Charlie Brooker's Weekly Wipe
1x04 (21/2/13 edition)
Climax!
1x03 Casino Royale
The first ever screen appearance of James Bond -- sorry, 'Card Sense' Jimmy Bond, an American secret agent. For all the drawbacks -- it's a 48-minute '50s-TV adaptation of the novel, so is Americanised and sanitised -- it's actually not that bad. And Peter Lorre is a perfect choice for Le Chiffre.
Sadly, though a complete version now exists, MGM insist on only putting out the initially-found truncated version which is missing the final few minutes/seconds. Shame.
The Last Leg
2x05 (22/2/13 edition)
[Watch it (again) on 4oD.]
Thursday, 28 February 2013
Articles
The Ice Warriors: missing episodes animated
by Chuck Foster (from Doctor Who News)
Finally indeed!
And, even better news, they've been done by a different company to the awful Reign of Terror animations. The preview clip looks pretty decent.
(Sadly, the Reign of Terror chaps were commissioned to do the very-important Tenth Planet 4, so we still must hope they've improved.)
by Chuck Foster (from Doctor Who News)
BBC Worldwide have finally confirmed that August's DVD release of Second Doctor adventure The Ice Warriors will indeed include animated versions of the missing episodes two and three, as well as the previously announced 'telesnap' version of the episodes
Finally indeed!
And, even better news, they've been done by a different company to the awful Reign of Terror animations. The preview clip looks pretty decent.
(Sadly, the Reign of Terror chaps were commissioned to do the very-important Tenth Planet 4, so we still must hope they've improved.)
Wednesday, 27 February 2013
TV
Death in Paradise
2x08 Episode 8 [season finale]
And there will be a third series. Hurrah!
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
The Good Life
1x04 Pig's Lib
Stella
2x07 Episode 7
2x08 Episode 8 [season finale]
And there will be a third series. Hurrah!
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
The Good Life
1x04 Pig's Lib
Stella
2x07 Episode 7
Articles
Wikipedians wage war over a capital "I" in a Star Trek film
by Kevin Morris (from The Daily Dot)
How bloody ridiculous. And it came to the most ridiculous conclusion ever too:
I despair.
by Kevin Morris (from The Daily Dot)
Wikipedians and Wikipedia Star Trek fans have engaged in a heated conflict that's raged for nearly two months. In total, more than 40,000 words have been lobbed in the fight.
The point of contention? Whether "Into" should be capitalized in the movie's name.
How bloody ridiculous. And it came to the most ridiculous conclusion ever too:
users have reached a compromise. A way to please everyone and no one—and at the same time make the encyclopedia look rather ridiculous.
The first line of the entry now reads:
Star Trek into Darkness (usually written as Star Trek Into Darkness)
I despair.
Tuesday, 26 February 2013
Monday, 25 February 2013
TV
The 85th Annual Academy Awards
aka the Oscars, obviously.
Mixed reactions in the press, but then there always are. I thought it was largely a good show, Seth MacFarlane was largely a funny host, and largely the right people won. I'd've liked more for Skyfall of course, but that's life. And a tie in one category! Only the sixth ever. That was quite exciting... though, apparently, not exciting enough to make most news stories. But I guess it was in a technical category.
Oh, and shame on Sky for cutting off the closing song. Wouldn't've happened on the BBC.
How I Met Your Mother
8x04 Who Wants to Be a Godparent?
[Watch it (again) on 4oD.]
The Mentalist
5x10 Panama Red
[Watch it (again) on Demand 5.]
The Sarah Millican Television Programme
2x06 Episode 6 [season finale]
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
Stella
2x06 Episode 6
aka the Oscars, obviously.
Mixed reactions in the press, but then there always are. I thought it was largely a good show, Seth MacFarlane was largely a funny host, and largely the right people won. I'd've liked more for Skyfall of course, but that's life. And a tie in one category! Only the sixth ever. That was quite exciting... though, apparently, not exciting enough to make most news stories. But I guess it was in a technical category.
Oh, and shame on Sky for cutting off the closing song. Wouldn't've happened on the BBC.
How I Met Your Mother
8x04 Who Wants to Be a Godparent?
[Watch it (again) on 4oD.]
The Mentalist
5x10 Panama Red
[Watch it (again) on Demand 5.]
The Sarah Millican Television Programme
2x06 Episode 6 [season finale]
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
Stella
2x06 Episode 6
Sunday, 24 February 2013
TV
The Culture Show
Forget the Oscars, Here Are the Kermodes [2013 special]
A little to my surprise, I watched 2011's Kermodes. That's one of the advantages of this blog -- reminding me of things I've completely forgotten.
I assumed I'd just missed it last year (and probably had it downloaded somewhere, still waiting to be watched), but I can find no evidence of it on the BBC's Culture Show website. I guess it just didn't get its own special, especially as you can indeed find the results online.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Oscar 2013: Red Carpet Live
As usual, the ceremony begins at 1:30am over here, so here's a lot of speculation and red carpet nonsense from Sky's chosen team (read: whoever would agree to come in for the night). Apparently this is now Sky's ninth year having exclusive rights to the ceremony. About time it went back to the Beeb, no?
Room 101: Extra Storage
13x07 Episode 7
Top Gear
19x04 (17/2/13 edition)
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
Forget the Oscars, Here Are the Kermodes [2013 special]
A little to my surprise, I watched 2011's Kermodes. That's one of the advantages of this blog -- reminding me of things I've completely forgotten.
I assumed I'd just missed it last year (and probably had it downloaded somewhere, still waiting to be watched), but I can find no evidence of it on the BBC's Culture Show website. I guess it just didn't get its own special, especially as you can indeed find the results online.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Oscar 2013: Red Carpet Live
As usual, the ceremony begins at 1:30am over here, so here's a lot of speculation and red carpet nonsense from Sky's chosen team (read: whoever would agree to come in for the night). Apparently this is now Sky's ninth year having exclusive rights to the ceremony. About time it went back to the Beeb, no?
Room 101: Extra Storage
13x07 Episode 7
Top Gear
19x04 (17/2/13 edition)
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
Films
The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel (2012)
[#19 in 100 Films in a Year 2013]
The year on this one is a real matter of perspective. It was made and first shown in 2011, but widely released (here, in the US, and everywhere else) in 2012. Websites disagree, but the latter turns up more Google hits, so...
[#19 in 100 Films in a Year 2013]
The year on this one is a real matter of perspective. It was made and first shown in 2011, but widely released (here, in the US, and everywhere else) in 2012. Websites disagree, but the latter turns up more Google hits, so...
Comics
2000 AD #1767-1768
• Judge Dredd Day of Chaos: Eve of Destruction, Parts 3-4 by John Wagner & Henry Flint
• Grey Area Feel the Noise, Parts 1-2 by Dan Abnett & Karl Richardson
• Nikolai Dante The Wedding of Jena Makarov, Parts 5-6 by Robbie Morrison & Simon Fraser
• Absalom Ghosts of London, Parts Three - Four by Gordon Rennie & Tiernen Trevallion
• Strontium Dog The Life and Death of Johnny Alpha, Chapter Two: The Project, Parts Five - Six by John Wagner, Carlos Ezquerra & Hector Ezquerra
• Judge Dredd Day of Chaos: Eve of Destruction, Parts 3-4 by John Wagner & Henry Flint
• Grey Area Feel the Noise, Parts 1-2 by Dan Abnett & Karl Richardson
• Nikolai Dante The Wedding of Jena Makarov, Parts 5-6 by Robbie Morrison & Simon Fraser
• Absalom Ghosts of London, Parts Three - Four by Gordon Rennie & Tiernen Trevallion
• Strontium Dog The Life and Death of Johnny Alpha, Chapter Two: The Project, Parts Five - Six by John Wagner, Carlos Ezquerra & Hector Ezquerra
Articles
Twilight Breaking Dawn - Part 2, Kristen Stewart, Rihanna win Razzies
by Colin Daniels (from Digital Spy)
The Twilight finale fairly swept the board, winning seven of the ten awards. Well, it's traditional for awards to give a series' final instalment all it deserves, isn't it.
by Colin Daniels (from Digital Spy)
The Twilight finale fairly swept the board, winning seven of the ten awards. Well, it's traditional for awards to give a series' final instalment all it deserves, isn't it.
this week on 100 Films
Two new reviews were published to 100 Films in a Year this week, and they were...
Birth (2004)
Read more here.
The Plank (1967)
Read more here.
And new to the new blog...
The Invention of Lying (2009)
Read more here.
National Treasure: Book of Secrets (2007)
Read more here.
The Wolfman: Unrated Version (2010)
Read more here.
More next Sunday.
Birth (2004)
Nicole Kidman’s rationalist husband dies suddenly; years later, as she gets engaged to another man, a boy arrives claiming to be her husband reincarnated. More realistic art house drama about grief and insecurity than thrill-giving occult mystery, it nonetheless keeps you guessing
Read more here.
The Plank (1967)
The film opens with the credits being sung to the viewer — a surreal touch that indicates the kind of experience you’re in for. The humour is primarily of a slapstick variety, much of it unsurprisingly revolving around the titular slab of wood. Some of it is very amusing, but... I can’t see this as a film that will convert anybody.
Read more here.
And new to the new blog...
The Invention of Lying (2009)
I enjoyed the religious plot. I don’t think it’s misjudged satire, as some reviews have claimed; I think it’s pretty decent satire, in fact... It’s a decently amusing deconstruction of religion and the ideas that underpin it, coming from a rational perspective that can see through the obvious flaws and falsehoods in (specifically) Christianity.
Read more here.
National Treasure: Book of Secrets (2007)
essentially offers more of the same. That’s often levelled as a criticism, but in this instance it’s absolutely fine: Book of Secrets isn’t a rehash — there’s a new mystery with new puzzles — but is another adventure in the same vein, with clue-hunting and the occasional action sequence.
Read more here.
The Wolfman: Unrated Version (2010)
this is not your modern whizzbang horror movie, but something more classically inspired... the film makes this clear pretty quickly — or rather, quite slowly. The plot and character are allowed to unfurl at a gradual rate, building up to bursts of action later on rather than trying to keep the audience’s adrenaline pumping with a constant barrage of set pieces.
Read more here.
More next Sunday.
Saturday, 23 February 2013
TV
Arrow
1x09 Year's End
Elementary
1x13 The Red Team
Let's Dance for Comic Relief 2013
Episode 2 (of 4)
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
1x09 Year's End
Elementary
1x13 The Red Team
Let's Dance for Comic Relief 2013
Episode 2 (of 4)
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Comics
2000 AD #1764-1766
Featuring...
• Judge Dredd Day of Chaos: The Assassination List, Part 6 by John Wagner & Leigh Gallagher
• Judge Dredd Day of Chaos: Eve of Destruction, Parts 1-2 by John Wagner & Henry Flint
• Grey Area Meet & Greet, Parts 2-4 by Dan Abnett & Karl Richardson
• Nikolai Dante The Wedding of Jena Makarov, Parts 2-4 by Robbie Morrison & Simon Fraser
• Past Imperfect H Battalion by T.C. Eglington & Warren Pleece
• Strontium Dog The Life and Death of Johnny Alpha, Chapter Two: The Project, Parts Two - Four by John Wagner, Carlos Ezquerra & Hector Ezquerra
• Absalom Ghosts of London, Parts One - Two by Gordon Rennie & Tiernen Trevallion
'New' Dredd tale Eve of Destruction kicks off a whopping 20-part run (and at the end of it, Chaos Day itself is just two). As Grey Area's first story closes I think it has promise, but, for an acclaimed-in-some-circles writer, Abnett's dialogue is shockingly clunky. The final part read like a recap of the entire premise coupled with a resolution, which was very odd for only the fourth instalment.
This is the last-ever Nikolai Dante story and I'm sure pays off handsomely to fans, but is hardly the right point for newbies. Still has its moments, at least. The Past Imperfect wasn't much cop, all set up for a final reveal that, even though it was the entire point, felt needless. Strontium Dog begins to become more followable as it focuses on the present predicament, and Absalom… begins. We'll see.
Featuring...
• Judge Dredd Day of Chaos: The Assassination List, Part 6 by John Wagner & Leigh Gallagher
• Judge Dredd Day of Chaos: Eve of Destruction, Parts 1-2 by John Wagner & Henry Flint
• Grey Area Meet & Greet, Parts 2-4 by Dan Abnett & Karl Richardson
• Nikolai Dante The Wedding of Jena Makarov, Parts 2-4 by Robbie Morrison & Simon Fraser
• Past Imperfect H Battalion by T.C. Eglington & Warren Pleece
• Strontium Dog The Life and Death of Johnny Alpha, Chapter Two: The Project, Parts Two - Four by John Wagner, Carlos Ezquerra & Hector Ezquerra
• Absalom Ghosts of London, Parts One - Two by Gordon Rennie & Tiernen Trevallion
'New' Dredd tale Eve of Destruction kicks off a whopping 20-part run (and at the end of it, Chaos Day itself is just two). As Grey Area's first story closes I think it has promise, but, for an acclaimed-in-some-circles writer, Abnett's dialogue is shockingly clunky. The final part read like a recap of the entire premise coupled with a resolution, which was very odd for only the fourth instalment.
This is the last-ever Nikolai Dante story and I'm sure pays off handsomely to fans, but is hardly the right point for newbies. Still has its moments, at least. The Past Imperfect wasn't much cop, all set up for a final reveal that, even though it was the entire point, felt needless. Strontium Dog begins to become more followable as it focuses on the present predicament, and Absalom… begins. We'll see.
Collection Count
Collection Count tracks my DVD/Blu-ray collection via a number of statistics every week.
Only one new thing this week, but no more is required: the Skyfall Steelbook. Splendiferous.
And to liven things up nonetheless, there's the running time update. The thrills just keep on coming.
Number of titles in collection: 1,535 [up 1]
Of which DVDs: 1,152 [no change]
Of which Blu-rays: 383 [up 1]
Number of discs in collection: 3,853 [up 2]
Number of films in collection: 1,611 [up 1]
Number of TV episodes in collection: 5,722 [no change]
Number of short films in collection: 374 [no change]
As promised...
Total running time of collection (approx.):
277 days, 22 hours, and 27 minutes.
(Up 16 hours and 36 minutes from last month.)
See you next week, faithful reader.
Only one new thing this week, but no more is required: the Skyfall Steelbook. Splendiferous.
And to liven things up nonetheless, there's the running time update. The thrills just keep on coming.
Number of titles in collection: 1,535 [up 1]
Of which DVDs: 1,152 [no change]
Of which Blu-rays: 383 [up 1]
Number of discs in collection: 3,853 [up 2]
Number of films in collection: 1,611 [up 1]
Number of TV episodes in collection: 5,722 [no change]
Number of short films in collection: 374 [no change]
As promised...
Total running time of collection (approx.):
277 days, 22 hours, and 27 minutes.
(Up 16 hours and 36 minutes from last month.)
See you next week, faithful reader.
Friday, 22 February 2013
TV
Dexter
6x11 Talk to the Hand
6x12 This is the Way the World Ends [season finale]
Usually Dexter has a calm, reflective ending... but not this season. Wham-bang-huge-cliffhanger it is! Loads of other plot threads left dangling too -- all the signs of a two-year recommission after season five, then.
Season seven starts in the UK this Sunday on FOX (formerly FX), for them that has it, while season eight is coming before too long to the US.
The Graham Norton Show
12x17 (15/2/13 edition)
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
The Last Leg
2x04 (15/2/13 edition)
[Watch it (again) on 4oD.]
Yes, Prime Minister [2013]
1x06 A Tsar is Born [season finale]
This has been distinctly variable. Some funny moments, but an awful lot of too-big stagey acting and far too many recaps of what's going on. It notes in the end credits that it was adapted from the stage play, so I guess they took the two hours (or whatever) of that and extended it to make six half-hours of TV -- on stage, the "all this in one night" thing would work, but on TV, over six weeks, it felt needless. I can't imagine they'll get to have another go, but if they do, I hope it's in the form of a real series rather than a (somewhat misguided) serial.
6x11 Talk to the Hand
6x12 This is the Way the World Ends [season finale]
Usually Dexter has a calm, reflective ending... but not this season. Wham-bang-huge-cliffhanger it is! Loads of other plot threads left dangling too -- all the signs of a two-year recommission after season five, then.
Season seven starts in the UK this Sunday on FOX (formerly FX), for them that has it, while season eight is coming before too long to the US.
The Graham Norton Show
12x17 (15/2/13 edition)
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
The Last Leg
2x04 (15/2/13 edition)
[Watch it (again) on 4oD.]
Yes, Prime Minister [2013]
1x06 A Tsar is Born [season finale]
This has been distinctly variable. Some funny moments, but an awful lot of too-big stagey acting and far too many recaps of what's going on. It notes in the end credits that it was adapted from the stage play, so I guess they took the two hours (or whatever) of that and extended it to make six half-hours of TV -- on stage, the "all this in one night" thing would work, but on TV, over six weeks, it felt needless. I can't imagine they'll get to have another go, but if they do, I hope it's in the form of a real series rather than a (somewhat misguided) serial.
Comics
2000 AD #2012
Continuing and concluding the Christmas-before-last bumper Prog, with…
• Aquila Prologue by Gordon Rennie & Leigh Gallagher
• Grey Area Meet & Greet, Part 1 by Dan Abnett & Karl Richardson
• Dandridge A Christmas Ghost Story by Alec Worley & Jon Davis-Hunt
• Sinister Dexter Now & Again by Dan Abnett & Anthony Williams
• Strontium Dog The Life and Death of Johnny Alpha, Chapter Two: The Project, Part One by John Wagner, Carlos Ezquerra & Hector Ezquerra
Aquila and Grey Area are both effective introductions to brand-new series. The latter may be a bit too exposition-y, but it still holds promise. Dandridge is an effective little ghost story. Sinister Dexter is a double whammy of continuing/concluding plot from the previous Progs, and Christmas-special-ish dimension hopping through all 2000 AD's most beloved franchises. And then Strontium Dog is the second arc of a long story for a very old series, making it absolutely impenetrable to newbies like me. Still, at least everything else was good.
Continuing and concluding the Christmas-before-last bumper Prog, with…
• Aquila Prologue by Gordon Rennie & Leigh Gallagher
• Grey Area Meet & Greet, Part 1 by Dan Abnett & Karl Richardson
• Dandridge A Christmas Ghost Story by Alec Worley & Jon Davis-Hunt
• Sinister Dexter Now & Again by Dan Abnett & Anthony Williams
• Strontium Dog The Life and Death of Johnny Alpha, Chapter Two: The Project, Part One by John Wagner, Carlos Ezquerra & Hector Ezquerra
Aquila and Grey Area are both effective introductions to brand-new series. The latter may be a bit too exposition-y, but it still holds promise. Dandridge is an effective little ghost story. Sinister Dexter is a double whammy of continuing/concluding plot from the previous Progs, and Christmas-special-ish dimension hopping through all 2000 AD's most beloved franchises. And then Strontium Dog is the second arc of a long story for a very old series, making it absolutely impenetrable to newbies like me. Still, at least everything else was good.
Thursday, 21 February 2013
Articles
Interview with Steven Moffat from Gallifrey One
by Kyle Anderson (from Nerdist)
I say "article" -- it's a video. Normally I object to that (I prefer a transcript), but this is worth watching. It's 13 minutes in which DVD documentary maker Ed Stradling chats to The Moff -- that's quite long for a one-on-one interview really, and it goes in to about as much depth as you might expect regarding plans for Who's 50th anniversary, plus wider-ranging discussion of Moffat's Who views. For those that have been worried, he denies the anniversary special is just one 60-minute episode, and confirms there will be a 2013 Christmas special.
An Oscar Voter's Brutally Honest Ballot
by Anonymous, as told to Scott Feinberg (from The Hollywood Reporter)
A lot of people in the comments think this guy is a right... something-or-other. He is in places; in others, he's bang on. Either way, it's an interesting insight into how people vote for the Oscars... and why the results end up so daft so often.
Plus, while I'm here...
Benedict Cumberbatch and the cast of Neverwhere - first photo and air date revealed
by Paul Jones (from Radio Times)
Looks exciting. It's on the week of March 16th (all 3½ hours of it).
by Kyle Anderson (from Nerdist)
I say "article" -- it's a video. Normally I object to that (I prefer a transcript), but this is worth watching. It's 13 minutes in which DVD documentary maker Ed Stradling chats to The Moff -- that's quite long for a one-on-one interview really, and it goes in to about as much depth as you might expect regarding plans for Who's 50th anniversary, plus wider-ranging discussion of Moffat's Who views. For those that have been worried, he denies the anniversary special is just one 60-minute episode, and confirms there will be a 2013 Christmas special.
An Oscar Voter's Brutally Honest Ballot
by Anonymous, as told to Scott Feinberg (from The Hollywood Reporter)
One of the 371 members of the Academy’s directors branch recently invited me over to his office to listen in as he openly deliberated about how to fill out his final ballot for the 85th Oscars.
A lot of people in the comments think this guy is a right... something-or-other. He is in places; in others, he's bang on. Either way, it's an interesting insight into how people vote for the Oscars... and why the results end up so daft so often.
Plus, while I'm here...
Benedict Cumberbatch and the cast of Neverwhere - first photo and air date revealed
by Paul Jones (from Radio Times)
Looks exciting. It's on the week of March 16th (all 3½ hours of it).
Wednesday, 20 February 2013
Films
Skyfall (2012)
[2nd watch]
Skyfall was #86 in 100 Films 2012, and I afforded it a spoiler-packed 4,800-word review on Christmas Day. I also wrote a (much shorter) spoiler-free piece right after it came out, for those who haven't seen it yet.
And if you haven't seen it... it's out on DVD and Blu-ray now. Buy it, it's brilliant.
[2nd watch]
Skyfall was #86 in 100 Films 2012, and I afforded it a spoiler-packed 4,800-word review on Christmas Day. I also wrote a (much shorter) spoiler-free piece right after it came out, for those who haven't seen it yet.
And if you haven't seen it... it's out on DVD and Blu-ray now. Buy it, it's brilliant.
Tuesday, 19 February 2013
TV
Dexter
6x09 Get Gellar
Now that is a twist! Seriously brilliant, on a changes-everything, completely-out-of-the-blue, but-really-should-have-seen-it-coming level.
The Good Life
1x01 Plough Your Own Furrow
The Sarah Millican Television Programme
2x05 Episode 5
6x09 Get Gellar
Now that is a twist! Seriously brilliant, on a changes-everything, completely-out-of-the-blue, but-really-should-have-seen-it-coming level.
The Good Life
1x01 Plough Your Own Furrow
The Sarah Millican Television Programme
2x05 Episode 5
Monday, 18 February 2013
Comics
2000 AD #1762-1763
• Judge Dredd Day of Chaos: The Assassination List, Parts 4-5 by John Wagner & Leigh Gallagher
• Sinister Dexter Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap, Parts Two - Three by Dan Abnett & Anthony Williams
• Indigo Prime Anthropocalypse, Parts Seven - Eight by John Smith & Edmund Bagwell
• Angel Zero Parts 12-13 by Kek-W & John Burns
The end-of-2011 issues, meaning Indigo Prime and Angel Zero both wrap up. Can't say I'll miss either, though Indigo Prime will be back. Dredd has a solid cliffhanger, which must have made for an irritating four or five week break at the time. As for me, well, I'll be on to Prog.1764 in no time. But before that...
2000 AD #2012
...the bumper-length Christmas 2011 issue. A mix of standalones and new stories being kicked off. I only made a start on it today, including:
• Judge Dredd Choose Your Own Xmas by Al Ewing & John Higgins
• Absalom Sick Leave by Gordon Rennie & Tiernen Trevallion
• Nikolai Dante The Wedding of Jena Makarov, Part 1 by Robbie Morrison & Simon Fraser
The Dredd tale is all kinds of excellence, working as both a read-it-through-in-order and jump-to-a-panel choose-your-own-adventure story. Very clever, Mr Ewing, very clever indeed.
As for the others, Nikolai Dante was running (possibly even starting) when I first bought 2000 AD many, many moons ago. I wasn't too fond of it then; here, it seems quite fun... but is starting mid-story, really, so I've barely a clue what's going on. Same can be said for Absalom. I appreciate these things are paying off long-term readers, but you can see how it puts off newcomers. No wonder comics readership is dwindling across the board when they all seek to pay off people who are aware of years/decades of continuity.
• Judge Dredd Day of Chaos: The Assassination List, Parts 4-5 by John Wagner & Leigh Gallagher
• Sinister Dexter Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap, Parts Two - Three by Dan Abnett & Anthony Williams
• Indigo Prime Anthropocalypse, Parts Seven - Eight by John Smith & Edmund Bagwell
• Angel Zero Parts 12-13 by Kek-W & John Burns
The end-of-2011 issues, meaning Indigo Prime and Angel Zero both wrap up. Can't say I'll miss either, though Indigo Prime will be back. Dredd has a solid cliffhanger, which must have made for an irritating four or five week break at the time. As for me, well, I'll be on to Prog.1764 in no time. But before that...
2000 AD #2012
...the bumper-length Christmas 2011 issue. A mix of standalones and new stories being kicked off. I only made a start on it today, including:
• Judge Dredd Choose Your Own Xmas by Al Ewing & John Higgins
• Absalom Sick Leave by Gordon Rennie & Tiernen Trevallion
• Nikolai Dante The Wedding of Jena Makarov, Part 1 by Robbie Morrison & Simon Fraser
The Dredd tale is all kinds of excellence, working as both a read-it-through-in-order and jump-to-a-panel choose-your-own-adventure story. Very clever, Mr Ewing, very clever indeed.
As for the others, Nikolai Dante was running (possibly even starting) when I first bought 2000 AD many, many moons ago. I wasn't too fond of it then; here, it seems quite fun... but is starting mid-story, really, so I've barely a clue what's going on. Same can be said for Absalom. I appreciate these things are paying off long-term readers, but you can see how it puts off newcomers. No wonder comics readership is dwindling across the board when they all seek to pay off people who are aware of years/decades of continuity.
Sunday, 17 February 2013
TV
Dexter
6x07 Nebraska
I was worried this episode would be a bit of an aside, but I thought it was a particularly good one. Mass opinion (or as mass as TV.com's viewer ratings get, anyway) seems to disagree.
Elementary
1x12 M.
Elementary really seems to have found its feet in recent episodes (that or I've just got used it), and this is definitely the pinnacle of that. Hopefully they'll go the Sherlock route and introduce and deal with Moriarty for too long, rather than the Mentalist route of stringing it out forever. But it's US network TV, so I fear the latter is more likely.
6x07 Nebraska
I was worried this episode would be a bit of an aside, but I thought it was a particularly good one. Mass opinion (or as mass as TV.com's viewer ratings get, anyway) seems to disagree.
Elementary
1x12 M.
Elementary really seems to have found its feet in recent episodes (that or I've just got used it), and this is definitely the pinnacle of that. Hopefully they'll go the Sherlock route and introduce and deal with Moriarty for too long, rather than the Mentalist route of stringing it out forever. But it's US network TV, so I fear the latter is more likely.
Comics
2000 AD #1758-1761
Featuring, in order of each strip's first appearance here...
• Judge Dredd Day of Chaos: Elusive, Part 6 by John Wagner & Henry Flint
• Judge Dredd Day of Chaos: The Assassination List, Parts 1-3 by John Wagner & Leigh Gallagher
• Ampney Crucis Investigates... The English Assassin, Parts Nine - Eleven by Ian Edginton & Simon Davis
• Indigo Prime Anthropocalypse, Parts Three - Six by John Smith & Edmund Bagwell
• Angel Zero Parts 8-11 by Kek-W & John Burns
• Low Life The Deal, Parts 9-12 by Rob Williams & D'Israeli
• Sinister Dexter Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap, Part One by Dan Abnett & Anthony Williams
Keeping this up for two days in a row?! Unheard of!
The consistently excellent Low Life comes to a consistently excellent end. I ought to find out if previous episodes are available in book form, assuming they're just as good. Ampney Crucis ends too, on a cliffhanger that relies on previous knowledge (which I don't have). Indigo Prime continues to show off great art on an impenetrable story, while Angel Zero plods on in predictable fashion.
And Dredd is Dredd. Which is no bad thing.
Back when Prog.1760 was published ECBT 2000AD linked to a most unusual thing: a medical review of the issue! If you're interested, that can be found here.
Featuring, in order of each strip's first appearance here...
• Judge Dredd Day of Chaos: Elusive, Part 6 by John Wagner & Henry Flint
• Judge Dredd Day of Chaos: The Assassination List, Parts 1-3 by John Wagner & Leigh Gallagher
• Ampney Crucis Investigates... The English Assassin, Parts Nine - Eleven by Ian Edginton & Simon Davis
• Indigo Prime Anthropocalypse, Parts Three - Six by John Smith & Edmund Bagwell
• Angel Zero Parts 8-11 by Kek-W & John Burns
• Low Life The Deal, Parts 9-12 by Rob Williams & D'Israeli
• Sinister Dexter Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap, Part One by Dan Abnett & Anthony Williams
Keeping this up for two days in a row?! Unheard of!
The consistently excellent Low Life comes to a consistently excellent end. I ought to find out if previous episodes are available in book form, assuming they're just as good. Ampney Crucis ends too, on a cliffhanger that relies on previous knowledge (which I don't have). Indigo Prime continues to show off great art on an impenetrable story, while Angel Zero plods on in predictable fashion.
And Dredd is Dredd. Which is no bad thing.
Back when Prog.1760 was published ECBT 2000AD linked to a most unusual thing: a medical review of the issue! If you're interested, that can be found here.
this week on 100 Films
Four new reviews were published to 100 Films in a Year this week, and they were...
Avengers Assemble (2012)
Read more here.
Everything or Nothing (2012)
Read more here.
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 (2011)
Read more here.
Thor (2011)
Read more here.
And new to the new blog...
Max Payne: Harder Cut (2008)
Read more here.
Night at the Museum (2006)
Read more here.
More next Sunday.
Avengers Assemble (2012)
aka The Avengers / Marvel's The Avengers / Marvel Avengers Assemble / Marvel's Avengers Assemble... the film that represented the culmination of Marvel's uber-successful Phase One cinematic experiment: the disappointing Avengers Assemble.
Yeah, I said "disappointing".
Read more here.
Everything or Nothing (2012)
Eschewing intrusive, dogmatic voiceover narration, Riley instead tells the story through interviews (both new talking-head pieces and archive-drawn audio), illustrative clips, behind-the-scenes photos and film snippets, and music. The latter elements are taken almost exclusively from the Bond franchise itself
Read more here.
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 (2011)
The climactic Battle of Hogwarts takes up much of the film. A glut of combat and cameos, most surviving characters return. Many get their moment to shine, with particular gratification from Matthew Lewis’ Neville, Julie Walters’ Mrs Weasley, and Maggie Smith’s Professor McGonagall.
Read more here.
Thor (2011)
Director Kenneth Branagh brings all his Shakespearean know-how to one of the most innately successful of Marvel’s recent superhero movies, spinning a yarn of gods and mortals, humility and responsibility, without stinting on action or humour.
Read more here.
And new to the new blog...
Max Payne: Harder Cut (2008)
The reportedly awful A Good Day to Die Hard is in cinemas now. It’s directed by John Moore, whose last film earnt a rare 1-star review from me…
Read more here.
Night at the Museum (2006)
the easily-impressed will love it, the highly cynical will probably despise it, and the rest of us can sit in the middle, being adequately entertained while the film plays but require nothing else from it ever again.
Read more here.
More next Sunday.
Saturday, 16 February 2013
TV
How I Met Your Mother
8x03 Nannies
[Watch it (again) on 4oD.]
Let's Dance for Comic Relief 2013
Episode 1 (of 4)
It's the fifth series of this comedy Strictly now -- I don't think they've managed to make one of these celebs-be-silly-for-charity formats last so long before. But hey, it works. I swear the routines are getting longer though... or maybe they just feel it. And who the hell is Olivia Lee?!
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Top Gear
19x03 (10/2/13 edition)
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
8x03 Nannies
[Watch it (again) on 4oD.]
Let's Dance for Comic Relief 2013
Episode 1 (of 4)
It's the fifth series of this comedy Strictly now -- I don't think they've managed to make one of these celebs-be-silly-for-charity formats last so long before. But hey, it works. I swear the routines are getting longer though... or maybe they just feel it. And who the hell is Olivia Lee?!
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Top Gear
19x03 (10/2/13 edition)
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
Comics
2000 AD #1755-1757
Featuring, in order of first appearance...
• Judge Dredd Day of Chaos: Elusive, Parts 3-5 by John Wagner & Henry Flint
• Ampney Crucis Investigates... The English Assassin, Parts Six - Eight by Ian Edginton & Simon Davis
• Bob Byrne's Twisted Tales Tale #13 by Bob Byrne
• Angel Zero Parts 5-7 by Kek-W & John Burns
• Low Life The Deal, Parts 6-8 by Rob Williams & D'Israeli
• Indigo Prime Anthropocalypse, Parts One - Two by John Smith & Edmund Bagwell
A few months ago I said I was trying to get back into my 2000 AD reading. That failed to subsequently materialise. So now I'm really, really trying -- picking up where I left off in November 2011. 15 months ago. No wonder I struggled to remember what was going on in a couple of stories. Still, off to a solid start… though the latest Prog (with subscribers now, in shops on Wednesday) is #1820, so…
Anyway, particular highlights here come in Prog.1755, with an awesome cover -- well, a great pun -- and a top Bob Byrne's Twisted Tale inside. 1756 takes the wind out by reintroducing the woeful Indigo Prime, but at least there's Low Life to sustain a suitable level of awesome.
Featuring, in order of first appearance...
• Judge Dredd Day of Chaos: Elusive, Parts 3-5 by John Wagner & Henry Flint
• Ampney Crucis Investigates... The English Assassin, Parts Six - Eight by Ian Edginton & Simon Davis
• Bob Byrne's Twisted Tales Tale #13 by Bob Byrne
• Angel Zero Parts 5-7 by Kek-W & John Burns
• Low Life The Deal, Parts 6-8 by Rob Williams & D'Israeli
• Indigo Prime Anthropocalypse, Parts One - Two by John Smith & Edmund Bagwell
A few months ago I said I was trying to get back into my 2000 AD reading. That failed to subsequently materialise. So now I'm really, really trying -- picking up where I left off in November 2011. 15 months ago. No wonder I struggled to remember what was going on in a couple of stories. Still, off to a solid start… though the latest Prog (with subscribers now, in shops on Wednesday) is #1820, so…
Anyway, particular highlights here come in Prog.1755, with an awesome cover -- well, a great pun -- and a top Bob Byrne's Twisted Tale inside. 1756 takes the wind out by reintroducing the woeful Indigo Prime, but at least there's Low Life to sustain a suitable level of awesome.
Collection Count
Collection Count tracks my DVD/Blu-ray collection via a number of statistics every week.
This week's sole addition: Witness for the Prosecution, apparently the first time it's been released on DVD in the UK.
Number of titles in collection: 1,534 [up 1]
Of which DVDs: 1,152 [up 1]
Of which Blu-rays: 382 [no change]
Number of discs in collection: 3,851 [up 1]
Number of films in collection: 1,610 [up 1]
Number of TV episodes in collection: 5,722 [no change]
Number of short films in collection: 374 [no change]
See you next week, faithful reader.
This week's sole addition: Witness for the Prosecution, apparently the first time it's been released on DVD in the UK.
Number of titles in collection: 1,534 [up 1]
Of which DVDs: 1,152 [up 1]
Of which Blu-rays: 382 [no change]
Number of discs in collection: 3,851 [up 1]
Number of films in collection: 1,610 [up 1]
Number of TV episodes in collection: 5,722 [no change]
Number of short films in collection: 374 [no change]
See you next week, faithful reader.
Friday, 15 February 2013
TV
Dexter
6x06 Just Let Go
Halfway!
The Graham Norton Show
12x16 (8/2/13 edition)
Mark Wahlberg's behaviour caused quite a stir, and... yeah, it was distinctly odd. People speculated he was drunk -- considering he began the show going on about how bad it was they offered the guests drink, I'd say it's pretty darn certain that was the problem.
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
The Last Leg
2x03 (8/2/13 edition)
[Watch it (again) on 4oD.]
Room 101: Extra Storage
13x06 Episode 6
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
6x06 Just Let Go
Halfway!
The Graham Norton Show
12x16 (8/2/13 edition)
Mark Wahlberg's behaviour caused quite a stir, and... yeah, it was distinctly odd. People speculated he was drunk -- considering he began the show going on about how bad it was they offered the guests drink, I'd say it's pretty darn certain that was the problem.
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
The Last Leg
2x03 (8/2/13 edition)
[Watch it (again) on 4oD.]
Room 101: Extra Storage
13x06 Episode 6
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Articles
I Think I Invented Netflix, So Where's My Money?
by Stephen Gallagher (from Hauling Like a Brooligan)
I had to really chop up a few paragraphs to get the main point across succinctly. But go read the whole thing, it's full of correctitude.
by Stephen Gallagher (from Hauling Like a Brooligan)
with TV... I believe the pirates have set up a genuine model for the future... Broadcast TV is only good for soaps, news and reality now - background stuff... Drama, being immersive in its nature, struggles to thrive in that environment... no one wants to settle in for that long, or focus that much, at a time that doesn't necessarily suit them. There's always going to be an appetite for TV drama, but people have definitely lost their taste for being scheduled.
I had to really chop up a few paragraphs to get the main point across succinctly. But go read the whole thing, it's full of correctitude.
Thursday, 14 February 2013
TV
Dexter
6x05 The Angel of Death
Food and Drink
1x02 Mary Berry - Baking
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
Stella
2x05 Episode 5
6x05 The Angel of Death
Food and Drink
1x02 Mary Berry - Baking
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
Stella
2x05 Episode 5
Wednesday, 13 February 2013
TV
Death in Paradise
2x06 Episode 6
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
Dexter
6x04 A Horse of a Different Color
2x06 Episode 6
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
Dexter
6x04 A Horse of a Different Color
Tuesday, 12 February 2013
TV
Charlie Brooker's Weekly Wipe
1x02 (7/2/13 edition)
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
Elementary
1x11 Dirty Laundry
Yes, Prime Minister [2013]
1x05 Scot Free
Talk about drawing a plot out. I know they've introduced other stuff (this episode, Scotland and independence), but the old Yes PM would've dealt with Kumranistan in one episode and been all the better for it.
1x02 (7/2/13 edition)
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
Elementary
1x11 Dirty Laundry
Yes, Prime Minister [2013]
1x05 Scot Free
Talk about drawing a plot out. I know they've introduced other stuff (this episode, Scotland and independence), but the old Yes PM would've dealt with Kumranistan in one episode and been all the better for it.
Monday, 11 February 2013
Articles
Doctor Who 50th anniversary special to be filmed in 3D
by Morgan Jeffery (from Digital Spy)
Considering the low take-up of 3D TVs, it might've been nice if the BBC had spent the money (because I don't imagine it'll be cheap) on something the majority of its viewers could actually see.
by Morgan Jeffery (from Digital Spy)
Considering the low take-up of 3D TVs, it might've been nice if the BBC had spent the money (because I don't imagine it'll be cheap) on something the majority of its viewers could actually see.
Sunday, 10 February 2013
TV
The British Academy Film Awards 2013
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Dexter
6x02 Once Upon a Time...
QI
9x19 The Immortal Bard (XL edition) [Shakespeare special]
Watched the regular edition in April 2012. This only aired a few weeks later, hence why I've had it lying around 'til now.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Dexter
6x02 Once Upon a Time...
QI
9x19 The Immortal Bard (XL edition) [Shakespeare special]
Watched the regular edition in April 2012. This only aired a few weeks later, hence why I've had it lying around 'til now.
this week on 100 Films
Three new reviews were published to 100 Films in a Year this week, and they were...
The Artist (2011)
Read more here.
The Lady Eve (1941)
Read more here.
Scre4m (2011)
Read more here.
And new to the new blog...
Monkey Business (1952)
Read more here.
Nanny McPhee (2005)
Read more here.
Nanny McPhee & the Big Bang (2010)
Read more here.
More next Sunday.
The Artist (2011)
Some have said The Artist is not a patch on any of the real silent films it seeks to emulate. I take umbrage with that. While it may not be to the level of the very best the silent era has to offer, they churned ‘em out in those days, and I’d wager it is more than equal to the period’s average output.
Read more here.
The Lady Eve (1941)
In the interests of completing my backlog of 2012 reviews, I’ve decided to post some ‘drabble reviews’ of the stuff I watched longest ago. For those unfamiliar with the concept, a drabble is a complete piece of writing exactly 100 words long. So, the first of these ‘drabble reviews’ is…
Read more here.
Scre4m (2011)
One of the hallmarks of the original films is that they featured characters who were very aware of the rules of the horror movie. That’s not gone in Scre4m, which sets its sights on the US horror predilections that have followed since; mainly remakes and reboots. Sadly, there’s probably more on-the-nose exposition about the poor quality of remakes than actually integrating such criticism into the film
Read more here.
And new to the new blog...
Monkey Business (1952)
The plot sees a married couple accidentally take a youth serum the husband has been developing, causing them to inexplicably start acting younger — much younger. But in terms of the story, we see a happily married couple wind up happily married having been through no real strain.
Read more here.
Nanny McPhee (2005)
Nanny McPhee is brilliant. But to expand more directly on that sentence would be a conclusion, and so, before that, I present a collection of thoughts on bits I liked. Let’s call it “a review”.
Read more here.
Nanny McPhee & the Big Bang (2010)
Thompson treats the audience with respect in relation to the first film, playing on expectations and speeding through parts of the story we know. You don’t need to have seen it, but you’ll get a bit more if you have. Also as with the first film, there’s a perhaps surprising undercurrent of genuine emotion and serious issues.
Read more here.
More next Sunday.
Saturday, 9 February 2013
TV
Britain's Brightest
1x06 Episode 6 [season finale]
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Dexter
6x01 Those Kinds of Things
Rather behind on Dexter now (season eight starts Stateside in a few months), so time to crack on with catching up. And it's as good as ever, with a nice theme of religious hypocrisy kicking off this season.
Elementary
1x10 The Leviathan
Did they replace someone high-up on Elementary after a few episodes, because I think it's continuing to improve...
Room 101: Extra Storage
13x05 Episode 5
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
1x06 Episode 6 [season finale]
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Dexter
6x01 Those Kinds of Things
Rather behind on Dexter now (season eight starts Stateside in a few months), so time to crack on with catching up. And it's as good as ever, with a nice theme of religious hypocrisy kicking off this season.
Elementary
1x10 The Leviathan
Did they replace someone high-up on Elementary after a few episodes, because I think it's continuing to improve...
Room 101: Extra Storage
13x05 Episode 5
[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 small things this week... which should continue for the next couple of weeks, actually, with a moderately steady stream of pre-orders. So that's nice then.
Number of titles in collection: 1,533 [up 2]
Of which DVDs: 1,151 [up 1]
Of which Blu-rays: 382 [up 1]
Number of discs in collection: 3,850 [up 2]
Number of films in collection: 1,609 [up 1]
Number of TV episodes in collection: 5,722 [up 4]
Number of short films in collection: 374 [no change]
See you next week, faithful reader.
A couple of small things this week... which should continue for the next couple of weeks, actually, with a moderately steady stream of pre-orders. So that's nice then.
Number of titles in collection: 1,533 [up 2]
Of which DVDs: 1,151 [up 1]
Of which Blu-rays: 382 [up 1]
Number of discs in collection: 3,850 [up 2]
Number of films in collection: 1,609 [up 1]
Number of TV episodes in collection: 5,722 [up 4]
Number of short films in collection: 374 [no change]
See you next week, faithful reader.
Friday, 8 February 2013
TV
Britain's Brightest
1x05 Episode 5
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
The Graham Norton Show
12x15 (1/2/13 edition)
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
Stella
2x04 Episode 4
Top Gear
19x02 (3/2/13 edition)
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
1x05 Episode 5
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
The Graham Norton Show
12x15 (1/2/13 edition)
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
Stella
2x04 Episode 4
Top Gear
19x02 (3/2/13 edition)
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
Thursday, 7 February 2013
TV
Arrow
1x06 Legacies
Charlie Brooker's Weekly Wipe
1x01 (31/1/13 edition)
How I Met Your Mother
8x02 The Pre-Nup
[Watch it (again) on 4oD.]
The Last Leg
2x02 (1/2/13 edition)
[Watch it (again) on 4oD.]
1x06 Legacies
Charlie Brooker's Weekly Wipe
1x01 (31/1/13 edition)
How I Met Your Mother
8x02 The Pre-Nup
[Watch it (again) on 4oD.]
The Last Leg
2x02 (1/2/13 edition)
[Watch it (again) on 4oD.]
Articles
From Sunderland to Australia – message in a bottle makes it Down Under
(from Sunderland Echo)
A boy who dispatched a message-in-a-bottle (written on a Doctor Who postcard) from the UK in August 2011 had a reply informing him it had reached Australia in January 2013! Quite incredible, really.
(from Sunderland Echo)
A boy who dispatched a message-in-a-bottle (written on a Doctor Who postcard) from the UK in August 2011 had a reply informing him it had reached Australia in January 2013! Quite incredible, really.
Wednesday, 6 February 2013
TV
Death in Paradise
2x05 Episode 5
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
Pointless
6x44 (14/5/12 edition)
Last time I watched this series of Pointless was September! And yet I have (almost) all the episodes since just ready to be watched. This is what happens when you find software that lets you download from iPlayer.
The Sarah Millican Television Programme
2x04 Episode 4
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
2x05 Episode 5
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
Pointless
6x44 (14/5/12 edition)
Last time I watched this series of Pointless was September! And yet I have (almost) all the episodes since just ready to be watched. This is what happens when you find software that lets you download from iPlayer.
The Sarah Millican Television Programme
2x04 Episode 4
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
Films
The Artist (2011)
[#12 in 100 Films in a Year 2013]
Black Death (2010)
[#13 in 100 Films in a Year 2013]
[#12 in 100 Films in a Year 2013]
Black Death (2010)
[#13 in 100 Films in a Year 2013]
Tuesday, 5 February 2013
TV
Britain's Brightest
1x03 Episode 3
Stella
2x03 Episode 3
Yes, Prime Minister [2013]
1x04 A Diplomatic Dilemma
1x03 Episode 3
Stella
2x03 Episode 3
Yes, Prime Minister [2013]
1x04 A Diplomatic Dilemma
Monday, 4 February 2013
TV
Elementary
1x09 You Do It To Yourself
Another better than average episode, I thought. Probably because it was at least in some part inspired by an original Conan Doyle story. But still, s'all good.
Person of Interest
1x23 Firewall [season finale]
Ah, the season one finale... which leaves me in an odd limbo between Channel 5 (who just re-started and are way back in the middle of the season) and the US (who are halfway through season two now). Plough ahead or wait to be caught up? I dunno, I think I'll just go back to several-seasons-behind Dexter.
Pointless Celebrities
2x07 (2/6/12 edition)
The Sarah Millican Television Programme
2x03 Episode 3
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
1x09 You Do It To Yourself
Another better than average episode, I thought. Probably because it was at least in some part inspired by an original Conan Doyle story. But still, s'all good.
Person of Interest
1x23 Firewall [season finale]
Ah, the season one finale... which leaves me in an odd limbo between Channel 5 (who just re-started and are way back in the middle of the season) and the US (who are halfway through season two now). Plough ahead or wait to be caught up? I dunno, I think I'll just go back to several-seasons-behind Dexter.
Pointless Celebrities
2x07 (2/6/12 edition)
The Sarah Millican Television Programme
2x03 Episode 3
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
Sunday, 3 February 2013
this week on 100 Films
Firstly, the UK TV premiere of Duncan Jones' second film, Source Code, is on Channel 4 tonight at 9pm. It's rather good, and my archive review (new to the new blog) is at the end of this post. You could just scroll to it, or you could keep reading...
Secondly, it's February, which means the new-look update for January is available to read. I've revamped it to make it more interesting (I hope), including a Top 5 list to debate and discuss (not that anyone has), so do take a look.
Thirdly, in the last week I announced a new challenge for myself. Full details at the link, of course.
Fourthly, just one new review was published to 100 Films in a Year this week...
The Extraordinary Adventures of Adèle Blanc-Sec (2010)
Read more here.
And finally, new to the new blog...
Lesbian Vampire Killers (2009)
Read more here.
Source Code (2011)
Read more here.
More next Sunday.
Secondly, it's February, which means the new-look update for January is available to read. I've revamped it to make it more interesting (I hope), including a Top 5 list to debate and discuss (not that anyone has), so do take a look.
Thirdly, in the last week I announced a new challenge for myself. Full details at the link, of course.
Fourthly, just one new review was published to 100 Films in a Year this week...
The Extraordinary Adventures of Adèle Blanc-Sec (2010)
The film finds itself with a 12 certificate in the UK, and that age might be the perfect target audience. There’s dinosaurs and mummies, car chases and fireballs, derring do brushing up against irreverent humour, and even some boobies.
Read more here.
And finally, new to the new blog...
Lesbian Vampire Killers (2009)
from the title and blatant Hammer Horror references, critics and viewers presumed they were set for a Shaun of the Dead-style ready-made-cult-classic horror homage. Instead, it takes widely recognised Hammer tropes and aims the rest of its content at a Nuts-reading audience.
Read more here.
Source Code (2011)
The efficiency of storytelling is to the credit of both Jones and screenwriter Ben Ripley: rather than emphasise the Groundhog Day element of the plot, he finds the bomb on his second trip and makes significant headway with each recurring one. All sorts of parts of that could have been stretched out, but rather than padding we’re left with something that’s quite taut.
Read more here.
More next Sunday.
Saturday, 2 February 2013
TV
Person of Interest
1x22 No Good Deed
Splash!
1x05 Final
[Watch it (again) on ITV Player.]
Top Gear
19x01 (27/1/13 edition)
After an abnormally long time away (barring the Top-Gear-in-name-only Bond special), it's great fun to have this back on our screens. I know people seem to despise it in equal measure to the huge viewing figures it gets for BBC Two, but never mind them, because it's funny.
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
1x22 No Good Deed
Splash!
1x05 Final
[Watch it (again) on ITV Player.]
Top Gear
19x01 (27/1/13 edition)
After an abnormally long time away (barring the Top-Gear-in-name-only Bond special), it's great fun to have this back on our screens. I know people seem to despise it in equal measure to the huge viewing figures it gets for BBC Two, but never mind them, because it's funny.
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
Collection Count
Collection Count tracks my DVD/Blu-ray collection via a number of statistics every week.
A pile of post this Saturday morning sees the statistics jump at the last second. Six new acquisitions, with one being a near-like-for-like BD upgrade. But ooh, pretty book.
Number of titles in collection: 1,531 [up 5]
Of which DVDs: 1,150 [up 3]
Of which Blu-rays: 381 [up 2]
Number of discs in collection: 3,848 [up 6]
Number of films in collection: 1,608 [up 4]
Number of TV episodes in collection: 5,718 [up 6]
Number of short films in collection: 374 [no change]
See you next week, faithful reader.
A pile of post this Saturday morning sees the statistics jump at the last second. Six new acquisitions, with one being a near-like-for-like BD upgrade. But ooh, pretty book.
Number of titles in collection: 1,531 [up 5]
Of which DVDs: 1,150 [up 3]
Of which Blu-rays: 381 [up 2]
Number of discs in collection: 3,848 [up 6]
Number of films in collection: 1,608 [up 4]
Number of TV episodes in collection: 5,718 [up 6]
Number of short films in collection: 374 [no change]
See you next week, faithful reader.
Friday, 1 February 2013
TV
Britain's Brightest
1x04 Episode 4
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
The Graham Norton Show
12x14 (25/1/13 edition)
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
How I Met Your Mother
8x01 Farhampton
[Watch it (again) on 4oD.]
Room 101: Extra Storage
13x04 Episode 4
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
1x04 Episode 4
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
The Graham Norton Show
12x14 (25/1/13 edition)
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
How I Met Your Mother
8x01 Farhampton
[Watch it (again) on 4oD.]
Room 101: Extra Storage
13x04 Episode 4
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
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