Lee Mack's All Star Cast
1x05 (16/7/11 edition)
I think this is getting worse. Though not having Katie Price this week is a big bonus.
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
Penn & Teller: Fool Us
1x05 Episode 5
Most of the Metro reviews of this series (which I've generally linked to as the only thing close to an episode-specific online presence I can find) have been half-decent, but this one's just stupid. Witness them prattling on about "amateur magicians" -- it's been clear since the first special that these are almost all working, award-winning magicians, not "some bloke that dabbles" types. At least, I thought it was clear. But I suppose this reviewer does write for the Metro...
At least, unlike 99% of articles on the Internet, the comments on this one are vaguely worth a read (for more of the same eye-rolling annoyance I'm expressing.
[Watch it (again) on ITV Player.]
Pointless
4x33 (20/7/11 edition)
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Top Gear
17x04 (17/7/11 edition)
A train made from caravans that turned into a fireball?! Awesome!
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
Torchwood: Miracle Day
4x02 Rendition
That was much, much better, I thought. Obviously Jack was never in any real danger -- they're not going to kill him off, and certainly not in the second episode -- but there was good Torchwoody fun as they raced around finding everything for the cure. The subplots -- both Oswald Danes and the medical emergency -- are interesting, providing they play them right from now on. Danes has a long way to go, that's clear, but if overdone the medical sob story is going to get dull.
Perhaps best of all, though, was Agent Lyn stumbling along with her head on backwards. Proper Torchwood silliness -- much missed from the first two episodes up to that point, I feel.
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
Thursday, 21 July 2011
Articles
Doctor Who: The Adventure Games returns in October with Guy Fawkes episode by Matthew Reynolds
(from Digital Spy)
I've still only played the first of the original four games, because I didn't think it was much fun -- so hopefully these "more sophisticated puzzles" include "making it good". I ought to go back and play the other three games, mind -- some of what I read suggested they did get better. Plus, Cybermen! Yay Cybermen.
(from Digital Spy)
The second series will begin with The Gunpowder Plot, and sees The Doctor, Amy and Rory battle aliens in London in 1605. Guy Fawkes will have a role in the episode, which will see the return of two old Doctor Who enemies.
...The new series will see several gameplay enhancements, including non-linear routes, more sophisticated puzzles and a more complex lighting system.
I've still only played the first of the original four games, because I didn't think it was much fun -- so hopefully these "more sophisticated puzzles" include "making it good". I ought to go back and play the other three games, mind -- some of what I read suggested they did get better. Plus, Cybermen! Yay Cybermen.
Wednesday, 20 July 2011
TV
How I Met Your Mother
6x20 The Exploding Meatball Sub
[Watch it (again) on 4oD.]
Law & Order: UK
5x02 Safe
[Watch it (again) on ITV Player.]
Pointless
4x32 (19/7/11 edition)
And another winner! I spoke too soon.
Shame I didn't like the team again.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
6x20 The Exploding Meatball Sub
[Watch it (again) on 4oD.]
Law & Order: UK
5x02 Safe
[Watch it (again) on ITV Player.]
Pointless
4x32 (19/7/11 edition)
And another winner! I spoke too soon.
Shame I didn't like the team again.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Tuesday, 19 July 2011
TV
Castle
1x05 A Chill Goes Through Her Veins
[Watch it (again) on Demand 5.]
Pointless
4x31 (18/7/11 edition)
Having just commented on how hard it was to win, someone goes and does it! Wasn't sure that ever happened, to be honest. Shame I didn't like the team.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
1x05 A Chill Goes Through Her Veins
[Watch it (again) on Demand 5.]
Pointless
4x31 (18/7/11 edition)
Having just commented on how hard it was to win, someone goes and does it! Wasn't sure that ever happened, to be honest. Shame I didn't like the team.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
DVD Extras
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1 Maximum Movie Mode
The final forty minutes or so, then.
It's a pretty good track when it's actually sharing info, and sometimes the flow of information is quite constant, but there's the odd long stretch which you feel could have been filled. Surely someone involved had an anecdote or production snippet to slot into all the dead time? This is particularly annoying when the track offers you the option to leave the film to watch Focus Points -- short featurettes, only a couple of minutes each, on specific elements of the production. Invariably the MMM track itself offers nothing else for several minutes after the offer, so why not just play the full featurette PiP instead of a bitesize 'trailer' and forcing you to exit to watch it?
Also, the MMM is often used to fill in backstory or impart trivia, reminding us of events in previous films and extra detail from the books. It's nice, but also a shame: there's plenty of room for more behind the scenes information, be it director's/writer's/actors' intentions or how-they-made-thats or anything else along those lines. Even stuff familiar from the countless making-ofs we've almost all seen in the DVD era would be more welcome than the silence (well, "just the film") that this track ends up reverting to; and I'm sure there's actually plenty of unique stuff that could be discussed, if they put their mind to it.
So the track starts well but gets thinner as it goes on. That said, a couple of the best bits emerge late on. For instance, there's a good selection on the making of the Three Brothers animated sequence, plus the reveal that the film's ending was originally placed earlier -- when Harry & co arrive at Malfoy Manor and Bellatrix sees his scar -- but was moved to capitalise on the emotion of Dobby's death. Smart move.
The final forty minutes or so, then.
It's a pretty good track when it's actually sharing info, and sometimes the flow of information is quite constant, but there's the odd long stretch which you feel could have been filled. Surely someone involved had an anecdote or production snippet to slot into all the dead time? This is particularly annoying when the track offers you the option to leave the film to watch Focus Points -- short featurettes, only a couple of minutes each, on specific elements of the production. Invariably the MMM track itself offers nothing else for several minutes after the offer, so why not just play the full featurette PiP instead of a bitesize 'trailer' and forcing you to exit to watch it?
Also, the MMM is often used to fill in backstory or impart trivia, reminding us of events in previous films and extra detail from the books. It's nice, but also a shame: there's plenty of room for more behind the scenes information, be it director's/writer's/actors' intentions or how-they-made-thats or anything else along those lines. Even stuff familiar from the countless making-ofs we've almost all seen in the DVD era would be more welcome than the silence (well, "just the film") that this track ends up reverting to; and I'm sure there's actually plenty of unique stuff that could be discussed, if they put their mind to it.
So the track starts well but gets thinner as it goes on. That said, a couple of the best bits emerge late on. For instance, there's a good selection on the making of the Three Brothers animated sequence, plus the reveal that the film's ending was originally placed earlier -- when Harry & co arrive at Malfoy Manor and Bellatrix sees his scar -- but was moved to capitalise on the emotion of Dobby's death. Smart move.
Articles
Potter postscript: 10 great, and 10 not-so-great, things about Harry Potter (Plus: The best scenes) by Genevieve Koski & Tasha Robinson
(from A.V. Club)
An interesting, agreeable list of the highs (and lows) of the Harry Potter series, both on the page and the screen.
(from A.V. Club)
An interesting, agreeable list of the highs (and lows) of the Harry Potter series, both on the page and the screen.
Monday, 18 July 2011
DVD Extras
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1 Maximum Movie Mode
Watched the first two hours (almost) of this (nearly) three-hour presentation. More comments on it tomorrow, when I finish it (probably).
(Apologies for the link, by-the-way -- I hate that site's reviews (mainly for their stupid section titles). I'd've linked to the relevant bit of the Blu-ray.com review, but because of their fancy schamncy layout coding you can't.)
Watched the first two hours (almost) of this (nearly) three-hour presentation. More comments on it tomorrow, when I finish it (probably).
(Apologies for the link, by-the-way -- I hate that site's reviews (mainly for their stupid section titles). I'd've linked to the relevant bit of the Blu-ray.com review, but because of their fancy schamncy layout coding you can't.)
Sunday, 17 July 2011
TV
Archer
2x11 Jeu Monegasque
Another fantastic episode! Go Archer!
[Watch it (again) on Demand 5.]
Grand Designs Australia
1x01 Bushfire House
Noticed More4 have started showing this just in time to catch the first episode on catch-up. Super.
[Watch it (again) on 4oD.]
Mock the Week
10x06 (14/7/11 edition) [mid-season finale]
The regular mid-series highlights/outtakes/bloopers episode. On the one hand I always feel cheated out of a new topical edition; on the other they delete some pretty good stuff from the rest of the series.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
MythBusters
5x24 Confederate Steam Gun
Happened across this on random TV browsing. Rather addictive good fun.
Single-Handed
2x01 The Lost Boys Part 1
As I hoped, it's back. Hurrah! And as good as ever, too, though this time we have to wait a whole week for the second half. Scheduled against both Torchwood and The (US) Killing, I fear slightly for its ratings, but perhaps it'll be different enough to succeed.
[Watch it (again) on ITV Player.]
2x11 Jeu Monegasque
Another fantastic episode! Go Archer!
[Watch it (again) on Demand 5.]
Grand Designs Australia
1x01 Bushfire House
Noticed More4 have started showing this just in time to catch the first episode on catch-up. Super.
[Watch it (again) on 4oD.]
Mock the Week
10x06 (14/7/11 edition) [mid-season finale]
The regular mid-series highlights/outtakes/bloopers episode. On the one hand I always feel cheated out of a new topical edition; on the other they delete some pretty good stuff from the rest of the series.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
MythBusters
5x24 Confederate Steam Gun
Happened across this on random TV browsing. Rather addictive good fun.
Single-Handed
2x01 The Lost Boys Part 1
As I hoped, it's back. Hurrah! And as good as ever, too, though this time we have to wait a whole week for the second half. Scheduled against both Torchwood and The (US) Killing, I fear slightly for its ratings, but perhaps it'll be different enough to succeed.
[Watch it (again) on ITV Player.]
Films
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1 (2010)
[#70 in 100 Films in a Year 2011]
Part 2 may be smashing (almost) every record going, but I'm just catching up with Part 1. It was good, but I expect I'll still wait for the second half on Blu-ray.
[#70 in 100 Films in a Year 2011]
Part 2 may be smashing (almost) every record going, but I'm just catching up with Part 1. It was good, but I expect I'll still wait for the second half on Blu-ray.
Articles
Weekend Report: Harry Makes History by Brandon Gray
(from Box Office Mojo)
Impressive... but can it overtake Avatar to become the highest grossing film of all time? I don't see it. Cameron's uber-blockbuster had the advantage of being Something New, rather than the 8th film in an (admittedly extremely popular) franchise, plus the big boost of being so promoted as The 3D Film that everyone flocked to see it in more-expensive 3D. HP7.2 is in 3D too, but the technology no longer has that "must see" factor.
Indeed, HP7.2 is the latest film in a trend that sees 3D pulling in a lower percentage of the gross than 2D -- despite 68% of its US screens showing it in 3D, and all those tickets being more expensive than 2D ones, 3D only accounted for 43% of its gross. Ouch. And that's likely to drop off even more as time goes on.
(from Box Office Mojo)
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2 soared into the record books with the highest-grossing opening weekend ever. The series finale drew an estimated $168.55 million... dethroning The Dark Knight's $158.4 million.
[It also achieved a new] opening day record of $92.1 million on Friday (buoyed by a record-shattering $43.5 million midnight launch) [and] the second biggest-grossing 3D opening yet, behind Alice in Wonderland's $81.3 million. In IMAX alone, Deathly Hallows Part 2 delivered the top-grossing start ever, generating $15.5 million versus Alice's second-place $12.2 million.
Impressive... but can it overtake Avatar to become the highest grossing film of all time? I don't see it. Cameron's uber-blockbuster had the advantage of being Something New, rather than the 8th film in an (admittedly extremely popular) franchise, plus the big boost of being so promoted as The 3D Film that everyone flocked to see it in more-expensive 3D. HP7.2 is in 3D too, but the technology no longer has that "must see" factor.
Indeed, HP7.2 is the latest film in a trend that sees 3D pulling in a lower percentage of the gross than 2D -- despite 68% of its US screens showing it in 3D, and all those tickets being more expensive than 2D ones, 3D only accounted for 43% of its gross. Ouch. And that's likely to drop off even more as time goes on.
this week on 100 Films
After nothing at all to report last week, there was just 1 new review posted to 100 Films in a Year in the past seven days. It was...
Easy Virtue (2008)
Hopefully, more next Sunday.
Easy Virtue (2008)
Director Stephan Elliott adds something extra to the wit with his choice of a wonderfully inventive soundtrack. Standards from the era are present and correct, but Cole Porter-styled reinterpretations of modern songs like Car Wash and Sex Bomb raise a smile whenever they turn up unexpectedly. It’s fabulously cheeky.
Hopefully, more next Sunday.
Saturday, 16 July 2011
TV
Pointless
4x30 (15/7/11 edition)
Crikey Pointless is hard to win! Today's final -- "directors who have won more than one Oscar" -- was as up my street as any have been, but I didn't come close to any of the nine winning answers. (A list of the 18 correct answers can be deduced from here.)
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
4x30 (15/7/11 edition)
Crikey Pointless is hard to win! Today's final -- "directors who have won more than one Oscar" -- was as up my street as any have been, but I didn't come close to any of the nine winning answers. (A list of the 18 correct answers can be deduced from here.)
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Music
Alpocalypse by "Weird Al" Yankovic
I don't recognise most of the parodies on Weird Al's latest (his first in half a decade), which either shows I'm out of touch or how lacklustre modern music is. Even this album's polka -- normally full of recognisable snippets from the biggest songs of the past few years -- is a wet affair of unfamiliar lyrics. Shame.
For me, then, this album is at its best when parodying a style rather than a specific modern song. Craigslist takes on the Doors, for instance; Ringtone is a riff on Queen; and, best of all, Stop Forwarding That Crap To Me emulates the work of Jim Steinman to marvellous effect.
Of the direct spoofs, only opener and single Perform This Way -- which lampoons everything about Lady Gaga via her recent hit Born This Way -- sounds familiar and, therefore, and more importantly, works.
I don't recognise most of the parodies on Weird Al's latest (his first in half a decade), which either shows I'm out of touch or how lacklustre modern music is. Even this album's polka -- normally full of recognisable snippets from the biggest songs of the past few years -- is a wet affair of unfamiliar lyrics. Shame.
For me, then, this album is at its best when parodying a style rather than a specific modern song. Craigslist takes on the Doors, for instance; Ringtone is a riff on Queen; and, best of all, Stop Forwarding That Crap To Me emulates the work of Jim Steinman to marvellous effect.
Of the direct spoofs, only opener and single Perform This Way -- which lampoons everything about Lady Gaga via her recent hit Born This Way -- sounds familiar and, therefore, and more importantly, works.
Friday, 15 July 2011
TV
Miranda
1x04 Holiday [2nd watch]
It doesn't happen very often, but if I ever stumble across any of Miranda for more than about 30 seconds, I can't help but watch the rest. I have to say, though, I do think the first series was, on the whole, better than the second. Fingers crossed for the third.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
No Ordinary Family
1x11 No Ordinary Friends
Oh, far too much coincidence in this plot! Ouch.
Pointless
4x29 (14/7/11 edition)
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
1x04 Holiday [2nd watch]
It doesn't happen very often, but if I ever stumble across any of Miranda for more than about 30 seconds, I can't help but watch the rest. I have to say, though, I do think the first series was, on the whole, better than the second. Fingers crossed for the third.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
No Ordinary Family
1x11 No Ordinary Friends
Oh, far too much coincidence in this plot! Ouch.
Pointless
4x29 (14/7/11 edition)
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Collection Count
Collection Count tracks my DVD/Blu-ray collection via a number of statistics every week.
I've been waiting well over a month for a parcel from Amazon.com. I've known for weeks it won't arrive, because they always arrive well before the final estimated date. Today is that date... but all Amazon say as advice is "give it a few more days". So I'll "give it a few more days", it won't turn up, and then I'll be able to contact them for a replacement. Which I do hope they'll send.
Number of titles in collection: 1,347 [up 2]
Of which DVDs: 1,127 [up 2]
Of which Blu-rays: 220 [no change]
Number of discs in collection: 3,339 [up 2]
Number of films in collection: 1,419 [no change]
Number of TV episodes in collection: 5,005 [up 5]
See you next week, faithful reader.
I've been waiting well over a month for a parcel from Amazon.com. I've known for weeks it won't arrive, because they always arrive well before the final estimated date. Today is that date... but all Amazon say as advice is "give it a few more days". So I'll "give it a few more days", it won't turn up, and then I'll be able to contact them for a replacement. Which I do hope they'll send.
Number of titles in collection: 1,347 [up 2]
Of which DVDs: 1,127 [up 2]
Of which Blu-rays: 220 [no change]
Number of discs in collection: 3,339 [up 2]
Number of films in collection: 1,419 [no change]
Number of TV episodes in collection: 5,005 [up 5]
See you next week, faithful reader.
Thursday, 14 July 2011
TV
Pointless
4x28 (13/7/11 edition)
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Torchwood: Miracle Day
4x01 The New World
Nearly a week behind the US, Canada and Australia, then, but at least our version is several minutes longer. Maybe that was why it felt surprisingly slow? And I miss the theme music. And what technical bod messed up and caused that nasty visual 'echo'?
A raft of other niggles niggled, too, so I can't be certain what I actually think of it yet. It got "Americanised" trending on twitter though, so I guess it didn't go down too well generally.
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
The Tudors
4x05 Bottom of the Pot
I don't know if it's just the fault of history, but this was awfully like the demise of Anne Boleyn. Even if essentially the same stuff happened, couldn't they have found a different angle on it for the sake of drama? Maybe that's why it was rattled through in a single episode.
4x28 (13/7/11 edition)
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Torchwood: Miracle Day
4x01 The New World
Nearly a week behind the US, Canada and Australia, then, but at least our version is several minutes longer. Maybe that was why it felt surprisingly slow? And I miss the theme music. And what technical bod messed up and caused that nasty visual 'echo'?
A raft of other niggles niggled, too, so I can't be certain what I actually think of it yet. It got "Americanised" trending on twitter though, so I guess it didn't go down too well generally.
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
The Tudors
4x05 Bottom of the Pot
I don't know if it's just the fault of history, but this was awfully like the demise of Anne Boleyn. Even if essentially the same stuff happened, couldn't they have found a different angle on it for the sake of drama? Maybe that's why it was rattled through in a single episode.
Wednesday, 13 July 2011
TV
No Ordinary Family
1x10 No Ordinary Sidekick
I'm not sure if this is getting a little bit better or if I'm just becoming a little immune...
Pointless
4x27 (12/7/11 edition)
Today's edition was my favourite kind of quiz show: one where I could have a reasonable go at most rounds. Got the best answer on the Wallace & Gromit one, but the most obscure Kevin Spacey films I could come up with wouldn't've been obscure enough.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
1x10 No Ordinary Sidekick
I'm not sure if this is getting a little bit better or if I'm just becoming a little immune...
Pointless
4x27 (12/7/11 edition)
Today's edition was my favourite kind of quiz show: one where I could have a reasonable go at most rounds. Got the best answer on the Wallace & Gromit one, but the most obscure Kevin Spacey films I could come up with wouldn't've been obscure enough.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
DVD Extras
Easter Egg on Doctor Who: The Dominators
The Scottish Falsetto Sock Puppet Theatre do a sketch related to Doctor Who serial production codes. Yes, it's as fan-only as it sounds -- that's why it's an easter egg, I should imagine. But I thought it was very funny, so there.
The Scottish Falsetto Sock Puppet Theatre do a sketch related to Doctor Who serial production codes. Yes, it's as fan-only as it sounds -- that's why it's an easter egg, I should imagine. But I thought it was very funny, so there.
Trailers
Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows Trailer
I loved the first Downey Jr/Ritchie Holmes film, this one looks... interesting. Lots of exciting stuff and funny stuff, but will it work as well as a Sherlock Holmes film as the first one did? Could be they've crammed the trailer full of all the film's action and the Holmesian stuff will occur in between it; could be they've gone too far down the blockbuster route. Only time will tell.
That said, maximum points for using the same awesome music as the first film's trailer.
I loved the first Downey Jr/Ritchie Holmes film, this one looks... interesting. Lots of exciting stuff and funny stuff, but will it work as well as a Sherlock Holmes film as the first one did? Could be they've crammed the trailer full of all the film's action and the Holmesian stuff will occur in between it; could be they've gone too far down the blockbuster route. Only time will tell.
That said, maximum points for using the same awesome music as the first film's trailer.
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