Collection Count tracks my DVD/Blu-ray collection via a number of statistics every week.
Everything's still on the up. Which is to be expected, really, because I never go selling stuff off. I ought to, probably. Indeed, I have a huge pile of stuff I've upgraded still waiting to be eBayed...
Number of titles in collection: 1,296 [up 5]
Of which DVDs: 1,103 [up 1]
Of which Blu-rays: 193 [up 4]
Number of discs in collection: 3,224 [up 8]
Number of films in collection: 1,366 [up 6]
Number of TV episodes in collection: 4,794 [no change]
See you next week, faithful reader.
Friday, 15 April 2011
Thursday, 14 April 2011
TV
10 O'Clock Live
1x12 (7/4/11 edition)
[Watch it (again) on 4oD.]
Friday Night Dinner
1x06 The Date [season finale]
It's already been recommissioned. Which is nice, 'cause it's quite good.
[Watch it (again) on 4oD.]
1x12 (7/4/11 edition)
[Watch it (again) on 4oD.]
Friday Night Dinner
1x06 The Date [season finale]
It's already been recommissioned. Which is nice, 'cause it's quite good.
[Watch it (again) on 4oD.]
DVD Extras
Audio commentary by Sidney Lumet on Dog Day Afternoon
Remember I watched this last week? I started listening to the audio commentary then too, just for a bit, and found it rather engrossing, so now I've gone back and listened to the rest.
Lumet: Film Maker
[#43a in 100 Films in a Year 2011]
Vintage documentary short about the making of Dog Day Afternoon, included on the DVD.
The Making of Dog Day Afternoon
A series of four featurettes about... well, obviously. Because they're listed on IMDb separately, they are: The Story, Casting the Controversy, Recreating the Facts and After the Filming.
Remember I watched this last week? I started listening to the audio commentary then too, just for a bit, and found it rather engrossing, so now I've gone back and listened to the rest.
Lumet: Film Maker
[#43a in 100 Films in a Year 2011]
Vintage documentary short about the making of Dog Day Afternoon, included on the DVD.
The Making of Dog Day Afternoon
A series of four featurettes about... well, obviously. Because they're listed on IMDb separately, they are: The Story, Casting the Controversy, Recreating the Facts and After the Filming.
Articles
Blu-ray just gives me the blues by Phelim O'Neill
(from Film Blog at guardian.co.uk)
An interesting (not always entirely factually accurate, I don't think, but interesting) article on the state and potential of the Blu-ray market. Less academic than that makes it sound.
Game Of Thrones by The Numbers by Lesley Goldberg
(from The Hollywood Reporter)
A bunch of stats about HBO's big new fantasy adaptation. How much it costs, how many extras there are, how many beheadings are in the first episode -- that kind of thing.
(from Film Blog at guardian.co.uk)
An interesting (not always entirely factually accurate, I don't think, but interesting) article on the state and potential of the Blu-ray market. Less academic than that makes it sound.
Game Of Thrones by The Numbers by Lesley Goldberg
(from The Hollywood Reporter)
A bunch of stats about HBO's big new fantasy adaptation. How much it costs, how many extras there are, how many beheadings are in the first episode -- that kind of thing.
Wednesday, 13 April 2011
TV
The Crimson Petal and the White
Part 1 (of 4)
Absolutely, strikingly magnificent. It's truly gorgeously shot (especially when seen in HD), beautifully designed, marvellously acted (including at least one very surprising performance), beguilingly written... I actually had goosebumps by the final scenes. If you haven't watched it, I urge you to -- it's phenomenal. If it can keep this level up for the remaining three episodes, it'll be a certified classic in my book.
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
Doctor Who
31x02 The Beast Below [2nd watch]
For the past year (i.e. since it was on) I've been happy to assert that this is the most underrated episode of the 11th Doctor's/Steven Moffat's first series. Having watched it again, I absolutely agree with myself: this is an excellent episode that seems to have been unjustly under-appreciated.
I posit two reasons: one, it followed The Eleventh Hour, which is probably one of the very best Who stories ever; and two, what's so great about it is how (for want of a better word) dark it is. The final 15 minutes (ish) are amongst Who's most hair-raisingly dramatically serious, with the Doctor placed in an impossible moral decision. All credit to Moffat for being willing to take what it is ostensibly a kids' show into such deep territory. It pays dividends, to my mind; and bear in mind that my mind is one that considers Doctor Who's "kids' show" status to be vital to its success in the past and now. The reason such dilemmas and topics work here is because, while they're serious and grown-up, they're serious and grown-up in a way it's appropriate for children to be considering (in my opinion, obviously).
So yes, I love The Beast Below, and anyone who thinks it isn't a good episode is plain Wrong.
Twenty Twelve
1x05 Episode 5
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
Yes Minister
3x07 The Middle-Class Rip-Off [season finale]
Part 1 (of 4)
Absolutely, strikingly magnificent. It's truly gorgeously shot (especially when seen in HD), beautifully designed, marvellously acted (including at least one very surprising performance), beguilingly written... I actually had goosebumps by the final scenes. If you haven't watched it, I urge you to -- it's phenomenal. If it can keep this level up for the remaining three episodes, it'll be a certified classic in my book.
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
Doctor Who
31x02 The Beast Below [2nd watch]
For the past year (i.e. since it was on) I've been happy to assert that this is the most underrated episode of the 11th Doctor's/Steven Moffat's first series. Having watched it again, I absolutely agree with myself: this is an excellent episode that seems to have been unjustly under-appreciated.
I posit two reasons: one, it followed The Eleventh Hour, which is probably one of the very best Who stories ever; and two, what's so great about it is how (for want of a better word) dark it is. The final 15 minutes (ish) are amongst Who's most hair-raisingly dramatically serious, with the Doctor placed in an impossible moral decision. All credit to Moffat for being willing to take what it is ostensibly a kids' show into such deep territory. It pays dividends, to my mind; and bear in mind that my mind is one that considers Doctor Who's "kids' show" status to be vital to its success in the past and now. The reason such dilemmas and topics work here is because, while they're serious and grown-up, they're serious and grown-up in a way it's appropriate for children to be considering (in my opinion, obviously).
So yes, I love The Beast Below, and anyone who thinks it isn't a good episode is plain Wrong.
Twenty Twelve
1x05 Episode 5
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
Yes Minister
3x07 The Middle-Class Rip-Off [season finale]
Articles
The Crimson Petal and the White: Watching my novel reborn on TV by Michel Faber
(from guardian.co.uk)
As you may guess from the title, the author of the novel responds to the currently-running TV adaptation. It's rather pretentious in places, but still worth a read.
"I've never worked quite as hard as this... but look at the two shows I do. It's absolutely worth it." by Benjamin Cook
(from Doctor Who Magazine #433, p.22-31)
A great interview with Doctor Who's head blokey, Steven Moffat, revealing all sorts of things, from his thinking behind this season's unusual structure to what it's like being in charge of two of TV's biggest dramas at the same time. Insightful and surprisingly candid -- great work, Mr Cook and DWM.
Plus there's all sorts of other great stuff in the issue, as per always... so, y'know, buy it.
(from guardian.co.uk)
As you may guess from the title, the author of the novel responds to the currently-running TV adaptation. It's rather pretentious in places, but still worth a read.
"I've never worked quite as hard as this... but look at the two shows I do. It's absolutely worth it." by Benjamin Cook
(from Doctor Who Magazine #433, p.22-31)
A great interview with Doctor Who's head blokey, Steven Moffat, revealing all sorts of things, from his thinking behind this season's unusual structure to what it's like being in charge of two of TV's biggest dramas at the same time. Insightful and surprisingly candid -- great work, Mr Cook and DWM.
Plus there's all sorts of other great stuff in the issue, as per always... so, y'know, buy it.
Tuesday, 12 April 2011
TV
The Event
1x14 A Message Back
Getting increasingly far behind on this. I'll have to make an effort to catch up.
Extraordinary Dogs
1x10 Instinct: The Sixth Sense 2
[Watch it (again) on Demand 5.]
Family Guy
3x15 Ready, Willing, and Disabled
3x16 A Very Special Family Guy Freakin' Christmas
3x17 Brian Wallows and Peter's Swallows
Monroe
1x05 Episode 5
[Watch it (again) on ITV Player.]
$#*! My Dad Says
1x05 Not Without My Jacket
[Watch it (again) on Demand 5.]
1x14 A Message Back
Getting increasingly far behind on this. I'll have to make an effort to catch up.
Extraordinary Dogs
1x10 Instinct: The Sixth Sense 2
[Watch it (again) on Demand 5.]
Family Guy
3x15 Ready, Willing, and Disabled
3x16 A Very Special Family Guy Freakin' Christmas
3x17 Brian Wallows and Peter's Swallows
Monroe
1x05 Episode 5
[Watch it (again) on ITV Player.]
$#*! My Dad Says
1x05 Not Without My Jacket
[Watch it (again) on Demand 5.]
Articles
Kill Bill: The Whole Bloody Affair Has Small Changes That Produce Big Results by Germain Lussier
(from /Film)
Seems they've been screening the single-film cut of Kill Bill in LA to celebrate Tarantino's birthday. Any chance of the long-promised DVD/Blu-ray release too, mm?
Peter Jackson Explains Why He’s Shooting The Hobbit at 48 Frames Per Second by Peter Sciretta
(from /Film)
If you're a filmy person like me, this is very interesting. For the layperson, probably not so much.
(from /Film)
Seems they've been screening the single-film cut of Kill Bill in LA to celebrate Tarantino's birthday. Any chance of the long-promised DVD/Blu-ray release too, mm?
Peter Jackson Explains Why He’s Shooting The Hobbit at 48 Frames Per Second by Peter Sciretta
(from /Film)
If you're a filmy person like me, this is very interesting. For the layperson, probably not so much.
Monday, 11 April 2011
Sunday, 10 April 2011
Films
Dog Day Afternoon (1975)
[#43 in 100 Films in a Year 2011]
Directed by Sidney Lumet, who sadly died yesterday.
[#43 in 100 Films in a Year 2011]
Directed by Sidney Lumet, who sadly died yesterday.
this week on 100 Films
4 new reviews were posted to 100 Films in a Year this week, and they were...
Cloak and Dagger (1946)
The Girl Who Played with Fire (2009)
Monkey Business (1952)
Monsters (2010)
Plus, later tonight look for my review of the final part of the Millennium trilogy, The Girl Who Kicked the Hornets' Nest.
More next Sunday.
Cloak and Dagger (1946)
A World War II espionage thriller about the OSS — spies, basically, and the forerunner to the CIA. Despite all the thrills this should elicit, especially when directed by Fritz Lang, I wasn’t particularly impressed... a bit pedestrian and lacklustre; certainly not up to the other Langs I’ve seen from his time in Hollywood.
The Girl Who Played with Fire (2009)
One solution to the sequel problem is to “make it personal”, and that’s exactly what we get. A journalist and his girlfriend working for Mikael are murdered and Lisbeth is suspected of the crime. It’s somewhere around here that the coincidences begin to pile up. It makes perfect sense as a plot in itself, but in bringing Mikael and Lisbeth back together it doesn’t work
Monkey Business (1952)
we see a happily married couple wind up happily married having been through no real strain... the story consists of “Cary Grant behaves like a college boy” followed by “Ginger Rogers behaves like a stroppy newlywed” followed by “Cary Grant and Ginger Rogers behave like 6-year-olds”.
Monsters (2010)
Expecting an epic SF-action movie where soldiers kitted out with futuristic weaponry battle an alien menace? You might be disappointed... this is a science-fiction film that transcends the sci-fi genre. It’s got more in common with Lost in Translation or Before Sunrise than it does with Independence Day or Battle: Los Angeles.
Plus, later tonight look for my review of the final part of the Millennium trilogy, The Girl Who Kicked the Hornets' Nest.
More next Sunday.
Saturday, 9 April 2011
TV
Britain's Got the Pop Factor ...and Possibly a New Celebrity Jesus Christ Soapstar Superstar Strictly on Ice
[2nd watch]
They repeated this last month to coincide with the new Comic Relief single. It's still remarkably accurate and hilarious funny... but, sadly, it wasn't actually "the talent show to end all talent shows".
[2nd watch]
They repeated this last month to coincide with the new Comic Relief single. It's still remarkably accurate and hilarious funny... but, sadly, it wasn't actually "the talent show to end all talent shows".
Films
The Girl Who Kicked the Hornets' Nest (2009)
[#42 in 100 Films in a Year 2011]
And that concludes my viewing of the Millennium trilogy. You can read my reviews of the first two here and here; my review of this one should be up Sunday night/Monday morning (depending how you look at it).
[#42 in 100 Films in a Year 2011]
And that concludes my viewing of the Millennium trilogy. You can read my reviews of the first two here and here; my review of this one should be up Sunday night/Monday morning (depending how you look at it).
Friday, 8 April 2011
TV
Doctor Who
31x01 The Eleventh Hour [3rd watch]
31x01a Meanwhile in the TARDIS
I've decided to try to re-watch the last series before the new one starts. Once upon a time I was working my way through the relaunched series one a year, but never got round to doing series four or the specials; really ought to go back to that. Anyway, I've got a couple of weeks 'til the sixth run starts; should be enough time for this lot.
Oh, and this time round I'll be watching the two Meanwhile in the TARDIS bits included on the DVD/Blu-rays -- a pair of short scenes that bridge the gap between two stories. This first one plugs the slight gap between The Eleventh Hour and The Beast Below.
Have I Got News For You
41x01 (8/4/11 edition)
Hurrah for HIGNFY being back! Boo for them not showing the extended version thanks to golf. Why is sport always allowed to rule the schedules?
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
House
7x17 Fall From Grace
Helluvan ending on this one...
The Mentalist
3x15 Red Gold
[Watch it (again) on Demand Five.]
31x01 The Eleventh Hour [3rd watch]
31x01a Meanwhile in the TARDIS
I've decided to try to re-watch the last series before the new one starts. Once upon a time I was working my way through the relaunched series one a year, but never got round to doing series four or the specials; really ought to go back to that. Anyway, I've got a couple of weeks 'til the sixth run starts; should be enough time for this lot.
Oh, and this time round I'll be watching the two Meanwhile in the TARDIS bits included on the DVD/Blu-rays -- a pair of short scenes that bridge the gap between two stories. This first one plugs the slight gap between The Eleventh Hour and The Beast Below.
Have I Got News For You
41x01 (8/4/11 edition)
Hurrah for HIGNFY being back! Boo for them not showing the extended version thanks to golf. Why is sport always allowed to rule the schedules?
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
House
7x17 Fall From Grace
Helluvan ending on this one...
The Mentalist
3x15 Red Gold
[Watch it (again) on Demand Five.]
Articles
Behind the scenes of Secret Cinema by Dave Calhoun
(from Time Out London)
Someone in this article describes Secret Cinema as "impressive, if you can put up with a load of Hooray Henrys running around", which is more-or-less how it's always struck me. Despite having no desire to go anywhere near attending one thanks to the latter element, the first is enough to keep it intriguing. Something this article does too -- it refuses to reveal the next film, but has left me dying to know what it is.
(from Time Out London)
Someone in this article describes Secret Cinema as "impressive, if you can put up with a load of Hooray Henrys running around", which is more-or-less how it's always struck me. Despite having no desire to go anywhere near attending one thanks to the latter element, the first is enough to keep it intriguing. Something this article does too -- it refuses to reveal the next film, but has left me dying to know what it is.
Collection Count
Collection Count tracks my DVD/Blu-ray collection via a number of statistics every week.
After the ton of stuff last week, not so much this time. A couple of new BDs, including one upgrade that loses a disc but adds a film (with a different cut of the same feature).
Number of titles in collection: 1,291 [up 2]
Of which DVDs: 1,102 [down 1]
Of which Blu-rays: 189 [up 3]
Number of discs in collection: 3,216 [up 2]
Number of films in collection: 1,360 [up 3]
Number of TV episodes in collection: 4,794 [no change]
See you next week, faithful reader.
After the ton of stuff last week, not so much this time. A couple of new BDs, including one upgrade that loses a disc but adds a film (with a different cut of the same feature).
Number of titles in collection: 1,291 [up 2]
Of which DVDs: 1,102 [down 1]
Of which Blu-rays: 189 [up 3]
Number of discs in collection: 3,216 [up 2]
Number of films in collection: 1,360 [up 3]
Number of TV episodes in collection: 4,794 [no change]
See you next week, faithful reader.
Thursday, 7 April 2011
TV
10 O'Clock Live
1x11 (31/3/11 edition)
[Watch it (again) on 4oD.]
Friday Night Dinner
1x05 The Mercedes
[Watch it (again) on 4oD.]
Twenty Twelve
1x04 Episode 4
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
1x11 (31/3/11 edition)
[Watch it (again) on 4oD.]
Friday Night Dinner
1x05 The Mercedes
[Watch it (again) on 4oD.]
Twenty Twelve
1x04 Episode 4
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
Articles
Spoiler Alert! by Chris
(from Catmachine)
Or, why some people who obsess about spoilers are stupid. The Joss Whedon/Buffy example is mind-boggling but priceless.
Be warned though, this article contains spoilers for The Sixth Sense and The Usual Suspects (I'm nice really, see).
(from Catmachine)
Or, why some people who obsess about spoilers are stupid. The Joss Whedon/Buffy example is mind-boggling but priceless.
Be warned though, this article contains spoilers for The Sixth Sense and The Usual Suspects (I'm nice really, see).
Wednesday, 6 April 2011
TV
Family Guy
3x11 Emission Impossible
3x12 To Love and Die in Dixie [2nd watch]
3x13 Screwed the Pooch
3x14 Peter Griffin: Husband, Father...Brother?
Just Good Friends
3x01 Paris
The Mentalist
3x14 Blood For Blood
Good ending, but implausible setup -- surely a witness of that level would have more than one officer guarding him?!
[Watch it (again) on Demand Five.]
Monroe
1x04 Episode 4
[Watch it (again) on ITV Player.]
3x11 Emission Impossible
3x12 To Love and Die in Dixie [2nd watch]
3x13 Screwed the Pooch
3x14 Peter Griffin: Husband, Father...Brother?
Just Good Friends
3x01 Paris
The Mentalist
3x14 Blood For Blood
Good ending, but implausible setup -- surely a witness of that level would have more than one officer guarding him?!
[Watch it (again) on Demand Five.]
Monroe
1x04 Episode 4
[Watch it (again) on ITV Player.]
Articles
BBC Doctor Who Press Screening roundup by Chuck Foster
(from Doctor Who News Page)
Does what it says on the tin. And it's a nicely thorough one, with lots of interesting quotes -- not all of them sycophantically positive either.
Where did all the projectionists go? by David Jenkins
(from Time Out London)
But that's rubbish. Digital projection offers a more consistently high-quality experience -- you don't get damaged prints, you get badly-configured projectors less often, and so on. And as a projectionist in the article notes, "I don’t think 35mm projection was ever an art. It’s more a routine job with an opportunity to produce an okay presentation standard. There’s no personal signature".
The article's still worth a read, I just don't think (even as a fan of film and grain and so on) it's as much of a loss as some do.
(from Doctor Who News Page)
Does what it says on the tin. And it's a nicely thorough one, with lots of interesting quotes -- not all of them sycophantically positive either.
Where did all the projectionists go? by David Jenkins
(from Time Out London)
A quiet revolution is going on behind your back at the cinema. Old-style projectors are making way for spanking new hard drives. But is this a good or a bad thing?There's a lot of nostalgia attached to projection and the 'art' of the projectionist; reaction to this article on twitter, for example, seemed largely to bemoan the death of 35mm projection in favour of digital.
But that's rubbish. Digital projection offers a more consistently high-quality experience -- you don't get damaged prints, you get badly-configured projectors less often, and so on. And as a projectionist in the article notes, "I don’t think 35mm projection was ever an art. It’s more a routine job with an opportunity to produce an okay presentation standard. There’s no personal signature".
The article's still worth a read, I just don't think (even as a fan of film and grain and so on) it's as much of a loss as some do.
Tuesday, 5 April 2011
TV
Extraordinary Dogs
1x09 A Study of Strength
[Watch it (again) on Demand 5.]
$#*! My Dad Says
1x04 Code Ed
[Watch it (again) on Demand 5.]
Silk
1x06 Episode 6 [season finale]
That's how you end a series when you're unsure of a second run -- Outcasts producers, take note. Also a damn good ending to a damn good series, so thank goodness there will be a second run.
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
1x09 A Study of Strength
[Watch it (again) on Demand 5.]
$#*! My Dad Says
1x04 Code Ed
[Watch it (again) on Demand 5.]
Silk
1x06 Episode 6 [season finale]
That's how you end a series when you're unsure of a second run -- Outcasts producers, take note. Also a damn good ending to a damn good series, so thank goodness there will be a second run.
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
Monday, 4 April 2011
TV
The Event
1x13 Turnabout
[Watch it (again) on 4oD.]
Law & Order: UK
4x04 Duty of Care
Another particularly good one -- they're on a roll this series.
[Watch it (again) on ITV Player.]
1x13 Turnabout
[Watch it (again) on 4oD.]
Law & Order: UK
4x04 Duty of Care
Another particularly good one -- they're on a roll this series.
[Watch it (again) on ITV Player.]
Films
Monsters (2010)
[#40 in 100 Films in a Year 2011]
It was almost a lovely coincidence: last year's #39 was another Brit-written/directed/produced flick set in America starring Americans, Kick-Ass. If only I'd watched Monsters slightly sooner...
[#40 in 100 Films in a Year 2011]
It was almost a lovely coincidence: last year's #39 was another Brit-written/directed/produced flick set in America starring Americans, Kick-Ass. If only I'd watched Monsters slightly sooner...
Sunday, 3 April 2011
TV
Family Guy
3x09 Mr. Saturday Knight
3x10 A Fish Out of Water
House
7x16 Out of the Chute
The Killing [aka Forbrydelsen]
1x20 Day 20 [season finale]
And, thankfully, The Killing II will be on later this year.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
3x09 Mr. Saturday Knight
3x10 A Fish Out of Water
House
7x16 Out of the Chute
The Killing [aka Forbrydelsen]
1x20 Day 20 [season finale]
And, thankfully, The Killing II will be on later this year.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
this week on 100 Films
2 new reviews were posted to 100 Films in a Year this week, and they were...
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (2009)
Synecdoche, New York (2008)
This week also sees a couple of other updates: firstly, the monthly summary for March -- in short: it's going well -- and secondly, I was nominated for a Stylish Blogger Award. Read about it (in the comments) on the about page. Plus, my review of The Girl Who Played With Fire will be available from midnight tonight.
More next Sunday.
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (2009)
The original title translates as Men Who Hate Women, which is certainly very apt. The subject matter is grim and dark; horribly plausible, in fact. It’s unwaveringly depicted with some brutal, hard-to-watch scenes. They’re not exploitative though, as a lesser film merrily would be, and that makes them appropriate to the tale being told.
Synecdoche, New York (2008)
starts out like a relatively normal comedy/drama… but then weird touches begin to crop in. A house that’s on fire when a character buys it and continues to be on fire for the next several decades, for instance. No one in the film bats an eyelid. Then the really weird bit arrives... as Philip Seymour Hoffman’s theatre director begins to construct a life-size New York within a warehouse.
This week also sees a couple of other updates: firstly, the monthly summary for March -- in short: it's going well -- and secondly, I was nominated for a Stylish Blogger Award. Read about it (in the comments) on the about page. Plus, my review of The Girl Who Played With Fire will be available from midnight tonight.
More next Sunday.
Saturday, 2 April 2011
TV
Just Good Friends
3x00 Christmas Special
It might seem like it was only recently, with Rock & Chips, that John Sullivan unveiled his long-held desire to write Proper Drama as well as comedy. This feature-length edition of Just Good Friends -- which tells the backstory of the characters, so central to the series proper -- tells a different story: it's surprisingly serious and, at times, quite dark... and it was made 25 years before Rock & Chips.
The Killing [aka Forbrydelsen]
1x19 Day 19
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
3x00 Christmas Special
It might seem like it was only recently, with Rock & Chips, that John Sullivan unveiled his long-held desire to write Proper Drama as well as comedy. This feature-length edition of Just Good Friends -- which tells the backstory of the characters, so central to the series proper -- tells a different story: it's surprisingly serious and, at times, quite dark... and it was made 25 years before Rock & Chips.
The Killing [aka Forbrydelsen]
1x19 Day 19
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Friday, 1 April 2011
TV
Friday Night Dinner
1x04 The Dress
[Watch it (again) on 4oD.]
This is Britain with Andrew Marr
Rather interesting survey of what the census tells us about Britain and how it's changed -- or hasn't --, often in surprising ways.
1x04 The Dress
[Watch it (again) on 4oD.]
This is Britain with Andrew Marr
Rather interesting survey of what the census tells us about Britain and how it's changed -- or hasn't --, often in surprising ways.
Articles
His Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy: George R. R. Martin Talks Game of Thrones by Dave Itzkoff
(from Arts Beat at The New York Times)
That'd be the author of the fantasy book series talking about the forthcoming much-anticipated TV adaptation, amongst other things. Good interview.
Source Code is the best reviewed studio movie of the year so far and why that's great news by Mike Sampson
(from JoBlo.com)
Title sums up the topic. Read it to see why.
(from Arts Beat at The New York Times)
That'd be the author of the fantasy book series talking about the forthcoming much-anticipated TV adaptation, amongst other things. Good interview.
Source Code is the best reviewed studio movie of the year so far and why that's great news by Mike Sampson
(from JoBlo.com)
Title sums up the topic. Read it to see why.
Collection Count
Collection Count tracks my DVD/Blu-ray collection via a number of statistics every week.
Quite a few shiny updates this week, most of them arriving last minute (i.e. yesterday or this morning), including the two TV series I mentioned last week, a DVD-to-BD upgrade, and a set of DVD-to-DVD upgrades. Typically, the last two were the ones that arrived this morning, so working all that out last-minute is why this update is a couple of hours late (not that anyone's noticed, I'm sure).
If you're interested, despite only going up 4, there's a total of 7 new acquisitions with 24 discs factored in this week.
There would've been one more too, but somehow my copy of Sin City had two Disc 2s and no Disc 1. Madness. It was ordered from bee.com, who don't do replacements (they do refunds, of course; they legally have to). The idea being you re-order if you have to return... except most of the stuff they sell seems to be limited stock sold dirt cheap, so by the time you've realised you need a replacement it's too late. Grr.
One other title is from them this week. It was new & sealed, but is marked "Rental Only. Not For Resale." I think I might give bee.com a miss from now on...
Number of titles in collection: 1,289 [up 4]
Of which DVDs: 1,103 [up 1]
Of which Blu-rays: 186 [up 3]
Number of discs in collection: 3,214 [up 15]
Number of films in collection: 1,357 [up 4]
Number of TV episodes in collection: 4,794 [up 35]
Plus this week it's time for a running time update -- which just made adding those upgrades take even longer -- but anyway...
Total running time of collection (approx.):
230 days, 18 hours, and 55 minutes.
(Up 2 days, 8 hours, and 23 minutes from last month.)
See you next week, faithful reader.
Quite a few shiny updates this week, most of them arriving last minute (i.e. yesterday or this morning), including the two TV series I mentioned last week, a DVD-to-BD upgrade, and a set of DVD-to-DVD upgrades. Typically, the last two were the ones that arrived this morning, so working all that out last-minute is why this update is a couple of hours late (not that anyone's noticed, I'm sure).
If you're interested, despite only going up 4, there's a total of 7 new acquisitions with 24 discs factored in this week.
There would've been one more too, but somehow my copy of Sin City had two Disc 2s and no Disc 1. Madness. It was ordered from bee.com, who don't do replacements (they do refunds, of course; they legally have to). The idea being you re-order if you have to return... except most of the stuff they sell seems to be limited stock sold dirt cheap, so by the time you've realised you need a replacement it's too late. Grr.
One other title is from them this week. It was new & sealed, but is marked "Rental Only. Not For Resale." I think I might give bee.com a miss from now on...
Number of titles in collection: 1,289 [up 4]
Of which DVDs: 1,103 [up 1]
Of which Blu-rays: 186 [up 3]
Number of discs in collection: 3,214 [up 15]
Number of films in collection: 1,357 [up 4]
Number of TV episodes in collection: 4,794 [up 35]
Plus this week it's time for a running time update -- which just made adding those upgrades take even longer -- but anyway...
Total running time of collection (approx.):
230 days, 18 hours, and 55 minutes.
(Up 2 days, 8 hours, and 23 minutes from last month.)
See you next week, faithful reader.
Thursday, 31 March 2011
TV
10 O'Clock Live
1x10 (24/3/11 edition)
[Watch it (again) on 4oD.]
Monroe
1x03 Episode 3
[Watch it (again) on ITV Player.]
1x10 (24/3/11 edition)
[Watch it (again) on 4oD.]
Monroe
1x03 Episode 3
[Watch it (again) on ITV Player.]
Articles
Dirk Gently series commissioned by Paul Jones
(from Radio Times News)
I enjoyed the pilot, so this is super news.
Outnumbered renewed for fourth season by Catriona Wightman
(from Digital Spy)
And another bit of recommission excellence.
Thinking with another man's mind by Roger Ebert
(from rogerebert.com)
Ebert is always worth a read, so his review of Source Code is no exception. Sounds great too. And it reminds me that I really need to watch Moon...
(from Radio Times News)
I enjoyed the pilot, so this is super news.
Outnumbered renewed for fourth season by Catriona Wightman
(from Digital Spy)
And another bit of recommission excellence.
Thinking with another man's mind by Roger Ebert
(from rogerebert.com)
Ebert is always worth a read, so his review of Source Code is no exception. Sounds great too. And it reminds me that I really need to watch Moon...
Wednesday, 30 March 2011
TV
Family Guy
3x05 And the Wiener Is...
3x06 Death Lives
3x07 Lethal Weapons [2nd watch]
3x08 The Kiss Seen Around the World
The Killing [aka Forbrydelsen]
1x18 Day 18
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Twenty Twelve
1x03 Episode 3
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
3x05 And the Wiener Is...
3x06 Death Lives
3x07 Lethal Weapons [2nd watch]
3x08 The Kiss Seen Around the World
The Killing [aka Forbrydelsen]
1x18 Day 18
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Twenty Twelve
1x03 Episode 3
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
Trailers
Doctor Who Series 6 Trailer
As they mucked up the broadcast, catch it online. It's brilliant and ever so exciting.
As they mucked up the broadcast, catch it online. It's brilliant and ever so exciting.
Tuesday, 29 March 2011
TV
Family Guy
3x01 The Thin White Line
3x02 Brian Does Hollywood
3x03 Mr. Griffin Goes to Washington
3x04 One If by Clam, Two If by Sea
Mark Lawson Talks To
David Mitchell
I ought to make more of an effort to watch Lawson's interviews more often, he's really very good.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
$#*! My Dad Says
1x03 The Truth About Dads & Moms
[Watch it (again) on Demand 5.]
Silk
1x05 Episode 5
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
3x01 The Thin White Line
3x02 Brian Does Hollywood
3x03 Mr. Griffin Goes to Washington
3x04 One If by Clam, Two If by Sea
Mark Lawson Talks To
David Mitchell
I ought to make more of an effort to watch Lawson's interviews more often, he's really very good.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
$#*! My Dad Says
1x03 The Truth About Dads & Moms
[Watch it (again) on Demand 5.]
Silk
1x05 Episode 5
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
Articles
New Tree Of Life Poster Online by Phil de Semlyen
(from Empire)
Empire managed to create something of a fuss online by revealing the UK release date for this film -- they were branded liars and contradicted by grumpy, self-righteous US critics -- but it looks like they were right after all. Fortunately, such kerfuffle has been somewhat overshadowed by this rather intriguing poster.
Why The Dark Knight Rises Could Be The Most Important Superhero Movie Ever by Devin Faraci
(from Badass Digest)
If we're lucky. But more than that, this is quite well-reasoned and reasonable (as opposed to just "cos Chris Nolan is awesome dude!")
(from Empire)
Empire managed to create something of a fuss online by revealing the UK release date for this film -- they were branded liars and contradicted by grumpy, self-righteous US critics -- but it looks like they were right after all. Fortunately, such kerfuffle has been somewhat overshadowed by this rather intriguing poster.
Why The Dark Knight Rises Could Be The Most Important Superhero Movie Ever by Devin Faraci
(from Badass Digest)
If we're lucky. But more than that, this is quite well-reasoned and reasonable (as opposed to just "cos Chris Nolan is awesome dude!")
Monday, 28 March 2011
Articles
2011.12: Raging Bull (1980) **** by ghostof82
(from Musings of the Ghost Of 82)
Ignore the title -- this is more about "the further difficulties of commenting on first watching a film so many years after it was made", and has some interesting things to say on that topic (some of them through the prism of Raging Bull).
(from Musings of the Ghost Of 82)
Ignore the title -- this is more about "the further difficulties of commenting on first watching a film so many years after it was made", and has some interesting things to say on that topic (some of them through the prism of Raging Bull).
Sunday, 27 March 2011
TV
House
7x15 Bombshells
Taub loves classic Doctor Who? Butch and Sundance spoof? "Good thing I brought my axe-cane"? Best. House. Ever.
The Killing [aka Forbrydelsen]
1x17 Day 17
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
7x15 Bombshells
Taub loves classic Doctor Who? Butch and Sundance spoof? "Good thing I brought my axe-cane"? Best. House. Ever.
The Killing [aka Forbrydelsen]
1x17 Day 17
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Films
3 Men and a Baby (1987)
[2nd watch]
This is one of those many films and TV series (like, for instance, Due South) that I know I saw when I was young but don't really remember any specifics of any more. Good fun, though I think it loses its way when the mother turns up -- no one asks or explains why she left the baby and where she's been!
Oh, and it's directed by Leonard Nimoy! Spock! Spock directed this! Madness.
High Plains Drifter (1973)
[#36 in 100 Films in a Year 2011]
Young Guns (1988)
[#37 in 100 Films in a Year 2011]
Good day for films, eh? And, quite by coincidence, two new Westerns too.
[2nd watch]
This is one of those many films and TV series (like, for instance, Due South) that I know I saw when I was young but don't really remember any specifics of any more. Good fun, though I think it loses its way when the mother turns up -- no one asks or explains why she left the baby and where she's been!
Oh, and it's directed by Leonard Nimoy! Spock! Spock directed this! Madness.
High Plains Drifter (1973)
[#36 in 100 Films in a Year 2011]
Young Guns (1988)
[#37 in 100 Films in a Year 2011]
Good day for films, eh? And, quite by coincidence, two new Westerns too.
this week on 100 Films
2 new reviews were posted to 100 Films in a Year this week, both of animated films, and they were...
Bolt (2008)
Lupin the Third: The Castle of Cagliostro (1979)
I also had a little ponder about star ratings, which can be read here. Plus you can read my review of The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (at that link) from midnight tonight.
More next Sunday.
Bolt (2008)
the 48th film in Disney’s animated canon, from their CG-only era that filled most of the ’00s. It’s a period already remembered as When Disney Lost Its Way... Things are looking up — it’s been followed by The Princess and the Frog — but it may be Bolt that comes to be seen as the true turning point, because it’s actually rather good.
Lupin the Third: The Castle of Cagliostro (1979)
Steven Spielberg reportedly called it “one of the greatest adventure movies of all time”, and I’m inclined to agree. For starters, the action sequences are brilliant — exciting, inventive and varied. I don’t know if Spielberg saw this before tackling any of the Indiana Joneses, but you can feel the tonal connection.
I also had a little ponder about star ratings, which can be read here. Plus you can read my review of The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (at that link) from midnight tonight.
More next Sunday.
Saturday, 26 March 2011
Friday, 25 March 2011
TV
Doctor Who
32x00a The Prequel to Episode 1
Doctor Who returns to our screens in a month's time, on Saturday 23rd April, but here's a short (under two minutes) prequel to the first story, The Impossible Astronaut/Day of the Moon. It's more teaser trailer than mini-episode, but then they can hardly go putting an essential scene here -- it'll only be seen by a small fraction of the audience for the real episode. Still, nice little tease.
[Watch it on the BBC Doctor Who website.]
Family Guy
2x20 Wasted Talent
2x21 Fore Father [season finale]
3x22 When You Wish Upon a Weinstein [season finale; 2nd watch]
The Killing [aka Forbrydelsen]
1x16 Day 16
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
The Mentalist
3x13 Red Alert
Having earlier this season downloaded it because Five -- sorry, Channel 5 -- weren't showing it quickly enough, I now find myself catching up on them again. C'est la vie.
[Watch it (again) on Demand Five.]
Yes Minister
3x04 The Moral Dimension [2nd watch]
32x00a The Prequel to Episode 1
Doctor Who returns to our screens in a month's time, on Saturday 23rd April, but here's a short (under two minutes) prequel to the first story, The Impossible Astronaut/Day of the Moon. It's more teaser trailer than mini-episode, but then they can hardly go putting an essential scene here -- it'll only be seen by a small fraction of the audience for the real episode. Still, nice little tease.
[Watch it on the BBC Doctor Who website.]
Family Guy
2x20 Wasted Talent
2x21 Fore Father [season finale]
3x22 When You Wish Upon a Weinstein [season finale; 2nd watch]
The Killing [aka Forbrydelsen]
1x16 Day 16
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
The Mentalist
3x13 Red Alert
Having earlier this season downloaded it because Five -- sorry, Channel 5 -- weren't showing it quickly enough, I now find myself catching up on them again. C'est la vie.
[Watch it (again) on Demand Five.]
Yes Minister
3x04 The Moral Dimension [2nd watch]
Films
The Three Musketeers Teaser Trailer
I know what I should think, but I can't decide if this actually looks bloody awful or bloody awesome.
I know what I should think, but I can't decide if this actually looks bloody awful or bloody awesome.
Collection Count
Collection Count tracks my DVD/Blu-ray collection via a number of statistics every week.
Two TV series make the number-boosting this week. Should be some more next week too.
Number of titles in collection: 1,285 [up 2]
Of which DVDs: 1,102 [up 1]
Of which Blu-rays: 183 [up 1]
Number of discs in collection: 3,199 [up 7]
Number of films in collection: 1,353 [no change]
Number of TV episodes in collection: 4,759 [up 22]
See you next week, faithful reader.
Two TV series make the number-boosting this week. Should be some more next week too.
Number of titles in collection: 1,285 [up 2]
Of which DVDs: 1,102 [up 1]
Of which Blu-rays: 183 [up 1]
Number of discs in collection: 3,199 [up 7]
Number of films in collection: 1,353 [no change]
Number of TV episodes in collection: 4,759 [up 22]
See you next week, faithful reader.
Thursday, 24 March 2011
TV
10 O'Clock Live
1x09 (17/3/11 edition)
[Watch it (again) on 4oD.]
Family Guy
2x16 There's Something About Paulie
2x17 He's Too Sexy for His Fat
2x18 E. Peterbus Unum
2x19 The Story on Page One
Monroe
1x02 Episode 2
[Watch it (again) on ITV Player.]
Yes Minister
3x03 The Skeleton in the Cupboard
1x09 (17/3/11 edition)
[Watch it (again) on 4oD.]
Family Guy
2x16 There's Something About Paulie
2x17 He's Too Sexy for His Fat
2x18 E. Peterbus Unum
2x19 The Story on Page One
Monroe
1x02 Episode 2
[Watch it (again) on ITV Player.]
Yes Minister
3x03 The Skeleton in the Cupboard
Wednesday, 23 March 2011
TV
Christopher and His Kind
Quite good, though I have to say I wasn't that enamoured with Matt Smith in it. Good work from Imogen Poots and Pip Carter though.
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
Extraordinary Dogs
1x08 Critical Sight
[Watch it (again) on Demand 5.]
The Killing [aka Forbrydelsen]
1x15 Day 15
OK, this is definitely the final story arc now... right?
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Quite good, though I have to say I wasn't that enamoured with Matt Smith in it. Good work from Imogen Poots and Pip Carter though.
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
Extraordinary Dogs
1x08 Critical Sight
[Watch it (again) on Demand 5.]
The Killing [aka Forbrydelsen]
1x15 Day 15
OK, this is definitely the final story arc now... right?
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Tuesday, 22 March 2011
TV
24 Hour Panel People
Episode 5 (of 5)
As the highlights series reaches its end, we've had clips from every game played except for two. I can only presume Room 101 and What's My Line just weren't funny enough.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
$#*! My Dad Says
1x02 Wi-Fight
[Watch it (again) on Demand 5.]
Silk
1x04 Episode 4
Tough night for Clive in this episode! I imagine it'll all work out in his favour though, it usually seems to.
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
Twenty Twelve
1x02 Episode 2
I won't be surprised if this turns out to be the best thing to come of next year's London Olympics.
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
Episode 5 (of 5)
As the highlights series reaches its end, we've had clips from every game played except for two. I can only presume Room 101 and What's My Line just weren't funny enough.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
$#*! My Dad Says
1x02 Wi-Fight
[Watch it (again) on Demand 5.]
Silk
1x04 Episode 4
Tough night for Clive in this episode! I imagine it'll all work out in his favour though, it usually seems to.
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
Twenty Twelve
1x02 Episode 2
I won't be surprised if this turns out to be the best thing to come of next year's London Olympics.
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
Monday, 21 March 2011
TV
The Event
1x11 And Then There Were More
1x12 Inostranka
A few people still seem to slag off The Event. Not entirely sure why -- it's not the greatest show ever, but it's better than something like FlashForward and it moves at a fair lick. I've missed it a little bit these past three months, and this double-bill return (only a week behind the US, as it turns out) certainly hits the ground running and keeps the pace up, so hurrah.
[Watch And Then There Were More and Inostranka (again) on 4oD.]
The Graham Norton Show
8x20 (11/3/11 edition) [season finale]
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
House
7x14 Recession Proof
Law & Order: UK
4x02 Denial
[Watch it (again) on ITV Player.]
Yes Minister
3x02 The Challenge
1x11 And Then There Were More
1x12 Inostranka
A few people still seem to slag off The Event. Not entirely sure why -- it's not the greatest show ever, but it's better than something like FlashForward and it moves at a fair lick. I've missed it a little bit these past three months, and this double-bill return (only a week behind the US, as it turns out) certainly hits the ground running and keeps the pace up, so hurrah.
[Watch And Then There Were More and Inostranka (again) on 4oD.]
The Graham Norton Show
8x20 (11/3/11 edition) [season finale]
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
House
7x14 Recession Proof
Law & Order: UK
4x02 Denial
[Watch it (again) on ITV Player.]
Yes Minister
3x02 The Challenge
Sunday, 20 March 2011
TV
Family Guy
2x11 A Picture is Worth a 1,000 Bucks
2x12 Fifteen Minutes of Shame
2x13 Road to Rhode Island [2nd watch]
2x14 Let's Go to the Hop
2x15 Dammit Janet!
2x11 A Picture is Worth a 1,000 Bucks
2x12 Fifteen Minutes of Shame
2x13 Road to Rhode Island [2nd watch]
2x14 Let's Go to the Hop
2x15 Dammit Janet!
this week on 100 Films
5 new reviews were posted to 100 Films in a Year this week, including three from 1953 (for no particular reason). And they were...
The Big Heat (1953)
Genevieve (1953)
Let Me In (2010)
Let the Right One In (2008)
Roman Holiday (1953)
Having posted reviews of both Let the Right One In and its remake, I also did a bit of a comparison, which you can read here.
More next Sunday.
The Big Heat (1953)
The cast are excellent. Glenn Ford is a suitably square-jawed lead; Alexander Scourby a detestable gentleman-villain; Lee Marvin a truly brutal thug. The best part goes to Gloria Grahame however, in a role that moves from a ditzy minor broad to so much more. In the performance stakes, it’s certainly her film.
Genevieve (1953)
The titular Genevieve is a classic car — bearing in mind this was made in the early ’50s, we’re talking properly classic — that takes part in a two-day drive from London to Brighton and back again. It’s not a race, though competing friends turn it into one. That’s about the gist of it.
Let Me In (2010)
The nighttime scenes are bathed in the orange glow of street-lighting, a nice choice of colour scheme as it’s evocative of the real world, especially as it’s not unnaturally overdone: the colour is abundant where there is such lighting, but more natural tones are used in forests, etc.
Let the Right One In (2008)
We’re used to vampire films being Dark, visually, due to the necessity of a nighttime setting, but here the snow-covered locale makes most of the night scenes bright and white. Alfredson emphasises this with wide compositions that fill the frame with the white stuff.
Roman Holiday (1953)
Hepburn seems to be effortlessly likeable, and it’s easy to sympathise with the idea that seeing the sights and having fun in an iconic city is a lot more better than meeting a bunch of stuffy old men.
Having posted reviews of both Let the Right One In and its remake, I also did a bit of a comparison, which you can read here.
More next Sunday.
Saturday, 19 March 2011
TV
Comic Relief 2011
The post-midnight bit, obviously, which (unlike Children in Need) actually includes new, good stuff. Particularly liked the celeb version of Newport State of Mind.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Jack and Kevin's Comic Relief Lock In
Comic Relief's regular "the main show's over so here's a pre-recorded clip show" bit, featuring some familiar sketches/sitcom clips alongside some never-shown-on-TV-before bits. Personally I hadn't see the majority, so that was nice.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Outcasts
1x08 Episode 8 [series finale]
And that's that. I shan't really miss it, and neither will most people, though it did get better towards the end. Nonetheless, I'm sure it'll be largely forgotten. Some mysteries left hanging though -- damn the makers' assumption they'd get a second run! Maybe someone will answer them at some point, somehow...
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
Yes Minister
3x01 Equal Opportunities
The post-midnight bit, obviously, which (unlike Children in Need) actually includes new, good stuff. Particularly liked the celeb version of Newport State of Mind.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Jack and Kevin's Comic Relief Lock In
Comic Relief's regular "the main show's over so here's a pre-recorded clip show" bit, featuring some familiar sketches/sitcom clips alongside some never-shown-on-TV-before bits. Personally I hadn't see the majority, so that was nice.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Outcasts
1x08 Episode 8 [series finale]
And that's that. I shan't really miss it, and neither will most people, though it did get better towards the end. Nonetheless, I'm sure it'll be largely forgotten. Some mysteries left hanging though -- damn the makers' assumption they'd get a second run! Maybe someone will answer them at some point, somehow...
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
Yes Minister
3x01 Equal Opportunities
Articles
The First Films by Peter Bogdanovich
(from Blogdanovich)
(from Blogdanovich)
Today is the 116th anniversary of the first day ever a film was shot: March 19, 1895, in Lyon, France.Good piece on this subject, basically.
Friday, 18 March 2011
TV
Comic Relief 2011
Very good one this year, I think -- lots of entertaining sketches and powerful films.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Very good one this year, I think -- lots of entertaining sketches and powerful films.
[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 numbers go a couple up this week. Lovely.
Number of titles in collection: 1,283 [up 3]
Of which DVDs: 1,101 [no change]
Of which Blu-rays: 182 [up 3]
Number of discs in collection: 3,192 [up 3]
Number of films in collection: 1,353 [up 4]
Number of TV episodes in collection: 4,737 [no change]
See you next week, faithful reader.
A couple of numbers go a couple up this week. Lovely.
Number of titles in collection: 1,283 [up 3]
Of which DVDs: 1,101 [no change]
Of which Blu-rays: 182 [up 3]
Number of discs in collection: 3,192 [up 3]
Number of films in collection: 1,353 [up 4]
Number of TV episodes in collection: 4,737 [no change]
See you next week, faithful reader.
Thursday, 17 March 2011
TV
10 O'Clock Live
1x08 (10/3/11 edition)
[Watch it (again) on 4oD.]
24 Hour Panel People
Episode 4 (of 5)
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Extraordinary Dogs
1x07 Instinct: The Sixth Sense 1
[Watch it (again) on Demand 5.]
Friday Night Dinner
1x03 The Curtains
[Watch it (again) on 4oD.]
1x08 (10/3/11 edition)
[Watch it (again) on 4oD.]
24 Hour Panel People
Episode 4 (of 5)
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Extraordinary Dogs
1x07 Instinct: The Sixth Sense 1
[Watch it (again) on Demand 5.]
Friday Night Dinner
1x03 The Curtains
[Watch it (again) on 4oD.]
Wednesday, 16 March 2011
TV
24 Hour Panel People
Episode 3 (of 5)
Including Celebrity Juice, which is even worse than I always thought it was, something I didn't think possible. People actually watch this for pleasure? Really? Seriously? Seriously?
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Family Guy
2x08 I Am Peter, Hear Me Roar [2nd watch]
Let's Dance for Comic Relief 2011
Episode 4 (of 4)
Very pleased about the winner. Made even better by seeing how annoyed the runner-up was, especially as he clearly thought he was going to win when the final two were announced. (In all honesty, I don't like him at the best of times, but that was especially satisfying.)
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
Monroe
1x01 Episode 1
Very good. I can see why there are constant comparisons to House in the press -- it's about a genius doctor, after all -- but they're also a tad unfair, because as a programme it's not really very like House.
I didn't like the music though; bit too far down the jolly route.
[Watch it (again) on ITV Player.]
Episode 3 (of 5)
Including Celebrity Juice, which is even worse than I always thought it was, something I didn't think possible. People actually watch this for pleasure? Really? Seriously? Seriously?
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Family Guy
2x08 I Am Peter, Hear Me Roar [2nd watch]
Let's Dance for Comic Relief 2011
Episode 4 (of 4)
Very pleased about the winner. Made even better by seeing how annoyed the runner-up was, especially as he clearly thought he was going to win when the final two were announced. (In all honesty, I don't like him at the best of times, but that was especially satisfying.)
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
Monroe
1x01 Episode 1
Very good. I can see why there are constant comparisons to House in the press -- it's about a genius doctor, after all -- but they're also a tad unfair, because as a programme it's not really very like House.
I didn't like the music though; bit too far down the jolly route.
[Watch it (again) on ITV Player.]
Tuesday, 15 March 2011
TV
24 Hour Panel People
Episode 2 (of 5)
A very game-show-y episode, in some cases a bit too cut-down. Oh well.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
How TV Ruined Your Life
1x06 Knowledge [final episode]
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
$#*! My Dad Says
1x01 Pilot
Hm, well, we'll see.
[Watch it (again) on Demand 5.]
Silk
1x03 Episode 3
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
Stand Up for the Week
2x01 (12/3/11 edition)
Slightly surprised to see this back. Still not sure if I like it or not.
Though Micky Flanagan's material is typically out of date. A routine about Gok Wan? Really? His show started five years ago and Flanagan begins, "there's this guy on TV now called Gok Wan". Ugh.
[Watch it (again) on 4oD.]
Twenty Twelve
1x01 Episode 1
As it turned out, very topical. They couldn't've asked for more.
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
Episode 2 (of 5)
A very game-show-y episode, in some cases a bit too cut-down. Oh well.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
How TV Ruined Your Life
1x06 Knowledge [final episode]
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
$#*! My Dad Says
1x01 Pilot
Hm, well, we'll see.
[Watch it (again) on Demand 5.]
Silk
1x03 Episode 3
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
Stand Up for the Week
2x01 (12/3/11 edition)
Slightly surprised to see this back. Still not sure if I like it or not.
Though Micky Flanagan's material is typically out of date. A routine about Gok Wan? Really? His show started five years ago and Flanagan begins, "there's this guy on TV now called Gok Wan". Ugh.
[Watch it (again) on 4oD.]
Twenty Twelve
1x01 Episode 1
As it turned out, very topical. They couldn't've asked for more.
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
Articles
Quarantine 2 Trailer Goes Viral by Owen Williams
(from Empire)
So the first film was criticised for being a shot-for-shot remake of the original, but the sequel -- sequels of course being known for their repetitive derivativeness -- is nothing like the plot of either the first film or the original's sequel? Mind = blown.
Steven Spielberg on Tintin: ‘It made me more like a painter than ever before’ by Rachel Abramowitz
(from Hero Complex at Los Angeles Times)
A brief, interesting piece on why Spielberg chose motion capture to realise his forthcoming Tintin film.
(from Empire)
So the first film was criticised for being a shot-for-shot remake of the original, but the sequel -- sequels of course being known for their repetitive derivativeness -- is nothing like the plot of either the first film or the original's sequel? Mind = blown.
Steven Spielberg on Tintin: ‘It made me more like a painter than ever before’ by Rachel Abramowitz
(from Hero Complex at Los Angeles Times)
A brief, interesting piece on why Spielberg chose motion capture to realise his forthcoming Tintin film.
Monday, 14 March 2011
TV
24 Hour Panel People
Episode 1 (of 5)
Remember when this happened live? Well now here's the highlights.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
House
7x13 Two Stories
An exceptionally entertaining episode, I thought.
Law & Order: UK
4x01 Help
[Watch it (again) on ITV Player.]
Yes Minister
2x07 A Question of Loyalty [season finale]
Episode 1 (of 5)
Remember when this happened live? Well now here's the highlights.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
House
7x13 Two Stories
An exceptionally entertaining episode, I thought.
Law & Order: UK
4x01 Help
[Watch it (again) on ITV Player.]
Yes Minister
2x07 A Question of Loyalty [season finale]
Articles
Interview: Ben Richards, writer/creator of Outcasts by Dan Owen
(from Dan's Media Digest)
A lot of discussion about what did (or didn't) go wrong with Outcasts. I don't agree with a lot of it -- especially what's said in the last two paragraphs -- but it's interesting to see the creator's perspective. (And, in case you haven't heard/guessed, it's been cancelled.)
(from Dan's Media Digest)
A lot of discussion about what did (or didn't) go wrong with Outcasts. I don't agree with a lot of it -- especially what's said in the last two paragraphs -- but it's interesting to see the creator's perspective. (And, in case you haven't heard/guessed, it's been cancelled.)
Sunday, 13 March 2011
TV
Outcasts
1x07 Episode 7
That was actually quite good. Still marred by myriad niggles, but better than most of the series. Too little too late, mind.
The last episode was on tonight. I read it doesn't contain all the answers, mainly because the makers hoped they'd get another series. Oh well.
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
South Riding
Part 3 (of 3)
Well that turned out surprisingly grim...
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
1x07 Episode 7
That was actually quite good. Still marred by myriad niggles, but better than most of the series. Too little too late, mind.
The last episode was on tonight. I read it doesn't contain all the answers, mainly because the makers hoped they'd get another series. Oh well.
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
South Riding
Part 3 (of 3)
Well that turned out surprisingly grim...
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
this week on 100 Films
Back to just 1 new review being posted on 100 Films in a Year again this week...
Melinda and Melinda (2004)
More (hopefully, more than one) next Sunday.
Melinda and Melinda (2004)
If it wasn’t for the framing device that clearly tells us not only the thematic point of the film but also which bit is the comedy and which the tragedy, I don’t think it would be immediately possible to tell which was which. Indeed, one might think that was Allen’s point: life is neither tragedy nor comedy, but both at the same time, so of course you can’t tell the difference.
More (hopefully, more than one) next Sunday.
Saturday, 12 March 2011
TV
The Killing [aka Forbrydelsen]
1x14 Day 14
How are there six episodes left?! Surely all is nearly solved? It's ever so tense, exciting and moreish. This is what 24 used to feel like back when it was good.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Let's Dance for Comic Relief 2011
Episode 3 (of 4)
That largely felt like watching a parade of irritating also-rans. Why are some of these people allowed to befoul my television screen? At least watching on iPlayer allows one to fastforward crap 'music' like The Wanted.
Top Gear
16x07 Best of Top Gear
I say I watched this -- I ended up fastforwarding the whole thing as, unlike what the listing said, it wasn't so much "the best of 2010" as "the best of a few week's ago". Indeed, they'd actually taken the start & end of one episode and the middle of another and just glued them together. Lazy. And, when the whole series is still on iPlayer, pointless. There's another "best of" this week -- probably not worth bothering with either.
[Watch it (again), if you really want, in HD on iPlayer.]
Yes Minister
2x06 The Quality of Life
1x14 Day 14
How are there six episodes left?! Surely all is nearly solved? It's ever so tense, exciting and moreish. This is what 24 used to feel like back when it was good.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Let's Dance for Comic Relief 2011
Episode 3 (of 4)
That largely felt like watching a parade of irritating also-rans. Why are some of these people allowed to befoul my television screen? At least watching on iPlayer allows one to fastforward crap 'music' like The Wanted.
Top Gear
16x07 Best of Top Gear
I say I watched this -- I ended up fastforwarding the whole thing as, unlike what the listing said, it wasn't so much "the best of 2010" as "the best of a few week's ago". Indeed, they'd actually taken the start & end of one episode and the middle of another and just glued them together. Lazy. And, when the whole series is still on iPlayer, pointless. There's another "best of" this week -- probably not worth bothering with either.
[Watch it (again), if you really want, in HD on iPlayer.]
Yes Minister
2x06 The Quality of Life
Films
Let Me In (2010)
[#30 in 100 Films in a Year 2011]
Having now watched both, and with this one out on DVD & Blu-ray from Monday, I shall aim to have reviews of both up by Sunday midnight. We'll see...
[#30 in 100 Films in a Year 2011]
Having now watched both, and with this one out on DVD & Blu-ray from Monday, I shall aim to have reviews of both up by Sunday midnight. We'll see...
Friday, 11 March 2011
TV
Due South
3x11 Asylum [2nd watch]
Family Guy
2x03 Da Boom
2x04 Brian in Love
The Graham Norton Show
8x19 (4/3/11 edition)
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
3x11 Asylum [2nd watch]
Family Guy
2x03 Da Boom
2x04 Brian in Love
The Graham Norton Show
8x19 (4/3/11 edition)
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
Films
Let the Right One In (2008)
[#29 in 100 Films in a Year 2011]
And tomorrow, Hammer's US remake, Let Me In.
[#29 in 100 Films in a Year 2011]
And tomorrow, Hammer's US remake, Let Me In.
Articles
10 o'Clock Live: an alternative (comedy) view by Laura Pledger
(from What We've Been Watching... at Radio Times)
10 O'Clock Live is an easy target, really, but this is nonetheless well observed and amusing.
Tarantino 'sues True Blood's Ball over macaws' by Simon Reynolds
(from Digital Spy)
This is a quite spectacularly odd story.
(from What We've Been Watching... at Radio Times)
10 O'Clock Live is an easy target, really, but this is nonetheless well observed and amusing.
Tarantino 'sues True Blood's Ball over macaws' by Simon Reynolds
(from Digital Spy)
This is a quite spectacularly odd story.
Collection Count
Collection Count tracks my DVD/Blu-ray collection via a number of statistics every week.
This week's updates include a new TV series on Blu-ray, an upgrade of a TV series from DVD to BD, and a BD that isn't out 'til Monday. Shiny.
Number of titles in collection: 1,280 [up 2]
Of which DVDs: 1,101 [down 1]
Of which Blu-rays: 179 [up 3]
Number of discs in collection: 3,189 [up 4]
Number of films in collection: 1,349 [up 1]
Number of TV episodes in collection: 4,737 [up 7]
See you next week, faithful reader.
This week's updates include a new TV series on Blu-ray, an upgrade of a TV series from DVD to BD, and a BD that isn't out 'til Monday. Shiny.
Number of titles in collection: 1,280 [up 2]
Of which DVDs: 1,101 [down 1]
Of which Blu-rays: 179 [up 3]
Number of discs in collection: 3,189 [up 4]
Number of films in collection: 1,349 [up 1]
Number of TV episodes in collection: 4,737 [up 7]
See you next week, faithful reader.
Thursday, 10 March 2011
TV
10 O'Clock Live
1x07 (3/3/11 edition)
[Watch it (again) on 4oD.]
Extraordinary Dogs
1x06 The Mystery of Healing 2
[Watch it (again) on Demand 5.]
Fast and Loose
1x08 Episode 8 [season finale]
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Friday Night Dinner
1x02 The Jingle
[Watch it (again) on 4oD.]
My Life in Books
Episode 10 Robert Harris and Trinny Woodall (of 10)
While it would be going too far to say everyone's been worth listening to, this has been a consistently interesting series. Some more wouldn't go amiss... though whether the Beeb will consider it or just file it away as part of their "year of reading", who can say.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
1x07 (3/3/11 edition)
[Watch it (again) on 4oD.]
Extraordinary Dogs
1x06 The Mystery of Healing 2
[Watch it (again) on Demand 5.]
Fast and Loose
1x08 Episode 8 [season finale]
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Friday Night Dinner
1x02 The Jingle
[Watch it (again) on 4oD.]
My Life in Books
Episode 10 Robert Harris and Trinny Woodall (of 10)
While it would be going too far to say everyone's been worth listening to, this has been a consistently interesting series. Some more wouldn't go amiss... though whether the Beeb will consider it or just file it away as part of their "year of reading", who can say.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Articles
Guillermo del Toro Confirms He’ll Direct Pacific Rim; Talks Future of At the Mountains of Madness by Matt Goldberg
(from Collider.com)
Following on from yesterday's article, del Toro himself speaks a bit about what went wrong and why there's still a good deal of hope for the project.
Invasion of the stick figures from outer space! by Roger Ebert
(from rogerebert.com)
Ebert's beautifully scathing review of Battle: Los Angeles.
(from Collider.com)
Following on from yesterday's article, del Toro himself speaks a bit about what went wrong and why there's still a good deal of hope for the project.
Invasion of the stick figures from outer space! by Roger Ebert
(from rogerebert.com)
Ebert's beautifully scathing review of Battle: Los Angeles.
Wednesday, 9 March 2011
TV
Due South
3x10 Perfect Strangers [2nd watch]
Family Guy
2x05 Love Thy Trophy
2x06 Death is a Bitch
2x07 The King is Dead
In the unlikely event anyone's keeping track, this is where the UK Season 1 DVD comes to an end.
The Killing [aka Forbrydelsen]
1x13 Day 13
If you've still not watched any of this, start it now and you can watch one a day (which, considering each episode covers a day (more or less) is rather neat) before it disappears from iPlayer. If you like high-quality thrillers or crime drama, you won't regret it.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
My Life in Books
Episode 9 Larry Lamb and Sarah Millican (of 10)
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
3x10 Perfect Strangers [2nd watch]
Family Guy
2x05 Love Thy Trophy
2x06 Death is a Bitch
2x07 The King is Dead
In the unlikely event anyone's keeping track, this is where the UK Season 1 DVD comes to an end.
The Killing [aka Forbrydelsen]
1x13 Day 13
If you've still not watched any of this, start it now and you can watch one a day (which, considering each episode covers a day (more or less) is rather neat) before it disappears from iPlayer. If you like high-quality thrillers or crime drama, you won't regret it.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
My Life in Books
Episode 9 Larry Lamb and Sarah Millican (of 10)
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Articles
Is it fair to blame Universal for the state of the industry today? by Drew McWeeny
(from Motion Captured at HitFix)
In the wake of Universal cancelling Guillermo del Toro's H.P. Lovecraft adaptation, At the Mountains of Madness, McWeeny looks at the reaction from other websites and explores why this decision is regrettable but completely understandable and, actually, not Universal's fault at all. A very interesting piece.
(from Motion Captured at HitFix)
In the wake of Universal cancelling Guillermo del Toro's H.P. Lovecraft adaptation, At the Mountains of Madness, McWeeny looks at the reaction from other websites and explores why this decision is regrettable but completely understandable and, actually, not Universal's fault at all. A very interesting piece.
Tuesday, 8 March 2011
TV
Extraordinary Dogs
1x05 Above and Beyond Loyalty
[Watch it (again) on Demand 5.]
Family Guy
2x02 Holy Crap
2x09 If I'm Dyin', I'm Lyin'
House
7x12 You Must Remember This
How TV Ruined Your Life
1x05 Progress
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
My Life in Books
Episode 8 Duchess of Devonshire and Elizabeth McGovern (of 10)
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
1x05 Above and Beyond Loyalty
[Watch it (again) on Demand 5.]
Family Guy
2x02 Holy Crap
2x09 If I'm Dyin', I'm Lyin'
House
7x12 You Must Remember This
How TV Ruined Your Life
1x05 Progress
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
My Life in Books
Episode 8 Duchess of Devonshire and Elizabeth McGovern (of 10)
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Monday, 7 March 2011
TV
My Life in Books
Episode 7 Jeanette Winterson and Alastair Campbell (of 10)
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Silk
1x02 Episode 2
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
Yes Minister
2x05 The Devil You Know
Episode 7 Jeanette Winterson and Alastair Campbell (of 10)
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Silk
1x02 Episode 2
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
Yes Minister
2x05 The Devil You Know
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