The Graham Norton Show
4x02 (9/10/08 edition, uncut repeat)
The Sandbaggers
1x04 The Most Suitable Person
Tuesday, 14 October 2008
Non-Fiction
Letters Between a Father and a Son (aka Between Father and Son: Family Letters) by V.S. Naipaul, edited by Gillon Aitken
Parts I - IV
The letters themselves begin when V.S. (aka Vido) was just 17, and it shows. Selfish, self-centred, snobbish, whiny, irritating, 'depressed', obsessed with girls... 60 years on, teenagers are exactly the same, only now they can't construct full sentences -- or even words, thanks to txt spk. By the end of the fourth part/chapter (they're merely numbered) he's 19, but he hasn't improved; if anything, time at Oxford has made him even more snobbish. Other than these unappealing characteristics, the letters are packed with the boring monotony of most letters -- family news, of interest only to particularly gossipy family members (though, amusingly, Vido criticises Jane Austen's Emma for being just that), and other random snippets of normal, boring life. Beyond a couple of worthwhile pieces of advice for writers, and the odd snippet of genuinely good or interesting writing, one has to wonder where the value lies in publishing these.
Parts I - IV
The letters themselves begin when V.S. (aka Vido) was just 17, and it shows. Selfish, self-centred, snobbish, whiny, irritating, 'depressed', obsessed with girls... 60 years on, teenagers are exactly the same, only now they can't construct full sentences -- or even words, thanks to txt spk. By the end of the fourth part/chapter (they're merely numbered) he's 19, but he hasn't improved; if anything, time at Oxford has made him even more snobbish. Other than these unappealing characteristics, the letters are packed with the boring monotony of most letters -- family news, of interest only to particularly gossipy family members (though, amusingly, Vido criticises Jane Austen's Emma for being just that), and other random snippets of normal, boring life. Beyond a couple of worthwhile pieces of advice for writers, and the odd snippet of genuinely good or interesting writing, one has to wonder where the value lies in publishing these.
Articles
Apple laptops get $999 entry price, Nvidia chips by Jessica Mintz
(from Mail.com)
"Apple avoided a major price cut to the Macintosh line, though it did lower its least expensive computer, the existing version of the entry-level MacBook, by $100 to $999. For the updated MacBook and MacBook Pro machines, Apple gave them some of the high-end features that had been in the MacBook Air, including thinner laptop casings and a 'multitouch' track pad, which, like the iPhone, understands gestures for spinning and zooming... Apple switched from Intel Corp. to Nvidia Corp. as the supplier of the laptops' graphics chips. [Steve] Jobs said the change speeds up processing-intensive activities -- playing popular 3-D video games, for example -- as much as six-fold... The redesigned laptops are lighter than existing machines, and Apple touted a construction 'breakthrough' in the way the casings are cut and tooled from aluminum, without a stronger skeleton fused to the insides."
As Quantum of Solace edges closer (only 17 days to go!) there will surely be more and more articles about Bond. Here are a couple from today:
Bond is back... by Martyn Palmer, Charlie Higson & Danny Scott
(from Radio Times 18-24 October 2008, p.10-19)
Interviews with Daniel Craig (a surprisingly good one), producer Barbara Broccoli, and stuntmen Vic Armstrong and George Leech, plus an article by Charlie Higson looking back at previous Bonds (oft-trodden ground, well covered here). This is all thanks to a raft of TV specials about Bond next week -- a bit premature, it seems to me, as some are on almost two weeks before the film's release. Surely it would make more sense to show them in the week running up to October 31st?
James Bond Puts The Pressure On Marc Forster by Devin Zydel
(from CommanderBond.net)
Among other worthwhile comments from Bond 22's director, "It always comes up, this comparison [between James Bond and Jason Bourne...] I feel there’s a huge difference -- it’s like apples and oranges. Stylistically alone, Bond should never be in the Bourne vein. Bond has a different kind of quality. He can still transport you." Thank God for that. One of my greatest fears when Casino Royale turned up was they'd try to make it too much like Bourne (and everything on TV these days) -- hand held, shaky, grainy, "gritty". It works great for Bourne, in my opinion, but it's not Bond -- and, thankfully, Casino Royale didn't succumb to it. It's good to know they still haven't.
Also posted today, articles on a new series of Doctor Who books and the return of Red Dwarf in 2009.
(from Mail.com)
"Apple avoided a major price cut to the Macintosh line, though it did lower its least expensive computer, the existing version of the entry-level MacBook, by $100 to $999. For the updated MacBook and MacBook Pro machines, Apple gave them some of the high-end features that had been in the MacBook Air, including thinner laptop casings and a 'multitouch' track pad, which, like the iPhone, understands gestures for spinning and zooming... Apple switched from Intel Corp. to Nvidia Corp. as the supplier of the laptops' graphics chips. [Steve] Jobs said the change speeds up processing-intensive activities -- playing popular 3-D video games, for example -- as much as six-fold... The redesigned laptops are lighter than existing machines, and Apple touted a construction 'breakthrough' in the way the casings are cut and tooled from aluminum, without a stronger skeleton fused to the insides."
As Quantum of Solace edges closer (only 17 days to go!) there will surely be more and more articles about Bond. Here are a couple from today:
Bond is back... by Martyn Palmer, Charlie Higson & Danny Scott
(from Radio Times 18-24 October 2008, p.10-19)
Interviews with Daniel Craig (a surprisingly good one), producer Barbara Broccoli, and stuntmen Vic Armstrong and George Leech, plus an article by Charlie Higson looking back at previous Bonds (oft-trodden ground, well covered here). This is all thanks to a raft of TV specials about Bond next week -- a bit premature, it seems to me, as some are on almost two weeks before the film's release. Surely it would make more sense to show them in the week running up to October 31st?
James Bond Puts The Pressure On Marc Forster by Devin Zydel
(from CommanderBond.net)
Among other worthwhile comments from Bond 22's director, "It always comes up, this comparison [between James Bond and Jason Bourne...] I feel there’s a huge difference -- it’s like apples and oranges. Stylistically alone, Bond should never be in the Bourne vein. Bond has a different kind of quality. He can still transport you." Thank God for that. One of my greatest fears when Casino Royale turned up was they'd try to make it too much like Bourne (and everything on TV these days) -- hand held, shaky, grainy, "gritty". It works great for Bourne, in my opinion, but it's not Bond -- and, thankfully, Casino Royale didn't succumb to it. It's good to know they still haven't.
Also posted today, articles on a new series of Doctor Who books and the return of Red Dwarf in 2009.
Doctor Who: The Darksmith Legacy - Titles
Multi-Platform Book Range - Full List by John Bowman
(from The Doctor Who News Page)
For those who missed the initial announcement... this article handily recaps it!
"All the titles of the forthcoming 10-part multi-platform Doctor Who book project The Darksmith Legacy have been announced. As reported earlier this month by this site, the first two books will be out in January 2009, followed by a new "episode" every month after that. Published by BBC Children's Books in association with Penguin Books, they will offer the adventure of a book serialisation, complete with cliffhangers, plus interactivity and content that is only obtainable online."
Intriguing, eh? I'm intending to follow it, though I hope the online content isn't too essential -- especially if it includes silly games, tasks, or 'point gathering' thingies, because I'm not sure I can be bothered.
There are some pretty good titles in the series, in my opinion, so I've decided to list them below.
The Dust of Ages by Justin Richards
The Graves of Mordane by Colin Brake
The Colour of Darkness by Richard Dungworth
The Depths of Despair by Justin Richards
The Vampire of Paris by Steve Cole
The Game of Death by Trevor Baxendale
The Planet of Oblivion by Justin Richards
The Picture of Emptiness by Jacqueline Rayner
The Art of War by Mike Tucker
The End of Time by Justin Richards
Note several authors from the Decide Your Destiny series in that list -- clearly known to Penguin and/or deemed most capable of writing for children.
(from The Doctor Who News Page)
For those who missed the initial announcement... this article handily recaps it!
"All the titles of the forthcoming 10-part multi-platform Doctor Who book project The Darksmith Legacy have been announced. As reported earlier this month by this site, the first two books will be out in January 2009, followed by a new "episode" every month after that. Published by BBC Children's Books in association with Penguin Books, they will offer the adventure of a book serialisation, complete with cliffhangers, plus interactivity and content that is only obtainable online."
Intriguing, eh? I'm intending to follow it, though I hope the online content isn't too essential -- especially if it includes silly games, tasks, or 'point gathering' thingies, because I'm not sure I can be bothered.
There are some pretty good titles in the series, in my opinion, so I've decided to list them below.
Note several authors from the Decide Your Destiny series in that list -- clearly known to Penguin and/or deemed most capable of writing for children.
Red Dwarf is coming back!
I can't believe I hadn't heard this sooner, but Robert Llewellyn (aka Kryten) was on Loose Women today, where he revealed that there will be four new Red Dwarf specials next year! Yay!
The full article from the official site is here, but to summarise:
The four specials will be produced next year, for the 21st anniversary, and premiere on Dave. Yes, Dave.
Co-creator Doug Naylor will oversee them and all the original cast will return. Hurrah!
Why's it taken so long? "Thanks to movie and broadcaster wrangles, Grant Naylor haven't been in a position to produce new Red Dwarf since Series VIII went out to audiences of over eight million in 1999."
This might not be the end! Depending on the success of these specials, now the rights are back in the hands of GNP there's always the potential for more.
The four specials aren't all brand-new episodes of Red Dwarf exactly, however. In fact, they break down as follows:
Show One: The Making Of The Specials
"A highly entertaining look at what goes on behind the scenes on a Red Dwarf production."
Show Two: Red Dwarf Special: Part One
"The cast get back into character, and costume, a decade on..."
Show Three: Red Dwarf Special: Part Two
"The adventure continues..."
Show Four: A Clip Show With a Serious Difference
"The cast do it their way. Red Dwarf as you have never, ever seen it before!"
Hurrah again! And we should finally get an answer to series eight's cliffhanger. We've only had to wait a decade! (At least, there bloody better be an answer...)
The full article from the official site is here, but to summarise:
The four specials aren't all brand-new episodes of Red Dwarf exactly, however. In fact, they break down as follows:
"A highly entertaining look at what goes on behind the scenes on a Red Dwarf production."
"The cast get back into character, and costume, a decade on..."
"The adventure continues..."
"The cast do it their way. Red Dwarf as you have never, ever seen it before!"
Hurrah again! And we should finally get an answer to series eight's cliffhanger. We've only had to wait a decade! (At least, there bloody better be an answer...)
shameless eBay self-promotion: update 2
As you may know from Sunday, I'm selling a variety of items on eBay at the moment, so thought I'd bring them to the attention of anyone reading this. All are available as either auctions (with low low low starting prices) or Buy It Now prices (the latter disappears when someone bids, incidentally).
Many items have sold already (anything sold from the last two days has been removed, anything sold since posting this is crossed out) while others are already being bid on (those are in bold) -- so act fast if you want anything!
DVDs
Casino Royale 2-disc Collector's Edition
Doctor Who Complete Davros Collection box set (new)
Ghost in the Shell
L.A. Confidential
Sherlock Holmes: The Hound of the Baskervilles with Richard Roxburgh, Ian Hart and Richard E. Grant
Sherlock Holmes and the Case of the Silk Stocking
The West Wing Season 1 Part 1
The West Wing Season 1 Part 2
Books
Casino Royale (Penguin Modern Classics edition)
Diamonds Are Forever (Penguin Modern Classics edition)
Dr No (Penguin Modern Classics edition)
From Russia With Love (Penguin Modern Classics edition)
Goldfinger (Penguin Modern Classics edition)
Live and Let Die (Penguin Modern Classics edition)
Moonraker (Penguin Modern Classics edition)
On Her Majesty's Secret Service (Penguin Modern Classics edition)
Thunderball (Penguin Modern Classics edition)
You Only Live Twice (Penguin Modern Classics edition)
Toys
Doctor Who Micro-Universe: Captain Jack's Chula Ship (with exclusive Captain Jack mini-figure)
All these auctions end next weekend, with the exception of the two Holmes DVDs, which end on Monday -- provided none of them go for Buy It Now before then of course.
I've still got one thing left to sell in this clear-out -- namely, a Doctor Who Empress of the Racnoss action figure -- but that's big and awkward to work out the postage on, so I'll list it when I can be bothered to sort that out.
I'm liking selling stuff on eBay. Money is good, as is the space it creates. I'm quite tempted to trawl through my nearly-900-titles DVD collection and find other stuff I'm not really fussed about to flog; or perhaps some of my duplicate Who toys (damn box sets always including a Doctor).
Many items have sold already (anything sold from the last two days has been removed, anything sold since posting this is crossed out) while others are already being bid on (those are in bold) -- so act fast if you want anything!
DVDs
Books
Toys
All these auctions end next weekend, with the exception of the two Holmes DVDs, which end on Monday -- provided none of them go for Buy It Now before then of course.
I've still got one thing left to sell in this clear-out -- namely, a Doctor Who Empress of the Racnoss action figure -- but that's big and awkward to work out the postage on, so I'll list it when I can be bothered to sort that out.
I'm liking selling stuff on eBay. Money is good, as is the space it creates. I'm quite tempted to trawl through my nearly-900-titles DVD collection and find other stuff I'm not really fussed about to flog; or perhaps some of my duplicate Who toys (damn box sets always including a Doctor).
Monday, 13 October 2008
TV
The Sandbaggers
1x03 Is Your Journey Really Necessary?
Sandbaggers' surprise character deaths may not have the visceral impact of Spooks' (but then, very little beats a deep fat fryer in that respect), but they carry more than enough bleak punchiness of their own. This programme is excellent, by-the-way.
The Sarah Jane Adventures
2x03 The Day of the Clown Part One
I find it very intriguing that both SJA, Doctor Who's kid-friendly spin-off, and Torchwood, Doctor Who's adult-oriented spin-off, have done circus-related episodes. That must say something about the fear of clowns... (Both did them in their second series too, though that's not nearly as intriguing a coincidence/pattern.)
Wired
Part 1 (of 3)
The third (and final, I believe) serial in ITV's 'Monday thrillers' strand, this has a lot to live up to after the slow-paced (in a good way), intelligently written drama of both The Children and Place of Execution. The modern high-tech setting pushes it more toward Spooks territory, though it's not as whooshy (for want of a better phrase, clearly) as BBC shows of this ilk -- who'd've thought ITV would ever be less 'edgy', 'modern' and 'we need to make it appeal to people with no attention span' than the BBC? Part 1 shows potential; I hope it can maintain it.
1x03 Is Your Journey Really Necessary?
Sandbaggers' surprise character deaths may not have the visceral impact of Spooks' (but then, very little beats a deep fat fryer in that respect), but they carry more than enough bleak punchiness of their own. This programme is excellent, by-the-way.
The Sarah Jane Adventures
2x03 The Day of the Clown Part One
I find it very intriguing that both SJA, Doctor Who's kid-friendly spin-off, and Torchwood, Doctor Who's adult-oriented spin-off, have done circus-related episodes. That must say something about the fear of clowns... (Both did them in their second series too, though that's not nearly as intriguing a coincidence/pattern.)
Wired
Part 1 (of 3)
The third (and final, I believe) serial in ITV's 'Monday thrillers' strand, this has a lot to live up to after the slow-paced (in a good way), intelligently written drama of both The Children and Place of Execution. The modern high-tech setting pushes it more toward Spooks territory, though it's not as whooshy (for want of a better phrase, clearly) as BBC shows of this ilk -- who'd've thought ITV would ever be less 'edgy', 'modern' and 'we need to make it appeal to people with no attention span' than the BBC? Part 1 shows potential; I hope it can maintain it.
Non-Fiction
Letters Between a Father and a Son (aka Between Father and Son: Family Letters) by V.S. Naipaul, edited by Gillon Aitken
Introduction by Gillon Aitken
The introduction seems to average about 10 commas and semi-colons per sentence.
Introduction by Gillon Aitken
The introduction seems to average about 10 commas and semi-colons per sentence.
Articles
Che & Day The Earth Stood Still Posters by Emily Phillips
(from Empire Online)
Continuing my Che coverage (why, I'm still not sure), it seems the film will be split in half -- in France, at least -- bearing the twin titles -- on the poster, at least -- of Che: Premiere Partie - L'Argentin and Che: Deuxieme Partie - Guerilla. "Un Film de Steven Soderbergh" indeed. For English-speaking readers, they translate as Che: First Part - The Argentinian and Che: Second Part - Guerilla. What titles will appear on screen at the films' open (or indeed close these days) is anyone's guess. Of course, most people won't care enough to guess. (There's also a poster for the remake of The Day the Earth Stood Still at that link, as you may have guessed. I'm not fussed, to be honest.)
Fey Blamed For 'Ruining' Palin's Reputation
(from WENN)
To just get political, briefly: yay!
Robert Downey Jr. as Sherlock Holmes — FIRST PICTURES
and
Jude Law as Dr. Watson — FIRST LOOK
(from Just Jared.com)
The first link shows Holmes looking a little Charlie Chaplin-like (ironically enough), presumably undercover in some way. The second set of pictures are much more promising. I still think Law's a poor actor by and large, but at least he looks the part. I remain cautiously optimistic.
Will there be a Before Sunset Sequel? by Brad Brevet
(from RopeofSilicon)
Posting reviews of Before Sunrise and Before Sunset prompted me to look into this. The answer is... a bit vague...
Woody Allen's Manhattan Reveals the Meaning of Life by Brad Brevet
(from RopeofSilicon)
An interesting article, about both Allen's beautiful film and what is required of one's favourite movies.
(from Empire Online)
Continuing my Che coverage (why, I'm still not sure), it seems the film will be split in half -- in France, at least -- bearing the twin titles -- on the poster, at least -- of Che: Premiere Partie - L'Argentin and Che: Deuxieme Partie - Guerilla. "Un Film de Steven Soderbergh" indeed. For English-speaking readers, they translate as Che: First Part - The Argentinian and Che: Second Part - Guerilla. What titles will appear on screen at the films' open (or indeed close these days) is anyone's guess. Of course, most people won't care enough to guess. (There's also a poster for the remake of The Day the Earth Stood Still at that link, as you may have guessed. I'm not fussed, to be honest.)
Fey Blamed For 'Ruining' Palin's Reputation
(from WENN)
To just get political, briefly: yay!
Robert Downey Jr. as Sherlock Holmes — FIRST PICTURES
and
Jude Law as Dr. Watson — FIRST LOOK
(from Just Jared.com)
The first link shows Holmes looking a little Charlie Chaplin-like (ironically enough), presumably undercover in some way. The second set of pictures are much more promising. I still think Law's a poor actor by and large, but at least he looks the part. I remain cautiously optimistic.
Will there be a Before Sunset Sequel? by Brad Brevet
(from RopeofSilicon)
Posting reviews of Before Sunrise and Before Sunset prompted me to look into this. The answer is... a bit vague...
Woody Allen's Manhattan Reveals the Meaning of Life by Brad Brevet
(from RopeofSilicon)
An interesting article, about both Allen's beautiful film and what is required of one's favourite movies.
shameless eBay self-promotion: update
As you may know from yesterday, I'm selling a variety of items on eBay at the moment, so thought I'd bring them to the attention of anyone reading this. All are available as either auctions (with low low low starting prices) or Buy It Now prices (the latter disappears when someone bids, incidentally).
Many items have sold already (anything sold from yesterday has been removed, anything sold since posting this is crossed out) while others are already being bid on (those are in bold) -- so act fast if you want anything!
DVDs
Casino Royale 2-disc Collector's Edition
Doctor Who Complete Davros Collection box set (new)
The Game
Ghost in the Shell
L.A. Confidential
Marnie (The Hitchcock Collection)
The Prisoner The Ultimate Collection (complete series)
The West Wing Season 1 Part 1
The West Wing Season 1 Part 2
Books
Casino Royale (Penguin Modern Classics edition)
Diamonds Are Forever (Penguin Modern Classics edition)
Dr No (Penguin Modern Classics edition)
From Russia With Love (Penguin Modern Classics edition)
Goldfinger (Penguin Modern Classics edition)
Live and Let Die (Penguin Modern Classics edition)
Moonraker (Penguin Modern Classics edition)
On Her Majesty's Secret Service (Penguin Modern Classics edition)
Thunderball (Penguin Modern Classics edition)
You Only Live Twice (Penguin Modern Classics edition)
Toys
Doctor Who Micro-Universe: Captain Jack's Chula Ship (with exclusive Captain Jack mini-figure)
All these auctions end next weekend -- provided they don't go for Buy It Now before then of course, which many have.
I've still got more items to sell, which I'll add soon. These include:
The Hound of the Baskervilles with Richard Roxburgh, Ian Hart and Richard E. Grant
Sherlock Holmes and the Case of the Silk Stocking
Doctor Who Empress of the Racnoss action figure
So, eyes open -- though I'll undoubtedly mention them here.
Many items have sold already (anything sold from yesterday has been removed, anything sold since posting this is crossed out) while others are already being bid on (those are in bold) -- so act fast if you want anything!
DVDs
Books
Toys
All these auctions end next weekend -- provided they don't go for Buy It Now before then of course, which many have.
I've still got more items to sell, which I'll add soon. These include:
So, eyes open -- though I'll undoubtedly mention them here.
Sunday, 12 October 2008
TV
Big Cat Live
1x08 (12/10/08 edition) [season finale]
By Any Means
Part 6 (of 6)
Friday Night With Jonathan Ross
15x06 (10/10/08 edition)
Sir Roger Moore! I may not always think highly of his Bond (though have been enjoying them a surprising amount on re-watching lately), but he's a wonderful entertainer.
Stephen Fry in America
Part 1 The New World
Tess of the D'Urbervilles
Part 4 (of 4)
Ah, Hardy -- depressing to the bitter end.
1x08 (12/10/08 edition) [season finale]
By Any Means
Part 6 (of 6)
Friday Night With Jonathan Ross
15x06 (10/10/08 edition)
Sir Roger Moore! I may not always think highly of his Bond (though have been enjoying them a surprising amount on re-watching lately), but he's a wonderful entertainer.
Stephen Fry in America
Part 1 The New World
Tess of the D'Urbervilles
Part 4 (of 4)
Ah, Hardy -- depressing to the bitter end.
shamless eBay self-promotion
I'm selling a variety of items on eBay at the moment, so just thought I'd bring them to the attention of anyone reading this blog. All are available as either auctions (with low low low starting prices) or Buy It Now prices (the latter disappears when someone bids, incidentally). Items are selling already (anything crossed out has now sold), so act fast if you want anything.
DVDs
Casino Royale 2-disc Collector's Edition
Doctor Who: Genesis of the Daleks
Doctor Who: Resurrection of the Daleks
Doctor Who: Revelation of the Daleks
Doctor Who: Remembrance of the Daleks
Frankenstein & The Bride of Frankenstein
The Game
Ghost in the Shell
The Godfather Trilogy
L.A. Confidential
Marnie (The Hitchcock Collection)
The Seventh Seal
Books
Casino Royale (Penguin Modern Classics edition)
Diamonds Are Forever (Penguin Modern Classics edition)
Dr No (Penguin Modern Classics edition)
From Russia With Love (Penguin Modern Classics edition)
Goldfinger (Penguin Modern Classics edition)
Live and Let Die (Penguin Modern Classics edition)
Moonraker (Penguin Modern Classics edition)
On Her Majesty's Secret Service (Penguin Modern Classics edition)
Thunderball (Penguin Modern Classics edition)
You Only Live Twice (Penguin Modern Classics edition)
All these auctions end between 11:42pm on 18th October and 1:22am on 19th October (wow, I spent an hour and 40 minutes listing things?!)
I've got more items to sell, which I'll add sometime soon. These include:
Doctor Who Davros box set
The Hound of the Baskervilles with Richard Roxburgh, Ian Hart and Richard E. Grant
Sherlock Holmes and the Case of the Silk Stocking
The Prisoner Complete Series
The West Wing Season 1 (Parts 1&2)
Doctor Who Empress of the Racnoss action figure
Doctor Who Micro Universe Chula Ship with Captain Jack figure
So, eyes out. I'm sure I'll mention them here again.
DVDs
Books
All these auctions end between 11:42pm on 18th October and 1:22am on 19th October (wow, I spent an hour and 40 minutes listing things?!)
I've got more items to sell, which I'll add sometime soon. These include:
So, eyes out. I'm sure I'll mention them here again.
Saturday, 11 October 2008
TV
Big Cat Live
1x07 (11/10/08 edition)
Blue Peter at 50
Who doesn't love Blue Peter? Or, at least, loved it when they were little. (If you don't/didn't, what's wrong with you?!) I have to say, it's quite odd seeing the current line-up of presenters, now devoid of anyone who presented it when I was younger (which is entirely down to Konnie Huq's bizarrely long ten-year run, of course).
Merlin
1x04 The Poisoned Chalice
No Heroics
1x02 The Fantastic Chore
One of the most thoroughly sex-obsessed shows I've seen in a while.
The Sandbaggers
1x02 A Proper Function of Government
Still brilliant. You could remake this today with the same scripts, I swear.
1x07 (11/10/08 edition)
Blue Peter at 50
Who doesn't love Blue Peter? Or, at least, loved it when they were little. (If you don't/didn't, what's wrong with you?!) I have to say, it's quite odd seeing the current line-up of presenters, now devoid of anyone who presented it when I was younger (which is entirely down to Konnie Huq's bizarrely long ten-year run, of course).
Merlin
1x04 The Poisoned Chalice
No Heroics
1x02 The Fantastic Chore
One of the most thoroughly sex-obsessed shows I've seen in a while.
The Sandbaggers
1x02 A Proper Function of Government
Still brilliant. You could remake this today with the same scripts, I swear.
Articles
Moriarty Sees A Half-Hour Of Watchmen In Hollywood! by Drew McWeeny
(from Ain't It Cool News)
Massively spoiler-filled (even if you've read the book, it spoils some of the things they've changed/added), but also massively positive. Good news about the running time too: "The film’s running 2 hours and 43 minutes right now without closing credits, and he doesn’t feel like he’s really had to sacrifice anything to get it to that length. At most, a director’s extended cut might add 20 minutes or so to that time, and the Black Freighter material might add in another half-hour at most. The theatrical version might not be the last cut of Watchmen we see, but it’s certainly not a compromised edit in any way."
(from Ain't It Cool News)
Massively spoiler-filled (even if you've read the book, it spoils some of the things they've changed/added), but also massively positive. Good news about the running time too: "The film’s running 2 hours and 43 minutes right now without closing credits, and he doesn’t feel like he’s really had to sacrifice anything to get it to that length. At most, a director’s extended cut might add 20 minutes or so to that time, and the Black Freighter material might add in another half-hour at most. The theatrical version might not be the last cut of Watchmen we see, but it’s certainly not a compromised edit in any way."
100 Films update
I last posted an update from my other blog, 100 Films in a Year, a little over a month ago. Since then I've updated it with numerous new reviews, so here's some handy links to them all.
from 2008...
Agatha (1979)
Cathy Come Home (1966)
Flushed Away (2006)
Gentlemen Prefer Blondes (1953)
Road to Singapore (1940)
Southland Tales (2006)
Stardust (2007)
Texas Across the River (1966)
The Wizard of Oz (1939)
from 2007...
Alfie (1966)
C.S.A.: The Confederate States of America (2004)
The Cat's Meow (2001)
Gone With the Wind (1939)
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (2007)
An Inconvenient Truth (2006)
Letters From Iwo Jima (2006)
Mrs Brown (1997)
Neon Genesis Evangelion: Death & Rebirth (1997)
Neon Genesis Evangelion: The End of Evangelion (1997)
Pan's Labyrinth (2006)
Perfume: The Story of a Murderer (2006)
Point Break (1991)
100 Films Special: The Star Wars Series
Star Wars - Episode IV: A New Hope - DVD Edition (1977/2004)
Star Wars - Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back - DVD Edition (1980/2004)
Star Wars - Episode VI: Return of the Jedi - DVD Edition (1983/2004)
Stranger Than Fiction (2006)
Tenacious D in The Pick of Destiny (2006)
Thunderbirds (2004)
Wilde (1997)
More to come -- from both years -- in the future.
from 2008...
Agatha (1979)
Cathy Come Home (1966)
Flushed Away (2006)
Gentlemen Prefer Blondes (1953)
Road to Singapore (1940)
Southland Tales (2006)
Stardust (2007)
Texas Across the River (1966)
The Wizard of Oz (1939)
from 2007...
Alfie (1966)
C.S.A.: The Confederate States of America (2004)
The Cat's Meow (2001)
Gone With the Wind (1939)
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (2007)
An Inconvenient Truth (2006)
Letters From Iwo Jima (2006)
Mrs Brown (1997)
Neon Genesis Evangelion: Death & Rebirth (1997)
Neon Genesis Evangelion: The End of Evangelion (1997)
Pan's Labyrinth (2006)
Perfume: The Story of a Murderer (2006)
Point Break (1991)
100 Films Special: The Star Wars Series
Star Wars - Episode IV: A New Hope - DVD Edition (1977/2004)
Star Wars - Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back - DVD Edition (1980/2004)
Star Wars - Episode VI: Return of the Jedi - DVD Edition (1983/2004)
Stranger Than Fiction (2006)
Tenacious D in The Pick of Destiny (2006)
Thunderbirds (2004)
Wilde (1997)
More to come -- from both years -- in the future.
Friday, 10 October 2008
Films
Quantum of Solace Music Exclusive
Composer David Arnold chats about the score -- including some nice snippets while the orchestra play it -- and briefly touches on the title theme.
Composer David Arnold chats about the score -- including some nice snippets while the orchestra play it -- and briefly touches on the title theme.
Stand-Up
Tim Vine Live (DVD)
The great thing about Tim Vine's act is that he packs a Guiness World Record-breaking 499 jokes into an hour -- so if you don't find one gag particularly amusing there'll be another along in 7 seconds! Of course, if you don't like his style at all then that's pretty meaningless, but hey-ho.
He does songs too, which are more variable; especially the closing number, which is OK but probably the least funny bit of the whole act -- not the best thing to end on then. That said, it is catchy, and is still stuck in my head...
The great thing about Tim Vine's act is that he packs a Guiness World Record-breaking 499 jokes into an hour -- so if you don't find one gag particularly amusing there'll be another along in 7 seconds! Of course, if you don't like his style at all then that's pretty meaningless, but hey-ho.
He does songs too, which are more variable; especially the closing number, which is OK but probably the least funny bit of the whole act -- not the best thing to end on then. That said, it is catchy, and is still stuck in my head...
Fiction
Batman: The Dark Knight Strikes Again by Frank Miller & Lynn Varley
Book Two
Messy, in much the same way those stupid 'event' books -- like Infinite Crisis or Civil War or 52 -- are messy. It assumes you know who all these characters are, but it's a Batman book, not a JLA or Silly DCU Event book, and while some of them are obvious (Superman, Wonder Woman, Green Arrow...), others aren't. At all. The rest of the time, it feels like it's the work of someone who really wants to emulate the quality of Dark Knight Returns (many of its tropes are still there), but has less style when it comes to both art -- over-huge panels, wasted space, too scratchy, etc -- or story -- it is, as I have said, messy.
Book Two
Messy, in much the same way those stupid 'event' books -- like Infinite Crisis or Civil War or 52 -- are messy. It assumes you know who all these characters are, but it's a Batman book, not a JLA or Silly DCU Event book, and while some of them are obvious (Superman, Wonder Woman, Green Arrow...), others aren't. At all. The rest of the time, it feels like it's the work of someone who really wants to emulate the quality of Dark Knight Returns (many of its tropes are still there), but has less style when it comes to both art -- over-huge panels, wasted space, too scratchy, etc -- or story -- it is, as I have said, messy.
Articles
The 100 Essential DVDs You Must Own
(from Empire Online)
Empire published this a month or two ago but, despite my DVD obsession, I've only just got round to going through it. Debates over inclusions and exclusions aside, there are some disappointing factual errors (Hearts of Darkness was available on DVD long before this piece was written; the UK Buffy sets are not "extras-lite"), but otherwise is as interesting as these lists ever are. I can tell you that I own 69 of them, and of the remaining 31 there are at least a couple that I am never going to bother with.
Studios To Sponsor Oscarcast For First Time
(from Studio Briefing)
For normal people: an "Oscarcast" is the TV broadcast of the Oscars. 2009's ceremony will be the first time trailers for films can be shown during the ceremony. However, they'll be under incredibly strict guidelines: "They can not promote any nominated film, nor any prequel or sequel. Only films that are scheduled to open in April or later in the year can be promoted. Each distributor will be allowed to purchase one 30- or 60-second commercial, and each can promote only one film. They may not have aired prior to the telecast. Only one movie spot can be broadcast during any commercial break. And none of the spots will be permitted to use the terms 'Oscar' or 'Academy Award'." OTT? Expect a slew of Super Bowl-style blockbuster trailers then, as they'll all be out after April and aren't likely to want to invoke Oscar's name.
(from Empire Online)
Empire published this a month or two ago but, despite my DVD obsession, I've only just got round to going through it. Debates over inclusions and exclusions aside, there are some disappointing factual errors (Hearts of Darkness was available on DVD long before this piece was written; the UK Buffy sets are not "extras-lite"), but otherwise is as interesting as these lists ever are. I can tell you that I own 69 of them, and of the remaining 31 there are at least a couple that I am never going to bother with.
Studios To Sponsor Oscarcast For First Time
(from Studio Briefing)
For normal people: an "Oscarcast" is the TV broadcast of the Oscars. 2009's ceremony will be the first time trailers for films can be shown during the ceremony. However, they'll be under incredibly strict guidelines: "They can not promote any nominated film, nor any prequel or sequel. Only films that are scheduled to open in April or later in the year can be promoted. Each distributor will be allowed to purchase one 30- or 60-second commercial, and each can promote only one film. They may not have aired prior to the telecast. Only one movie spot can be broadcast during any commercial break. And none of the spots will be permitted to use the terms 'Oscar' or 'Academy Award'." OTT? Expect a slew of Super Bowl-style blockbuster trailers then, as they'll all be out after April and aren't likely to want to invoke Oscar's name.
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