Just Good Friends
2x02 Another Man
Little Crackers
Episode 8 Car Park Babylon
Episode 9 The Norris McWhirter Chronicles: A True Story
Episode 12 Uncle Santa [final episode]
That's those done, then. The last two here were amongst the best I thought, though David Baddiel's was resolutely nowt to do with Christmas. And Meera Syal's was Sky's first comedy programme to be shot in 3D. Not sure why. I expect "why not" may in fact have been the motivation.
(And if you're interested, here's the article Baddiel references at the start of his film.)
Wednesday, 12 January 2011
Articles
10 steps that defined every X-Files episode by Scott Edelman
(from blastr)
So true.
20 Greatest Fake Criterion Covers by George Wales
(from Total Film)
Most amusing, though you'll need at least a passing knowledge of the Criterion Collection to get it.
Child gets Saw 3D advert banned
(from BBC News)
Christopher Nolan (Somewhat) Explains Inception by Matt Goldberg
(from Collider)
This article is pushing two months old now, but I missed it at the time, so here it is for you now. Quite interesting too.
James Cameron calls Peter Berg's Battleship movie 'ridiculous' by Carol Pinchefsky
(from blastr)
"the only reason sequels exist is because Hollywood is out of ideas and is forced to re-use the same characters and storylines," says Cameron, director of Aliens, Terminator 2, Avatar 2 and Avatar 3.
(from blastr)
So true.
20 Greatest Fake Criterion Covers by George Wales
(from Total Film)
Most amusing, though you'll need at least a passing knowledge of the Criterion Collection to get it.
Child gets Saw 3D advert banned
(from BBC News)
The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) ... ruled the advert must not be be broadcast again in its current form before 2100.Ah yes, what a handy ruling almost three months after the film came out.
Christopher Nolan (Somewhat) Explains Inception by Matt Goldberg
(from Collider)
This article is pushing two months old now, but I missed it at the time, so here it is for you now. Quite interesting too.
James Cameron calls Peter Berg's Battleship movie 'ridiculous' by Carol Pinchefsky
(from blastr)
"the only reason sequels exist is because Hollywood is out of ideas and is forced to re-use the same characters and storylines," says Cameron, director of Aliens, Terminator 2, Avatar 2 and Avatar 3.
Tuesday, 11 January 2011
TV
Little Crackers
Episode 10 First Kiss
Episode 11 The Queen Mother's Visit
The Mentalist
3x10 Jolly Red Elf
Christmassy.
The season has now recommenced in the US (just), but no signs of when Five will bring it over here -- they're repeating season one for at least two more weeks.
[Watch it (again) on Demand Five.]
Never Mind the Buzzcocks
24x13 End of Series Compilation Show [season finale]
A fairly worthwhile clip show -- the clips are funny, and the linky bits are typically Buzzcocks in their unusualness.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Episode 10 First Kiss
Episode 11 The Queen Mother's Visit
The Mentalist
3x10 Jolly Red Elf
Christmassy.
The season has now recommenced in the US (just), but no signs of when Five will bring it over here -- they're repeating season one for at least two more weeks.
[Watch it (again) on Demand Five.]
Never Mind the Buzzcocks
24x13 End of Series Compilation Show [season finale]
A fairly worthwhile clip show -- the clips are funny, and the linky bits are typically Buzzcocks in their unusualness.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Films
Saw VI (2009)
[#1 in 100 Films in a Year 2011]
So this is the latest I've started 100 Films to date. Still, last year was the previous latest and that turned out OK.
[#1 in 100 Films in a Year 2011]
So this is the latest I've started 100 Films to date. Still, last year was the previous latest and that turned out OK.
DVD Extras
A Killer Maze: Making Saw: Game Over
from Saw VI Blu-ray
A behind-the-scenes look at Saw: Game Over, part of Universal theme parks' Halloween Horror Nights in 2009 -- a walk-through attraction based on the Saw films.
from Saw VI Blu-ray
A behind-the-scenes look at Saw: Game Over, part of Universal theme parks' Halloween Horror Nights in 2009 -- a walk-through attraction based on the Saw films.
Articles
Band of Brothers' Maj Richard Winters dies aged 92
(from BBC News)
RIP.
BOND IS BACK! Daniel Craig and Sam Mendes Set For Nov. 9, 2012 Release Date by Nikki Finke
(from Deadline Hollywood)
Good news!
(from BBC News)
RIP.
BOND IS BACK! Daniel Craig and Sam Mendes Set For Nov. 9, 2012 Release Date by Nikki Finke
(from Deadline Hollywood)
Good news!
Monday, 10 January 2011
TV
Derren Brown: Behind the Mischief
A nice little look at Derren the person, to mark the 10th anniversary of his TV career. Perhaps disappointingly short on new insights into his tricks though.
[Watch it (again) on 4oD.]
Just Good Friends
2x01 Guilt
Little Crackers
Episode 6 Better Than Christmas
Episode 7 Goodbye Fluff
Jo Brand's episode (Goodbye Fluff) is one of the best so far -- it's actually funny. Christmas shorts by comedians don't have to be funny, I suppose, but as they're a) by comedians, and b) open with a "Sky Comedy" logo, you kinda expect laughs.
The Magicians
1x02 Episode 2
I did the play-along-at-home trick this week (having done last week's after the show -- even having seen the answer, it didn't work). This week it did work... but then the thing on the website is insanely easy for the production to rig -- and, having tried it a few times, I never got the wrong card -- so I'm afraid I don't buy it as a proper trick. Still, love the theme music.
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
Never Mind the Buzzcocks
24x12 Episode 12
The South Bank Show
37x09 Victoria Wood Revisited
Remember when, back in September, I said I was finally getting round to watching these South Bank Show Revisiteds? Yeeeaaah...
A nice little look at Derren the person, to mark the 10th anniversary of his TV career. Perhaps disappointingly short on new insights into his tricks though.
[Watch it (again) on 4oD.]
Just Good Friends
2x01 Guilt
Little Crackers
Episode 6 Better Than Christmas
Episode 7 Goodbye Fluff
Jo Brand's episode (Goodbye Fluff) is one of the best so far -- it's actually funny. Christmas shorts by comedians don't have to be funny, I suppose, but as they're a) by comedians, and b) open with a "Sky Comedy" logo, you kinda expect laughs.
The Magicians
1x02 Episode 2
I did the play-along-at-home trick this week (having done last week's after the show -- even having seen the answer, it didn't work). This week it did work... but then the thing on the website is insanely easy for the production to rig -- and, having tried it a few times, I never got the wrong card -- so I'm afraid I don't buy it as a proper trick. Still, love the theme music.
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
Never Mind the Buzzcocks
24x12 Episode 12
The South Bank Show
37x09 Victoria Wood Revisited
Remember when, back in September, I said I was finally getting round to watching these South Bank Show Revisiteds? Yeeeaaah...
Articles
Allen, Hurley facing Twitter investigation? by Kristy Kelly
(from Digital Spy)
(from Digital Spy)
Lily Allen and Liz Hurley could face an investigation for promoting products through Twitter... The pair may have breached Office of Fair Trading rules by endorsing products on the site for money without declaring an interestQuite right, if true, just not a kind of story you expect to hear.
Sunday, 9 January 2011
this week on 100 Films
Just 1 new review was posted to 100 Films in a Year this week, but that was due to my duo of end-of-year summary posts.
First up, the Full List of what I watched in 2010 -- including exciting statistics about my viewing!
Secondly -- and finally for the year (other than the handful of reviews still to come) -- I look back on my Bottom 5 and Top 10 films I saw in In Retrospect.
Plus, as I said, that one review:
The Hurt Locker (2008)
More next Sunday.
First up, the Full List of what I watched in 2010 -- including exciting statistics about my viewing!
Secondly -- and finally for the year (other than the handful of reviews still to come) -- I look back on my Bottom 5 and Top 10 films I saw in In Retrospect.
Plus, as I said, that one review:
The Hurt Locker (2008)
The opening quote and closing scenes make explicit the main theme — war is a drug, one James is addicted to — but I’m not sure how present this is in the body of the story. Rather, the majority feels like an attempt to convey the experience of living as an explosives expert in a warzone, with James’ ‘addiction’ just a side effect of that.
More next Sunday.
Saturday, 8 January 2011
TV
Derren Brown: Enigma
Brilliant, as ever, though there are bits that, as ever, I wish he'd explain how they were done.
[Watch it (again) on 4oD.]
Just Good Friends
1x07 Moving In... And Out Again [season finale]
Horizon
Is Seeing Believing?
Happened to turn this on after Derren Brown. It's supposedly on iPlayer but doesn't seem to be working (perhaps because it's a repeat from October), which is a shame because it's fascinating and I'd recommend it.
Primeval
4x03 Episode 3
Even attempting to begin to enjoy Primeval requires the ability to switch your brain off. This seems to be a skill the writers have in abundance -- the plot holes and implausibilities are so numerous I gave up even noticing them by the end. And I remain unsure why I keep watching this series... probably a misguided, masochistic sense of "I've started so I'll bloody well finish".
[Watch it (again) on ITV Player soon.]
QI
8x15 Hypnosis, Hallucinations & Hysteria (extended repeat)
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
Wallander [film series]
Firewall Part 1 (of 2) (aka Brandvägg)
BBC Four jump to the eighth adaptation from the other Swedish Wallander (as you may remember, last time was the sixth), a tale that has also been adapted by the Branagh series -- though, as this is a two-parter, the British version was done in half the running time. I watched that version just over two years ago, so while I remember some details I have no real idea where this is going. Which is rather nice.
Brilliant, as ever, though there are bits that, as ever, I wish he'd explain how they were done.
[Watch it (again) on 4oD.]
Just Good Friends
1x07 Moving In... And Out Again [season finale]
Horizon
Is Seeing Believing?
Happened to turn this on after Derren Brown. It's supposedly on iPlayer but doesn't seem to be working (perhaps because it's a repeat from October), which is a shame because it's fascinating and I'd recommend it.
Primeval
4x03 Episode 3
Even attempting to begin to enjoy Primeval requires the ability to switch your brain off. This seems to be a skill the writers have in abundance -- the plot holes and implausibilities are so numerous I gave up even noticing them by the end. And I remain unsure why I keep watching this series... probably a misguided, masochistic sense of "I've started so I'll bloody well finish".
[Watch it (again) on ITV Player soon.]
QI
8x15 Hypnosis, Hallucinations & Hysteria (extended repeat)
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
Wallander [film series]
Firewall Part 1 (of 2) (aka Brandvägg)
BBC Four jump to the eighth adaptation from the other Swedish Wallander (as you may remember, last time was the sixth), a tale that has also been adapted by the Branagh series -- though, as this is a two-parter, the British version was done in half the running time. I watched that version just over two years ago, so while I remember some details I have no real idea where this is going. Which is rather nice.
Articles
History Channel Pulls The Kennedys; Says Controversial Miniseries 'Not a Fit’ by Matthew Belloni
(from The Hollywood Reporter)
They do bizarre things in Americaland -- like commission and produce a whole expensive eight-hour miniseries, and then decide not to show it.
Torchwood: Miracle Day revealed by Chuck Foster
(from Doctor Who News Page)
Love the plot; hate the new subtitle.
(from The Hollywood Reporter)
They do bizarre things in Americaland -- like commission and produce a whole expensive eight-hour miniseries, and then decide not to show it.
Torchwood: Miracle Day revealed by Chuck Foster
(from Doctor Who News Page)
Love the plot; hate the new subtitle.
Friday, 7 January 2011
TV
The Graham Norton Show
8x10 New Year's Eve Show
Said so.
Little Crackers
Episode 2 Capturing Santa
Episode 3 My First Nativity
Episode 4 Satan's Hoof
Two of these concern children's inappropriate urination. Awkward coincidence.
Live at the Apollo
6x06 (1/1/11 edition) [season finale]
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
Not Going Out
4x01 Drugs
Despite being cancelled, it's back! Hurrah! Not Going Out may be a rather old-school sitcom, but it's still damn funny, and that's what counts.
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
8x10 New Year's Eve Show
Said so.
Little Crackers
Episode 2 Capturing Santa
Episode 3 My First Nativity
Episode 4 Satan's Hoof
Two of these concern children's inappropriate urination. Awkward coincidence.
Live at the Apollo
6x06 (1/1/11 edition) [season finale]
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
Not Going Out
4x01 Drugs
Despite being cancelled, it's back! Hurrah! Not Going Out may be a rather old-school sitcom, but it's still damn funny, and that's what counts.
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
Collection Count
Collection Count tracks my DVD/Blu-ray collection via a number of statistics every week.
As we head deep into 2011 (well, a whole week), here's the tally for how my collection stood at the very end of 2010 (though, to be honest, it still stands this way). Basically, these increases represent a couple of new arrivals between last week's Christmas Day-fuelled update and the end of 2010... which is when last week's update was posted... Look, don't worry about it.
Numbers this week don't necessarily reflect purchases: once again, something's gone wrong somewhere and I've had to rebalance the numbers. This shouldn't happen, but it's because I update this each week based on the previous week's totals and update my DVD/BD master list separately at another time, which means... Look, don't worry about it.
Number of titles in collection: 1,258 [up 4]
Of which DVDs: 1,100 [up 3]
Of which Blu-rays: 157 [up 2]
Number of discs in collection: 3,136 [up 7]
Number of films in collection: 1,334 [up 3]
Number of TV episodes in collection: 4,545 [up 1]
Statistic of the week:
Total running time of collection (approx.):
224 days, 6 hours, and 15 minutes.
(Up 9 days, 7 hours, and 31 minutes from last month.)
That's the biggest running time increase ever, fact fans! Almost 2½-times more of an increase than last Christmas', and almost double the next-largest. Nice.
See you next week, faithful reader.
As we head deep into 2011 (well, a whole week), here's the tally for how my collection stood at the very end of 2010 (though, to be honest, it still stands this way). Basically, these increases represent a couple of new arrivals between last week's Christmas Day-fuelled update and the end of 2010... which is when last week's update was posted... Look, don't worry about it.
Numbers this week don't necessarily reflect purchases: once again, something's gone wrong somewhere and I've had to rebalance the numbers. This shouldn't happen, but it's because I update this each week based on the previous week's totals and update my DVD/BD master list separately at another time, which means... Look, don't worry about it.
Number of titles in collection: 1,258 [up 4]
Of which DVDs: 1,100 [up 3]
Of which Blu-rays: 157 [up 2]
Number of discs in collection: 3,136 [up 7]
Number of films in collection: 1,334 [up 3]
Number of TV episodes in collection: 4,545 [up 1]
Statistic of the week:
Total running time of collection (approx.):
224 days, 6 hours, and 15 minutes.
(Up 9 days, 7 hours, and 31 minutes from last month.)
That's the biggest running time increase ever, fact fans! Almost 2½-times more of an increase than last Christmas', and almost double the next-largest. Nice.
See you next week, faithful reader.
Thursday, 6 January 2011
TV
How I Met Your Mother
6x03 Unfinished
[Watch it (again) on 4oD.]
Just William [2010]
1x04 William Holds the Stage [season finale]
This has been a very entertaining series, I thought. More please.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
The Magicians
1x01 Episode 1
It's nice to see some magic back in a prime time schedule. Despite the pointless gimmicky audience vote aspect, this was very entertaining -- some spectacular tricks in there. But it has the same problem I always have with magic: I find knowing how it was done more impressive than the tricks themselves. Magicians always say that ruins the illusion and destroys the fun, but not for me -- the tricks are all well and good, but because we know it's not real the lengths they go to in order to make it look real is what's really impressive. But hey-ho, what can you do.
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
The Rob Brydon Show
1x07 Christmas Special
Zen
1x01 Vendetta
Gorgeously shot, a tad slow in places, with one horribly claustrophobic sequence (so, very well made, but very uncomfortable to sit through). Rather good all round.
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
6x03 Unfinished
[Watch it (again) on 4oD.]
Just William [2010]
1x04 William Holds the Stage [season finale]
This has been a very entertaining series, I thought. More please.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
The Magicians
1x01 Episode 1
It's nice to see some magic back in a prime time schedule. Despite the pointless gimmicky audience vote aspect, this was very entertaining -- some spectacular tricks in there. But it has the same problem I always have with magic: I find knowing how it was done more impressive than the tricks themselves. Magicians always say that ruins the illusion and destroys the fun, but not for me -- the tricks are all well and good, but because we know it's not real the lengths they go to in order to make it look real is what's really impressive. But hey-ho, what can you do.
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
The Rob Brydon Show
1x07 Christmas Special
Zen
1x01 Vendetta
Gorgeously shot, a tad slow in places, with one horribly claustrophobic sequence (so, very well made, but very uncomfortable to sit through). Rather good all round.
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
Articles
This Is Every Batmobile Ever by Justin Hyde
(from Jalopnik)
It isn't -- indeed, there's at least one pretty obvious one missing -- but it's a good attempt. It's a little bit astounding how many more redesigns there've been in the '90s and '00s than the five whole decades that preceded them.
(from Jalopnik)
It isn't -- indeed, there's at least one pretty obvious one missing -- but it's a good attempt. It's a little bit astounding how many more redesigns there've been in the '90s and '00s than the five whole decades that preceded them.
Wednesday, 5 January 2011
TV
Just Good Friends
1x06 Happy Birthday, Penny
Just William [2010]
1x03 The School Report
The first thing I've watched via iPlayer on my shiny new Wii. Hurrah!
(I realise the acquisition of a Wii is exactly the sort of thing this blog is designed to cover, but as I only set it up last night it hasn't become pertinent before now. And I doubt anyone anywhere is interested in the intricate details of my sensor bar setup debate.)
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Les Mis at 25: Matt Lucas Dreams the Dream
Rather good, I thought -- a well-judged mix between the story of Les Mis's inception and reception, and following Matt Lucas as he prepares to appear in the 25th anniversary concert.
Polar Bear: Spy on the Ice
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
1x06 Happy Birthday, Penny
Just William [2010]
1x03 The School Report
The first thing I've watched via iPlayer on my shiny new Wii. Hurrah!
(I realise the acquisition of a Wii is exactly the sort of thing this blog is designed to cover, but as I only set it up last night it hasn't become pertinent before now. And I doubt anyone anywhere is interested in the intricate details of my sensor bar setup debate.)
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Les Mis at 25: Matt Lucas Dreams the Dream
Rather good, I thought -- a well-judged mix between the story of Les Mis's inception and reception, and following Matt Lucas as he prepares to appear in the 25th anniversary concert.
Polar Bear: Spy on the Ice
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
Articles
Grimsby driver defends warning others of speed gun
(from BBC News)
HMV to close 60 stores as sales and shares slump
(from BBC News)
No surprises here -- HMV have managed to build themselves a thorough reputation as shockingly overpriced, so it was only a matter of time before sales took a massive dip and they had to begin closing stores. Perhaps they'll ultimately go the way of Zavvi and its ilk and become online-only. I won't mind, their website is rather good.
(from BBC News)
"When a file is provided to the CPS from the police, it is our duty to decide... whether a prosecution is in the public interest."It's a shame they so consistently prove they're no good at their duty.
HMV to close 60 stores as sales and shares slump
(from BBC News)
No surprises here -- HMV have managed to build themselves a thorough reputation as shockingly overpriced, so it was only a matter of time before sales took a massive dip and they had to begin closing stores. Perhaps they'll ultimately go the way of Zavvi and its ilk and become online-only. I won't mind, their website is rather good.
Tuesday, 4 January 2011
TV
The Big Fat Quiz of the Year 2010
Now in its sixth year, Channel 4's annual quiz is as much fun as ever. Usually I don't do very well, trailing behind whichever team (or, often, teams) lead on the programme itself. This year, however, I managed 33⅔ (out of 36), clearly beating all contestants on screen. Go me.
[Watch it (again) on 4oD.]
Due South
2x07 Juliet is Bleeding [2nd watch]
A surprisingly dramatic episode. Due South, I thought you were supposed to be light and fluffy?
This was the last episode the BBC showed before Christmas. Presumably it's returning at some point, though the BBC Two daytime schedule seems to be filled with darts this week, snooker next, and bowls the week after. Bloody sport.
Now in its sixth year, Channel 4's annual quiz is as much fun as ever. Usually I don't do very well, trailing behind whichever team (or, often, teams) lead on the programme itself. This year, however, I managed 33⅔ (out of 36), clearly beating all contestants on screen. Go me.
[Watch it (again) on 4oD.]
Due South
2x07 Juliet is Bleeding [2nd watch]
A surprisingly dramatic episode. Due South, I thought you were supposed to be light and fluffy?
This was the last episode the BBC showed before Christmas. Presumably it's returning at some point, though the BBC Two daytime schedule seems to be filled with darts this week, snooker next, and bowls the week after. Bloody sport.
Films
Return to the Hundred Acre Wood by David Benedictus
Chapter Four in which it stops raining for ever, and something slinky comes out of the river
Or, the chapter in which we meet the new character, created by Benedictus -- Lottie the otter. First impressions are she's not very likeable. But then Rabbit and Owl aren't necessarily very likeable on first impression, so we'll see.
Chapter Four in which it stops raining for ever, and something slinky comes out of the river
Or, the chapter in which we meet the new character, created by Benedictus -- Lottie the otter. First impressions are she's not very likeable. But then Rabbit and Owl aren't necessarily very likeable on first impression, so we'll see.
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