Pointless
4x46 (8/8/11 edition)
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Torchwood: Miracle Day
4x05 The Categories of Life
Torchwood's probably at its best when it gets dark, as here. I rather guessed where it was headed with that ending mind. We're only halfway through now so it's a good time for it to be really kicking off... but can it sustain it for the second half of the series?
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
Thursday, 11 August 2011
Articles
BBC's Spooks axed after a decade by Tara Conlan
(from guardian.co.uk)
While I still quite like Spooks, this is overdue. To say they're ending it "in its prime" isn't true (in my opinion, obviously) -- it's prime was years ago; the first three or four series, I think. Since then it's becoming increasingly implausible, irrelevant and repetitive. It's also interesting how they talk about it being fast-paced and densely plotted... for its time. I think that's true: when it started it was those things; now it sometimes feels slow and simplistic, or if not the latter than over-complicated in the hope of doing something different to what they've already done.
But, like I say, it's still quite good, so better to end it now than let it really decline later.
(from guardian.co.uk)
While I still quite like Spooks, this is overdue. To say they're ending it "in its prime" isn't true (in my opinion, obviously) -- it's prime was years ago; the first three or four series, I think. Since then it's becoming increasingly implausible, irrelevant and repetitive. It's also interesting how they talk about it being fast-paced and densely plotted... for its time. I think that's true: when it started it was those things; now it sometimes feels slow and simplistic, or if not the latter than over-complicated in the hope of doing something different to what they've already done.
But, like I say, it's still quite good, so better to end it now than let it really decline later.
Wednesday, 10 August 2011
TV
Pointless
4x45 (5/8/11 edition)
Stephen Sondheim might have written Mamma Mia!? Funniest thing I've heard in a long time.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Single-Handed
2x04 Between Two Fires Part 2
Well, maybe we'll get what I hoped for in the finale. We can add nasty cousin to the list too. And maybe some decent explanation about why Eithne seems to hate Gemma so much -- she's done nothing to her, and, in fact, has always been on Eithne's side.
[Watch it (again) on ITV Player.]
4x45 (5/8/11 edition)
Stephen Sondheim might have written Mamma Mia!? Funniest thing I've heard in a long time.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Single-Handed
2x04 Between Two Fires Part 2
Well, maybe we'll get what I hoped for in the finale. We can add nasty cousin to the list too. And maybe some decent explanation about why Eithne seems to hate Gemma so much -- she's done nothing to her, and, in fact, has always been on Eithne's side.
[Watch it (again) on ITV Player.]
Articles
Third Window after the riots
(from Third Window Films Facebook page)
One of the many independent companies affected by the Sony DADC fire speaks out about what this means for them. I imagine the story is exactly the same at all the other small companies. Fingers crossed that they're all able to ride it out in the long term. Bleeding Cool's list of how to help such companies is being continually updated.
(from Third Window Films Facebook page)
One of the many independent companies affected by the Sony DADC fire speaks out about what this means for them. I imagine the story is exactly the same at all the other small companies. Fingers crossed that they're all able to ride it out in the long term. Bleeding Cool's list of how to help such companies is being continually updated.
Tuesday, 9 August 2011
Fiction
Torchwood: First Born by James Goss
Pages 41-127
As the quarter-way point (p.66) approaches, the novel begins to clarify What's Going On In Rawbone… as if we hadn't guessed most of it from the blurb. But why? How? And what's it got to do with Torchwood? Thankfully, as the tale reaches its one-third point (p.86) there's some proper mystery and intrigue creeping in, and by halfway (p.127) it's getting nicely sinister, building to a cliffhanger-y almost-revelation. This all seems to have given the story the kickstart I felt it needed; it's rattling along quite decently now, much better than the early plod.
One thing, though: don't write bits of your novel in French assuming the reader will be able to understand. That was fine 150 years ago, but nowadays, not so much. Thanks.
Pages 41-127
As the quarter-way point (p.66) approaches, the novel begins to clarify What's Going On In Rawbone… as if we hadn't guessed most of it from the blurb. But why? How? And what's it got to do with Torchwood? Thankfully, as the tale reaches its one-third point (p.86) there's some proper mystery and intrigue creeping in, and by halfway (p.127) it's getting nicely sinister, building to a cliffhanger-y almost-revelation. This all seems to have given the story the kickstart I felt it needed; it's rattling along quite decently now, much better than the early plod.
One thing, though: don't write bits of your novel in French assuming the reader will be able to understand. That was fine 150 years ago, but nowadays, not so much. Thanks.
Articles
British film distributors left reeling by financial impact of Sony/PIAS warehouse fire by Henry Barnes & Andrew Pulver
(from guardian.co.uk)
Attacked and burnt down last night during the London riots, the Sony distribution centre in Enfield held a lot of stock for most/all of the UK's independent film and music labels. Whilst it's largely insured, the time to restock and find new distribution models could have a hugely detrimental effect on these already-struggling companies. Not good. Bleeding Cool have a suggestion for how to help.
Will DC Comics Drop Their UK Print Prices To Match Digital? by Rich Johnston
(from Bleeding Cool)
The UK release of US comics has always felt like it must be a bit of an afterthought to me -- understandably, really, as these are US publishing companies and the UK must be a much smaller market -- but it feels like our significance is increasing (or, I suppose, that I underestimated it) of late. For instance, the only reason we're not getting midnight sales of the New 52 launch (which they're holding in the US) is that there's a Bank Holiday in the way. And now, they're talking about putting a fixed UK price on the covers of the books (something that doesn't currently happen, obviously) and bringing the price down too (so that it's in line with digital). Great for consumers, but not necessarily so great for comic shops, would could be losing a significant percentage of profit on each book, potentially. Interesting times.
(from guardian.co.uk)
Attacked and burnt down last night during the London riots, the Sony distribution centre in Enfield held a lot of stock for most/all of the UK's independent film and music labels. Whilst it's largely insured, the time to restock and find new distribution models could have a hugely detrimental effect on these already-struggling companies. Not good. Bleeding Cool have a suggestion for how to help.
Will DC Comics Drop Their UK Print Prices To Match Digital? by Rich Johnston
(from Bleeding Cool)
The UK release of US comics has always felt like it must be a bit of an afterthought to me -- understandably, really, as these are US publishing companies and the UK must be a much smaller market -- but it feels like our significance is increasing (or, I suppose, that I underestimated it) of late. For instance, the only reason we're not getting midnight sales of the New 52 launch (which they're holding in the US) is that there's a Bank Holiday in the way. And now, they're talking about putting a fixed UK price on the covers of the books (something that doesn't currently happen, obviously) and bringing the price down too (so that it's in line with digital). Great for consumers, but not necessarily so great for comic shops, would could be losing a significant percentage of profit on each book, potentially. Interesting times.
Monday, 8 August 2011
TV
Pointless
4x42 (2/8/11 edition)
4x43 (3/8/11 edition)
Highest-ever jackpot! Oo-ooh! But poor Glen and Carron -- stymied twice.
[Watch the 2/8/11 and 3/8/11 editions (again) on iPlayer.]
4x42 (2/8/11 edition)
4x43 (3/8/11 edition)
Highest-ever jackpot! Oo-ooh! But poor Glen and Carron -- stymied twice.
[Watch the 2/8/11 and 3/8/11 editions (again) on iPlayer.]
Sunday, 7 August 2011
TV
Dragons' Den
9x02 Episode 2
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
Gracie!
BBC Four drama about singer and comedienne Gracie Fields and her relationship with Italian film director Monty Banks, starring Jane Horrocks and Tom Hollander, first shown a little under two years ago. The film also details Gracie's fall from the public's affections thanks to lies printed in the papers. Some things never change...
Grand Designs Australia
1x04 Clovelly House
[Watch it (again) on 4oD.]
9x02 Episode 2
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
Gracie!
BBC Four drama about singer and comedienne Gracie Fields and her relationship with Italian film director Monty Banks, starring Jane Horrocks and Tom Hollander, first shown a little under two years ago. The film also details Gracie's fall from the public's affections thanks to lies printed in the papers. Some things never change...
Grand Designs Australia
1x04 Clovelly House
[Watch it (again) on 4oD.]
DVD Extras
Sucker Punch: Behind the Soundtrack
and
Sucker Punch: Animated Shorts
Feudal Warriors
The Trenches
Dragon
Distant Planet
Aside from a Maximum Movie Mode*, these are the only extras on the Sucker Punch Blu-ray, and they run under three minutes each. The first is a brief (obviously) look at the film's intriguing soundtrack. It's clearly designed to be promotional, but incidentally reveals a few interesting tidbits. (An even shorter version of it is linked to above.)
The animated shorts are 'prequels' that detail the background to the fantasy worlds visited in the film. It's the kind of thing you know can't be that essential because otherwise it'd be in the film itself -- The Trenches doesn't have much to do, for instance, because that world is explained in the movie -- but a couple of them are quite good anyway. Distant Planet in particular, as that felt one of the more under-explained environments to me. (All can be watched in full at the above links.)
* which, in fairness, could be very good -- it's potentially a feature-length making-of/commentary, after all.
and
Sucker Punch: Animated Shorts
Feudal Warriors
The Trenches
Dragon
Distant Planet
Aside from a Maximum Movie Mode*, these are the only extras on the Sucker Punch Blu-ray, and they run under three minutes each. The first is a brief (obviously) look at the film's intriguing soundtrack. It's clearly designed to be promotional, but incidentally reveals a few interesting tidbits. (An even shorter version of it is linked to above.)
The animated shorts are 'prequels' that detail the background to the fantasy worlds visited in the film. It's the kind of thing you know can't be that essential because otherwise it'd be in the film itself -- The Trenches doesn't have much to do, for instance, because that world is explained in the movie -- but a couple of them are quite good anyway. Distant Planet in particular, as that felt one of the more under-explained environments to me. (All can be watched in full at the above links.)
* which, in fairness, could be very good -- it's potentially a feature-length making-of/commentary, after all.
Saturday, 6 August 2011
TV
Castle
1x08 Ghosts
[Watch it (again) on Demand 5.]
Dexter
5x02 Hello, Bandit
Thought they'd do that with the kids. Storytellingly wise.
Horrible Histories with Stephen Fry
1x06 Episode 6 [season finale]
Very much enjoyed this; can see why it's garnered so much praise & so many awards. And now I've got all of the third series recorded to watch at some point -- super!
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
My Favourite Joke
Episode 3 (of 6)
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
1x08 Ghosts
[Watch it (again) on Demand 5.]
Dexter
5x02 Hello, Bandit
Thought they'd do that with the kids. Storytellingly wise.
Horrible Histories with Stephen Fry
1x06 Episode 6 [season finale]
Very much enjoyed this; can see why it's garnered so much praise & so many awards. And now I've got all of the third series recorded to watch at some point -- super!
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
My Favourite Joke
Episode 3 (of 6)
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Fiction
Torchwood: First Born by James Goss
Pages 1-40
The first of three novels acting as prequels to the current series of Torchwood. (Well, it's the first published, but all the lists inside the book suggest it's the second. But I think they're all unrelated, so it doesn't matter either way. Anyway, I thought it best to get a wriggle on with this first/second novel because the second/first novel was out imminently, then the second/first arrived in today's post, so I was right. Super.)
Normally I catalogue how much I've read with chapter numbers, and while First Born does have chapters, rather than being all radical and calling them, I dunno, "Chapter 1" (etc.) it instead shifts about viewpoints and just titles each chapter (or "section", I suppose) after which character we're following... so page numbers to chart my progress it is. I'm sure you don't mind/care, dear reader(s).
This shifting perspective also, in this case, means first-person narration. I don't like first-person narration very much generally, and I don't think it works here. You have to get inside the head of the characters in a way that doesn't often fit for a tie-in novel, especially when some of those characters are supporting roles that are written/played quite broadly on TV -- fine on screen as support, but as the lead narration for a chunk of novel? Awkward.
(Or maybe it's just that Goss hasn't quite captured them right -- but my first suggestion was kinder, eh.)
And with the narrator switching around all the time -- occasionally mid-scene -- it's sometimes harder than it should be to remember who the "I" in question is.
But hey-ho, we'll see how the rest of it goes.
Pages 1-40
The first of three novels acting as prequels to the current series of Torchwood. (Well, it's the first published, but all the lists inside the book suggest it's the second. But I think they're all unrelated, so it doesn't matter either way. Anyway, I thought it best to get a wriggle on with this first/second novel because the second/first novel was out imminently, then the second/first arrived in today's post, so I was right. Super.)
Normally I catalogue how much I've read with chapter numbers, and while First Born does have chapters, rather than being all radical and calling them, I dunno, "Chapter 1" (etc.) it instead shifts about viewpoints and just titles each chapter (or "section", I suppose) after which character we're following... so page numbers to chart my progress it is. I'm sure you don't mind/care, dear reader(s).
This shifting perspective also, in this case, means first-person narration. I don't like first-person narration very much generally, and I don't think it works here. You have to get inside the head of the characters in a way that doesn't often fit for a tie-in novel, especially when some of those characters are supporting roles that are written/played quite broadly on TV -- fine on screen as support, but as the lead narration for a chunk of novel? Awkward.
(Or maybe it's just that Goss hasn't quite captured them right -- but my first suggestion was kinder, eh.)
And with the narrator switching around all the time -- occasionally mid-scene -- it's sometimes harder than it should be to remember who the "I" in question is.
But hey-ho, we'll see how the rest of it goes.
Articles
Harry Potter stars say final scene was a challenge for the ages by Geoff Boucher
(from Hero Complex at Los Angeles Times)
I assumed this would be a fluff piece basically saying "ooh, playing 20 years older was hard, man!", but it's actually a decent article about the difficulties of shooting Deathly Hallows Part 2's epilogue. Be warned, though, if you haven't seen the film there are photos that spoil the old-age make-up (if you care, of course).
(from Hero Complex at Los Angeles Times)
I assumed this would be a fluff piece basically saying "ooh, playing 20 years older was hard, man!", but it's actually a decent article about the difficulties of shooting Deathly Hallows Part 2's epilogue. Be warned, though, if you haven't seen the film there are photos that spoil the old-age make-up (if you care, of course).
Friday, 5 August 2011
TV
How I Met Your Mother
6x23 Landmarks
[Watch it (again) on 4oD.]
Penn & Teller: Fool Us
1x07 Episode 7
This seems to have had mixed reviews and fluctuating ratings, so I guess a second series doesn't look promising. But there's a Christmas special at least! And, apparently, another episode at the end of August, which is a bit random.
[Watch it (again) on ITV Player.]
Pointless
4x41 (1/8/11 edition)
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
The Rob Brydon Show
2x02 Episode 2
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
6x23 Landmarks
[Watch it (again) on 4oD.]
Penn & Teller: Fool Us
1x07 Episode 7
This seems to have had mixed reviews and fluctuating ratings, so I guess a second series doesn't look promising. But there's a Christmas special at least! And, apparently, another episode at the end of August, which is a bit random.
[Watch it (again) on ITV Player.]
Pointless
4x41 (1/8/11 edition)
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
The Rob Brydon Show
2x02 Episode 2
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Collection Count
Collection Count tracks my DVD/Blu-ray collection via a number of statistics every week.
Number of titles in collection: 1,352 [up 2]
Of which DVDs: 1,126 [no change]
Of which Blu-rays: 226 [up 2]
Number of discs in collection: 3,348 [up 5]
Number of films in collection: 1,427 [up 3]
Number of TV episodes in collection: 5,005 [no change]
See you next week, faithful reader.
Number of titles in collection: 1,352 [up 2]
Of which DVDs: 1,126 [no change]
Of which Blu-rays: 226 [up 2]
Number of discs in collection: 3,348 [up 5]
Number of films in collection: 1,427 [up 3]
Number of TV episodes in collection: 5,005 [no change]
See you next week, faithful reader.
Thursday, 4 August 2011
TV
No Ordinary Family
1x15 No Ordinary Powell
The Jim vs 'Jim' fight was good, and perhaps a couple of other bits were too, but otherwise this was an episode stuffed with stupidity. If you know there's a shapeshifter about, would you really trust anyone so readily? And would you except they're the real person off a few current-life details? And would you happily discuss your one and only weakness out in the open? Daftness. Which I suppose I should expect by now.
Pointless
4x40 (29/7/11 edition)
Or, Episode #150.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Torchwood: Miracle Day
4x04 Escape to L.A.
This season is improving with every episode, I think. Which is good, because I didn't think it started as well as people would've liked. It would be really nice if they sorted out the technical issues though -- every other US series looks fine on British TV, so what's with all the smearing/ghosting/etc? It bugs me.
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
1x15 No Ordinary Powell
The Jim vs 'Jim' fight was good, and perhaps a couple of other bits were too, but otherwise this was an episode stuffed with stupidity. If you know there's a shapeshifter about, would you really trust anyone so readily? And would you except they're the real person off a few current-life details? And would you happily discuss your one and only weakness out in the open? Daftness. Which I suppose I should expect by now.
Pointless
4x40 (29/7/11 edition)
Or, Episode #150.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Torchwood: Miracle Day
4x04 Escape to L.A.
This season is improving with every episode, I think. Which is good, because I didn't think it started as well as people would've liked. It would be really nice if they sorted out the technical issues though -- every other US series looks fine on British TV, so what's with all the smearing/ghosting/etc? It bugs me.
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
Articles
The Strange and Twisted Tale of...The Movie That Grossed $30.00 by Rob Brunner
(from EW.com)
You may have heard of this before: Zyzzyx Road, which was shown on one screen once a day in Texas for a week in 2006 for legal reasons, and only six people saw it. Around Christmas 2006 it was picked up on and laughed at; this article, from February 2007, discusses the true story behind the 'flop' -- note the "legal reasons" I mentioned, and that it was "shown" not released.
Anyway, you can read the article for all that; the reason I mention it is: this article is four-and-a-half years old and in it they're talking about a possible theatrical and/or DVD release for the film in the US -- as far as I'm aware, this still hasn't happened. (It's not available over here either.)
(from EW.com)
You may have heard of this before: Zyzzyx Road, which was shown on one screen once a day in Texas for a week in 2006 for legal reasons, and only six people saw it. Around Christmas 2006 it was picked up on and laughed at; this article, from February 2007, discusses the true story behind the 'flop' -- note the "legal reasons" I mentioned, and that it was "shown" not released.
Anyway, you can read the article for all that; the reason I mention it is: this article is four-and-a-half years old and in it they're talking about a possible theatrical and/or DVD release for the film in the US -- as far as I'm aware, this still hasn't happened. (It's not available over here either.)
Masters of Cinema / Masters of Cinema - completely different, obviously!
MoC vs. Phaidon
(from Masters of Cinema)
DVD publisher Eureka Entertainment are currently battling it out with much-bigger-company Phaidon, a book publisher who have recently decided to name a series of books "The Masters of Cinema Series", which Eureka has been using as a brand name for DVDs and Blu-rays for about seven years.
The books in question were originally published in French under a completely different title, so it's not as if Phaidon have just done a simple translation job -- they've (possibly deliberately) just nicked someone else's established brand.
When alerted to this fact, Phaidon decided it didn't matter -- books and DVDs are different, they say. I'm sure they'd be delighted if someone started releasing a series of DVDs as "The Phaidon Collection" without asking; never mind the fact that Eureka regularly get requests for information about "their books" from both professional trade and regular consumers -- clearly there is crossover and confusion.
Unfortunately for Phaidon, the very audience for these arty/intellectual film books is rallying behind the original Masters of Cinema on twitter, where MoC are hoping to enact some kind of fan-led change of mind from the publisher (see #badPhaidon for more) without having to resort to expensive legal proceedings -- other legal avenues have already been explored and shot down by Phaidon. Eureka want to protect their brand, but it's clearly going to cost them and that's always bad for the consumer -- less cash to put into releases and all that.
That's more or less the state of it anyway, though this official statement on the MoC website explains it more clearly (and in more detail).
(from Masters of Cinema)
DVD publisher Eureka Entertainment are currently battling it out with much-bigger-company Phaidon, a book publisher who have recently decided to name a series of books "The Masters of Cinema Series", which Eureka has been using as a brand name for DVDs and Blu-rays for about seven years.
The books in question were originally published in French under a completely different title, so it's not as if Phaidon have just done a simple translation job -- they've (possibly deliberately) just nicked someone else's established brand.
When alerted to this fact, Phaidon decided it didn't matter -- books and DVDs are different, they say. I'm sure they'd be delighted if someone started releasing a series of DVDs as "The Phaidon Collection" without asking; never mind the fact that Eureka regularly get requests for information about "their books" from both professional trade and regular consumers -- clearly there is crossover and confusion.
Unfortunately for Phaidon, the very audience for these arty/intellectual film books is rallying behind the original Masters of Cinema on twitter, where MoC are hoping to enact some kind of fan-led change of mind from the publisher (see #badPhaidon for more) without having to resort to expensive legal proceedings -- other legal avenues have already been explored and shot down by Phaidon. Eureka want to protect their brand, but it's clearly going to cost them and that's always bad for the consumer -- less cash to put into releases and all that.
That's more or less the state of it anyway, though this official statement on the MoC website explains it more clearly (and in more detail).
Wednesday, 3 August 2011
TV
Dexter
5x01 My Bad
The new (well, new to the UK -- it was on about a year ago in the States -- and, actually, is already about halfway through on FX over here) season of Dexter kicks off with a lot of having to deal with last season's shock twist/cliffhanger. Makes sense that it has to do so, but it makes for a slightly plodding and frustrating first episode. And with the FBI hanging around, it's clearly not done yet. Still, fingers crossed things pick up from here.
Pointless
4x39 (28/7/11 edition)
Ouch, that Bourne round result was killer! (He he he.)
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Top Gear
17x06 (31/7/11 edition) [season finale]
As soon as it arrived, it's gone again. That's how it feels, anyway, even though it has been six weeks.
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
5x01 My Bad
The new (well, new to the UK -- it was on about a year ago in the States -- and, actually, is already about halfway through on FX over here) season of Dexter kicks off with a lot of having to deal with last season's shock twist/cliffhanger. Makes sense that it has to do so, but it makes for a slightly plodding and frustrating first episode. And with the FBI hanging around, it's clearly not done yet. Still, fingers crossed things pick up from here.
Pointless
4x39 (28/7/11 edition)
Ouch, that Bourne round result was killer! (He he he.)
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Top Gear
17x06 (31/7/11 edition) [season finale]
As soon as it arrived, it's gone again. That's how it feels, anyway, even though it has been six weeks.
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
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