Just Good Friends
2x05 Farewell Holiday
The Tudors
4x01 Moment of Nostalgia
It's been almost a year and a half since the BBC aired the previous series of The Tudors; so long, in fact, that this final season has already developed episode titles, which usually only show up months after broadcast on iTunes/DVDs for whatever reason.
Monday, 31 January 2011
Radio
Hollywood
Part 2 The Prequel [final episode]
[Listen (again) on iPlayer.]
Life at 24 Frames a Second
Part 7 The Look of Love
[Listen (again) on iPlayer.]
Part 2 The Prequel [final episode]
[Listen (again) on iPlayer.]
Life at 24 Frames a Second
Part 7 The Look of Love
[Listen (again) on iPlayer.]
Articles
Game of Thrones: Five reasons HBO series may be a royal success by Amy Ratcliffe
(from Hero Complex at Los Angeles Times)
This does look rather good. I believe it's due to be on Sky 'A Bunch Of Programmes We Nicked From Other Channels', so I guess I'll download it when it begins Stateside.
Goldfinger - Shirley Bassey (vocals) Composed by John Barry for Goldfinger (1964) by Michael Caine
(from Old Hollywood)
That's what they've called it, but the actual contents are an excerpt from Michael Caine's autobiography, What's It All About?, detailing how he was staying with composer John Barry (who, in case you missed the news, died yesterday) when he finished the theme for Goldfinger. It's an excellent anecdote. Somehow, I don't think the stars of today will have such stories to tell in 40 years' time.
(from Hero Complex at Los Angeles Times)
This does look rather good. I believe it's due to be on Sky 'A Bunch Of Programmes We Nicked From Other Channels', so I guess I'll download it when it begins Stateside.
Goldfinger - Shirley Bassey (vocals) Composed by John Barry for Goldfinger (1964) by Michael Caine
(from Old Hollywood)
That's what they've called it, but the actual contents are an excerpt from Michael Caine's autobiography, What's It All About?, detailing how he was staying with composer John Barry (who, in case you missed the news, died yesterday) when he finished the theme for Goldfinger. It's an excellent anecdote. Somehow, I don't think the stars of today will have such stories to tell in 40 years' time.
Sunday, 30 January 2011
Films
Bolt (2008)
[#11 in 100 Films in a Year 2011]
The Four Musketeers (1974)
[#12 in 100 Films in a Year 2011]
[#11 in 100 Films in a Year 2011]
The Four Musketeers (1974)
[#12 in 100 Films in a Year 2011]
Radio
Life at 24 Frames a Second
Part 6 If It Moves, Shoot It
Beginning the second (and final) week of David Thomson's very personal guide to the movies. Just in case you'd forgotten what this was.
[Listen (again) on iPlayer.]
Part 6 If It Moves, Shoot It
Beginning the second (and final) week of David Thomson's very personal guide to the movies. Just in case you'd forgotten what this was.
[Listen (again) on iPlayer.]
Articles
2011 Preview: Sequels - Now, More Than Ever by Brandon Gray
(from Box Office Mojo)
This year will see more sequels (including prequels and spin-offs) released than ever before. And the number isn't even complete because, for whatever reason, it doesn't including the new The Thing, which is definitely a prequel (despite what the article says, this has been readily confirmed for yonks).
Henry Cavill Is The New Superman by James White
(from Empire)
He's a Brit! And was up for it last time! So there you go.
Your Guide To Disney's 50 Animated Features by Helen O'Hara & others
(from Empire)
With Disney's 50th official animated film, Tangled, now in UK cinemas, here Empire provide a guide to all of 'em. Rather good it is too, even if you might disagree with some of their opinions.
(from Box Office Mojo)
This year will see more sequels (including prequels and spin-offs) released than ever before. And the number isn't even complete because, for whatever reason, it doesn't including the new The Thing, which is definitely a prequel (despite what the article says, this has been readily confirmed for yonks).
Henry Cavill Is The New Superman by James White
(from Empire)
He's a Brit! And was up for it last time! So there you go.
Your Guide To Disney's 50 Animated Features by Helen O'Hara & others
(from Empire)
With Disney's 50th official animated film, Tangled, now in UK cinemas, here Empire provide a guide to all of 'em. Rather good it is too, even if you might disagree with some of their opinions.
this week on 100 Films
Just 1 new review was posted to 100 Films in a Year this week, and it was...
Saw VI (2009)
Also, if you haven't read it already, don't forget the interview with me about 100 Films at The Clapper Bored.
More next Sunday.
Saw VI (2009)
probably the best Saw movie since the first... takes on a political dimension by tackling the thorny issue of American health insurance. It hardly presents a well-considered and in-depth debate, true, but the “evils of the insurance business” angle is a welcome motivation and adds something to both the plot and the denouement.
Also, if you haven't read it already, don't forget the interview with me about 100 Films at The Clapper Bored.
More next Sunday.
Saturday, 29 January 2011
TV
Battlestar Galactica [2004]
3x06 Torn
How I Met Your Mother
6x06 Baby Talk
[Watch it (again) on 4oD.]
The Mentalist
3x11 Bloodsport
Got fed up waiting for Five to bring this back post-Christmas, so I... acquired it...
No Ordinary Family
1x04 No Ordinary Vigilante
And now I've caught up with Watch. Super.
Primeval
4x06 Episode 6
What a load of tosh. And trying to play a completely unsurprising plot development as if it's the biggest twist ever? Oh dear.
[Watch it (again) on ITV Player.]
3x06 Torn
How I Met Your Mother
6x06 Baby Talk
[Watch it (again) on 4oD.]
The Mentalist
3x11 Bloodsport
Got fed up waiting for Five to bring this back post-Christmas, so I... acquired it...
No Ordinary Family
1x04 No Ordinary Vigilante
And now I've caught up with Watch. Super.
Primeval
4x06 Episode 6
What a load of tosh. And trying to play a completely unsurprising plot development as if it's the biggest twist ever? Oh dear.
[Watch it (again) on ITV Player.]
Friday, 28 January 2011
TV
The Graham Norton Show
8x13 (21/1/11 edition)
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
How TV Ruined Your Life
1x01 Fear
The new series from Charlie Brooker. I say "new series" -- it's format feels very like Screen/News/Gameswipe, only with a very specific focus. Themedwipe, then. Which would obviously be silly, so why it's not just called Screenwipe and pitched as a series of specials I don't know.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
QI
8x08 Hypothetical (extended repeat)
The current series of QI seems to have stopped (I swear no one signalled it was ending at the time), so while BBC One show old repeats in its Friday night slot, BBC Two have chosen to jump back to the XL episodes they skipped (for no apparent reason) back in November.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
8x13 (21/1/11 edition)
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
How TV Ruined Your Life
1x01 Fear
The new series from Charlie Brooker. I say "new series" -- it's format feels very like Screen/News/Gameswipe, only with a very specific focus. Themedwipe, then. Which would obviously be silly, so why it's not just called Screenwipe and pitched as a series of specials I don't know.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
QI
8x08 Hypothetical (extended repeat)
The current series of QI seems to have stopped (I swear no one signalled it was ending at the time), so while BBC One show old repeats in its Friday night slot, BBC Two have chosen to jump back to the XL episodes they skipped (for no apparent reason) back in November.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Films
The Castle of Cagliostro (1979)
[#9 in 100 Films in a Year 2011]
"One of the greatest adventure movies of all time," said Steven Spielberg. I'm inclined to agree.
[#9 in 100 Films in a Year 2011]
"One of the greatest adventure movies of all time," said Steven Spielberg. I'm inclined to agree.
Articles
If the Best Picture nominee posters told the truth by Ali
(from theshiznit.co.uk)
Most amusing.
Interview with Richard Nelson by Nick
(from The Clapper Bored)
An interview with me about 100 Films in a Year! I know, it's brilliant.
(from theshiznit.co.uk)
Most amusing.
Interview with Richard Nelson by Nick
(from The Clapper Bored)
An interview with me about 100 Films in a Year! I know, it's brilliant.
Collection Count
Collection Count tracks my DVD/Blu-ray collection via a number of statistics every week.
This week's changes are all thanks to an upgrade of my X-Men trilogy DVDs to the Blu-ray box set. As I had two copies of the first X-Men (I remember why I got the re-release, but forget why I kept the original), the numbers are slightly skewed in some places.
Number of titles in collection: 1,256 [down 3]
Of which DVDs: 1,096 [down 4]
Of which Blu-rays: 159 [up 1]
Number of discs in collection: 3,136 [down 1]
Number of films in collection: 1,334 [down 1]
Number of TV episodes in collection: 4,545 [no change]
See you next week, faithful reader.
This week's changes are all thanks to an upgrade of my X-Men trilogy DVDs to the Blu-ray box set. As I had two copies of the first X-Men (I remember why I got the re-release, but forget why I kept the original), the numbers are slightly skewed in some places.
Number of titles in collection: 1,256 [down 3]
Of which DVDs: 1,096 [down 4]
Of which Blu-rays: 159 [up 1]
Number of discs in collection: 3,136 [down 1]
Number of films in collection: 1,334 [down 1]
Number of TV episodes in collection: 4,545 [no change]
See you next week, faithful reader.
Thursday, 27 January 2011
TV
Episodes
1x03 Episode Three
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
Wallander [film series]
One Step Behind (aka Steget efter)
Having given us the sixth and eighth Swedish Wallander adaptations, BBC Four now jump back to the seventh. Who said scheduling had to make any sense? As with the previous two, this was also filmed for the British series, as the final episode of the first series.
Yes Minister
1x05 The Writing on the Wall
1x03 Episode Three
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
Wallander [film series]
One Step Behind (aka Steget efter)
Having given us the sixth and eighth Swedish Wallander adaptations, BBC Four now jump back to the seventh. Who said scheduling had to make any sense? As with the previous two, this was also filmed for the British series, as the final episode of the first series.
Yes Minister
1x05 The Writing on the Wall
Articles
In which we discover reasons to dislike Ridley Scott...
Ridley Scott’s Prometheus will have Aliens in it
(from Live for Films)
Turns out Ridley Scott's Alien prequel that isn't an Alien prequel is actually an Alien prequel. Typical.
Robbing From The Poor (Writer) by William Martell
(from Sex in a Submarine)
How Ridley Scott turned Robin Hood from an excellent, unique screenplay into a predictable, lacklustre rehash. Liable to make any film fan irritated and upset (that we'll never get to see what sounds like a potentially great film) in equal measure.
Ridley Scott’s Prometheus will have Aliens in it
(from Live for Films)
Turns out Ridley Scott's Alien prequel that isn't an Alien prequel is actually an Alien prequel. Typical.
Robbing From The Poor (Writer) by William Martell
(from Sex in a Submarine)
How Ridley Scott turned Robin Hood from an excellent, unique screenplay into a predictable, lacklustre rehash. Liable to make any film fan irritated and upset (that we'll never get to see what sounds like a potentially great film) in equal measure.
Wednesday, 26 January 2011
TV
Due South
2x08 One Good Man (aka Thank You Kindly, Mr. Capra) [2nd watch]
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
How I Met Your Mother
6x05 Architect of Destruction
[Watch it (again) on 4oD.]
The Magicians
1x04 Episode 4
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
No Ordinary Family
1x03 No Ordinary Ring
2x08 One Good Man (aka Thank You Kindly, Mr. Capra) [2nd watch]
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
How I Met Your Mother
6x05 Architect of Destruction
[Watch it (again) on 4oD.]
The Magicians
1x04 Episode 4
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
No Ordinary Family
1x03 No Ordinary Ring
Radio
Afternoon Play
Haunted
Radio drama... it's a funny thing. This one comes well-recommended, for instance, but even the able cast often sound stilted and false. But maybe it's a genre thing -- theatre acting doesn't work well out of context, for instance; it's stylised in its own way. I'm sure the same would be true of TV/film acting if transferred, it's just we're more used to it. Still, nice sound design. The music was flat-out awful though.
The tale itself was a neat one, if a little slow to get moving. Gavin & Stacey's Steffan Rhodri takes on a very different role as a thinly-veiled version of Derren Brown, who encounters a medium (Zoe Tapper, who's around 10 years older than her character and sounds it) who really might be the real thing. A couple of decent twists at the end really make the play -- they're original, the kind of twist on the whole mediums thing that you wish you'd thought of -- though the final lines of dialogue, an attempt at one final twist I think, don't seem to make much sense.
Haunted
Radio drama... it's a funny thing. This one comes well-recommended, for instance, but even the able cast often sound stilted and false. But maybe it's a genre thing -- theatre acting doesn't work well out of context, for instance; it's stylised in its own way. I'm sure the same would be true of TV/film acting if transferred, it's just we're more used to it. Still, nice sound design. The music was flat-out awful though.
The tale itself was a neat one, if a little slow to get moving. Gavin & Stacey's Steffan Rhodri takes on a very different role as a thinly-veiled version of Derren Brown, who encounters a medium (Zoe Tapper, who's around 10 years older than her character and sounds it) who really might be the real thing. A couple of decent twists at the end really make the play -- they're original, the kind of twist on the whole mediums thing that you wish you'd thought of -- though the final lines of dialogue, an attempt at one final twist I think, don't seem to make much sense.
Articles
Doctor Who Character Building
(from doctorwhotoys.net)
Remember the Doctor Who not-LEGO-honest? Well, it was unveiled at the London Toy Fair this week, and here's a bunch of snaps of what was on display. Some of it looks quite cool.
(from doctorwhotoys.net)
Remember the Doctor Who not-LEGO-honest? Well, it was unveiled at the London Toy Fair this week, and here's a bunch of snaps of what was on display. Some of it looks quite cool.
Tuesday, 25 January 2011
TV
Battlestar Galactica [2004]
3x05 Collaborators
Fast and Loose
1x02 Episode 2
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
The Killing [aka Forbrydelsen]
1x02 Day 2
This is rather good y'know. If you missed it, you've got two months to catch up on iPlayer... but I'd recommend getting a head start, what with it being 20 episodes longer. Quite how the story will stretch that far is yet to become clear, but it'll be interesting finding out.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Top Gear
16x01 (23/1/11 edition)
Ah, here we are: the proper return of Top Gear. Lovely.
Also, we love the 'back-up dog'.
Aww, bless!
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
3x05 Collaborators
Fast and Loose
1x02 Episode 2
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
The Killing [aka Forbrydelsen]
1x02 Day 2
This is rather good y'know. If you missed it, you've got two months to catch up on iPlayer... but I'd recommend getting a head start, what with it being 20 episodes longer. Quite how the story will stretch that far is yet to become clear, but it'll be interesting finding out.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Top Gear
16x01 (23/1/11 edition)
Ah, here we are: the proper return of Top Gear. Lovely.
Also, we love the 'back-up dog'.
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
Radio
Life at 24 Frames a Second
Part 3 Wired for Sound
Part 4 The Big Kill Off
[Listen to Wired for Sound and The Big Kill Off (again) on iPlayer.]
Part 3 Wired for Sound
Part 4 The Big Kill Off
[Listen to Wired for Sound and The Big Kill Off (again) on iPlayer.]
Articles
Oscar Nominations 2011!
and
Those Oscar Nominations Explained!
by Helen O'Hara (from Empire)
You've quite likely heard the Oscar noms already -- or, at least, the headlines. But in case not, here's the headlines (British film The King's Speech most with 12! Yay! etc) as well as the full list.
And also that second article, which looks at some of the oddities that have baffled (why is Toy Story 3 in Best Adapted Screenplay?) or annoyed (why isn't Nolan up for Best Director?)
Skins Creator Defends the MTV Show's Morals, But What About the Edgy Drama's Other Problems? by Maureen Ryan
(from Stay Tuned with Maureen Ryan on TV Squad)
Or, "why you can't just remake a UK TV show as a US TV show without changing anything", with reference also to the new versions of Being Human and Shameless.
and
Those Oscar Nominations Explained!
by Helen O'Hara (from Empire)
You've quite likely heard the Oscar noms already -- or, at least, the headlines. But in case not, here's the headlines (British film The King's Speech most with 12! Yay! etc) as well as the full list.
And also that second article, which looks at some of the oddities that have baffled (why is Toy Story 3 in Best Adapted Screenplay?) or annoyed (why isn't Nolan up for Best Director?)
Skins Creator Defends the MTV Show's Morals, But What About the Edgy Drama's Other Problems? by Maureen Ryan
(from Stay Tuned with Maureen Ryan on TV Squad)
Or, "why you can't just remake a UK TV show as a US TV show without changing anything", with reference also to the new versions of Being Human and Shameless.
Monday, 24 January 2011
TV
10 O'Clock Live
1x01 (20/1/11 edition)
Despite all the controversy, I thought it was rather good. It'll benefit from time to bed in and by giving longer slots to debates and interviews, but it's a decent start.
For two slightly conflicting, interesting views on its quality, have a read of this pair of deliberately paired articles from the Guardian.
And when it comes to sites I link to in episode titles (for any series), I do try to find the most useful from the three or four (or more, of course) different options you can readily come up with. Channel 4's own episode page is fine, but doesn't bother linking on to the useful content they provide elsewhere on the series' minisite -- namely, further information on the episode's guests and external links on the episode's topics. Potentially handy stuff, that.
[Watch it (again) on 4oD.]
Just Good Friends
2x04 Caught on a Shoulder Strap
The Killing [aka Forbrydelsen]
1x01 Day 1
BBC Four's latest Nordic crime offering, a 20-part Danish thriller from 2007, showing in Saturday night double bills ahead of the US remake's Stateside premiere in April -- and, on the strength of this, hopefully it'll be here soon after.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Not Going Out
4x03 Movie
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
1x01 (20/1/11 edition)
Despite all the controversy, I thought it was rather good. It'll benefit from time to bed in and by giving longer slots to debates and interviews, but it's a decent start.
For two slightly conflicting, interesting views on its quality, have a read of this pair of deliberately paired articles from the Guardian.
And when it comes to sites I link to in episode titles (for any series), I do try to find the most useful from the three or four (or more, of course) different options you can readily come up with. Channel 4's own episode page is fine, but doesn't bother linking on to the useful content they provide elsewhere on the series' minisite -- namely, further information on the episode's guests and external links on the episode's topics. Potentially handy stuff, that.
[Watch it (again) on 4oD.]
Just Good Friends
2x04 Caught on a Shoulder Strap
The Killing [aka Forbrydelsen]
1x01 Day 1
BBC Four's latest Nordic crime offering, a 20-part Danish thriller from 2007, showing in Saturday night double bills ahead of the US remake's Stateside premiere in April -- and, on the strength of this, hopefully it'll be here soon after.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Not Going Out
4x03 Movie
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
Radio
As regular readers will easily notice, I don't listen to much radio. Radio 4 are having a film season, however (a film season on the radio? How barmy!), so I've managed to tune in for some of that. I say "tune in" -- iPlayer is our friend...
Hollywood
Part 1 The Prequel
Two-part documentary. Last week's first part (i.e. this one) looks at the rise of Hollywood, and how many of the genres and styles we associate with it actually come from other, more-powerful-in-their-day, countries' film outputs. Part two, The Sequel, on tonight (by the time you're probably reading this) looks at Hollywood's potential future.
[Listen (again) on iPlayer.]
Life at 24 Frames a Second
Part 1 In the Dark
Part 2 Fear & Desire
David Thomson certainly makes for an... idiosyncratic, shall we say... guide to the movies.
[Listen to Part 2 (again) on iPlayer.]
Hollywood
Part 1 The Prequel
Two-part documentary. Last week's first part (i.e. this one) looks at the rise of Hollywood, and how many of the genres and styles we associate with it actually come from other, more-powerful-in-their-day, countries' film outputs. Part two, The Sequel, on tonight (by the time you're probably reading this) looks at Hollywood's potential future.
[Listen (again) on iPlayer.]
Life at 24 Frames a Second
Part 1 In the Dark
Part 2 Fear & Desire
David Thomson certainly makes for an... idiosyncratic, shall we say... guide to the movies.
[Listen to Part 2 (again) on iPlayer.]
Articles
Airbender, Eclipse lead Razzie noms by Simon Reynolds
(from Digital Spy)
Ah, the Razzies -- probably the only awards the Twilight films deserve to be nominated for.
Kevin Smith Buys His Own Film At Sundance Auction, Swears Off Distributors, and Announces Full Details for Self-Distribution by David Chen
(from /Film)
Or, to put it another way: Kevin Smith is bonkers... but if this works, it could change everything. Well, some things. A bit.
Spider-Man has a new adversary… the web by Ross McG
(from Ross! v Ross!)
The world wide web and all its spoiler-some websites, that is. Yes, such topics have been discussed many a time before, but this is still a well-put take on what's a continuing issue.
(from Digital Spy)
Ah, the Razzies -- probably the only awards the Twilight films deserve to be nominated for.
Kevin Smith Buys His Own Film At Sundance Auction, Swears Off Distributors, and Announces Full Details for Self-Distribution by David Chen
(from /Film)
Or, to put it another way: Kevin Smith is bonkers... but if this works, it could change everything. Well, some things. A bit.
Spider-Man has a new adversary… the web by Ross McG
(from Ross! v Ross!)
The world wide web and all its spoiler-some websites, that is. Yes, such topics have been discussed many a time before, but this is still a well-put take on what's a continuing issue.
Sunday, 23 January 2011
Films
Aladdin (1992)
[3rd or so watch]
I haven't seen Aladdin in an awfully long time, and with the film oddly absent from Disney's Blu-ray slate, Five airing it (and in HD too) was an apparently-rare chance to catch it.
The Big Heat (1953)
[#8 in 100 Films in a Year 2011]
[3rd or so watch]
I haven't seen Aladdin in an awfully long time, and with the film oddly absent from Disney's Blu-ray slate, Five airing it (and in HD too) was an apparently-rare chance to catch it.
The Big Heat (1953)
[#8 in 100 Films in a Year 2011]
this week on 100 Films
4 new reviews were posted to 100 Films in a Year this week, and they were...
A Good Woman (2004)
Miracle on 34th Street (1947)
Surrogates (2009)
Finally this week, a review of the 60-second short film How Long is a Minute?.
Additionally, it's worth noting that this marks the end of reviews from 2010. Much quicker than last year! So from next Sunday, it's all 2011...
A Good Woman (2004)
Most reviews, which are largely negative, focus on it being a poor conversion of the play [Oscar Wilde’s Lady Windermere’s Fan]. I’ve never seen nor read the original and thought it slotted seamlessly into its new ’30s setting... It remains a very funny piece
Miracle on 34th Street (1947)
It’s wrong to post a review of such a Christmassy film in the middle of January — though not as wrong as the original release date which, at the insistence of Fox’s head Darryl F. Zanuck, was in May (May!) with promotion that played down the Christmas setting. Which, considering the whole story is about a man who thinks he’s Santa Claus, and whether or not he really is, is an impressively underhand piece of marketing.
Surrogates (2009)
Surrogates exerts too much effort establishing its world. The opening montage covers 14 years of future history to take us from the world we know to the world of the story, but in the process is so crammed with improbabilities I wouldn't know where to begin listing them. The premise is dreadfully implausible; this just serves to highlight it.
Finally this week, a review of the 60-second short film How Long is a Minute?.
Additionally, it's worth noting that this marks the end of reviews from 2010. Much quicker than last year! So from next Sunday, it's all 2011...
Saturday, 22 January 2011
TV
The British Comedy Awards 2010
A deserving bunch. Worked fine live on its new home too.
[Watch it (again) on 4oD.]
No Ordinary Family
1x01 Pilot
1x02 No Ordinary Marriage
This has been going since last year in the States (of course), but started over here on Watch a week or two ago. I don't get Watch, so... yeah...
Quite a good start, I thought. Lots of potential. Poor Tate Donovan though -- originally set to be a regular, cut down to so little you didn't even see his face properly, with no proper dialogue. Unless he's set to make a Shocking Return, of course...
Primeval
4x05 Episode 5
[Watch it (again) on ITV Player.]
A deserving bunch. Worked fine live on its new home too.
[Watch it (again) on 4oD.]
No Ordinary Family
1x01 Pilot
1x02 No Ordinary Marriage
This has been going since last year in the States (of course), but started over here on Watch a week or two ago. I don't get Watch, so... yeah...
Quite a good start, I thought. Lots of potential. Poor Tate Donovan though -- originally set to be a regular, cut down to so little you didn't even see his face properly, with no proper dialogue. Unless he's set to make a Shocking Return, of course...
Primeval
4x05 Episode 5
[Watch it (again) on ITV Player.]
Friday, 21 January 2011
TV
The Graham Norton Show
8x12 (14/1/11 edition)
Why do the /programmes department of the BBC website (as I believe it is actually called) so often struggle to get things like episode numbers right on their own series?
(I say "so often", I mean "sometimes". But really, with so many semi-OCD people in the world, surely you should be employing them to do stuff like this? People like me, f'rinstance...)
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
The Great Outdoors
1x02 Episode 2
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
The Magicians
1x03 Episode 3
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
Never Mind the Buzzcocks
22x13 (dropped 30/10/08 edition)
Ah-ha! At last! The infamous missing Buzzcocks episode featuring Russell Brand as a team captain, which should have aired in October 2008 but was canned due to the Brand/Ross/Sachs phone call scandal (remember that, eh?) Clearly someone at the Beeb thinks two years (and three months) is an appropriate amount of time to have waited.
Worth it though. It's like a little previously-undiscovered gem to have Amstell back in the host's chair, and just generally new Buzzcocks is always a joy.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
8x12 (14/1/11 edition)
Why do the /programmes department of the BBC website (as I believe it is actually called) so often struggle to get things like episode numbers right on their own series?
(I say "so often", I mean "sometimes". But really, with so many semi-OCD people in the world, surely you should be employing them to do stuff like this? People like me, f'rinstance...)
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
The Great Outdoors
1x02 Episode 2
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
The Magicians
1x03 Episode 3
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
Never Mind the Buzzcocks
22x13 (dropped 30/10/08 edition)
Ah-ha! At last! The infamous missing Buzzcocks episode featuring Russell Brand as a team captain, which should have aired in October 2008 but was canned due to the Brand/Ross/Sachs phone call scandal (remember that, eh?) Clearly someone at the Beeb thinks two years (and three months) is an appropriate amount of time to have waited.
Worth it though. It's like a little previously-undiscovered gem to have Amstell back in the host's chair, and just generally new Buzzcocks is always a joy.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Articles
Craig Charles: 'New Red Dwarf next year' by Christian Tobin
(from Digital Spy)
Yes, it's true: Red Dwarf is coming back in 2012, and for a proper new six-episode series too. It's taken them long enough -- it's nearly two years since Back to Earth aired, so it'll be three by the time a new series reaches our screens!
A little bit more info -- indeed, all that is currently known -- via the blog of Kryten actor Robert Llewellyn, here. (Nowt on the official Red Dwarf site yet.)
Personally, I enjoyed Back to Earth -- not the greatest Dwarf ever, true, but pretty good -- so fingers crossed series 9/10/whatever-they-call-it can be at least as good.
Robert Webb to host Channel 4 panel show by Catriona Wightman
(from Digital Spy)
(from Digital Spy)
Yes, it's true: Red Dwarf is coming back in 2012, and for a proper new six-episode series too. It's taken them long enough -- it's nearly two years since Back to Earth aired, so it'll be three by the time a new series reaches our screens!
A little bit more info -- indeed, all that is currently known -- via the blog of Kryten actor Robert Llewellyn, here. (Nowt on the official Red Dwarf site yet.)
Personally, I enjoyed Back to Earth -- not the greatest Dwarf ever, true, but pretty good -- so fingers crossed series 9/10/whatever-they-call-it can be at least as good.
Robert Webb to host Channel 4 panel show by Catriona Wightman
(from Digital Spy)
The show sees three celebrities nominate their favourite things from Earth, such as landmarks, possessions, guilty pleasures or humans. Webb will consider whether the things deserve to be preserved and will choose whether or not to put them on a spaceship to keep them safe.So, essentially, it's the exact opposite of Room 101. How has it taken someone 17 years to come up with this idea?
Collection Count
Collection Count tracks my DVD/Blu-ray collection via a number of statistics every week.
Except this week, there's nothing to report. Nowt. Zip. Nada. If you look at last week's edition and imagine "no change" written where it says "up 1", you've got this week's numbers.
Normally there'd be a statistic of the week, but I'm pausing that for good reason. And by the old cycle this would be a running time update week, but as the last one was only a fortnight ago -- and I've only gained one new title since then -- I'm going to continue it as four-weekly from the last update, rather than where it used to be.
So nothing to report here, then. See you next week, faithful reader.
Except this week, there's nothing to report. Nowt. Zip. Nada. If you look at last week's edition and imagine "no change" written where it says "up 1", you've got this week's numbers.
Normally there'd be a statistic of the week, but I'm pausing that for good reason. And by the old cycle this would be a running time update week, but as the last one was only a fortnight ago -- and I've only gained one new title since then -- I'm going to continue it as four-weekly from the last update, rather than where it used to be.
So nothing to report here, then. See you next week, faithful reader.
Thursday, 20 January 2011
TV
The British Comedy Awards Nominations Show
Because they never seem to have enough time to present the nominations during the show itself, here's a whole hour-long special dedicated to them. Surprisingly, it works. One thing that seems daft, though, is that every category featured an abundance of potential nominees in clip form… but then only three nominees. Why not the standard four, or even five? Daft.
Also, The Inbetweeners still looks dreadful to me. Why do people like it?
[Watch it (again) on 4oD.]
Fast and Loose
1x01 Episode 1
The BBC's new improvisational -- but, as it turns out, not topical -- stand-up comedy show. Quite funny.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
James May's Toy Stories
1x01 Airfix
These were on in the run up to Christmas-before-last (i.e. in 2009) and at the time I only managed to catch three of the six episodes. Thanks to Dave (where else?), however, I'm now getting a chance to see two I really wanted to see -- first, the one where he built a 1:1 scale Airfix Spitfire. Such fun.
Just Good Friends
2x03 The Evidence/Or His Bottle Went
Because they never seem to have enough time to present the nominations during the show itself, here's a whole hour-long special dedicated to them. Surprisingly, it works. One thing that seems daft, though, is that every category featured an abundance of potential nominees in clip form… but then only three nominees. Why not the standard four, or even five? Daft.
Also, The Inbetweeners still looks dreadful to me. Why do people like it?
[Watch it (again) on 4oD.]
Fast and Loose
1x01 Episode 1
The BBC's new improvisational -- but, as it turns out, not topical -- stand-up comedy show. Quite funny.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
James May's Toy Stories
1x01 Airfix
These were on in the run up to Christmas-before-last (i.e. in 2009) and at the time I only managed to catch three of the six episodes. Thanks to Dave (where else?), however, I'm now getting a chance to see two I really wanted to see -- first, the one where he built a 1:1 scale Airfix Spitfire. Such fun.
Just Good Friends
2x03 The Evidence/Or His Bottle Went
Films
The Invention of Lying (2009)
[#6 in 100 Films in a Year 2011]
Well, that was better than anything I've seen by Judd Apatow.
[#6 in 100 Films in a Year 2011]
Well, that was better than anything I've seen by Judd Apatow.
Articles
X-Men: First Class Teaser Poster Arrives by Silas Lesnick
(from SuperHeroHype)
After hearing nothing about the latest X-Men movie for a while, there's been a flurry of news and images in the last few days. So you can also see the first cast photo (in hi-res), some more publicity shots, and some "we're sorry the first photo went down so badly" photos too. Personally, I think it all looks rather promising.
(from SuperHeroHype)
After hearing nothing about the latest X-Men movie for a while, there's been a flurry of news and images in the last few days. So you can also see the first cast photo (in hi-res), some more publicity shots, and some "we're sorry the first photo went down so badly" photos too. Personally, I think it all looks rather promising.
Wednesday, 19 January 2011
TV
Yes Minister
1x04 Big Brother
It's both amusing and depressing how much of Yes Minister is still so true today.
Zen
1x03 Ratking
As entertaining as the others, even if the title is meaningless. I've very much enjoyed this series -- more please, BBC.
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
1x04 Big Brother
It's both amusing and depressing how much of Yes Minister is still so true today.
Zen
1x03 Ratking
As entertaining as the others, even if the title is meaningless. I've very much enjoyed this series -- more please, BBC.
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
Articles
Anne Hathaway as Catwoman and Tom Hardy as Bane in The Dark Knight Rises by Dan Goodswen
(from Total Film)
Headline says it all.
Doctor Who enters the Construction Toy Market by Marcus
(from Doctor Who News Page)
Or, to put it another way, Doctor Who LEGO! Not actual proper LEGO, but the same kind of thing. I think. Could be brilliant...
(from Total Film)
Headline says it all.
Doctor Who enters the Construction Toy Market by Marcus
(from Doctor Who News Page)
Or, to put it another way, Doctor Who LEGO! Not actual proper LEGO, but the same kind of thing. I think. Could be brilliant...
Games
Nintendo 3DS Exclusive Preview Event
Two huge press conference / launch shows were held today for Nintendo's latest handheld console, the 3DS: one by Nintendo of America in New York, the other by Nintendo of Europe in Amsterdam (neat choice of cities there). While NoA just announced some of their news on twitter and what have you, the full Jonathan Ross-hosted European event was streamed live online -- and is still available to view now, if you missed it and you're interested.
Both announced release dates -- 27th March in the US, two days earlier on 25th March in Europe -- though only the US announced a list price -- $250. Which didn't go down that well with some... though they should bloody well stop moaning because, after the European event announced the price would be dictated by retailers, UK shops are selling it for around £220 -- equivalent to over $350! Why is it that the gaming world so often seems to think the exchange rate is £1=$1? (I appreciate not precisely in this instance -- £1 would be $1.14 in this case -- but, hey, you know what I mean.)
Anyway, it looks rather nifty... though at that price tag, I shan't be getting one.
Two huge press conference / launch shows were held today for Nintendo's latest handheld console, the 3DS: one by Nintendo of America in New York, the other by Nintendo of Europe in Amsterdam (neat choice of cities there). While NoA just announced some of their news on twitter and what have you, the full Jonathan Ross-hosted European event was streamed live online -- and is still available to view now, if you missed it and you're interested.
Both announced release dates -- 27th March in the US, two days earlier on 25th March in Europe -- though only the US announced a list price -- $250. Which didn't go down that well with some... though they should bloody well stop moaning because, after the European event announced the price would be dictated by retailers, UK shops are selling it for around £220 -- equivalent to over $350! Why is it that the gaming world so often seems to think the exchange rate is £1=$1? (I appreciate not precisely in this instance -- £1 would be $1.14 in this case -- but, hey, you know what I mean.)
Anyway, it looks rather nifty... though at that price tag, I shan't be getting one.
Tuesday, 18 January 2011
Articles
The King's Speech leads Bafta field
(from BBC News)
Just in case you missed it, the BAFTA nominations were out today. All largely to be expected, though the Rising Star noms are barmy: most of those names are already established -- "risen", if you will.
(from BBC News)
Just in case you missed it, the BAFTA nominations were out today. All largely to be expected, though the Rising Star noms are barmy: most of those names are already established -- "risen", if you will.
Monday, 17 January 2011
TV
Battlestar Galactica [2004]
3x02 Precipice
3x03 Exodus Part 1
3x04 Exodus Part 2
Helluva cliffhanger on Precipice! Luckily, watching on Blu-ray means I can rush straight on to the action-packed Exodus two-parter. Shiny.
The South Bank Show
37x04 Ian McKellen Revisited
Yes Minister
1x02 The Official Visit
3x02 Precipice
3x03 Exodus Part 1
3x04 Exodus Part 2
Helluva cliffhanger on Precipice! Luckily, watching on Blu-ray means I can rush straight on to the action-packed Exodus two-parter. Shiny.
The South Bank Show
37x04 Ian McKellen Revisited
Yes Minister
1x02 The Official Visit
Articles
James Bond book called Carte Blanche
(from BBC News)
"The new James Bond book, written by thriller author Jeffery Deaver, will be called Carte Blanche." The cover was also revealed and can be seen in the photo below. A couple more details -- though not a proper plot description -- can be found in the news article, or on the book's official website, or by following the book's official twitter.
Universal and Sony to change singles release policy
(from BBC Radio 1 Newsbeat)
Singles will now be released to download on the same day they're first played on the radio. A very sensible, piracy-inhibiting tactic. You wonder why they've not done it sooner.
(from BBC News)
"The new James Bond book, written by thriller author Jeffery Deaver, will be called Carte Blanche." The cover was also revealed and can be seen in the photo below. A couple more details -- though not a proper plot description -- can be found in the news article, or on the book's official website, or by following the book's official twitter.
Universal and Sony to change singles release policy
(from BBC Radio 1 Newsbeat)
Singles will now be released to download on the same day they're first played on the radio. A very sensible, piracy-inhibiting tactic. You wonder why they've not done it sooner.
Sunday, 16 January 2011
TV
Battlestar Galactica [2004]
3x00 The Resistance [webisodes 1-10]
3x01 Occupation
It's now, shockingly, almost six months since I last watched any BSG. I was getting through it so fast too! Time (overdue) to dive back in, then, and this is what's next: The Resistance, a series of ten webisodes totalling 26 minutes, detailing some events that occur between seasons two and three. They may still be available for free online to the US, and they're on the US DVDs, but not the UK DVDs, but they are on the Blu-rays everywhere (on disc two of season three -- common sense does not prevail). In case you wondered.
As for the new series proper, bold of the producers to continue their Iraq war analogy by having the Cylons become the occupying force and the sympathetic human characters become insurgents. Can't imagine that went down too well in the US...
Episodes
1x01 Episode One
This has been soundly slagged off in some quarters (coughRadioTimescough), but I rather enjoyed it. In fact, I'm actually looking forward to more -- so that's rather good too then.
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
QI
8x16 History (extended repeat) [season finale]
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
3x00 The Resistance [webisodes 1-10]
3x01 Occupation
It's now, shockingly, almost six months since I last watched any BSG. I was getting through it so fast too! Time (overdue) to dive back in, then, and this is what's next: The Resistance, a series of ten webisodes totalling 26 minutes, detailing some events that occur between seasons two and three. They may still be available for free online to the US, and they're on the US DVDs, but not the UK DVDs, but they are on the Blu-rays everywhere (on disc two of season three -- common sense does not prevail). In case you wondered.
As for the new series proper, bold of the producers to continue their Iraq war analogy by having the Cylons become the occupying force and the sympathetic human characters become insurgents. Can't imagine that went down too well in the US...
Episodes
1x01 Episode One
This has been soundly slagged off in some quarters (coughRadioTimescough), but I rather enjoyed it. In fact, I'm actually looking forward to more -- so that's rather good too then.
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
QI
8x16 History (extended repeat) [season finale]
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
this week on 100 Films
2 new reviews were posted to 100 Films in a Year this week, and they were...
Iron Eagle (1986)
Odd Man Out (1947)
More next Sunday.
Iron Eagle (1986)
an American pilot is captured by Qatar due to flying into their airspace, even though he was hundreds of miles outside it. When he’s sentenced to execution and the US Government refuses to do anything practical to get him back, his teenage son — who he’s been illicitly teaching to fly fighter jets — resolves to steal one and go get his dad. Hells yeah! Or something... daft and implausible.
Odd Man Out (1947)
The consciously episodic story... facilitates the depiction of a cross-section of Northern Irish life, and particularly their reaction to “the organisation” — it doesn’t take a genius to guess what that means... concerned “only with the conflict in the hearts of the people when they become unexpectedly involved”, by leaving out detail of the politically contentious background it perhaps robs the characters’ indecision of any basis.
More next Sunday.
Saturday, 15 January 2011
TV
Primeval
4x04 Episode 4
[Watch it (again) on ITV Player.]
Yes Minister
1x01 Open Government [2nd watch]
Got the complete series of this for Christmas. Not seen it for an absolute age, but it's still brilliant. (Also not sure how much of it I've actually seen before, or how often, so those "2nd watch"es may be a little fluid and based on anything I happen to remember.)
4x04 Episode 4
[Watch it (again) on ITV Player.]
Yes Minister
1x01 Open Government [2nd watch]
Got the complete series of this for Christmas. Not seen it for an absolute age, but it's still brilliant. (Also not sure how much of it I've actually seen before, or how often, so those "2nd watch"es may be a little fluid and based on anything I happen to remember.)
Films
Exam (2009)
[#2 in 100 Films in a Year 2011]
So far this year I've watched two films from 2009. Neither of them were on my 50 I missed in 2009 list, sadly.
Sherlock Holmes (2009)
[2nd watch]
This was #49 in 100 Films 2010, and went on to be listed as my eighth favourite film of the year. Having watched it again, I wonder if I should've placed it even higher.
[#2 in 100 Films in a Year 2011]
So far this year I've watched two films from 2009. Neither of them were on my 50 I missed in 2009 list, sadly.
Sherlock Holmes (2009)
[2nd watch]
This was #49 in 100 Films 2010, and went on to be listed as my eighth favourite film of the year. Having watched it again, I wonder if I should've placed it even higher.
Articles
The best books of 2011 by Alison Flood
(from guardian.co.uk)
Yes, you read that right -- the year that's only 15 days old. Films and games have these "what's to come this year" lists all the time, so why not books? ...is, I suppose, the theory. Not sure it works.
(Came to my attention because it mentions the forthcoming new James Bond novel, still code-named Project X though apparently being launched in Dubai on Monday, so maybe we'll learn the real title then.)
(from guardian.co.uk)
Yes, you read that right -- the year that's only 15 days old. Films and games have these "what's to come this year" lists all the time, so why not books? ...is, I suppose, the theory. Not sure it works.
(Came to my attention because it mentions the forthcoming new James Bond novel, still code-named Project X though apparently being launched in Dubai on Monday, so maybe we'll learn the real title then.)
Friday, 14 January 2011
TV
The Graham Norton Show
8x11 (7/1/11 edition)
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
The Great Outdoors
1x01 Episode 1
This went largely unnoticed on BBC Four last summer (I missed it anyway), but it's a rather good sitcom featuring a host of familiar faces. Recommended. And there's only three episodes, so I do hope they commission more.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
8x11 (7/1/11 edition)
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
The Great Outdoors
1x01 Episode 1
This went largely unnoticed on BBC Four last summer (I missed it anyway), but it's a rather good sitcom featuring a host of familiar faces. Recommended. And there's only three episodes, so I do hope they commission more.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Articles
Jimmy Wales says Wikipedia too complicated for many by Jonathan Fildes
(from BBC News)
Not to read, but to contribute to. They're planning to make it easier in the future.
Quite aside from the mildly sensationalist headline, there's more interesting stuff here from a BBC interview with Wales -- you can tell it's a relatively significant article because it actually has a byline, something the BBC News site is hardly known for.
(from BBC News)
Not to read, but to contribute to. They're planning to make it easier in the future.
Quite aside from the mildly sensationalist headline, there's more interesting stuff here from a BBC interview with Wales -- you can tell it's a relatively significant article because it actually has a byline, something the BBC News site is hardly known for.
Collection Count
Collection Count tracks my DVD/Blu-ray collection via a number of statistics every week.
After the Christmas and post-Christmas extravaganzas, there's just one new title this week. And that might be it for a while too. Although there are a few titles I desired that I didn't get for Christmas that I could pick up... but it's not as if I don't have enough else to watch, and it's not as if January sales matter any more when most DVD/BD retailers have permanent sales with the same titles at the same prices all year round (until they drop even cheaper). So, no rush.
Not that that'll necessarily stop me.
Number of titles in collection: 1,259 [up 1]
Of which DVDs: 1,100 [no change]
Of which Blu-rays: 158 [up 1]
Number of discs in collection: 3,137 [up 1]
Number of films in collection: 1,335 [up 1]
Number of TV episodes in collection: 4,545 [no change]
Statistic of the week is going on an extended holiday while I think if there's anything more I really want to do with it. The running time updates will continue every four weeks as usual.
See you next week, faithful reader.
After the Christmas and post-Christmas extravaganzas, there's just one new title this week. And that might be it for a while too. Although there are a few titles I desired that I didn't get for Christmas that I could pick up... but it's not as if I don't have enough else to watch, and it's not as if January sales matter any more when most DVD/BD retailers have permanent sales with the same titles at the same prices all year round (until they drop even cheaper). So, no rush.
Not that that'll necessarily stop me.
Number of titles in collection: 1,259 [up 1]
Of which DVDs: 1,100 [no change]
Of which Blu-rays: 158 [up 1]
Number of discs in collection: 3,137 [up 1]
Number of films in collection: 1,335 [up 1]
Number of TV episodes in collection: 4,545 [no change]
Statistic of the week is going on an extended holiday while I think if there's anything more I really want to do with it. The running time updates will continue every four weeks as usual.
See you next week, faithful reader.
Thursday, 13 January 2011
TV
Tonight, I watched two programmes when they were actually on (more or less)! What is the world coming to...
How I Met Your Mother
6x04 Subway Wars
A rather good one, I thought.
[Watch it (again) on 4oD.]
Not Going Out
4x02 Debbie
Also a rather good one, I thought.
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
Zen
1x02 Cabal
Another rather good one, I thought. The Italian's, shall we say, flexible attitude to justice certainly makes for an unusual crime story.
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
How I Met Your Mother
6x04 Subway Wars
A rather good one, I thought.
[Watch it (again) on 4oD.]
Not Going Out
4x02 Debbie
Also a rather good one, I thought.
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
Zen
1x02 Cabal
Another rather good one, I thought. The Italian's, shall we say, flexible attitude to justice certainly makes for an unusual crime story.
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
Articles
Kiefer Sutherland’s First Post-24 Role: Web Series The Confession by Robyn Ross
(from TV Guide)
Also starring John Hurt, so screams potential.
Movie Poster of the Week: The Best of 2010 by Adrian Curry
(from Mubi)
I do love a good movie poster, and while this may be missing any of the excellent Inception posters (with this being the best), it's still an intriguing and (naturally) eye-catching list.
We’re Living in the Future, errrr Wait by Paul Tassi
(from Unreality)
Back to the Future's Marty and Doc travel 25 years into the future to see what's changed. As it turns out, not much...
(from TV Guide)
Also starring John Hurt, so screams potential.
Movie Poster of the Week: The Best of 2010 by Adrian Curry
(from Mubi)
I do love a good movie poster, and while this may be missing any of the excellent Inception posters (with this being the best), it's still an intriguing and (naturally) eye-catching list.
We’re Living in the Future, errrr Wait by Paul Tassi
(from Unreality)
Back to the Future's Marty and Doc travel 25 years into the future to see what's changed. As it turns out, not much...
Wednesday, 12 January 2011
TV
Just Good Friends
2x02 Another Man
Little Crackers
Episode 8 Car Park Babylon
Episode 9 The Norris McWhirter Chronicles: A True Story
Episode 12 Uncle Santa [final episode]
That's those done, then. The last two here were amongst the best I thought, though David Baddiel's was resolutely nowt to do with Christmas. And Meera Syal's was Sky's first comedy programme to be shot in 3D. Not sure why. I expect "why not" may in fact have been the motivation.
(And if you're interested, here's the article Baddiel references at the start of his film.)
2x02 Another Man
Little Crackers
Episode 8 Car Park Babylon
Episode 9 The Norris McWhirter Chronicles: A True Story
Episode 12 Uncle Santa [final episode]
That's those done, then. The last two here were amongst the best I thought, though David Baddiel's was resolutely nowt to do with Christmas. And Meera Syal's was Sky's first comedy programme to be shot in 3D. Not sure why. I expect "why not" may in fact have been the motivation.
(And if you're interested, here's the article Baddiel references at the start of his film.)
Articles
10 steps that defined every X-Files episode by Scott Edelman
(from blastr)
So true.
20 Greatest Fake Criterion Covers by George Wales
(from Total Film)
Most amusing, though you'll need at least a passing knowledge of the Criterion Collection to get it.
Child gets Saw 3D advert banned
(from BBC News)
Christopher Nolan (Somewhat) Explains Inception by Matt Goldberg
(from Collider)
This article is pushing two months old now, but I missed it at the time, so here it is for you now. Quite interesting too.
James Cameron calls Peter Berg's Battleship movie 'ridiculous' by Carol Pinchefsky
(from blastr)
"the only reason sequels exist is because Hollywood is out of ideas and is forced to re-use the same characters and storylines," says Cameron, director of Aliens, Terminator 2, Avatar 2 and Avatar 3.
(from blastr)
So true.
20 Greatest Fake Criterion Covers by George Wales
(from Total Film)
Most amusing, though you'll need at least a passing knowledge of the Criterion Collection to get it.
Child gets Saw 3D advert banned
(from BBC News)
The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) ... ruled the advert must not be be broadcast again in its current form before 2100.Ah yes, what a handy ruling almost three months after the film came out.
Christopher Nolan (Somewhat) Explains Inception by Matt Goldberg
(from Collider)
This article is pushing two months old now, but I missed it at the time, so here it is for you now. Quite interesting too.
James Cameron calls Peter Berg's Battleship movie 'ridiculous' by Carol Pinchefsky
(from blastr)
"the only reason sequels exist is because Hollywood is out of ideas and is forced to re-use the same characters and storylines," says Cameron, director of Aliens, Terminator 2, Avatar 2 and Avatar 3.
Tuesday, 11 January 2011
TV
Little Crackers
Episode 10 First Kiss
Episode 11 The Queen Mother's Visit
The Mentalist
3x10 Jolly Red Elf
Christmassy.
The season has now recommenced in the US (just), but no signs of when Five will bring it over here -- they're repeating season one for at least two more weeks.
[Watch it (again) on Demand Five.]
Never Mind the Buzzcocks
24x13 End of Series Compilation Show [season finale]
A fairly worthwhile clip show -- the clips are funny, and the linky bits are typically Buzzcocks in their unusualness.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Episode 10 First Kiss
Episode 11 The Queen Mother's Visit
The Mentalist
3x10 Jolly Red Elf
Christmassy.
The season has now recommenced in the US (just), but no signs of when Five will bring it over here -- they're repeating season one for at least two more weeks.
[Watch it (again) on Demand Five.]
Never Mind the Buzzcocks
24x13 End of Series Compilation Show [season finale]
A fairly worthwhile clip show -- the clips are funny, and the linky bits are typically Buzzcocks in their unusualness.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Films
Saw VI (2009)
[#1 in 100 Films in a Year 2011]
So this is the latest I've started 100 Films to date. Still, last year was the previous latest and that turned out OK.
[#1 in 100 Films in a Year 2011]
So this is the latest I've started 100 Films to date. Still, last year was the previous latest and that turned out OK.
DVD Extras
A Killer Maze: Making Saw: Game Over
from Saw VI Blu-ray
A behind-the-scenes look at Saw: Game Over, part of Universal theme parks' Halloween Horror Nights in 2009 -- a walk-through attraction based on the Saw films.
from Saw VI Blu-ray
A behind-the-scenes look at Saw: Game Over, part of Universal theme parks' Halloween Horror Nights in 2009 -- a walk-through attraction based on the Saw films.
Articles
Band of Brothers' Maj Richard Winters dies aged 92
(from BBC News)
RIP.
BOND IS BACK! Daniel Craig and Sam Mendes Set For Nov. 9, 2012 Release Date by Nikki Finke
(from Deadline Hollywood)
Good news!
(from BBC News)
RIP.
BOND IS BACK! Daniel Craig and Sam Mendes Set For Nov. 9, 2012 Release Date by Nikki Finke
(from Deadline Hollywood)
Good news!
Monday, 10 January 2011
TV
Derren Brown: Behind the Mischief
A nice little look at Derren the person, to mark the 10th anniversary of his TV career. Perhaps disappointingly short on new insights into his tricks though.
[Watch it (again) on 4oD.]
Just Good Friends
2x01 Guilt
Little Crackers
Episode 6 Better Than Christmas
Episode 7 Goodbye Fluff
Jo Brand's episode (Goodbye Fluff) is one of the best so far -- it's actually funny. Christmas shorts by comedians don't have to be funny, I suppose, but as they're a) by comedians, and b) open with a "Sky Comedy" logo, you kinda expect laughs.
The Magicians
1x02 Episode 2
I did the play-along-at-home trick this week (having done last week's after the show -- even having seen the answer, it didn't work). This week it did work... but then the thing on the website is insanely easy for the production to rig -- and, having tried it a few times, I never got the wrong card -- so I'm afraid I don't buy it as a proper trick. Still, love the theme music.
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
Never Mind the Buzzcocks
24x12 Episode 12
The South Bank Show
37x09 Victoria Wood Revisited
Remember when, back in September, I said I was finally getting round to watching these South Bank Show Revisiteds? Yeeeaaah...
A nice little look at Derren the person, to mark the 10th anniversary of his TV career. Perhaps disappointingly short on new insights into his tricks though.
[Watch it (again) on 4oD.]
Just Good Friends
2x01 Guilt
Little Crackers
Episode 6 Better Than Christmas
Episode 7 Goodbye Fluff
Jo Brand's episode (Goodbye Fluff) is one of the best so far -- it's actually funny. Christmas shorts by comedians don't have to be funny, I suppose, but as they're a) by comedians, and b) open with a "Sky Comedy" logo, you kinda expect laughs.
The Magicians
1x02 Episode 2
I did the play-along-at-home trick this week (having done last week's after the show -- even having seen the answer, it didn't work). This week it did work... but then the thing on the website is insanely easy for the production to rig -- and, having tried it a few times, I never got the wrong card -- so I'm afraid I don't buy it as a proper trick. Still, love the theme music.
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
Never Mind the Buzzcocks
24x12 Episode 12
The South Bank Show
37x09 Victoria Wood Revisited
Remember when, back in September, I said I was finally getting round to watching these South Bank Show Revisiteds? Yeeeaaah...
Articles
Allen, Hurley facing Twitter investigation? by Kristy Kelly
(from Digital Spy)
(from Digital Spy)
Lily Allen and Liz Hurley could face an investigation for promoting products through Twitter... The pair may have breached Office of Fair Trading rules by endorsing products on the site for money without declaring an interestQuite right, if true, just not a kind of story you expect to hear.
Sunday, 9 January 2011
this week on 100 Films
Just 1 new review was posted to 100 Films in a Year this week, but that was due to my duo of end-of-year summary posts.
First up, the Full List of what I watched in 2010 -- including exciting statistics about my viewing!
Secondly -- and finally for the year (other than the handful of reviews still to come) -- I look back on my Bottom 5 and Top 10 films I saw in In Retrospect.
Plus, as I said, that one review:
The Hurt Locker (2008)
More next Sunday.
First up, the Full List of what I watched in 2010 -- including exciting statistics about my viewing!
Secondly -- and finally for the year (other than the handful of reviews still to come) -- I look back on my Bottom 5 and Top 10 films I saw in In Retrospect.
Plus, as I said, that one review:
The Hurt Locker (2008)
The opening quote and closing scenes make explicit the main theme — war is a drug, one James is addicted to — but I’m not sure how present this is in the body of the story. Rather, the majority feels like an attempt to convey the experience of living as an explosives expert in a warzone, with James’ ‘addiction’ just a side effect of that.
More next Sunday.
Saturday, 8 January 2011
TV
Derren Brown: Enigma
Brilliant, as ever, though there are bits that, as ever, I wish he'd explain how they were done.
[Watch it (again) on 4oD.]
Just Good Friends
1x07 Moving In... And Out Again [season finale]
Horizon
Is Seeing Believing?
Happened to turn this on after Derren Brown. It's supposedly on iPlayer but doesn't seem to be working (perhaps because it's a repeat from October), which is a shame because it's fascinating and I'd recommend it.
Primeval
4x03 Episode 3
Even attempting to begin to enjoy Primeval requires the ability to switch your brain off. This seems to be a skill the writers have in abundance -- the plot holes and implausibilities are so numerous I gave up even noticing them by the end. And I remain unsure why I keep watching this series... probably a misguided, masochistic sense of "I've started so I'll bloody well finish".
[Watch it (again) on ITV Player soon.]
QI
8x15 Hypnosis, Hallucinations & Hysteria (extended repeat)
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
Wallander [film series]
Firewall Part 1 (of 2) (aka Brandvägg)
BBC Four jump to the eighth adaptation from the other Swedish Wallander (as you may remember, last time was the sixth), a tale that has also been adapted by the Branagh series -- though, as this is a two-parter, the British version was done in half the running time. I watched that version just over two years ago, so while I remember some details I have no real idea where this is going. Which is rather nice.
Brilliant, as ever, though there are bits that, as ever, I wish he'd explain how they were done.
[Watch it (again) on 4oD.]
Just Good Friends
1x07 Moving In... And Out Again [season finale]
Horizon
Is Seeing Believing?
Happened to turn this on after Derren Brown. It's supposedly on iPlayer but doesn't seem to be working (perhaps because it's a repeat from October), which is a shame because it's fascinating and I'd recommend it.
Primeval
4x03 Episode 3
Even attempting to begin to enjoy Primeval requires the ability to switch your brain off. This seems to be a skill the writers have in abundance -- the plot holes and implausibilities are so numerous I gave up even noticing them by the end. And I remain unsure why I keep watching this series... probably a misguided, masochistic sense of "I've started so I'll bloody well finish".
[Watch it (again) on ITV Player soon.]
QI
8x15 Hypnosis, Hallucinations & Hysteria (extended repeat)
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
Wallander [film series]
Firewall Part 1 (of 2) (aka Brandvägg)
BBC Four jump to the eighth adaptation from the other Swedish Wallander (as you may remember, last time was the sixth), a tale that has also been adapted by the Branagh series -- though, as this is a two-parter, the British version was done in half the running time. I watched that version just over two years ago, so while I remember some details I have no real idea where this is going. Which is rather nice.
Articles
History Channel Pulls The Kennedys; Says Controversial Miniseries 'Not a Fit’ by Matthew Belloni
(from The Hollywood Reporter)
They do bizarre things in Americaland -- like commission and produce a whole expensive eight-hour miniseries, and then decide not to show it.
Torchwood: Miracle Day revealed by Chuck Foster
(from Doctor Who News Page)
Love the plot; hate the new subtitle.
(from The Hollywood Reporter)
They do bizarre things in Americaland -- like commission and produce a whole expensive eight-hour miniseries, and then decide not to show it.
Torchwood: Miracle Day revealed by Chuck Foster
(from Doctor Who News Page)
Love the plot; hate the new subtitle.
Friday, 7 January 2011
TV
The Graham Norton Show
8x10 New Year's Eve Show
Said so.
Little Crackers
Episode 2 Capturing Santa
Episode 3 My First Nativity
Episode 4 Satan's Hoof
Two of these concern children's inappropriate urination. Awkward coincidence.
Live at the Apollo
6x06 (1/1/11 edition) [season finale]
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
Not Going Out
4x01 Drugs
Despite being cancelled, it's back! Hurrah! Not Going Out may be a rather old-school sitcom, but it's still damn funny, and that's what counts.
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
8x10 New Year's Eve Show
Said so.
Little Crackers
Episode 2 Capturing Santa
Episode 3 My First Nativity
Episode 4 Satan's Hoof
Two of these concern children's inappropriate urination. Awkward coincidence.
Live at the Apollo
6x06 (1/1/11 edition) [season finale]
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
Not Going Out
4x01 Drugs
Despite being cancelled, it's back! Hurrah! Not Going Out may be a rather old-school sitcom, but it's still damn funny, and that's what counts.
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
Collection Count
Collection Count tracks my DVD/Blu-ray collection via a number of statistics every week.
As we head deep into 2011 (well, a whole week), here's the tally for how my collection stood at the very end of 2010 (though, to be honest, it still stands this way). Basically, these increases represent a couple of new arrivals between last week's Christmas Day-fuelled update and the end of 2010... which is when last week's update was posted... Look, don't worry about it.
Numbers this week don't necessarily reflect purchases: once again, something's gone wrong somewhere and I've had to rebalance the numbers. This shouldn't happen, but it's because I update this each week based on the previous week's totals and update my DVD/BD master list separately at another time, which means... Look, don't worry about it.
Number of titles in collection: 1,258 [up 4]
Of which DVDs: 1,100 [up 3]
Of which Blu-rays: 157 [up 2]
Number of discs in collection: 3,136 [up 7]
Number of films in collection: 1,334 [up 3]
Number of TV episodes in collection: 4,545 [up 1]
Statistic of the week:
Total running time of collection (approx.):
224 days, 6 hours, and 15 minutes.
(Up 9 days, 7 hours, and 31 minutes from last month.)
That's the biggest running time increase ever, fact fans! Almost 2½-times more of an increase than last Christmas', and almost double the next-largest. Nice.
See you next week, faithful reader.
As we head deep into 2011 (well, a whole week), here's the tally for how my collection stood at the very end of 2010 (though, to be honest, it still stands this way). Basically, these increases represent a couple of new arrivals between last week's Christmas Day-fuelled update and the end of 2010... which is when last week's update was posted... Look, don't worry about it.
Numbers this week don't necessarily reflect purchases: once again, something's gone wrong somewhere and I've had to rebalance the numbers. This shouldn't happen, but it's because I update this each week based on the previous week's totals and update my DVD/BD master list separately at another time, which means... Look, don't worry about it.
Number of titles in collection: 1,258 [up 4]
Of which DVDs: 1,100 [up 3]
Of which Blu-rays: 157 [up 2]
Number of discs in collection: 3,136 [up 7]
Number of films in collection: 1,334 [up 3]
Number of TV episodes in collection: 4,545 [up 1]
Statistic of the week:
Total running time of collection (approx.):
224 days, 6 hours, and 15 minutes.
(Up 9 days, 7 hours, and 31 minutes from last month.)
That's the biggest running time increase ever, fact fans! Almost 2½-times more of an increase than last Christmas', and almost double the next-largest. Nice.
See you next week, faithful reader.
Thursday, 6 January 2011
TV
How I Met Your Mother
6x03 Unfinished
[Watch it (again) on 4oD.]
Just William [2010]
1x04 William Holds the Stage [season finale]
This has been a very entertaining series, I thought. More please.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
The Magicians
1x01 Episode 1
It's nice to see some magic back in a prime time schedule. Despite the pointless gimmicky audience vote aspect, this was very entertaining -- some spectacular tricks in there. But it has the same problem I always have with magic: I find knowing how it was done more impressive than the tricks themselves. Magicians always say that ruins the illusion and destroys the fun, but not for me -- the tricks are all well and good, but because we know it's not real the lengths they go to in order to make it look real is what's really impressive. But hey-ho, what can you do.
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
The Rob Brydon Show
1x07 Christmas Special
Zen
1x01 Vendetta
Gorgeously shot, a tad slow in places, with one horribly claustrophobic sequence (so, very well made, but very uncomfortable to sit through). Rather good all round.
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
6x03 Unfinished
[Watch it (again) on 4oD.]
Just William [2010]
1x04 William Holds the Stage [season finale]
This has been a very entertaining series, I thought. More please.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
The Magicians
1x01 Episode 1
It's nice to see some magic back in a prime time schedule. Despite the pointless gimmicky audience vote aspect, this was very entertaining -- some spectacular tricks in there. But it has the same problem I always have with magic: I find knowing how it was done more impressive than the tricks themselves. Magicians always say that ruins the illusion and destroys the fun, but not for me -- the tricks are all well and good, but because we know it's not real the lengths they go to in order to make it look real is what's really impressive. But hey-ho, what can you do.
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
The Rob Brydon Show
1x07 Christmas Special
Zen
1x01 Vendetta
Gorgeously shot, a tad slow in places, with one horribly claustrophobic sequence (so, very well made, but very uncomfortable to sit through). Rather good all round.
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
Articles
This Is Every Batmobile Ever by Justin Hyde
(from Jalopnik)
It isn't -- indeed, there's at least one pretty obvious one missing -- but it's a good attempt. It's a little bit astounding how many more redesigns there've been in the '90s and '00s than the five whole decades that preceded them.
(from Jalopnik)
It isn't -- indeed, there's at least one pretty obvious one missing -- but it's a good attempt. It's a little bit astounding how many more redesigns there've been in the '90s and '00s than the five whole decades that preceded them.
Wednesday, 5 January 2011
TV
Just Good Friends
1x06 Happy Birthday, Penny
Just William [2010]
1x03 The School Report
The first thing I've watched via iPlayer on my shiny new Wii. Hurrah!
(I realise the acquisition of a Wii is exactly the sort of thing this blog is designed to cover, but as I only set it up last night it hasn't become pertinent before now. And I doubt anyone anywhere is interested in the intricate details of my sensor bar setup debate.)
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Les Mis at 25: Matt Lucas Dreams the Dream
Rather good, I thought -- a well-judged mix between the story of Les Mis's inception and reception, and following Matt Lucas as he prepares to appear in the 25th anniversary concert.
Polar Bear: Spy on the Ice
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
1x06 Happy Birthday, Penny
Just William [2010]
1x03 The School Report
The first thing I've watched via iPlayer on my shiny new Wii. Hurrah!
(I realise the acquisition of a Wii is exactly the sort of thing this blog is designed to cover, but as I only set it up last night it hasn't become pertinent before now. And I doubt anyone anywhere is interested in the intricate details of my sensor bar setup debate.)
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Les Mis at 25: Matt Lucas Dreams the Dream
Rather good, I thought -- a well-judged mix between the story of Les Mis's inception and reception, and following Matt Lucas as he prepares to appear in the 25th anniversary concert.
Polar Bear: Spy on the Ice
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
Articles
Grimsby driver defends warning others of speed gun
(from BBC News)
HMV to close 60 stores as sales and shares slump
(from BBC News)
No surprises here -- HMV have managed to build themselves a thorough reputation as shockingly overpriced, so it was only a matter of time before sales took a massive dip and they had to begin closing stores. Perhaps they'll ultimately go the way of Zavvi and its ilk and become online-only. I won't mind, their website is rather good.
(from BBC News)
"When a file is provided to the CPS from the police, it is our duty to decide... whether a prosecution is in the public interest."It's a shame they so consistently prove they're no good at their duty.
HMV to close 60 stores as sales and shares slump
(from BBC News)
No surprises here -- HMV have managed to build themselves a thorough reputation as shockingly overpriced, so it was only a matter of time before sales took a massive dip and they had to begin closing stores. Perhaps they'll ultimately go the way of Zavvi and its ilk and become online-only. I won't mind, their website is rather good.
Tuesday, 4 January 2011
TV
The Big Fat Quiz of the Year 2010
Now in its sixth year, Channel 4's annual quiz is as much fun as ever. Usually I don't do very well, trailing behind whichever team (or, often, teams) lead on the programme itself. This year, however, I managed 33⅔ (out of 36), clearly beating all contestants on screen. Go me.
[Watch it (again) on 4oD.]
Due South
2x07 Juliet is Bleeding [2nd watch]
A surprisingly dramatic episode. Due South, I thought you were supposed to be light and fluffy?
This was the last episode the BBC showed before Christmas. Presumably it's returning at some point, though the BBC Two daytime schedule seems to be filled with darts this week, snooker next, and bowls the week after. Bloody sport.
Now in its sixth year, Channel 4's annual quiz is as much fun as ever. Usually I don't do very well, trailing behind whichever team (or, often, teams) lead on the programme itself. This year, however, I managed 33⅔ (out of 36), clearly beating all contestants on screen. Go me.
[Watch it (again) on 4oD.]
Due South
2x07 Juliet is Bleeding [2nd watch]
A surprisingly dramatic episode. Due South, I thought you were supposed to be light and fluffy?
This was the last episode the BBC showed before Christmas. Presumably it's returning at some point, though the BBC Two daytime schedule seems to be filled with darts this week, snooker next, and bowls the week after. Bloody sport.
Films
Return to the Hundred Acre Wood by David Benedictus
Chapter Four in which it stops raining for ever, and something slinky comes out of the river
Or, the chapter in which we meet the new character, created by Benedictus -- Lottie the otter. First impressions are she's not very likeable. But then Rabbit and Owl aren't necessarily very likeable on first impression, so we'll see.
Chapter Four in which it stops raining for ever, and something slinky comes out of the river
Or, the chapter in which we meet the new character, created by Benedictus -- Lottie the otter. First impressions are she's not very likeable. But then Rabbit and Owl aren't necessarily very likeable on first impression, so we'll see.
Articles
Cinemas gear up for another bumper year by Neil Smith
(from BBC News)
A cheap and cheerful (read: brief and lightweight) overview of the biggest films due in the next 12 months.
Tarantino reveals his top 20 films of 2010
(from The Independent)
Interesting list, characterised for many by the lack of Inception. I'll be publishing the top ten films I watched this year in the next week or two; I'm sure that'll be just as newsworthy.
(from BBC News)
A cheap and cheerful (read: brief and lightweight) overview of the biggest films due in the next 12 months.
Tarantino reveals his top 20 films of 2010
(from The Independent)
Interesting list, characterised for many by the lack of Inception. I'll be publishing the top ten films I watched this year in the next week or two; I'm sure that'll be just as newsworthy.
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