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.
Thursday, 14 April 2011
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.]
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