Wild Tales (2014)
[#16 in The 100 Films in a Year Challenge 2024]
"What Do You Mean You Haven't Seen...?" 2024 #2
Thursday, 29 February 2024
Monday, 26 February 2024
Games
The Leaf Riders of Wrenwood
20–26 February 2024
Once again, intended to catch up with this on Sunday but failed, so am doing it today instead. I think I need to put more of an effort into playing it daily.
20–26 February 2024
Once again, intended to catch up with this on Sunday but failed, so am doing it today instead. I think I need to put more of an effort into playing it daily.
Sunday, 25 February 2024
Films
Dune: Part One 3D (2021)
[2nd watch]
[#14 in The 100 Films in a Year Challenge 2024]
+ several featurettes from the Blu-ray's special features
[2nd watch]
[#14 in The 100 Films in a Year Challenge 2024]
+ several featurettes from the Blu-ray's special features
Podcasts
The Rest Is Entertainment
1x16 The secrets of 'blurb quotes' on books and who is to blame when a guest goes rogue?
1x18 What has happened to sketch shows and what doesn't Richard like on TV?
Stumbled across this on YouTube, in fact (I guess it's a promo tool / extra means of 'reach' nowadays to post videos of your podcast on YT), but I don't know why I haven't heard of it sooner because it's right up my street: behind the scenes insights into the entertainment (mainly TV, film, and publishing) industries. (Turns out it only started in December, so I'm not that out of the loop. Just three months. There's a good review from the Guardian of the first episode that nails why it works.)
These two episodes seemed particularly interesting (hence why they're the ones I listened to) because they're answering listeners' questions, so they cover multiple topics that people wonder about, including me. Some stuff covered I already knew, but some stuff I learnt more about. Great. I've subscribed now.
1x16 The secrets of 'blurb quotes' on books and who is to blame when a guest goes rogue?
1x18 What has happened to sketch shows and what doesn't Richard like on TV?
Stumbled across this on YouTube, in fact (I guess it's a promo tool / extra means of 'reach' nowadays to post videos of your podcast on YT), but I don't know why I haven't heard of it sooner because it's right up my street: behind the scenes insights into the entertainment (mainly TV, film, and publishing) industries. (Turns out it only started in December, so I'm not that out of the loop. Just three months. There's a good review from the Guardian of the first episode that nails why it works.)
These two episodes seemed particularly interesting (hence why they're the ones I listened to) because they're answering listeners' questions, so they cover multiple topics that people wonder about, including me. Some stuff covered I already knew, but some stuff I learnt more about. Great. I've subscribed now.
this week on 100Films.co.uk
1 new review was published to 100Films.co.uk this week...
The Kid Detective (2020)
More next Sunday.
The Kid Detective (2020)
everything I expected it to be and more. It’s a successfully amusing extrapolation of its premise. It kind of has to be a comedy, because the basic idea is too silly to take seriously in the ‘real world’, and it manages that without tipping over into farce. But, somewhat remarkably, it’s also a solid mystery in its own right, with a surprisingly moving conclusion. It’s a balancing act that shows the validity of comedy-drama (aka dramedy) as a tone.Read more here.
More next Sunday.
Saturday, 24 February 2024
Collection Count
Collection Count tracks my DVD/Blu-ray collection via a number of statistics every week.
A few additions this week, all of them brand new releases, which is always fun. Well, except for my bank balance. Indeed, my preorder list is looking the lightest it has for many, many months right now — not because nothing's coming out, but because so much has come out that I need to replenish my funds before I can order more!
Number of titles in collection: 3,244 [up 4]
Of which DVDs: 1,016 [no change]
Of which Blu-rays: 2,228 [up 4]
— of which Ultra HD Blu-rays: 329 [no change]
Number of discs in collection: 7,885 [up 5]
Number of films: 3,987 [up 5]
Number of additional cuts: 357 [up 1]
Number of TV episodes: 9,678 [no change]
Number of short films: 1,128 [no change]
It's also that time of the month again already: a running time update!
Total running time of collection (approx.):
555 days, 2 hours, and 3 minutes.
(Up 1 day, 4 hours, and 9 minutes from last month.)
See you next week, faithful reader.
A few additions this week, all of them brand new releases, which is always fun. Well, except for my bank balance. Indeed, my preorder list is looking the lightest it has for many, many months right now — not because nothing's coming out, but because so much has come out that I need to replenish my funds before I can order more!
Number of titles in collection: 3,244 [up 4]
Of which DVDs: 1,016 [no change]
Of which Blu-rays: 2,228 [up 4]
— of which Ultra HD Blu-rays: 329 [no change]
Number of discs in collection: 7,885 [up 5]
Number of films: 3,987 [up 5]
Number of additional cuts: 357 [up 1]
Number of TV episodes: 9,678 [no change]
Number of short films: 1,128 [no change]
It's also that time of the month again already: a running time update!
Total running time of collection (approx.):
555 days, 2 hours, and 3 minutes.
(Up 1 day, 4 hours, and 9 minutes from last month.)
See you next week, faithful reader.
Friday, 23 February 2024
Videos
Shuffle Up & Play
4 Rhystic Studies Can Only Afford A Pauper Deck
[Watch it (again) on YouTube.]
Spice8Rack
The Game Design GENIUS of Un-Sets & the Silver Border
[Watch it (again) on YouTube.]
I often struggle to find time to even watch a short feature film, or even TV shows, but I can do almost three hours of Magic the Gathering videos on YouTube? Well, there are reasons for that (don't tell my day job about this...)
It all started because I saw a small clip of the first video (YouTube has a name for those TikTok-esque short excerpts, I'm sure, but I have no idea what it is), then decided to watch the whole thing; and after it was over, I ended up looking up one of the player's own channels, which led to the second video. Frankly, I never expected to watch all of it at that length (I'm not that into Magic), but I did, and I ended up ordering another Magic set because of it. So idle YouTubing cost me almost £35. Thanks, YouTube.
4 Rhystic Studies Can Only Afford A Pauper Deck
[Watch it (again) on YouTube.]
Spice8Rack
The Game Design GENIUS of Un-Sets & the Silver Border
[Watch it (again) on YouTube.]
I often struggle to find time to even watch a short feature film, or even TV shows, but I can do almost three hours of Magic the Gathering videos on YouTube? Well, there are reasons for that (don't tell my day job about this...)
It all started because I saw a small clip of the first video (YouTube has a name for those TikTok-esque short excerpts, I'm sure, but I have no idea what it is), then decided to watch the whole thing; and after it was over, I ended up looking up one of the player's own channels, which led to the second video. Frankly, I never expected to watch all of it at that length (I'm not that into Magic), but I did, and I ended up ordering another Magic set because of it. So idle YouTubing cost me almost £35. Thanks, YouTube.
Thursday, 22 February 2024
Films
Official Secrets (2019)
[2nd watch]
...sort of. Like Sully and Crazy Rich Asians last year, I came upon this on TV and half-watched a significant chunk of it; not really enough to properly count as a rewatch, but too much to ignore.
[2nd watch]
...sort of. Like Sully and Crazy Rich Asians last year, I came upon this on TV and half-watched a significant chunk of it; not really enough to properly count as a rewatch, but too much to ignore.
Wednesday, 21 February 2024
TV
Blackadder II
2x01 Bells [2nd watch]
As I wrote when I started series 1, I first saw Blackadder in the late '90s, starting with series 2... and I suspect that's when I last saw it too, because surely any future rewatch would've included series 1? Hence only "2nd watch" here, despite this all feeling pretty familiar. It's also hilarious — my memory didn't cheat; and series 1 is definitely the lesser. Looking forward to rewatching the rest, plus a couple of special episodes I've also never seen.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
World's Most Dangerous Roads
5x01 Italy
Stumbled across this on TV and got sucked in. Assumed it was an old repeat (because I vaguely remember the series from its original run on the BBC, which was back in the early 2010s, and didn't know Dave had made more last year), but turns out it's basically new (this was a repeat, but it only premiered on Sunday). Not that I'm going to start watching the whole series, but this was quite engrossing and interesting.
[Watch it (again) on UKTV Play.]
2x01 Bells [2nd watch]
As I wrote when I started series 1, I first saw Blackadder in the late '90s, starting with series 2... and I suspect that's when I last saw it too, because surely any future rewatch would've included series 1? Hence only "2nd watch" here, despite this all feeling pretty familiar. It's also hilarious — my memory didn't cheat; and series 1 is definitely the lesser. Looking forward to rewatching the rest, plus a couple of special episodes I've also never seen.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
World's Most Dangerous Roads
5x01 Italy
Stumbled across this on TV and got sucked in. Assumed it was an old repeat (because I vaguely remember the series from its original run on the BBC, which was back in the early 2010s, and didn't know Dave had made more last year), but turns out it's basically new (this was a repeat, but it only premiered on Sunday). Not that I'm going to start watching the whole series, but this was quite engrossing and interesting.
[Watch it (again) on UKTV Play.]
Non-Fiction
The Art of Brevity by Grant Faulkner
Foreword by Megan Giddings
Introduction
Another non-fiction book! This one is subtitled Crafting the Very Short Story, which makes it sound like a writing craft book, though in the introduction Faulkner insists it isn't really. But it also has writing exercises in every chapter, so it also kinda is.
Foreword by Megan Giddings
Introduction
Another non-fiction book! This one is subtitled Crafting the Very Short Story, which makes it sound like a writing craft book, though in the introduction Faulkner insists it isn't really. But it also has writing exercises in every chapter, so it also kinda is.
Monday, 19 February 2024
Games
The Leaf Riders of Wrenwood
12–19 February 2024
Didn't have time to play this over the weekend, as I have been every week so far this year, so I'm catching up today instead.
12–19 February 2024
Didn't have time to play this over the weekend, as I have been every week so far this year, so I'm catching up today instead.
Sunday, 18 February 2024
TV
The BAFTA Film Awards 2024
Looking back through this blog's history, I don't normally bother to comment on the BAFTAs. But I will this year because I think David Tennant was one of the most successful hosts... ever? Now, for me, this is a pretty low bar to clear: for some reason, the opening monologue doesn't normally get many laughs. His did. So, that's a relative success, right? Bring him back next year!
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Friends
1x18 The One with All the Poker [many-th watch]
Looking back through this blog's history, I don't normally bother to comment on the BAFTAs. But I will this year because I think David Tennant was one of the most successful hosts... ever? Now, for me, this is a pretty low bar to clear: for some reason, the opening monologue doesn't normally get many laughs. His did. So, that's a relative success, right? Bring him back next year!
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Friends
1x18 The One with All the Poker [many-th watch]
this week on 100Films.co.uk
2 new reviews were published to 100Films.co.uk this week...
2024 | Week 3
More next Sunday.
2024 | Week 3
Featuring...Read more here.
- Chicken Run: Dawn of the Nugget (2023)
- The Best of the Martial Arts Films (1990)
More next Sunday.
Saturday, 17 February 2024
TV
Friends
1x15 The One with the Stoned Guy [many-th watch]
1x16 The One with Two Parts Part One [many-th watch]
1x17 The One with Two Parts Part Two [many-th watch]
1x15 The One with the Stoned Guy [many-th watch]
1x16 The One with Two Parts Part One [many-th watch]
1x17 The One with Two Parts Part Two [many-th watch]
Collection Count
Collection Count tracks my DVD/Blu-ray collection via a number of statistics every week.
A tidy pile of new additions this week, all stuff I ordered almost on a whim that's arrived quickly — even a handful of titles from the US. It's remarkable how quickly stuff can get here even from overseas nowadays, really.
Number of titles in collection: 3,240 [up 5]
Of which DVDs: 1,016 [no change]
Of which Blu-rays: 2,224 [up 5]
— of which Ultra HD Blu-rays: 329 [no change]
Number of discs in collection: 7,880 [up 6]
Number of films: 3,982 [up 4]
Number of additional cuts: 357 [up 1]
Number of TV episodes: 9,678 [no change]
Number of short films: 1,128 [up 13]
Next week, I've got a mass of titles on preorder due for release the Monday after that update, so it'll be interesting to see how many arrive early — especially as, if they do, it'll be just in time for the monthly running time total.
See you then, faithful reader.
A tidy pile of new additions this week, all stuff I ordered almost on a whim that's arrived quickly — even a handful of titles from the US. It's remarkable how quickly stuff can get here even from overseas nowadays, really.
Number of titles in collection: 3,240 [up 5]
Of which DVDs: 1,016 [no change]
Of which Blu-rays: 2,224 [up 5]
— of which Ultra HD Blu-rays: 329 [no change]
Number of discs in collection: 7,880 [up 6]
Number of films: 3,982 [up 4]
Number of additional cuts: 357 [up 1]
Number of TV episodes: 9,678 [no change]
Number of short films: 1,128 [up 13]
Next week, I've got a mass of titles on preorder due for release the Monday after that update, so it'll be interesting to see how many arrive early — especially as, if they do, it'll be just in time for the monthly running time total.
See you then, faithful reader.
Friday, 16 February 2024
TV
Death in Paradise
12x01 Episode 1
With series 13 well underway, I finally get to series 12. Will I manage to catch up this year, or am I doomed to be a year out of step forever? Does it even matter?
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Friends
1x13 The One with the Boobies [many-th watch]
1x14 The One with the Candy Hearts [many-th watch]
Sometimes, they nailed the episode titles. Sometimes, less so. I think these two are examples of both...
12x01 Episode 1
With series 13 well underway, I finally get to series 12. Will I manage to catch up this year, or am I doomed to be a year out of step forever? Does it even matter?
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Friends
1x13 The One with the Boobies [many-th watch]
1x14 The One with the Candy Hearts [many-th watch]
Sometimes, they nailed the episode titles. Sometimes, less so. I think these two are examples of both...
Thursday, 15 February 2024
TV
Friends
1x11 The One with Mrs. Bing [many-th watch]
1x12 The One with the Dozen Lasagnas [many-th watch]
Continuing the Friends rewatch started in January. Can't believe it's been over ten years since I last saw these episodes — I swear I went through two or three entire Friends rewatches in the mid 2000s alone (that only one previous watchthrough is logged on this blog suggests maybe it was twice in the '00s and a third in the 2010s, or something like that).
1x11 The One with Mrs. Bing [many-th watch]
1x12 The One with the Dozen Lasagnas [many-th watch]
Continuing the Friends rewatch started in January. Can't believe it's been over ten years since I last saw these episodes — I swear I went through two or three entire Friends rewatches in the mid 2000s alone (that only one previous watchthrough is logged on this blog suggests maybe it was twice in the '00s and a third in the 2010s, or something like that).
Tuesday, 13 February 2024
Articles
The film’s the thing: Ian McKellen’s new Hamlet shows the screen can outdo the stage
by Michael Billington (from the Guardian)
I was interested in seeing this anyway, but this review has swayed me even more. Not sure I'll bother going to the cinema for it though, because there's a Blu-ray out before too long (early April) that's the same price as a regular adult ticket at my local cinema (who don't seem to be showing it anyway).
by Michael Billington (from the Guardian)
I was interested in seeing this anyway, but this review has swayed me even more. Not sure I'll bother going to the cinema for it though, because there's a Blu-ray out before too long (early April) that's the same price as a regular adult ticket at my local cinema (who don't seem to be showing it anyway).
Sunday, 11 February 2024
TV
Image Union
13x13 Halloween Fright
I won't get into the whole thing about what this is (you can read the Wikipedia article if you want!), but the important point is this 1990 episode contains Christopher Nolan's short film directorial debut, Tarantella. I could've just watched that bit, but I put the whole episode on for fun. If you'd just like to see the Nolan short, it starts at 19 minutes.
[Watch it (again) on Internet Archive.]
Would I Lie To You?
17x07 Episode 7
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
13x13 Halloween Fright
I won't get into the whole thing about what this is (you can read the Wikipedia article if you want!), but the important point is this 1990 episode contains Christopher Nolan's short film directorial debut, Tarantella. I could've just watched that bit, but I put the whole episode on for fun. If you'd just like to see the Nolan short, it starts at 19 minutes.
[Watch it (again) on Internet Archive.]
Would I Lie To You?
17x07 Episode 7
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Films
Ambulancen (2005)
[#13 in The 100 Films in a Year Challenge 2024]
Tarantella (1989)
See today's TV post.
[#13 in The 100 Films in a Year Challenge 2024]
Tarantella (1989)
See today's TV post.
Games
The Leaf Riders of Wrenwood
5–11 February 2024
And so the six 'trial' weeks come to an end. I did enjoy how they began to connect up and overlap a bit — for example, a mysterious guard who you don't see (because they're on the other side of a locked door) early in one week turns out to be the character you play for Week 6. It helps to reduce the feeling of treading water you get for having to 'wait' until the middle of February for the story to start. It also quite neatly and plausibly leads all six potential heroes to be in the same place at the same time to pick up tomorrow. I confess, I assumed it would be six standalone-ish 'taster' weeks, then the story proper begins after you've chosen one. This is a very neat way of handling that.
Scanning ahead a bit, it looks like much of the next week's play is about character management (choosing which of the six to play for the rest of the year; levelling up; getting equipment; etc), so I may well wait until next weekend before playing on again. Indeed, as I said one time before, it is quite nice saving up a whole week's play to go through in an extended session. Defeats the point of this being a calendar somewhat, but makes for a nice play experience.
5–11 February 2024
And so the six 'trial' weeks come to an end. I did enjoy how they began to connect up and overlap a bit — for example, a mysterious guard who you don't see (because they're on the other side of a locked door) early in one week turns out to be the character you play for Week 6. It helps to reduce the feeling of treading water you get for having to 'wait' until the middle of February for the story to start. It also quite neatly and plausibly leads all six potential heroes to be in the same place at the same time to pick up tomorrow. I confess, I assumed it would be six standalone-ish 'taster' weeks, then the story proper begins after you've chosen one. This is a very neat way of handling that.
Scanning ahead a bit, it looks like much of the next week's play is about character management (choosing which of the six to play for the rest of the year; levelling up; getting equipment; etc), so I may well wait until next weekend before playing on again. Indeed, as I said one time before, it is quite nice saving up a whole week's play to go through in an extended session. Defeats the point of this being a calendar somewhat, but makes for a nice play experience.
this week on 100Films.co.uk
1 new review was published to 100Films.co.uk this week...
Barbie (2023)
More next Sunday.
Barbie (2023)
This is definitely a movie primarily aimed at adults, with enough silliness and bright colours on the side to not alienate kids too much. Though by “kids” I mean “teenagers”. Sure, the 12A and PG-13 ratings are permissive enough to take your six-your-old who actually plays with Barbies, but they’re going to be left floundering — or, worse, bored — as the film debates feminism, the patriarchy, and gender roles in general.Read more here.
More next Sunday.
Saturday, 10 February 2024
Collection Count
Collection Count tracks my DVD/Blu-ray collection via a number of statistics every week.
Just a couple of new titles this week — it looks set to be a slower month in general, although I do have a mass of preorders waiting at the end of it.
Number of titles in collection: 3,235 [up 2]
Of which DVDs: 1,016 [no change]
Of which Blu-rays: 2,219 [up 2]
— of which Ultra HD Blu-rays: 329 [up 1]
Number of discs in collection: 7,874 [up 4]
Number of films: 3,978 [up 3]
Number of additional cuts: 356 [up 2]
Number of TV episodes: 9,678 [no change]
Number of short films: 1,115 [no change]
See you next week, faithful reader.
Just a couple of new titles this week — it looks set to be a slower month in general, although I do have a mass of preorders waiting at the end of it.
Number of titles in collection: 3,235 [up 2]
Of which DVDs: 1,016 [no change]
Of which Blu-rays: 2,219 [up 2]
— of which Ultra HD Blu-rays: 329 [up 1]
Number of discs in collection: 7,874 [up 4]
Number of films: 3,978 [up 3]
Number of additional cuts: 356 [up 2]
Number of TV episodes: 9,678 [no change]
Number of short films: 1,115 [no change]
See you next week, faithful reader.
Friday, 9 February 2024
Films
Fantasmagorie (1908)
The first animated film — a two-minute short of chalkboard-like line drawings morphing into various scenes in a dreamlike stream-of-consciousness style 'narrative'.
The first animated film — a two-minute short of chalkboard-like line drawings morphing into various scenes in a dreamlike stream-of-consciousness style 'narrative'.
Non-Fiction
A City on Mars by Kelly & Zach Weinersmith
Chapters 18–20 + Conclusion [the end]
Altogether, a fun read. It gets deep enough into all the various issues of space settlement that you believe it's been seriously researched and all points have been considered, and you come away having learnt something about them. But it's also light enough to allow room for amusing anecdotes and asides, which regularly raise a chuckle and keep the whole thing in perspective.
To quote from the conclusion of the book itself: “Going to the stars will not make us wise. We have to become wise if we want to go to the stars.”
Chapters 18–20 + Conclusion [the end]
Altogether, a fun read. It gets deep enough into all the various issues of space settlement that you believe it's been seriously researched and all points have been considered, and you come away having learnt something about them. But it's also light enough to allow room for amusing anecdotes and asides, which regularly raise a chuckle and keep the whole thing in perspective.
To quote from the conclusion of the book itself: “Going to the stars will not make us wise. We have to become wise if we want to go to the stars.”
Thursday, 8 February 2024
Wednesday, 7 February 2024
Podcasts
Light the Fuse - The Official Mission: Impossible Podcast
2x34 Revisiting Christopher McQuarrie on "Jack Reacher"
Originally released as episodes 216, 217, and 218 of the 'original' (i.e. pre being made official) Light the Fuse podcast.
2x34 Revisiting Christopher McQuarrie on "Jack Reacher"
Originally released as episodes 216, 217, and 218 of the 'original' (i.e. pre being made official) Light the Fuse podcast.
Tuesday, 6 February 2024
Articles
‘We didn’t expect this phenomenon to last’: France’s comic-book tradition is hitting new heights
by Phil Hoad (from the Guardian)
Interesting 'profile' of the state of the comic book (aka bandes dessinées) industry in France. It's always been a fairly significant artform there (at least, more respected than it has been in the anglosphere), but has gone to new heights during and after the pandemic.
by Phil Hoad (from the Guardian)
Interesting 'profile' of the state of the comic book (aka bandes dessinées) industry in France. It's always been a fairly significant artform there (at least, more respected than it has been in the anglosphere), but has gone to new heights during and after the pandemic.
Monday, 5 February 2024
Films
The Kingdom of the Fairies (1903)
Georges Méliès fantasy short, watched on YouTube (and reviewed on Letterboxd, for now).
Georges Méliès fantasy short, watched on YouTube (and reviewed on Letterboxd, for now).
Sunday, 4 February 2024
Games
The Leaf Riders of Wrenwood
29 January – 4 February 2024
I'm still intending to switch to playing this as intended (i.e. daily) once I get through the initial period of "try each character for a week" (this was week 5 of 6 for that), but it is quite fun saving it up and playing a whole week in one go of a Sunday — I may end up doing that instead, long-term.
29 January – 4 February 2024
I'm still intending to switch to playing this as intended (i.e. daily) once I get through the initial period of "try each character for a week" (this was week 5 of 6 for that), but it is quite fun saving it up and playing a whole week in one go of a Sunday — I may end up doing that instead, long-term.
this week on 100Films.co.uk
A new month began for 100Films.co.uk this week (also for everyone else, but, y'know), and so it was time to look back at January — first, with the usual monthly review...
...then, with all (or, at least, many of) the films I'd failed to watch...
More next Sunday. And, this year, I actually mean it!
...then, with all (or, at least, many of) the films I'd failed to watch...
More next Sunday. And, this year, I actually mean it!
Saturday, 3 February 2024
Magazines
Doctor Who Magazine Find the 600!
DWM published its 600th issue this week, and alongside the main mag was this special 16-page supplement of... well, it's a funny one. There's a potted history of the magazine, focusing on just a handful of specific issues from throughout its history; then a spot of silliness in a photo-based comic strip about the creation of the cover (sort of); and then a bunch of random quotes from the 15 'main' Doctors. In the rich history of Doctor Who-related magazine supplements, I'm not sure this is going to be remembered as fondly as, say, the Radio Times ones...
DWM published its 600th issue this week, and alongside the main mag was this special 16-page supplement of... well, it's a funny one. There's a potted history of the magazine, focusing on just a handful of specific issues from throughout its history; then a spot of silliness in a photo-based comic strip about the creation of the cover (sort of); and then a bunch of random quotes from the 15 'main' Doctors. In the rich history of Doctor Who-related magazine supplements, I'm not sure this is going to be remembered as fondly as, say, the Radio Times ones...
Collection Count
Collection Count tracks my DVD/Blu-ray collection via a number of statistics every week.
I thought this week was going to be a completely dead one, but then a small pile of titles turned up this morning, bringing with them all of the following increases...
Number of titles in collection: 3,233 [up 3]
Of which DVDs: 1,016 [no change]
Of which Blu-rays: 2,217 [up 3]
— of which Ultra HD Blu-rays: 328 [up 1]
Number of discs in collection: 7,870 [up 4]
Number of films: 3,975 [up 5]
Number of additional cuts: 354 [up 1]
Number of TV episodes: 9,678 [no change]
Number of short films: 1,115 [up 5]
See you next week, faithful reader.
I thought this week was going to be a completely dead one, but then a small pile of titles turned up this morning, bringing with them all of the following increases...
Number of titles in collection: 3,233 [up 3]
Of which DVDs: 1,016 [no change]
Of which Blu-rays: 2,217 [up 3]
— of which Ultra HD Blu-rays: 328 [up 1]
Number of discs in collection: 7,870 [up 4]
Number of films: 3,975 [up 5]
Number of additional cuts: 354 [up 1]
Number of TV episodes: 9,678 [no change]
Number of short films: 1,115 [up 5]
See you next week, faithful reader.
Friday, 2 February 2024
TV
Blackadder: The Lost Pilot
I think I was expecting the first half of this to be some fluff to pad it to an hour, but it’s a surprisingly good little documentary, both as a history of the pilot and how it was transformed into the series, and as analysis of what does and doesn’t work, etc. Such a shame they ballsed up the rights (or whatever happened) and couldn’t include it on the complete series Blu-ray.
As for the pilot itself, it’s kind of bizarre how much it’s like series 2, considering how much series 1 isn’t like series 2. It’s as if someone saw the pilot and said, “that doesn’t quite work, let’s change it up,” then it took them an entire produced and broadcast series to realise those changes made it worse, before they went back to the original ideas and discovered, actually, they were perfection.
The pilot was also reworked into what’s probably the best episode of series 1, but I’d argue this actually does the same stuff better; partly because of the tone, partly thanks to some surprisingly elaborate bits of choreography (the play that turns into a farce and a climactic sword duel) which are a lot of fun.
I think I was expecting the first half of this to be some fluff to pad it to an hour, but it’s a surprisingly good little documentary, both as a history of the pilot and how it was transformed into the series, and as analysis of what does and doesn’t work, etc. Such a shame they ballsed up the rights (or whatever happened) and couldn’t include it on the complete series Blu-ray.
As for the pilot itself, it’s kind of bizarre how much it’s like series 2, considering how much series 1 isn’t like series 2. It’s as if someone saw the pilot and said, “that doesn’t quite work, let’s change it up,” then it took them an entire produced and broadcast series to realise those changes made it worse, before they went back to the original ideas and discovered, actually, they were perfection.
The pilot was also reworked into what’s probably the best episode of series 1, but I’d argue this actually does the same stuff better; partly because of the tone, partly thanks to some surprisingly elaborate bits of choreography (the play that turns into a farce and a climactic sword duel) which are a lot of fun.
Thursday, 1 February 2024
TV
The Black Adder
1x05 Witchsmeller Pursuivant
1x06 The Black Seal [season finale]
Well, that did improve as it went on, but I think the overall reputation I mentioned in my post for episode one still stands: this is a poor relation to the genius of the series that will follow. Imagine if the poor reception at the time had put them off commissioning series two (as nearly happened) — this would be some standalone oddity, a footnote in everyone's career (if, indeed, they went on to have the careers they had), possibly beloved by a tiny number of fans... Unless, of course, it's actually me that's aged and my tastes changed, and I won't enjoy the future episodes so much either?! Argh! Well, I'll worry about that for a little bit until I start series two...
[Watch the whole series (again) on iPlayer.]
Brian May's Brief History of 3D
Remember when everyone was so convinced that 3D was going to take off that Sky even launched a dedicated 3D channel? This was one of their original programmes, back in 2011. Thirteen years ago! Christ. Where does time go? The optimism for 3D is still strong, here — as well as a speedy but interesting history of the medium, it also takes time to look to its then-current and future uses. Of course, such optimism was misplaced. Now, it's back to being a hobby for us few aficionados. Yes, I still have a 3D TV, and I watched this on that in 3D — and lovely it was too, including the chance to see some real rarities — but for the mass audience, even theatrical 3D screenings are dwindling (though that does seem to depend on where you live). Can it ever make a comeback again? Who knows. Glasses always seem to be the major barrier for people. If they can make a glasses-less system, maybe things will be different.
1x05 Witchsmeller Pursuivant
1x06 The Black Seal [season finale]
Well, that did improve as it went on, but I think the overall reputation I mentioned in my post for episode one still stands: this is a poor relation to the genius of the series that will follow. Imagine if the poor reception at the time had put them off commissioning series two (as nearly happened) — this would be some standalone oddity, a footnote in everyone's career (if, indeed, they went on to have the careers they had), possibly beloved by a tiny number of fans... Unless, of course, it's actually me that's aged and my tastes changed, and I won't enjoy the future episodes so much either?! Argh! Well, I'll worry about that for a little bit until I start series two...
[Watch the whole series (again) on iPlayer.]
Brian May's Brief History of 3D
Remember when everyone was so convinced that 3D was going to take off that Sky even launched a dedicated 3D channel? This was one of their original programmes, back in 2011. Thirteen years ago! Christ. Where does time go? The optimism for 3D is still strong, here — as well as a speedy but interesting history of the medium, it also takes time to look to its then-current and future uses. Of course, such optimism was misplaced. Now, it's back to being a hobby for us few aficionados. Yes, I still have a 3D TV, and I watched this on that in 3D — and lovely it was too, including the chance to see some real rarities — but for the mass audience, even theatrical 3D screenings are dwindling (though that does seem to depend on where you live). Can it ever make a comeback again? Who knows. Glasses always seem to be the major barrier for people. If they can make a glasses-less system, maybe things will be different.
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