Ashes to Ashes
3x06 Episode 6
It's all coming together now... Which is quite good, really, as there are only two episodes left ever. Ever. Sad times.
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
Derren Brown Investigates
1x01 The Man Who Contacts the Dead
Verdict: fake.
[Watch it (again) on 4oD.]
Friday Night With Jonathan Ross
18x15 (7/5/10 edition)
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
Outnumbered
3x05 Programme 5
Is there anyone who still doesn't watch Outnumbered? I presume there must be. Fools. This was a particularly satisfying one, with Karen cutting right through a sleazy American psychotherapist.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Friday, 14 May 2010
Articles
NBC confirms Heroes axe by Neil Wilkes
(from Digital Spy)
All the article says at time of writing is "Heroes has been axed after four seasons, NBC has confirmed. More to follow." It may well have by the time you read this.
But what it means, basically, is no fifth year to wrap it all up, not even a short one; and it's all thanks to steadily dropping ratings, which was in turn thanks to steadily dropping quality. How the might have fallen, eh -- remember when this was the biggest show on TV, talked about worldwide and set to have a summer spin-off directed by Big Name Movie Directors? Still, we'll always have season one.
(from Digital Spy)
All the article says at time of writing is "Heroes has been axed after four seasons, NBC has confirmed. More to follow." It may well have by the time you read this.
But what it means, basically, is no fifth year to wrap it all up, not even a short one; and it's all thanks to steadily dropping ratings, which was in turn thanks to steadily dropping quality. How the might have fallen, eh -- remember when this was the biggest show on TV, talked about worldwide and set to have a summer spin-off directed by Big Name Movie Directors? Still, we'll always have season one.
Collection Count
Collection Count tracks my DVD/Blu-ray collection via a number of statistics every week.
This week, my Lord of the Rings theatrical edition DVDs were upgraded to their recent Blu-ray counterparts -- mmm, pretty. I was intending to wait for the Extended Edition upgrade, but as that's likely several years away this is a most welcome birthday present (yes, the pill is sweetened by not actually having to pay for them). This means some number fiddling (switching from three DVDs to a single Blu-ray box set), compounded by an inexplicable error in my number of films total (now corrected).
Number of titles in collection: 1,171 [down 1]
Of which DVDs: 1,087 [down 3]
Of which Blu-rays: 84 [up 2]
Number of discs in collection: 2,841 [up 1]
Number of films in collection: 1,237 [up 8]
Number of TV episodes in collection: 3,916 [no change]
Statistic of the week:
Running time of The Lord of the Rings DVDs/BDs:
98 hours, 39 minutes, and 39 seconds.
In honour of this week's biggest acquisition, I wondered just how much content there was on the new Lord of the Rings Blu-rays, plus the (in)famously stacked Special Extended DVD Editions. For the sake of clarity, these are the R2/UK Extended Editions and Region B/UK BDs -- so in both instances the US releases are even longer (thanks to PAL speed-up on the DVDs and a missing extra or two on the Blu-rays).
To break down that mass: 9 hours 19 minutes is the running time of the theatrical editions; 11 hours 37 minutes for the extended editions. Despite being criticised for a lack of extras, the theatrical editions boast 7 hours 41 minutes of special features. Of course, that's as nothing to the extended editions: they contain 46 hours 27 minutes of audio commentaries followed by 22 hours 21 minutes of documentaries and other extras. And that's not to mention the extensive image galleries, some with additional audio commentary. Rounding it out are the two bonus discs that came in gift boxes with Two Towers and Return of the King, an additional 1 hour 14 minutes.
And that's probably more detail than you wanted... though I have a lot more...
See you next week, faithful reader.
This week, my Lord of the Rings theatrical edition DVDs were upgraded to their recent Blu-ray counterparts -- mmm, pretty. I was intending to wait for the Extended Edition upgrade, but as that's likely several years away this is a most welcome birthday present (yes, the pill is sweetened by not actually having to pay for them). This means some number fiddling (switching from three DVDs to a single Blu-ray box set), compounded by an inexplicable error in my number of films total (now corrected).
Number of titles in collection: 1,171 [down 1]
Of which DVDs: 1,087 [down 3]
Of which Blu-rays: 84 [up 2]
Number of discs in collection: 2,841 [up 1]
Number of films in collection: 1,237 [up 8]
Number of TV episodes in collection: 3,916 [no change]
Statistic of the week:
Running time of The Lord of the Rings DVDs/BDs:
98 hours, 39 minutes, and 39 seconds.
In honour of this week's biggest acquisition, I wondered just how much content there was on the new Lord of the Rings Blu-rays, plus the (in)famously stacked Special Extended DVD Editions. For the sake of clarity, these are the R2/UK Extended Editions and Region B/UK BDs -- so in both instances the US releases are even longer (thanks to PAL speed-up on the DVDs and a missing extra or two on the Blu-rays).
To break down that mass: 9 hours 19 minutes is the running time of the theatrical editions; 11 hours 37 minutes for the extended editions. Despite being criticised for a lack of extras, the theatrical editions boast 7 hours 41 minutes of special features. Of course, that's as nothing to the extended editions: they contain 46 hours 27 minutes of audio commentaries followed by 22 hours 21 minutes of documentaries and other extras. And that's not to mention the extensive image galleries, some with additional audio commentary. Rounding it out are the two bonus discs that came in gift boxes with Two Towers and Return of the King, an additional 1 hour 14 minutes.
And that's probably more detail than you wanted... though I have a lot more...
See you next week, faithful reader.
Thursday, 13 May 2010
TV
Luther
1x01 Episode 1
Intriguing, complex new detective drama, with fantastic lead performances. It's worth watching for Idris Elba and Ruth Wilson alone. Also, surprising amount of stuff on the website.
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
The Queen
Part 3 The Rivals
[Watch it (again) on 4oD or SeeSaw.]
1x01 Episode 1
Intriguing, complex new detective drama, with fantastic lead performances. It's worth watching for Idris Elba and Ruth Wilson alone. Also, surprising amount of stuff on the website.
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
The Queen
Part 3 The Rivals
[Watch it (again) on 4oD or SeeSaw.]
Wednesday, 12 May 2010
TV
The Graham Norton Show
7x05 (10/5/10 edition)
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
Russell Howard's Good News
2x07 (6/5/10 edition; extended repeat)
This is so clearly pre-election, it's a little weird watching it on the day everything is finally settled. Also, last of the series (though there's some best bitsnext this week.
[Watch only the shorter version (again) on iPlayer.]
Wallander [Swedish]
2x03 Kuriren (aka The Courier)
7x05 (10/5/10 edition)
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
Russell Howard's Good News
2x07 (6/5/10 edition; extended repeat)
This is so clearly pre-election, it's a little weird watching it on the day everything is finally settled. Also, last of the series (though there's some best bits
[Watch only the shorter version (again) on iPlayer.]
Wallander [Swedish]
2x03 Kuriren (aka The Courier)
Tuesday, 11 May 2010
TV
The Mentalist
2x12 Bleeding Heart
[Watch it (again) on Demand Five.]
Outnumbered
3x04 Programme 4
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Also plenty of live BBC News (which I still call News 24, personally) this evening, for reasons that should hopefully be obvious.
2x12 Bleeding Heart
[Watch it (again) on Demand Five.]
Outnumbered
3x04 Programme 4
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Also plenty of live BBC News (which I still call News 24, personally) this evening, for reasons that should hopefully be obvious.
Monday, 10 May 2010
Articles
The James Bond Elephant
(from IanFleming.com)
It feels like there should be a pile of puns for this, but I just can't think of any...
(from IanFleming.com)
It feels like there should be a pile of puns for this, but I just can't think of any...
Sunday, 9 May 2010
TV
Have I Got News For You
39x05 Have I Got Election News For You (extended repeat)
Was expecting a pre-election Thursday night show; rather surprised to find they'd rescheduled at some point post-Radio Times. Probably a good idea; it certainly made for an excellent edition.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Over the Rainbow
Show 8: Results
Watch this moment here.
[Watch the whole episode (again) on iPlayer.]
39x05 Have I Got Election News For You (extended repeat)
Was expecting a pre-election Thursday night show; rather surprised to find they'd rescheduled at some point post-Radio Times. Probably a good idea; it certainly made for an excellent edition.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Over the Rainbow
Show 8: Results
[Watch the whole episode (again) on iPlayer.]
this week on 100 Films
Just 1 new review were posted to 100 Films in a Year this week, and they were...
Star Wars: The Clone Wars (2008)
In honour of Star Wars Day 2010.
More next Sunday.
Star Wars: The Clone Wars (2008)
In honour of Star Wars Day 2010.
More next Sunday.
Saturday, 8 May 2010
TV
Doctor Who
31x06 The Vampires of Venice
That was brilliant fun! So glad to see a three-person TARDIS team again -- considering that for much of the classic series there were two or even three companions, I've always looked forward to the new series giving it a go. Sure, we had Adam... for two episodes; and Jack... for three; and then Mickey... for four; but it was never quite permanent, was it? Hopefully Rory can manage at least five. I'm not convinced.
Also, I'm glad it was called The Vampires of Venice. Only a little thing, but that definitive just adds something, I feel.
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
Doctor Who Confidential
5x06 Death in Venice
Presumably we'll be back to Confidential Cut-Downs on the DVDs now (after getting full-length ones for all the specials), which is a shame. Take an episode like this, for example: there's a lot of different stuff going on, so what do you cut? Do you lose all the behind-the-scenes bits? Seems wrong when Confidential stands as the DVDs' "making of" documentaries, and this episode had a few different things to share beyond the usual "this is how CGI works" stuff. So do you lose all the stuff about the real Venice instead? But that was interesting and different too, so it'd also be a shame to lose.
Or do you just think "sod it, no one watches extras any more anyway" and bung on whichever segment is conveniently 15 minutes long? Probably that one, eh.
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
Over the Rainbow
Show 8
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
31x06 The Vampires of Venice
That was brilliant fun! So glad to see a three-person TARDIS team again -- considering that for much of the classic series there were two or even three companions, I've always looked forward to the new series giving it a go. Sure, we had Adam... for two episodes; and Jack... for three; and then Mickey... for four; but it was never quite permanent, was it? Hopefully Rory can manage at least five. I'm not convinced.
Also, I'm glad it was called The Vampires of Venice. Only a little thing, but that definitive just adds something, I feel.
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
Doctor Who Confidential
5x06 Death in Venice
Presumably we'll be back to Confidential Cut-Downs on the DVDs now (after getting full-length ones for all the specials), which is a shame. Take an episode like this, for example: there's a lot of different stuff going on, so what do you cut? Do you lose all the behind-the-scenes bits? Seems wrong when Confidential stands as the DVDs' "making of" documentaries, and this episode had a few different things to share beyond the usual "this is how CGI works" stuff. So do you lose all the stuff about the real Venice instead? But that was interesting and different too, so it'd also be a shame to lose.
Or do you just think "sod it, no one watches extras any more anyway" and bung on whichever segment is conveniently 15 minutes long? Probably that one, eh.
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
Over the Rainbow
Show 8
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
Collection Count
Collection Count tracks my DVD/Blu-ray collection via a number of statistics every week.
More slight changes again this week, plus the monthly running time update.
Number of titles in collection: 1,172 [up 2]
Of which DVDs: 1,090 [no change]
Of which Blu-rays: 82 [up 2]
Number of discs in collection: 2,840 [up 2]
Number of films in collection: 1,229 [up 2]
Number of TV episodes in collection: 3,916 [no change]
Statistic of the week:
Total running time of collection (approx.):
197 days, 7 hours, and 13 minutes.
(Up 1 day, 6 hours, and 23 minutes from last month.)
See you next week, faithful reader.
More slight changes again this week, plus the monthly running time update.
Number of titles in collection: 1,172 [up 2]
Of which DVDs: 1,090 [no change]
Of which Blu-rays: 82 [up 2]
Number of discs in collection: 2,840 [up 2]
Number of films in collection: 1,229 [up 2]
Number of TV episodes in collection: 3,916 [no change]
Statistic of the week:
Total running time of collection (approx.):
197 days, 7 hours, and 13 minutes.
(Up 1 day, 6 hours, and 23 minutes from last month.)
See you next week, faithful reader.
Friday, 7 May 2010
TV
Ashes to Ashes
3x05 Episode 5
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
Election 2010
Watched quite a lot of the BBC's election coverage in the end -- from after the C4 thing til around 6am, and then on-and-off from 10am til it finally ended at almost 4pm today. Much of it can now be found on iPlayer, with more coming soon, should you wish to re-live it for any reason.
Friday Night With Jonathan Ross
18x14 (30/4/10 edition)
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
3x05 Episode 5
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
Election 2010
Watched quite a lot of the BBC's election coverage in the end -- from after the C4 thing til around 6am, and then on-and-off from 10am til it finally ended at almost 4pm today. Much of it can now be found on iPlayer, with more coming soon, should you wish to re-live it for any reason.
Friday Night With Jonathan Ross
18x14 (30/4/10 edition)
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
Thursday, 6 May 2010
TV
Channel 4's Alternative Election Night
Brilliant -- funny and informed. Only flaw was it stopped just after 1am. Next time, all night please, C4.
FlashForward
1x16 Let No Man Put Asunder
[Watch it (again) on Demand Five.]
Brilliant -- funny and informed. Only flaw was it stopped just after 1am. Next time, all night please, C4.
FlashForward
1x16 Let No Man Put Asunder
[Watch it (again) on Demand Five.]
Articles
DVD sales slump in wake of Zavvi and Woolworths collapse by Richard Wray
(from guardian.co.uk)
Though, based on the article, that's not really the reason for the slump -- it's general recession-mindedness.
(from guardian.co.uk)
Though, based on the article, that's not really the reason for the slump -- it's general recession-mindedness.
Wednesday, 5 May 2010
TV
FlashForward
1x15 Queen Sacrifice
FlashForward is definitely improving. It's fixed one of it's biggest flaws: previously, every episode just meandered on a bit with the series arc. Now, it offers up a self-contained story per episode that feeds into the overall story, as well as continuing it. This is what other arc-centric shows like 24 and Lost have always done, even when their on going plot has been the focus for most viewers, so it's good to see FF finally realise this.
[Watch it (again) on Demand Five.]
The Graham Norton Show
7x04 (3/5/10 edition)
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
1x15 Queen Sacrifice
FlashForward is definitely improving. It's fixed one of it's biggest flaws: previously, every episode just meandered on a bit with the series arc. Now, it offers up a self-contained story per episode that feeds into the overall story, as well as continuing it. This is what other arc-centric shows like 24 and Lost have always done, even when their on going plot has been the focus for most viewers, so it's good to see FF finally realise this.
[Watch it (again) on Demand Five.]
The Graham Norton Show
7x04 (3/5/10 edition)
Articles
BBC receives complaints over sexy Who by Catriona Wightman
(from Digital Spy)
Said so.
CLiNT Magazine – Mark Millar’s New Monthly Anthology Includes Kick Ass Sequel by Rich Johnston
(from Bleeding Cool)
Somehow missed this yesterday, but it sounds like excellent news. Just need to read the original Kick-Ass before it comes out...
Download the full press releases from here and follow @CLiNTmag for updates.
(from Digital Spy)
Said so.
CLiNT Magazine – Mark Millar’s New Monthly Anthology Includes Kick Ass Sequel by Rich Johnston
(from Bleeding Cool)
Somehow missed this yesterday, but it sounds like excellent news. Just need to read the original Kick-Ass before it comes out...
Download the full press releases from here and follow @CLiNTmag for updates.
Tuesday, 4 May 2010
TV
FlashForward
1x14 Better Angels
FlashForward in almost-a-good-episode shocker! (Maybe the "almost" is a tad unfair. But the Benfords do grate rather.)
[Watch it (again) on Demand Five.]
1x14 Better Angels
FlashForward in almost-a-good-episode shocker! (Maybe the "almost" is a tad unfair. But the Benfords do grate rather.)
[Watch it (again) on Demand Five.]
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