen Burn by Charlie Brooker
(from guardian.co.uk)
The always-grumpy, always-funny Charlie Brooker is stopping his Screen Burn column after 11 years. This seemed to cause a minor storm across twitter... evidently from people who missed the sentence where Brooker clearly says, "I'll be back later in the year with a new column, right here in these pages."
this week on 100 Films
3 new reviews were posted to 100 Films in a Year this week, and they were...
The Damned United (2009)
Star Trek: First Contact (1996)
Star Trek: Insurrection (1998)
Film4 are showing the two Star Trek films tonight, at 6:40pm and 9pm respectively. They're preceded by the first Next Generation film, Star Trek: Generations, at 4:20pm, and followed by the crew's final film, Star Trek: Nemesis, at 11:05pm.
More next Sunday.
The Damned United (2009)
I have no love for football. Quite the opposite, in fact. I’m not even entirely sure why I wound up watching this, to be honest. But I’m glad I did, because, even though it’s technically about football, The Damned United is a little bit brilliant. For one thing, it’s not actually about football, not really.
Star Trek: First Contact (1996)
widely regarded as not just in the film series’ upper half, but as one of the best episodes the entire franchise has produced... It gets off to a flying start. The first 20 or 30 minutes in particular move at a rate of knots, churning through plot in a way no blockbuster would seem to dare these days. [There's none of] Trek’s renowned “sit around and consider what to do” talkiness.
Star Trek: Insurrection (1998)
Rather than the broadly action-adventure style of other big contemporary sci-fi movies, this concerns a minor dispute over a survey mission to a single planet. Yawn, right? Actually, this is when Insurrection is at its best... the political wrangling kept me engaged. But then it begins an attempt to be all Exciting, at which point it begins to get dull, degenerating into a stock runaround and shoot-out
Film4 are showing the two Star Trek films tonight, at 6:40pm and 9pm respectively. They're preceded by the first Next Generation film, Star Trek: Generations, at 4:20pm, and followed by the crew's final film, Star Trek: Nemesis, at 11:05pm.
More next Sunday.
Saturday, 16 October 2010
TV
Have I Got News For You
40x01 (14/10/10 edition; extended repeat)
As always, hooray for the return of HIGNFY! It should be on more often. And Benedict Cumberbatch made for a (surprisingly, I must say) excellent host.
Though, as a regular twitterer, and someone still in the 16-24 age demographic, I must express my dubiousness about them flashing up their hashtag unexplained at the start of the show. Weird.
[Watch the regular edition (again) on iPlayer. The extended repeat may or may not be available here later.]
Merlin
3x05 The Crystal Cave
3x06 The Changeling
A strong, darkly-themed episode followed by a lighter, sillier one. Such is Merlin's balance.
[Watch The Crystal Cave and The Changeling (again) on iPlayer.]
The Sarah Jane Adventures
4x01 The Nightmare Man Part One
4x02 The Nightmare Man Part Two
A strong return for the excellent children's Doctor Who spin-off, which I'm sure is far better than most kids' TV. Not surprised that Luke's been (semi-)written out of the series here though -- the actor has previously commented that he didn't really consider acting his career, and by now he must be reaching A-level/Uni age himself. Also a convenient way of getting rid of K9, who's only allowed to appear in so many episodes a year. But will they have a Luke-replacement, I wonder? Time will tell...
[Watch parts one and two, or a compilation of both, on iPlayer.]
40x01 (14/10/10 edition; extended repeat)
As always, hooray for the return of HIGNFY! It should be on more often. And Benedict Cumberbatch made for a (surprisingly, I must say) excellent host.
Though, as a regular twitterer, and someone still in the 16-24 age demographic, I must express my dubiousness about them flashing up their hashtag unexplained at the start of the show. Weird.
[Watch the regular edition (again) on iPlayer. The extended repeat may or may not be available here later.]
Merlin
3x05 The Crystal Cave
3x06 The Changeling
A strong, darkly-themed episode followed by a lighter, sillier one. Such is Merlin's balance.
[Watch The Crystal Cave and The Changeling (again) on iPlayer.]
The Sarah Jane Adventures
4x01 The Nightmare Man Part One
4x02 The Nightmare Man Part Two
A strong return for the excellent children's Doctor Who spin-off, which I'm sure is far better than most kids' TV. Not surprised that Luke's been (semi-)written out of the series here though -- the actor has previously commented that he didn't really consider acting his career, and by now he must be reaching A-level/Uni age himself. Also a convenient way of getting rid of K9, who's only allowed to appear in so many episodes a year. But will they have a Luke-replacement, I wonder? Time will tell...
[Watch parts one and two, or a compilation of both, on iPlayer.]
Friday, 15 October 2010
TV
8 Out of 10 Cats
10x07 Scary Special
Someone should've told Channel 4 it wasn't Halloween for another three weeks...
[Watch it (again) on 4oD.]
The Gadget Show
14x10 Episode 10
Just the bit on 3DTV. It was... basic...
[Watch it (again) on Demand Five.]
The Mentalist
3x01 Red Sky at Night
Hooray for Five finally showing this not too far behind the US (only three weeks; their previous best was two months). Shame the producers wasted this pair of titles on something that was distinctly not a two-parter though.
[Watch it (again) on Demand Five.]
The Rob Brydon Show
1x04 (8/10/10 edition)
I'm not deliberating only watching even-numbered episodes, it's just worked out that way because... oh, you don't care why. But it's good series, you should watch it.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
10x07 Scary Special
Someone should've told Channel 4 it wasn't Halloween for another three weeks...
[Watch it (again) on 4oD.]
The Gadget Show
14x10 Episode 10
Just the bit on 3DTV. It was... basic...
[Watch it (again) on Demand Five.]
The Mentalist
3x01 Red Sky at Night
Hooray for Five finally showing this not too far behind the US (only three weeks; their previous best was two months). Shame the producers wasted this pair of titles on something that was distinctly not a two-parter though.
[Watch it (again) on Demand Five.]
The Rob Brydon Show
1x04 (8/10/10 edition)
I'm not deliberating only watching even-numbered episodes, it's just worked out that way because... oh, you don't care why. But it's good series, you should watch it.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Collection Count
Collection Count tracks my DVD/Blu-ray collection via a number of statistics every week.
A couple of new titles this week. Not much worthy of particular note, then. Other than landing on precisely 3,000 discs, which is both a milestone and a lovely round number. Not that it'll stop me from buying more.
Number of titles in collection: 1,224 [up 3]
Of which DVDs: 1,102 [up 2]
Of which Blu-rays: 122 [up 1]
Number of discs in collection: 3,000 [up 4]
Number of films in collection: 1,293 [up 3]
Number of TV episodes in collection: 4,220 [down 1]
Statistic of the week:
Number of weeks Collection Count has been running:
51
Yep, I know what you're thinking -- "51? But that's just one short of a year!" And you're right, it is. And next week, something of a celebration of the first anniversary.
See you then, faithful reader.
A couple of new titles this week. Not much worthy of particular note, then. Other than landing on precisely 3,000 discs, which is both a milestone and a lovely round number. Not that it'll stop me from buying more.
Number of titles in collection: 1,224 [up 3]
Of which DVDs: 1,102 [up 2]
Of which Blu-rays: 122 [up 1]
Number of discs in collection: 3,000 [up 4]
Number of films in collection: 1,293 [up 3]
Number of TV episodes in collection: 4,220 [down 1]
Statistic of the week:
Number of weeks Collection Count has been running:
51
Yep, I know what you're thinking -- "51? But that's just one short of a year!" And you're right, it is. And next week, something of a celebration of the first anniversary.
See you then, faithful reader.
Thursday, 14 October 2010
TV
Argumental
3x09 (12/10/10 edition)
How I Met Your Mother
5x21 Twin Beds
Tonight's episode! What is the world coming to?!
[Watch it (again) on 4oD.]
Law & Order: UK
3x05 Survivor
Last week's episode. That's more like it.
[Watch it (again) on ITV Player.]
3x09 (12/10/10 edition)
How I Met Your Mother
5x21 Twin Beds
Tonight's episode! What is the world coming to?!
[Watch it (again) on 4oD.]
Law & Order: UK
3x05 Survivor
Last week's episode. That's more like it.
[Watch it (again) on ITV Player.]
Wednesday, 13 October 2010
TV
Ask Rhod Gilbert
1x03 Episode 3
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Mad Men
4x05 The Chrysanthemum and the Sword
Excellent episode. Particularly Betty's session with the child psychologist, ably demonstrating how Betty operates on the level of a child without her even realising.
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
1x03 Episode 3
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Mad Men
4x05 The Chrysanthemum and the Sword
Excellent episode. Particularly Betty's session with the child psychologist, ably demonstrating how Betty operates on the level of a child without her even realising.
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
Articles
The Audio Commentariat by David Kalat
(from All Day Entertainment)
If you've ever wondered what level of work goes into an academic audio commentary on a classic film release, this is the article for you. It may surprise you it's more than just sitting down and having a natter.
The big picture: Lightning strike
(from BBC News)
Oo-ooh.
Click to enlarge.
Sky submits late YouView complaint by Andrew Laughlin
(from Digital Spy)
(from All Day Entertainment)
If you've ever wondered what level of work goes into an academic audio commentary on a classic film release, this is the article for you. It may surprise you it's more than just sitting down and having a natter.
The big picture: Lightning strike
(from BBC News)
Oo-ooh.
Click to enlarge.
Sky submits late YouView complaint by Andrew Laughlin
(from Digital Spy)
While we welcome justifiable scrutiny, the timing of this submission is clearly designed to extend the regulatory process in pursuit of commercial self-interest rather than the public interest.Sky more interested in money-grabbing than consumers? No, surely not...
Tuesday, 12 October 2010
TV
Dave's One Night Stand
1x01 Ben Elton
Could sense Ben Elton's unease at being back on stage -- or, possibly, just his dated style -- though Jason Byrne was rather good.
How I Met Your Mother
5x20 Home Wreckers
[Watch it (again) on 4oD.]
Whites
1x02 Episode 2
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
1x01 Ben Elton
Could sense Ben Elton's unease at being back on stage -- or, possibly, just his dated style -- though Jason Byrne was rather good.
How I Met Your Mother
5x20 Home Wreckers
[Watch it (again) on 4oD.]
Whites
1x02 Episode 2
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
Monday, 11 October 2010
Films
The Good German (2006)
[#103 in 100 Films in a Year 2010]
2006? Really? Didn't think this was so old. (I know it's only four years, but still, I didn't think it was that old.)
[#103 in 100 Films in a Year 2010]
2006? Really? Didn't think this was so old. (I know it's only four years, but still, I didn't think it was that old.)
Articles
Freeman confirms rejecting Hobbit role by Mayer Nissim
(from Digital Spy)
Dear journalists (especially at Digital Spy, of course), this is why you don't end articles with comments like "Freeman is expected to be done filming Animals before taking on the role of Bilbo Baggins in the Hobbit movies" until the rumours you've heard (incidentally, in this case, rumours which said he'd turned it down) have been properly officially confirmed. Now your journalistic ability just looks like bobbins. Which it is, but you can always improve.
(from Digital Spy)
Dear journalists (especially at Digital Spy, of course), this is why you don't end articles with comments like "Freeman is expected to be done filming Animals before taking on the role of Bilbo Baggins in the Hobbit movies" until the rumours you've heard (incidentally, in this case, rumours which said he'd turned it down) have been properly officially confirmed. Now your journalistic ability just looks like bobbins. Which it is, but you can always improve.
Sunday, 10 October 2010
TV
Argumental
3x08 (5/10/10 edition)
Downton Abbey
1x03 Episode Three
[Watch it (again) on ITV Player.]
QI
8x04 Humans (extended repeat)
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
3x08 (5/10/10 edition)
Downton Abbey
1x03 Episode Three
[Watch it (again) on ITV Player.]
QI
8x04 Humans (extended repeat)
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Articles
It's Official: Doctor Who To Film in the U.S. For The First Time!
(from Anglophenia at BBC America)
As a (very) geeky fan, I'm not particularly interested that they're (properly) filming in the US for the first time ever, or that the story's set in '60s America, or that River Song is back (again)... No, what interests me is that it's a two-part season opener! They've not done that before!
Also, if you're going all the way to a properly-alien-looking environment (i.e. one that isn't a Welsh quarry, which they've wound up using several times now), surely it'd make sense to use it as the basis for an alien planet? Just sayin'...
(from Anglophenia at BBC America)
As a (very) geeky fan, I'm not particularly interested that they're (properly) filming in the US for the first time ever, or that the story's set in '60s America, or that River Song is back (again)... No, what interests me is that it's a two-part season opener! They've not done that before!
Also, if you're going all the way to a properly-alien-looking environment (i.e. one that isn't a Welsh quarry, which they've wound up using several times now), surely it'd make sense to use it as the basis for an alien planet? Just sayin'...
this week on 100 Films
3 new reviews were posted to 100 Films in a Year this week, and they were...
Daylight (1996)
Road to Rio (1947)
Sherlock Holmes Faces Death (1943)
More next Sunday.
Daylight (1996)
a fireball rips through the tunnel. It seems to destroy most cars and kill most people, except for about a dozen survivors. How are they not killed by the fireball? Well, it seems to be by the good fortune of Because We Need Some Characters. Should you ever get stuck in an exploding tunnel, pray you find yourself in a disaster movie and had been doing something mundane yet passably interesting earlier on, and you might get to survive.
Road to Rio (1947)
If you’ve seen one Road to film then you’ve a fair idea what to expect from any other: lots of comedy, a few songs, a bit of romance, as well as some general hijinks. The differences, in all of these aspects, lie in the specifics
Sherlock Holmes Faces Death (1943)
Faces Death leaves behind the proto-Bond WW2 spying of the last three films (”it can almost be viewed as the starting point of a completely new Holmes series” asserts one review I’ve read) to involve Holmes in a genuine detective mystery. The story is packed with proper deduction, which is excellent, and to top it off Watson isn’t as bumbling as he could be
More next Sunday.
Saturday, 9 October 2010
DVD Extras
Filmmaker Profile: David Arnold, Composer
An interesting featurette I wound up watching while checking my Casino Royale Blu-ray played OK. It's the closest I can claim to a "cultural experience" for the last 24 hours. Well, that and this.
An interesting featurette I wound up watching while checking my Casino Royale Blu-ray played OK. It's the closest I can claim to a "cultural experience" for the last 24 hours. Well, that and this.
Magazines
Radio Times 9-15 October 2010
I read the last bit of this today. It's the closest I can claim to a "cultural experience" for the last 24 hours. Well, that and this.
I read the last bit of this today. It's the closest I can claim to a "cultural experience" for the last 24 hours. Well, that and this.
Friday, 8 October 2010
TV
Ask Rhod Gilbert
1x02 Episode 2
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Rosslyn Chapel: A Treasure in Stone
A decent documentary, but, having visited Rosslyn Chapel earlier this year, I'm quite aware that it left out a lot of rather interesting stuff. Shame.
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
1x02 Episode 2
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Rosslyn Chapel: A Treasure in Stone
A decent documentary, but, having visited Rosslyn Chapel earlier this year, I'm quite aware that it left out a lot of rather interesting stuff. Shame.
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
Articles
Dan Aykroyd Writing Ghostbusters 3 Again by James White
(from Empire)
It's edging ever closer... Some seem dubious about this "new generation"/"passing the torch" idea, but honestly, by the time this is made it's going to be 30 years (more-or-less) since the original -- these guys are old now. I don't want to see them struggling to behave like they did back then. No, passing of the torch -- if done right -- is the perfect idea for a three-decades-later sequel.
Peter Jackson Talks The Hobbit by Tom Ambrose
(from Empire)
After all the rumours this week, PJ himself clarifies: it's not greenlit yet (and no announcement is imminent) and he's not the director (yet). No confirmation or denial of that disappointing 3D business though...
(from Empire)
It's edging ever closer... Some seem dubious about this "new generation"/"passing the torch" idea, but honestly, by the time this is made it's going to be 30 years (more-or-less) since the original -- these guys are old now. I don't want to see them struggling to behave like they did back then. No, passing of the torch -- if done right -- is the perfect idea for a three-decades-later sequel.
Peter Jackson Talks The Hobbit by Tom Ambrose
(from Empire)
After all the rumours this week, PJ himself clarifies: it's not greenlit yet (and no announcement is imminent) and he's not the director (yet). No confirmation or denial of that disappointing 3D business though...
Collection Count
Collection Count tracks my DVD/Blu-ray collection via a number of statistics every week.
A nice big pile of post this week, although it's less numbers-boosting than numbers-rearranging. There's one DVD set that replaces several individual releases, and most are DVD-to-BD upgrades... except in several instances I'm hanging onto the DVDs (for now at least). Why keep a DVD when I've got the BD? Various reasons, including additional extras and, in one case, a different cut of the main feature that's sadly missing from the BD.
If you're interested, the following stats account for 9 new titles this week. That the "titles" figure only goes up 1 shows the scale of re-ordering.
Number of titles in collection: 1,221 [up 1]
Of which DVDs: 1,100 [down 5]
Of which Blu-rays: 121 [up 6]
Number of discs in collection: 2,996 [up 17]
Number of films in collection: 1,291 [up 8]
Number of TV episodes in collection: 4,221 [up 26]
Statistic of the week is having a break due to my busy schedule (not all down to ordering-and-listing DVDs).
See you next week, faithful reader.
A nice big pile of post this week, although it's less numbers-boosting than numbers-rearranging. There's one DVD set that replaces several individual releases, and most are DVD-to-BD upgrades... except in several instances I'm hanging onto the DVDs (for now at least). Why keep a DVD when I've got the BD? Various reasons, including additional extras and, in one case, a different cut of the main feature that's sadly missing from the BD.
If you're interested, the following stats account for 9 new titles this week. That the "titles" figure only goes up 1 shows the scale of re-ordering.
Number of titles in collection: 1,221 [up 1]
Of which DVDs: 1,100 [down 5]
Of which Blu-rays: 121 [up 6]
Number of discs in collection: 2,996 [up 17]
Number of films in collection: 1,291 [up 8]
Number of TV episodes in collection: 4,221 [up 26]
Statistic of the week is having a break due to my busy schedule (not all down to ordering-and-listing DVDs).
See you next week, faithful reader.
Thursday, 7 October 2010
TV
8 Out of 10 Cats
10x06 (1/10/10 edition)
[Watch it (again) on 4oD.]
The People's Detective
Part 6 Poirot/Sherlock [final episode]
ITV3 are doing a poll to find which of their regularly-shown 12 detectives is the people's favourite. I'm not bothered by that myself, but I do like Holmes and Poirot, hence why I bothered to catch this one part of the series profiling all the candidates.
[Watch it (again) on ITV Player.]
10x06 (1/10/10 edition)
[Watch it (again) on 4oD.]
The People's Detective
Part 6 Poirot/Sherlock [final episode]
ITV3 are doing a poll to find which of their regularly-shown 12 detectives is the people's favourite. I'm not bothered by that myself, but I do like Holmes and Poirot, hence why I bothered to catch this one part of the series profiling all the candidates.
[Watch it (again) on ITV Player.]
Wednesday, 6 October 2010
TV
Argumental
3x07 (28/9/10 edition)
Argumental's back! Obviously; but also: yay!
Story of England
Part 2 Domesday to Magna Carta
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
3x07 (28/9/10 edition)
Argumental's back! Obviously; but also: yay!
Story of England
Part 2 Domesday to Magna Carta
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
Tuesday, 5 October 2010
TV
Mad Men
4x04 The Rejected
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
Michael McIntyre's Comedy Roadshow
2x03 Blackpool
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
4x04 The Rejected
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
Michael McIntyre's Comedy Roadshow
2x03 Blackpool
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
Articles
[Doctor Who] Nintendo Games Update by Chuck Foster
(from Doctor Who News Page)
Well those don't look at all rubbish.
(from Doctor Who News Page)
Well those don't look at all rubbish.
Monday, 4 October 2010
TV
Spooks
9x02 Episode 2
I actually laughed out loud at this episode a couple of times. The plot itself was fine, more-or-less, but the abundance of implausible scenes (the Nigerian bloke just confronts Lucas in the street and demands he hands over the poison? And Lucas isn't all "actually, I'm an agent of the secret service, so how about I just hold onto these and report you for attempted murder" etc? Or the ending, where the Nigerian blokey describes the target as "a white man, long black coat, carrying a bag" -- oh, yes, cos they're so rare at expensive golf clubs! The assassin will definitely get the right man) and horribly clichéd dialogue (I was saying lines out loud before the characters could) was, literally, laughable. Must try harder, Spooks.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Whites
1x01 Episode 1
This, on the other hand, I enjoyed very much. Most amusing. Jolly good show. Etc. But why can't programmes have episode titles these days? I miss episode titles.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
9x02 Episode 2
I actually laughed out loud at this episode a couple of times. The plot itself was fine, more-or-less, but the abundance of implausible scenes (the Nigerian bloke just confronts Lucas in the street and demands he hands over the poison? And Lucas isn't all "actually, I'm an agent of the secret service, so how about I just hold onto these and report you for attempted murder" etc? Or the ending, where the Nigerian blokey describes the target as "a white man, long black coat, carrying a bag" -- oh, yes, cos they're so rare at expensive golf clubs! The assassin will definitely get the right man) and horribly clichéd dialogue (I was saying lines out loud before the characters could) was, literally, laughable. Must try harder, Spooks.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Whites
1x01 Episode 1
This, on the other hand, I enjoyed very much. Most amusing. Jolly good show. Etc. But why can't programmes have episode titles these days? I miss episode titles.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Articles
Affleck 'was Nolan's choice for Superman' by Simon Reynolds
(from Digital Spy)
Ben Affleck as Superman? Really?
No. Nolan wanted him to direct. Yup, really.
Zack Snyder Will Direct Superman by Russ Fischer
(from /Film)
And here's the just-revealed actual choice, apparently. Not who I'd've expected -- he actually has a track record for this kind of film, whereas studios tend to choose initially-surprising directors for their big comic book films (look at the pre-superhero-movie careers of, say, Tim Burton, Bryan Singer, Sam Raimi and Chris Nolan).
(from Digital Spy)
Ben Affleck as Superman? Really?
No. Nolan wanted him to direct. Yup, really.
Zack Snyder Will Direct Superman by Russ Fischer
(from /Film)
And here's the just-revealed actual choice, apparently. Not who I'd've expected -- he actually has a track record for this kind of film, whereas studios tend to choose initially-surprising directors for their big comic book films (look at the pre-superhero-movie careers of, say, Tim Burton, Bryan Singer, Sam Raimi and Chris Nolan).
Sunday, 3 October 2010
TV
Downton Abbey
1x02 Episode Two
[Watch it (again) on ITV Player.]
QI
8x03 Hoaxes (extended repeat)
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
1x02 Episode Two
[Watch it (again) on ITV Player.]
QI
8x03 Hoaxes (extended repeat)
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Films
The Emperor's New Groove (2000)
[#102 in 100 Films in a Year 2010]
Road to Rio (1947)
[#101 in 100 Films in a Year 2010]
[#102 in 100 Films in a Year 2010]
Road to Rio (1947)
[#101 in 100 Films in a Year 2010]
this week on 100 Films
Just 1 new review was posted to 100 Films in a Year this week...
Angels & Demons: Extended Version (2009)
I seem to have been too busy watching films to post much about them this week, but there is at least the September update, discussing how I've reached 100. Yay!
More next Sunday. Hopefully.
Angels & Demons: Extended Version (2009)
This version is 7½ minutes longer than the theatrical version... There are changes, but most are barely noticeable. While watching I wondered if the violence had been extended (I was right), and there was one line I found particularly funny which I thought I’d've remembered (indeed, it’s new), but other than that if you’d told me this was the cut I watched in cinemas I’d believe you.
I seem to have been too busy watching films to post much about them this week, but there is at least the September update, discussing how I've reached 100. Yay!
More next Sunday. Hopefully.
Saturday, 2 October 2010
TV
Merlin
3x04 Gwaine
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
The Persuaders!
1x21 A Death in the Family
In tribute to Tony Curtis, who sadly passed away a few days ago, I watched the only episode of this series that I have on DVD (part of the ITC 50 collection. And great fun it was too. I think I might buy the whole series.
3x04 Gwaine
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
The Persuaders!
1x21 A Death in the Family
In tribute to Tony Curtis, who sadly passed away a few days ago, I watched the only episode of this series that I have on DVD (part of the ITC 50 collection. And great fun it was too. I think I might buy the whole series.
Films
Angels & Demons: Extended Version (2009)
[#100b in 100 Films in a Year 2010]
You may recall I've seen Angels & Demons before, but this is the Blu-ray extended cut. It's around 8 minutes longer, but I can't say I noticed any of the changes, hence why it doesn't get a new number.
[#100b in 100 Films in a Year 2010]
You may recall I've seen Angels & Demons before, but this is the Blu-ray extended cut. It's around 8 minutes longer, but I can't say I noticed any of the changes, hence why it doesn't get a new number.
Friday, 1 October 2010
TV
8 Out of 10 Cats
10x05 (24/9/10 edition)
I suppose it's not that good a sign when you watch a comedy show and are surprised by how funny it is. But yes, good edition this (well, last) week, chaps.
[Watch it (again) on 4oD.]
Cheetah Kingdom
1x03 Episode 3
[Watch it (again) on ITV Player.]
How I Met Your Mother
5x19 Zoo or False
[Watch it (again) on 4oD.]
Law & Order: UK
3x04 Confession
L&O has more than its fair share of clichéd dialogue and general predictability
[Watch it (again) on ITV Player.]
Mock the Week
9x10 (30/9/10 edition)
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
10x05 (24/9/10 edition)
I suppose it's not that good a sign when you watch a comedy show and are surprised by how funny it is. But yes, good edition this (well, last) week, chaps.
[Watch it (again) on 4oD.]
Cheetah Kingdom
1x03 Episode 3
[Watch it (again) on ITV Player.]
How I Met Your Mother
5x19 Zoo or False
[Watch it (again) on 4oD.]
Law & Order: UK
3x04 Confession
L&O has more than its fair share of clichéd dialogue and general predictability
[Watch it (again) on ITV Player.]
Mock the Week
9x10 (30/9/10 edition)
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Films
Tales of the Black Freighter (2009)
[#100a in 100 Films in a Year 2010]
Watchmen's comic-within-a-comic becomes a... cartoon-within-a-film... Yeah, I bet it doesn't work as well as the original in context. Standalone, it's OK.
[#100a in 100 Films in a Year 2010]
Watchmen's comic-within-a-comic becomes a... cartoon-within-a-film... Yeah, I bet it doesn't work as well as the original in context. Standalone, it's OK.
Articles
Bon anniversaire! 25 facts about Les Mis by Tim Masters
(from BBC News)
Start at the top and work your way down by Roger Ebert
(from Roger Ebert's Journal)
The introduction to Ebert's new book (available on his blog; the introduction, that is, though I'm sure you can order the book there too). He's always worth a read, particularly when he's being evangelical about the wonders of film, but one bit in particular caught my attention -- because it's all truth:
(from BBC News)
To mark the Silver Jubilee, here are 25 facts about the world's longest-running musical
Start at the top and work your way down by Roger Ebert
(from Roger Ebert's Journal)
The introduction to Ebert's new book (available on his blog; the introduction, that is, though I'm sure you can order the book there too). He's always worth a read, particularly when he's being evangelical about the wonders of film, but one bit in particular caught my attention -- because it's all truth:
I ruffled some feathers after Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen was released... It was so stupid it was almost criminal. Noting that some of its fans considered it one of the greatest films ever made, I suggested perhaps they were not "sufficiently evolved." Oh, did that make people angry. What snobbery! Who did I think I was?Have to agree with Ebert on this one: 'T2RF' was an unentertaining mess (and, note, I really enjoyed the first live-action Transformers film). Personally, I think it's perfectly correct to wonder if those who truly think the second is a great film are sufficiently evolved.
I was indeed a snob, if you agree with this definition: "A person who believes that their tastes in a particular area are superior to those of other people." I do believe that. Not superior to all other people, but to some, most probably including those who think Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen is a great film. That is not simply ego on my part. It is a faith that after writing and teaching about films for more than 40 years, my tastes are more evolved than those of a fanboy... to argue I am a snob for not liking T2RF as much as "everybody does" devalues thought and experience.
Collection Count
Collection Count tracks my DVD/Blu-ray collection via a number of statistics every week.
Absolutely nothing new this week. Which is a shame, because I have several releases out on Monday on pre-order and they're usually here by today. Ho hum.
Number of titles in collection: 1,220 [no change]
Of which DVDs: 1,105 [no change]
Of which Blu-rays: 115 [no change]
Number of discs in collection: 2,979 [no change]
Number of films in collection: 1,283 [no change]
Number of TV episodes in collection: 4,195 [no change]
Statistic of the week:
Number of titles rated PG:
219
(17.95% of the total)
It's been a little while since I've done a stat on classifications -- the previous ones were Us, 15s, 18s and unrated titles -- so it's as good a time as any to continue. PGs are currently my second-largest group, behind 15s (by quite some way, actually).
See you next week, faithful reader.
Absolutely nothing new this week. Which is a shame, because I have several releases out on Monday on pre-order and they're usually here by today. Ho hum.
Number of titles in collection: 1,220 [no change]
Of which DVDs: 1,105 [no change]
Of which Blu-rays: 115 [no change]
Number of discs in collection: 2,979 [no change]
Number of films in collection: 1,283 [no change]
Number of TV episodes in collection: 4,195 [no change]
Statistic of the week:
Number of titles rated PG:
219
(17.95% of the total)
It's been a little while since I've done a stat on classifications -- the previous ones were Us, 15s, 18s and unrated titles -- so it's as good a time as any to continue. PGs are currently my second-largest group, behind 15s (by quite some way, actually).
See you next week, faithful reader.
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