18x13 (23/4/10 edition)
The Graham Norton Show
7x03 (26/4/10 edition)
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
Friday, 30 April 2010
TV
Friday Night With Jonathan Ross
18x13 (23/4/10 edition)
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
The Graham Norton Show
7x03 (26/4/10 edition)
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
18x13 (23/4/10 edition)
The Graham Norton Show
7x03 (26/4/10 edition)
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
Articles
McKidd: 'Rome movie is almost there' by Catriona Wightman
(from Digital Spy)
Always appreciate an update on the Rome movie. Though it's apparently set in Germany, so one wonders if calling it Rome is strictly accurate...
Report: 'More TVs in US than people' by Oli Simpson
(from Digital Spy)
Headline says it all. The actual stat: "the median number of TV sets in the typical US household is 2.93 but the number of people is just 2.5."
Why I Hate 3-D (And You Should Too) by Roger Ebert
(from Newsweek)
As eloquent and persuasive as ever, Ebert argues why the new trend for 3D in films is pointless and actually counter-productive -- or, rather, counter-artistic. Is it only a matter of time before the world/industry agrees with him? I hope so. 3D's a fun gimmick, but no more, despite what some movie-moneymen and bandwagon-jumpers would love us to believe.
(from Digital Spy)
Always appreciate an update on the Rome movie. Though it's apparently set in Germany, so one wonders if calling it Rome is strictly accurate...
Report: 'More TVs in US than people' by Oli Simpson
(from Digital Spy)
Headline says it all. The actual stat: "the median number of TV sets in the typical US household is 2.93 but the number of people is just 2.5."
Why I Hate 3-D (And You Should Too) by Roger Ebert
(from Newsweek)
As eloquent and persuasive as ever, Ebert argues why the new trend for 3D in films is pointless and actually counter-productive -- or, rather, counter-artistic. Is it only a matter of time before the world/industry agrees with him? I hope so. 3D's a fun gimmick, but no more, despite what some movie-moneymen and bandwagon-jumpers would love us to believe.
Collection Count
Collection Count tracks my DVD/Blu-ray collection via a number of statistics every week.
Minimal changes this week, as one two-disc DVD is replaced by its two-disc Blu-ray. Thrilling.
Number of titles in collection: 1,170 [no change]
Of which DVDs: 1,090 [down 1]
Of which Blu-rays: 80 [up 1]
Number of discs in collection: 2,838 [no change]
Number of films in collection: 1,227 [no change]
Number of TV episodes in collection: 3,916 [no change]
Statistic of the week:
Number of titles produced in the '90s:
188
(16.1% of the total)
Right back at the start of this series, stat of the week covered titles produced in the '00s, the most-represented decade in my collection. Next biggest is the '90s -- as you can see, there's quite a discrepancy! (And the '00s have only increased in the past 6 months.)
See you next week, faithful reader.
Minimal changes this week, as one two-disc DVD is replaced by its two-disc Blu-ray. Thrilling.
Number of titles in collection: 1,170 [no change]
Of which DVDs: 1,090 [down 1]
Of which Blu-rays: 80 [up 1]
Number of discs in collection: 2,838 [no change]
Number of films in collection: 1,227 [no change]
Number of TV episodes in collection: 3,916 [no change]
Statistic of the week:
Number of titles produced in the '90s:
188
(16.1% of the total)
Right back at the start of this series, stat of the week covered titles produced in the '00s, the most-represented decade in my collection. Next biggest is the '90s -- as you can see, there's quite a discrepancy! (And the '00s have only increased in the past 6 months.)
See you next week, faithful reader.
Thursday, 29 April 2010
TV
Ashes to Ashes
3x04 Episode 4
Crikey, halfway through already! This is all going to be over before I know it...
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
The National Lottery: Who Dares Wins
3x07 (24/4/10 edition)
This is even more nearly-all-over. Less excitingly so though.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
3x04 Episode 4
Crikey, halfway through already! This is all going to be over before I know it...
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
The National Lottery: Who Dares Wins
3x07 (24/4/10 edition)
This is even more nearly-all-over. Less excitingly so though.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Articles
Ashes creator: 'The ending is terrific' by Catriona Wightman
(from Digital Spy)
Fox 'fend off Avatar Blu-ray complaints' by Oli Simpson
(from Digital Spy)
Wes Craven: 'Scream 4 to mock Saw' by Aaron Broverman
(from Digital Spy)
Previously the return of Scream sounded like another attempt to cash-in by relaunching a once-popular franchise for no good reason. But now it sounds like they actually have a purpose: the original trilogy did a top-notch job of spoofing the horror movies of the day (and properly spoofing them too, not just recreating them with a 'joke' crowbarred into every scene a la Scary Movie & co), and now they want to do the same thing with modern horror movies. It sounds so obvious now, but does involve some degree of thinking outside the box -- after all, didn't we all expect a Scream revival would just be more of the same 80s/90s-spoofing?
The full interview can be found over here.
(from Digital Spy)
Fox 'fend off Avatar Blu-ray complaints' by Oli Simpson
(from Digital Spy)
the DRM software, originally introduced to discourage piracy, has in fact had the opposite effect."Much lols," as the cool internet kids say these days (I think).
Wes Craven: 'Scream 4 to mock Saw' by Aaron Broverman
(from Digital Spy)
Previously the return of Scream sounded like another attempt to cash-in by relaunching a once-popular franchise for no good reason. But now it sounds like they actually have a purpose: the original trilogy did a top-notch job of spoofing the horror movies of the day (and properly spoofing them too, not just recreating them with a 'joke' crowbarred into every scene a la Scary Movie & co), and now they want to do the same thing with modern horror movies. It sounds so obvious now, but does involve some degree of thinking outside the box -- after all, didn't we all expect a Scream revival would just be more of the same 80s/90s-spoofing?
The full interview can be found over here.
Wednesday, 28 April 2010
TV
FlashForward
1x13 Blowback
Go beardy dad bloke!
As for the rest of the series... It's good we're getting answers; it's still not good though, is it.
The Mentalist
2x10 Throwing Fire
[Watch it (again) on Demand Five.]
1x13 Blowback
Go beardy dad bloke!
As for the rest of the series... It's good we're getting answers; it's still not good though, is it.
The Mentalist
2x10 Throwing Fire
[Watch it (again) on Demand Five.]
Articles
BBC Trust apologises for Frankie Boyle 'angry Jew' joke
(from guardian.co.uk)
In summary, if you call an Israeli a Jew it's "inappropriate and offensive".
Our Clegg-backing letter is one for the grandchildren by Richard Reeves
(from Comment is free at guardian.co.uk)
Not normally one for brandishing too much politics across the blog, but this (and the letter it links to at the end) still make for an interesting read.
Week 6 Schedule Update by Marcus
(from Doctor Who News Page)
Alternate headline: "Over the Rainbow stage scheduling coup while Moffat stranded in America".
I'm sure it's significantly less exciting than that, but, still.
(from guardian.co.uk)
In summary, if you call an Israeli a Jew it's "inappropriate and offensive".
Our Clegg-backing letter is one for the grandchildren by Richard Reeves
(from Comment is free at guardian.co.uk)
Not normally one for brandishing too much politics across the blog, but this (and the letter it links to at the end) still make for an interesting read.
Week 6 Schedule Update by Marcus
(from Doctor Who News Page)
Alternate headline: "Over the Rainbow stage scheduling coup while Moffat stranded in America".
I'm sure it's significantly less exciting than that, but, still.
preview of Doctor Who games has put me off
Preview: Doctor Who: The Adventure Games by Matthew Reynolds
(from Digital Spy)
I was really looking forward to these games -- Doctor Who has always seemed well-suited to a point-and-click-style adventure game and I'd always hoped they'd make one. And that's what this looked like -- it's got "Adventure Game" in the title, after all, and screenshots have shown 3D person controls and adventure-game-like on-screen options like "examine".
But appearances can be deceptive, as this preview reveals. Instead of a Who-ish game driven by story, conversation and inventory-based puzzles, we're getting stealth sections that sound thoroughly old-fashioned and mini-games every time the Doctor needs to unlock a door. And, from the sounds of the preview, that's all the game really has to offer. Oh.
If that was the kind of game they'd pitched, well, c'est la vie -- but it promised so much more! And it sounds like the developers lack the creativity to have even thought of the superior option. This quote demonstrates their complete lack of understanding:
Basically, if it's not a shoot-em-up, it's not a game. What idiots.
Why couldn't this have been licensed to Telltale? Well, probably because they're American 'n' all that -- but they've proven it works as a business model (not that these Who games need a business model -- they're free), and I'd assumed their style had basically been copied for these games. But it seems not.
I'll still play them, of course, cos I'm a Who fan and they're canon and they're free. But before I was really looking forward to them, and now I'll just go through the motions because I have to. Which is a bit depressing.
(from Digital Spy)
I was really looking forward to these games -- Doctor Who has always seemed well-suited to a point-and-click-style adventure game and I'd always hoped they'd make one. And that's what this looked like -- it's got "Adventure Game" in the title, after all, and screenshots have shown 3D person controls and adventure-game-like on-screen options like "examine".
But appearances can be deceptive, as this preview reveals. Instead of a Who-ish game driven by story, conversation and inventory-based puzzles, we're getting stealth sections that sound thoroughly old-fashioned and mini-games every time the Doctor needs to unlock a door. And, from the sounds of the preview, that's all the game really has to offer. Oh.
If that was the kind of game they'd pitched, well, c'est la vie -- but it promised so much more! And it sounds like the developers lack the creativity to have even thought of the superior option. This quote demonstrates their complete lack of understanding:
The Doctor himself solves all the problems of the universe, saves humanity, with the power of negotiation and clever quips, which within themselves don't make for great gameplay... He hasn't got a blaster, it'll be brilliant if he had a lightsaber, it'll be great if he had twin guns, but he hasn't and we can't…
Basically, if it's not a shoot-em-up, it's not a game. What idiots.
Why couldn't this have been licensed to Telltale? Well, probably because they're American 'n' all that -- but they've proven it works as a business model (not that these Who games need a business model -- they're free), and I'd assumed their style had basically been copied for these games. But it seems not.
I'll still play them, of course, cos I'm a Who fan and they're canon and they're free. But before I was really looking forward to them, and now I'll just go through the motions because I have to. Which is a bit depressing.
Tuesday, 27 April 2010
TV
Have I Got News For You
39x04 (22/4/10 edition; extended repeat)
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Russell Howard's Good News
2x05 (22/4/10 edition; extended repeat)
[Watch only the shorter version (again) on iPlayer.]
39x04 (22/4/10 edition; extended repeat)
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Russell Howard's Good News
2x05 (22/4/10 edition; extended repeat)
[Watch only the shorter version (again) on iPlayer.]
Articles
Dog injures nose by Karen Bate
(from Salisbury Journal)
Apparently this is what passes for news in Salisbury. The story's been a (very) minor twitter sensation, which the site gamely commented on in a follow-up article.
The Greatest Flashbacks by Dave Golder
(from SFX)
The 15 best SF/F TV series flashback episodes. So, yeah, does what it says on the tin.
Paramount revives Ring franchise by Simon Reynolds
(from Digital Spy)
Well that's just... dated. I mean, surely the plot will go something like this:
(from Salisbury Journal)
Apparently this is what passes for news in Salisbury. The story's been a (very) minor twitter sensation, which the site gamely commented on in a follow-up article.
The Greatest Flashbacks by Dave Golder
(from SFX)
The 15 best SF/F TV series flashback episodes. So, yeah, does what it says on the tin.
Paramount revives Ring franchise by Simon Reynolds
(from Digital Spy)
Well that's just... dated. I mean, surely the plot will go something like this:
Teen 1: Dude, what's this freaky-looking video?
Teen 2: Video? WTF? We don't have a video player, just chuck it.
Teen 1: 'k.
The End.
Monday, 26 April 2010
Articles
Scott reveals Alien prequel storyline
and
Scott confirms two Alien prequels
by Simon Reynolds (from Digital Spy)
In many respects, the storyline's no surprise, but it'll certainly annoy some fans who were hoping to keep that mystery (and please others who want it solved). The notion of two prequels, though... hm. Sounds like blatant moneymaking to me. And the way Scott talks about shooting in 3D very much sounds like it was forced on him and he'd rather it hadn't been.
and
Scott confirms two Alien prequels
by Simon Reynolds (from Digital Spy)
In many respects, the storyline's no surprise, but it'll certainly annoy some fans who were hoping to keep that mystery (and please others who want it solved). The notion of two prequels, though... hm. Sounds like blatant moneymaking to me. And the way Scott talks about shooting in 3D very much sounds like it was forced on him and he'd rather it hadn't been.
Sunday, 25 April 2010
TV
FlashForward
1x11 Revelation Zero Part 1
1x12 Revelation Zero Part 2
Finally catching up with this -- yes, I am sticking with it for now, even though it's A Bit Rubbish. That said, the long hiatus for the show to have a re-think seems to have done some good. It's not much better, but it is better.
Over the Rainbow
Show 6: Results
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
1x11 Revelation Zero Part 1
1x12 Revelation Zero Part 2
Finally catching up with this -- yes, I am sticking with it for now, even though it's A Bit Rubbish. That said, the long hiatus for the show to have a re-think seems to have done some good. It's not much better, but it is better.
Over the Rainbow
Show 6: Results
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
Films
Evangelion: 1.11 You Are (Not) Alone. (2007/2009)
[#41 in 100 Films in a Year 2010]
The first of four movies re-telling (with some changes) the anime TV series Neon Genesis Evangelion, which I love. This is also the third iteration of the first movie: after 1.0, 1.01 tweaked the animation in some 266 shots, and now 1.11 adds a further three minutes of footage. I hope they don't faff about so much with the next three... though such hopes are looking doubtful.
Also, watched most of the Blu-ray's extras. Bit slight, to be honest, but better than nothing. The booklet (which I think may only be in the HMV-exclusive editions) is more informative about the processes behind making the film.
Read my review of Evangelion 1.11 here.
[#41 in 100 Films in a Year 2010]
The first of four movies re-telling (with some changes) the anime TV series Neon Genesis Evangelion, which I love. This is also the third iteration of the first movie: after 1.0, 1.01 tweaked the animation in some 266 shots, and now 1.11 adds a further three minutes of footage. I hope they don't faff about so much with the next three... though such hopes are looking doubtful.
Also, watched most of the Blu-ray's extras. Bit slight, to be honest, but better than nothing. The booklet (which I think may only be in the HMV-exclusive editions) is more informative about the processes behind making the film.
Read my review of Evangelion 1.11 here.
Articles
Doctor Who fans angered by trailer for Over the Rainbow
(from BBC News)
Apparently it ruined a particularly dramatic moment. I wouldn't know, of course, cos I was watching BBC HD. Not that I'm gloating of course.
(from BBC News)
Apparently it ruined a particularly dramatic moment. I wouldn't know, of course, cos I was watching BBC HD. Not that I'm gloating of course.
this week on 100 Films
2 new reviews were posted to 100 Films in a Year this week -- a slight improvement over the last few -- and they were...
Kung Fu Panda (2008)
Wallander: The Revenge (2009)
More next Sunday.
Kung Fu Panda (2008)
Panda features some beautiful animation — not a phrase you usually associate with CG ‘toons, but Panda frequently achieves it: petals swirl in the breeze, panoramic scenery shots look gorgeous, and the character animation is subtly detailed
Wallander: The Revenge (2009)
rather than a thoughtful investigation into an ‘everyday’ murder, Wallander blazes back onto our screens with the explosive destruction of a power station, a bloody execution — no less than 17 shots fired — and the army rolling into town to handle the fall-out from an extended power cut.
More next Sunday.
Saturday, 24 April 2010
TV
Doctor Who
31x04 The Time of Angels
See some of my thoughts here.
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
Doctor Who Confidential
5x04 Eyes Wide Open
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
Outnumbered
3x03 Programme 3
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Over the Rainbow
Show 6
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
31x04 The Time of Angels
See some of my thoughts here.
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
Doctor Who Confidential
5x04 Eyes Wide Open
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
Outnumbered
3x03 Programme 3
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Over the Rainbow
Show 6
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
Films
Pixels (2010)
[#40a in 100 Films in a Year 2010]
A great, fun short. Watch it in full (don't worry, legally) here.
[#40a in 100 Films in a Year 2010]
A great, fun short. Watch it in full (don't worry, legally) here.
Articles
DVD Producer Michael Pellerin on the Blu-ray Release of... The Lord of the Rings: The Motion Picture Trilogy by Bill Hunt & Michael Pellerin
(from The Digital Bits)
The title does a pretty nifty job of summing up what's in this piece... other than clarifying who Pellerin is and why what he has to say about the LotR Blu-rays matters, of course. In short: he produced the original DVDs and consulted on the new BDs. Here he explains some of what went into the new HD transfers and suggests what may be to come on future Extended Edition re-releases -- a lot more stuff that's been in the works for almost a decade, basically.
Stars attack tories over BBC plans
(from Google news U.K.)
I'm not saying vote Labour (at all), but this does need bearing in mind.
(from The Digital Bits)
The title does a pretty nifty job of summing up what's in this piece... other than clarifying who Pellerin is and why what he has to say about the LotR Blu-rays matters, of course. In short: he produced the original DVDs and consulted on the new BDs. Here he explains some of what went into the new HD transfers and suggests what may be to come on future Extended Edition re-releases -- a lot more stuff that's been in the works for almost a decade, basically.
Stars attack tories over BBC plans
(from Google news U.K.)
I'm not saying vote Labour (at all), but this does need bearing in mind.
Doctor Who: The Time of Angels
Just some quick thoughts, too long for the usual TV post...
Blinkin' excellent episode, a first part that promises we may be getting a truly classic story -- much like Moffat's The Empty Child did back in 2005, in fact. So much of it was worthy of comment, but two things in particular:
One, Moffat was spot-on when he said this was like Aliens to Blink's Alien; a superb analogy.
Two, the cliffhanger... that wasn't really a cliffhanger... New Who has become almost known for having two-parters where each half is almost a distinct episode -- they very much build to that cliffhanger, then almost start again in the second half. But this was nothing of the sort -- it feels like Moffat's penned a 90-minute story and then split it in half at roughly the right moment. Which I quite like, actually.
One of the reasons it works is the whole story's structure (at least so far): it's very like a film, building in peaks of action and calmer lulls of dialogue and plot development. Any of the big action sequences -- the opening, Amy with the TV-Angel, the chase through the Maze -- contained appropriate cliffhanger moments... but those didn't fall at the story's halfway mark. Maybe this isn't how Moffat crafted the story at all -- maybe it is two entirely distinct parts and this was always meant to be a cliffhanger -- but with the way we know the Doctor's just done Something Clever to escape (we even see it starting before it cuts to the titles), it feels like an appropriate-enough halfway break in a longer tale rather than a bespoke cliffhanger. And, as I say, I quite like that.
Finally, something people have been moaning about: the sound mix, specifically the music being too loud. Watching on BBC HD, which broadcasts Who in true 5.1, proved something I suspected for a while: the audio has clearly been mixed for 5.1, because it sounds absolutely spot-on in this format (the music may even be too quiet), so I presume that someone, somewhere, must be mucking up the down-mix to Stereo for normal transmission.
Also, no Graham Norton invading half the screen on BBC HD.
P.S. Sacred Bob? Angel Bob? Clearly Moffat must be a fan of me -- link.
Blinkin' excellent episode, a first part that promises we may be getting a truly classic story -- much like Moffat's The Empty Child did back in 2005, in fact. So much of it was worthy of comment, but two things in particular:
One, Moffat was spot-on when he said this was like Aliens to Blink's Alien; a superb analogy.
Two, the cliffhanger... that wasn't really a cliffhanger... New Who has become almost known for having two-parters where each half is almost a distinct episode -- they very much build to that cliffhanger, then almost start again in the second half. But this was nothing of the sort -- it feels like Moffat's penned a 90-minute story and then split it in half at roughly the right moment. Which I quite like, actually.
One of the reasons it works is the whole story's structure (at least so far): it's very like a film, building in peaks of action and calmer lulls of dialogue and plot development. Any of the big action sequences -- the opening, Amy with the TV-Angel, the chase through the Maze -- contained appropriate cliffhanger moments... but those didn't fall at the story's halfway mark. Maybe this isn't how Moffat crafted the story at all -- maybe it is two entirely distinct parts and this was always meant to be a cliffhanger -- but with the way we know the Doctor's just done Something Clever to escape (we even see it starting before it cuts to the titles), it feels like an appropriate-enough halfway break in a longer tale rather than a bespoke cliffhanger. And, as I say, I quite like that.
Finally, something people have been moaning about: the sound mix, specifically the music being too loud. Watching on BBC HD, which broadcasts Who in true 5.1, proved something I suspected for a while: the audio has clearly been mixed for 5.1, because it sounds absolutely spot-on in this format (the music may even be too quiet), so I presume that someone, somewhere, must be mucking up the down-mix to Stereo for normal transmission.
Also, no Graham Norton invading half the screen on BBC HD.
P.S. Sacred Bob? Angel Bob? Clearly Moffat must be a fan of me -- link.
Collection Count
Collection Count tracks my DVD/Blu-ray collection via a number of statistics every week.
This is the biggest update since mid-February, thanks in part to a round of bargains (Sherlock Hound, 3:10 to Yuma, Zombieland), anticipated new releases (The Box, Evangelion 1.11), and bargainous near-new releases (Glorious 39). With a third of these being anime titles, including one I've been waiting years for, this week's statistic has taken a slight dash of inspiration from them...
Number of titles in collection: 1,170 [up 6]
Of which DVDs: 1,091 [up 2]
Of which Blu-rays: 79 [up 4]
Number of discs in collection: 2,838 [up 11]
Number of films in collection: 1,227 [up 5]
Number of TV episodes in collection: 3,916 [up 26]
Statistic of the week:
Total number of anime titles:
47
(4% of the total)
See you next week, faithful reader.
This is the biggest update since mid-February, thanks in part to a round of bargains (Sherlock Hound, 3:10 to Yuma, Zombieland), anticipated new releases (The Box, Evangelion 1.11), and bargainous near-new releases (Glorious 39). With a third of these being anime titles, including one I've been waiting years for, this week's statistic has taken a slight dash of inspiration from them...
Number of titles in collection: 1,170 [up 6]
Of which DVDs: 1,091 [up 2]
Of which Blu-rays: 79 [up 4]
Number of discs in collection: 2,838 [up 11]
Number of films in collection: 1,227 [up 5]
Number of TV episodes in collection: 3,916 [up 26]
Statistic of the week:
Total number of anime titles:
47
(4% of the total)
See you next week, faithful reader.
Friday, 23 April 2010
TV
Archer
1x10 Dial M for Mother [season finale]
And that's that for the first season of Archer. It's great fun so I'll miss it considerably. Luckily, a longer second season is already in the works.
[Watch it (again) on Demand Five.]
Friday Night With Jonathan Ross
18x12 (16/4/10 edition)
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
You Have Been Watching
2x02 (22/4/10 edition)
[Watch it (again) on 4oD.]
1x10 Dial M for Mother [season finale]
And that's that for the first season of Archer. It's great fun so I'll miss it considerably. Luckily, a longer second season is already in the works.
[Watch it (again) on Demand Five.]
Friday Night With Jonathan Ross
18x12 (16/4/10 edition)
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
You Have Been Watching
2x02 (22/4/10 edition)
[Watch it (again) on 4oD.]
Articles
Doctor Who: The return of the Weeping Angels by Steven Moffat
(from BBC tv blog)
Who's head honcho on how one of the series' scariest villains are back... but different.
Election debate TV ratings: 4.1m watch leaders' tussle by Jason Deans
(from guardian.co.uk)
Under half the number who watched the first debate last week. Have people lost interest already? Or was it because it was buried on digital channels? I suspect the latter, but only time -- i.e. next week's debate on BBC One -- will tell.
Also of interest: despite ostensibly being 'The Sky News Debate', it was simulcast on six digital TV channels, repeated later on BBC Two, broadcast on Radio 4, and available from a variety of online sources. The number of people who actually watched it on Sky News was just 2.1 million, which is almost certainly under half the people watching (that 4.1 million leaves out three TV channels, online sources, and Radio 4).
First 3D TV goes on sale in the UK by Andrew Laughlin
(from Digital Spy)
(from BBC tv blog)
Who's head honcho on how one of the series' scariest villains are back... but different.
Election debate TV ratings: 4.1m watch leaders' tussle by Jason Deans
(from guardian.co.uk)
Under half the number who watched the first debate last week. Have people lost interest already? Or was it because it was buried on digital channels? I suspect the latter, but only time -- i.e. next week's debate on BBC One -- will tell.
Also of interest: despite ostensibly being 'The Sky News Debate', it was simulcast on six digital TV channels, repeated later on BBC Two, broadcast on Radio 4, and available from a variety of online sources. The number of people who actually watched it on Sky News was just 2.1 million, which is almost certainly under half the people watching (that 4.1 million leaves out three TV channels, online sources, and Radio 4).
First 3D TV goes on sale in the UK by Andrew Laughlin
(from Digital Spy)
Matt Rajah, who has more money than sense, was first in the queue(I may have rewritten that slightly...)
Thursday, 22 April 2010
TV
Ashes to Ashes
3x03 Episode 3
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
The Mentalist
2x09 A Price Above Rubies
[Watch it (again) on Demand Five.]
3x03 Episode 3
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
The Mentalist
2x09 A Price Above Rubies
[Watch it (again) on Demand Five.]
Articles
First Doctor Who game episode revealed by Matthew Reynolds
(from Digital Spy)
City of the Daleks -- nice title. Also, double meaning (based on the plot). Clever.
(While I'm at it, I'd also like to express my gratitude that the BBC are bothering to release this for both PC and Mac at the same time. With the gradually increasing proliferation of Mac users, one would think is only sensible for all games producers, but particularly from a public institution like the BBC.)
(from Digital Spy)
City of the Daleks -- nice title. Also, double meaning (based on the plot). Clever.
(While I'm at it, I'd also like to express my gratitude that the BBC are bothering to release this for both PC and Mac at the same time. With the gradually increasing proliferation of Mac users, one would think is only sensible for all games producers, but particularly from a public institution like the BBC.)
Wednesday, 21 April 2010
TV
House
6x17 Lockdown
Directed by Hugh Laurie! And the latest in what's becoming a recurring trend for breaking-the-format episodes of House in the wake of episodes focussed on Wilson (the imaginatively-titled Wilson) and Cuddy (the genuinely imaginatively-titled 5 to 9). This sees the regulars all split up and Learning Something About Each Other... and yet, it felt oddly slight.
The National Lottery: Who Dares Wins
3x06 (17/4/10 edition)
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
6x17 Lockdown
Directed by Hugh Laurie! And the latest in what's becoming a recurring trend for breaking-the-format episodes of House in the wake of episodes focussed on Wilson (the imaginatively-titled Wilson) and Cuddy (the genuinely imaginatively-titled 5 to 9). This sees the regulars all split up and Learning Something About Each Other... and yet, it felt oddly slight.
The National Lottery: Who Dares Wins
3x06 (17/4/10 edition)
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Articles
15 Movie Posters Re-Imagined With the Stars Originally Cast by Kevin Polowy
(from Moviefone)
It's well done 'n' all but, for some reason, not as funny or interesting as it ought to be.
(from Moviefone)
It's well done 'n' all but, for some reason, not as funny or interesting as it ought to be.
Tuesday, 20 April 2010
TV
Happy Finish
Pilot
Quite funny.
[Watch it (again) on 4oD.]
iCandy
Pilot
Rubbish.
[Watch it (again) on 4oD.]
Mad Men
3x13 Shut the Door, Have a Seat [season finale]
Another excellent closing episode from Mad Men, replete with moments to contest Don's declaration about having no contract (my favourite was Joan's return). It's also a tantalising 'cliffhanger', and with the new season set to begin Stateside in around three months I'm not sure I can handle the long slow wait 'til BBC Four/HD bother to pick it up.
[Watch it again in HD on iPlayer.]
Pilot
Quite funny.
[Watch it (again) on 4oD.]
iCandy
Pilot
Rubbish.
[Watch it (again) on 4oD.]
Mad Men
3x13 Shut the Door, Have a Seat [season finale]
Another excellent closing episode from Mad Men, replete with moments to contest Don's declaration about having no contract (my favourite was Joan's return). It's also a tantalising 'cliffhanger', and with the new season set to begin Stateside in around three months I'm not sure I can handle the long slow wait 'til BBC Four/HD bother to pick it up.
[Watch it again in HD on iPlayer.]
Articles
50 Movie Titles That Got Lost In Translation by Simon Brew
(from Den of Geek)
I appreciate this was posted A Very Long Time Ago and it's on an awful website, but someone happened to mention it on twitter today. It's an expectedly daft but still rather amusing diversion, I thought. Look out in particular for China's version of Boogie Nights and France's (alleged) new title for The Matrix. Do feel free to share any other favourites in the comments.
Damages not expected to return by Mike Moody
and
Damages creator wants new season by Catriona Wightman
(from Digital Spy)
The first season of Damages was utterly brilliant, flawless TV. The second was a bit of a muddle. The third... could still go either way (it's just finished in the US, halfway through on BBC One, and I'm only on episode three still) All of which leaves me rather uncertain about whether a fourth run is a good idea: if it has and can hit the heights of its first season, more is definitely desired; but it's just maintained the second year's degeneration, then no thanks, put it out of our misery.
Sutherland says 24 movie script is ready by Mike Moody
(from Digital Spy)
(from Den of Geek)
I appreciate this was posted A Very Long Time Ago and it's on an awful website, but someone happened to mention it on twitter today. It's an expectedly daft but still rather amusing diversion, I thought. Look out in particular for China's version of Boogie Nights and France's (alleged) new title for The Matrix. Do feel free to share any other favourites in the comments.
Damages not expected to return by Mike Moody
and
Damages creator wants new season by Catriona Wightman
(from Digital Spy)
The first season of Damages was utterly brilliant, flawless TV. The second was a bit of a muddle. The third... could still go either way (it's just finished in the US, halfway through on BBC One, and I'm only on episode three still) All of which leaves me rather uncertain about whether a fourth run is a good idea: if it has and can hit the heights of its first season, more is definitely desired; but it's just maintained the second year's degeneration, then no thanks, put it out of our misery.
Sutherland says 24 movie script is ready by Mike Moody
(from Digital Spy)
Sutherland also hinted that the plot could possibly mirror the show's first season, giving Jack Bauer a personal crisis to deal with. "It doesn't have to be a bomb," he said. "It can be something personal that people understand."Sounds like good news... but then they've said something similar before every season of the TV show for the last few years, so I'll believe it when we see it.
Monday, 19 April 2010
TV
A Comedy Roast
1x03 Chris Tarrant [season finale]
[Watch it (again) on 4oD.]
The Graham Norton Show
7x01 (12/4/10 edition)
Over the Rainbow
Show 5: Results
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
1x03 Chris Tarrant [season finale]
[Watch it (again) on 4oD.]
The Graham Norton Show
7x01 (12/4/10 edition)
Over the Rainbow
Show 5: Results
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
Articles
This is What a Tweet Looks Like by Sarah Perez
(from ReadWriteWeb)
"Yes yes, a message only 140 characters long, I know." But oh no no, dear reader, no no -- there's a lot more to a tweet than you might think. And this explains it. Moderately interesting, I thought.
(from ReadWriteWeb)
"Yes yes, a message only 140 characters long, I know." But oh no no, dear reader, no no -- there's a lot more to a tweet than you might think. And this explains it. Moderately interesting, I thought.
Sunday, 18 April 2010
TV
Have I Got News For You
39x03 (15/4/10 edition; extended repeat)
I had a specific comment to make about this episode, but it's completely gone now. Just watch it, laugh lots, and I'm sure you'll've seen whatever it was I had to say.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Russell Howard's Good News
2x04 (15/4/10 edition)
Despite setting a recording for the extended repeat, it seems BBC Three did Something Funny and I wound up with the last 20 minutes of Herbie-whatever-with-Lindsay-Lohan and a half-an-hour-early edition of Family Guy. There's no explanation for this that I can find.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Wallander [Swedish]
2x01 Hämnden (aka The Revenge)
The Swedish Wallander series returns for its second and reportedly final series. This episode was originally released in cinemas, so counts as #40 on 100 Films in a Year 2010. Click here to read my review.
You Have Been Watching
2x01 (15/4/10 edition)
Hurrah for another excellent programme returning.
This edition featured clips from Spartacus: Blood and Sand, a series I'd been a little looking forward to because it looked like it might be Rome Mark 2. Sadly, this appears to not be the case. Where Rome was high-budget and underpinned its sex and violence with an awful lot of character and intelligence, Spartacus: BS (the most apt title abbreviation) has CGI in every scene that's so bad it makes everything look like a 15-year-old computer game. The quality of the script and acting suggest they've been dragged from the same.
[Watch it (again) on 4oD.]
39x03 (15/4/10 edition; extended repeat)
I had a specific comment to make about this episode, but it's completely gone now. Just watch it, laugh lots, and I'm sure you'll've seen whatever it was I had to say.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Russell Howard's Good News
2x04 (15/4/10 edition)
Despite setting a recording for the extended repeat, it seems BBC Three did Something Funny and I wound up with the last 20 minutes of Herbie-whatever-with-Lindsay-Lohan and a half-an-hour-early edition of Family Guy. There's no explanation for this that I can find.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Wallander [Swedish]
2x01 Hämnden (aka The Revenge)
The Swedish Wallander series returns for its second and reportedly final series. This episode was originally released in cinemas, so counts as #40 on 100 Films in a Year 2010. Click here to read my review.
You Have Been Watching
2x01 (15/4/10 edition)
Hurrah for another excellent programme returning.
This edition featured clips from Spartacus: Blood and Sand, a series I'd been a little looking forward to because it looked like it might be Rome Mark 2. Sadly, this appears to not be the case. Where Rome was high-budget and underpinned its sex and violence with an awful lot of character and intelligence, Spartacus: BS (the most apt title abbreviation) has CGI in every scene that's so bad it makes everything look like a 15-year-old computer game. The quality of the script and acting suggest they've been dragged from the same.
[Watch it (again) on 4oD.]
Articles
By Zeus! The version of Clash of the Titans you didn't see by Devin Faraci
(from CHUD.com)
Whether you've seen the new Clash of the Titans or not (I haven't), this makes for an interesting read -- basically, how they took something half-decent and completely buggered about with it to make the film as released.
Cook-book misprint costs Australian publishers dear
(from BBC News)
Over here, this would no doubt lead to all kinds of outrage and demands for refunds and apologies and probably the closure of the company or at least resignation of all involved in the book's creation. In Australia, however...
How did you find Victory of the Daleks? by Neil Wilkes
(from Digital Spy)
I turned on BBC HD at the scheduled time and there it was!
Ho ho ho. But you can read some bafflingly sarcasm-free idiotic comments here.
(from CHUD.com)
Whether you've seen the new Clash of the Titans or not (I haven't), this makes for an interesting read -- basically, how they took something half-decent and completely buggered about with it to make the film as released.
Cook-book misprint costs Australian publishers dear
(from BBC News)
An Australian publisher has had to pulp and reprint a cook-book after one recipe listed "salt and freshly ground black people" instead of black pepper.Marvellous!
Over here, this would no doubt lead to all kinds of outrage and demands for refunds and apologies and probably the closure of the company or at least resignation of all involved in the book's creation. In Australia, however...
"why anyone would be offended, we don't know," head of publishing Bob Sessions is quoted as saying... "proofreading a cook-book is an extremely difficult task. I find that quite forgivable," Mr Sessions said. If anyone complains about the "silly mistake", they will be given the new versionArgh! Common sense! Run away!
How did you find Victory of the Daleks? by Neil Wilkes
(from Digital Spy)
I turned on BBC HD at the scheduled time and there it was!
Ho ho ho. But you can read some bafflingly sarcasm-free idiotic comments here.
this week on 100 Films
Just 1 new review again this week at 100 Films in a Year. I really ought to post more...
Elektra (2005)
More next Sunday. Hopefully.
Elektra (2005)
The plot starts out as sub-Leon assassin nonsense, before turning into sub-X-Men superhero nonsense. The connection to Daredevil is actually minimal... she reverts to a bright red get-up that’s slightly more reminiscent of the comics. “It builds the legend,” she semi-explains. How can a legend be built if everyone who sees her in it is promptly killed?
More next Sunday. Hopefully.
stupid Digital Spy readers on Doctor Who episode 3
These are hilarious. Honestly, the amount of stupidity on display is... well, it's a little troubling, actually; but it does make for funny reading.
I'm not trying to say Victory of the Daleks was a great episode or anything (though I did think parts of it were fun and others conveyed good ideas), and I'm not adverse to a difference of opinion... but there's a big difference between conflicting opinions and pure idiocy, which many of these comments display.
Here's a selection:
Yes, in every new-series episode so far they've pretended to be good guys.
Except they haven't. Not once.
Two things: Moffat didn't write this episode, and he's never directed an episode. One might argue this is a little geeky, requiring behind-the-scenes knowledge -- but if you're going to criticise someone's work, at least attribute it to the right person. You may as well say Twilight isn't as good as Great Expectations because, well, they're both by authors writing in English.
It's not theatre, love. What do you want him to do, turn to camera and invite us to share the jokes? Or suggest we should be scared? Maybe ask if we'd like a cup of tea too?
So, you're watching a series in which a two-hearted alien travels through time and space in a little blue box that is infinitely bigger on the inside fighting all kinds of aliens and monsters... and you think an episode set in our own history is "a bit far fetched"?
But this takes the prize for the very best -- or, rather, very worst...
That's right, readers: the Doctor visiting a 6-year-long continent-spanning war twice and not meeting himself is "very, very, VERY, silly."
If you can stand the pain, the whole darn lot can be read here.
I'm not trying to say Victory of the Daleks was a great episode or anything (though I did think parts of it were fun and others conveyed good ideas), and I'm not adverse to a difference of opinion... but there's a big difference between conflicting opinions and pure idiocy, which many of these comments display.
Here's a selection:
Dalek plot always seems to be the same
Yes, in every new-series episode so far they've pretended to be good guys.
Except they haven't. Not once.
Steven Moffat wrote such amazing episodes... he seems to have forgotten how to write/direct over the last year.
Two things: Moffat didn't write this episode, and he's never directed an episode. One might argue this is a little geeky, requiring behind-the-scenes knowledge -- but if you're going to criticise someone's work, at least attribute it to the right person. You may as well say Twilight isn't as good as Great Expectations because, well, they're both by authors writing in English.
I found that the new doctor... didn't interact with the audience properly.
It's not theatre, love. What do you want him to do, turn to camera and invite us to share the jokes? Or suggest we should be scared? Maybe ask if we'd like a cup of tea too?
The storyline was well thats just it, it was a bit far fetched
So, you're watching a series in which a two-hearted alien travels through time and space in a little blue box that is infinitely bigger on the inside fighting all kinds of aliens and monsters... and you think an episode set in our own history is "a bit far fetched"?
But this takes the prize for the very best -- or, rather, very worst...
doctor who, season 1, episode 9/10. the doctor visits WW2 and encounters gas mask children. doctor who, season 5, episode 3. the doctor visits WW2 and encounters daleks. how does he not meet himself? ... very, very, VERY, silly.
That's right, readers: the Doctor visiting a 6-year-long continent-spanning war twice and not meeting himself is "very, very, VERY, silly."
If you can stand the pain, the whole darn lot can be read here.
Saturday, 17 April 2010
TV
Doctor Who
31x03 Victory of the Daleks
Looks like Character, the main Doctor Who toy licensee, is now in charge of the series itself. Why else replace the excellent 2005 Dalek re-design with a selection of merchandise-friendly multi-coloured bubble bath bottles?
The actual story was by-and-large pretty good though, particularly their escape at the end -- truly, a victory for the Daleks. And it also means that when they inevitably return they won't have to resort to the now-tired "one of us survived and happened to fall through time" malarky they've used goodness-knows-how-many times over the past five years (including this episode).
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
Doctor Who Confidential
5x03 War Games
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
The Mentalist
2x08 His Red Right Hand
Dark episode. Though not sure what his right hand had to do with it. His leg, yes, but not his hand.
[Watch it (again) on Demand Five.]
Over the Rainbow
Show 5
For the first time in weeks/months/years, I've finally watched all of the BBC's Saturday night line-up when it was actually on! Though I watched it on BBC HD, so most of it was late. Still...
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
31x03 Victory of the Daleks
Looks like Character, the main Doctor Who toy licensee, is now in charge of the series itself. Why else replace the excellent 2005 Dalek re-design with a selection of merchandise-friendly multi-coloured bubble bath bottles?
The actual story was by-and-large pretty good though, particularly their escape at the end -- truly, a victory for the Daleks. And it also means that when they inevitably return they won't have to resort to the now-tired "one of us survived and happened to fall through time" malarky they've used goodness-knows-how-many times over the past five years (including this episode).
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
Doctor Who Confidential
5x03 War Games
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
The Mentalist
2x08 His Red Right Hand
Dark episode. Though not sure what his right hand had to do with it. His leg, yes, but not his hand.
[Watch it (again) on Demand Five.]
Over the Rainbow
Show 5
For the first time in weeks/months/years, I've finally watched all of the BBC's Saturday night line-up when it was actually on! Though I watched it on BBC HD, so most of it was late. Still...
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
Articles
Mark Gatiss talks Who, Sherlock by Neil Wilkes & Nick Levine
(from Digital Spy)
Probably best to read this after his episode as it contains minor spoilers, but it's mostly nice to hear an update on Sherlock -- looking forward to that one. (See also: interview with Ian McNeice, aka Winston Churchill, about the same episode (but not Sherlock. Obviously.))
Matthew Weiner Says Mad Men Is Half-Over by Christopher Rosen
(from Movie|Line)
i.e. they're hoping for six seasons, no more (and, be default, no less). So that's... good... I guess...
(from Digital Spy)
Probably best to read this after his episode as it contains minor spoilers, but it's mostly nice to hear an update on Sherlock -- looking forward to that one. (See also: interview with Ian McNeice, aka Winston Churchill, about the same episode (but not Sherlock. Obviously.))
Matthew Weiner Says Mad Men Is Half-Over by Christopher Rosen
(from Movie|Line)
i.e. they're hoping for six seasons, no more (and, be default, no less). So that's... good... I guess...
Friday, 16 April 2010
TV
Archer
1x09 Job Offer
[Watch it (again) on Demand Five.]
Ashes to Ashes
3x02 Episode 2
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
Outnumbered
3x02 Programme 2
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
1x09 Job Offer
[Watch it (again) on Demand Five.]
Ashes to Ashes
3x02 Episode 2
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
Outnumbered
3x02 Programme 2
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Articles
Confession: I Can't Tell the Actors Apart on HBO's The Pacific by Kyle Buchanan
(from Movie|Line)
I haven't been watching The Pacific (partly because I object to Sky shoving it on Movies; partly cos I may as well just wait for the Blu-ray to get it in the best quality), but this article makes it look hard. Just look at the three pictures at the top... and remember that they aren't the same guy. Seriously.
Sutherland confirms 24 movie series by Simon Reynolds
(from Digital Spy)
All information we already knew, just reiterated. But noteworthy for this:
Previously producers intimated that the movie might make half the film cover 23 hours and the last hour occur in real-time -- this is a little half-arsed, but at the same time is probably the only way to cover both the titular period and the franchise's primary gimmick.
Zac Efron in Firefly
(from Serial Bus)
Holy moly, so it is!
(from Movie|Line)
I haven't been watching The Pacific (partly because I object to Sky shoving it on Movies; partly cos I may as well just wait for the Blu-ray to get it in the best quality), but this article makes it look hard. Just look at the three pictures at the top... and remember that they aren't the same guy. Seriously.
Sutherland confirms 24 movie series by Simon Reynolds
(from Digital Spy)
All information we already knew, just reiterated. But noteworthy for this:
The film will be a two-hour representation of a 24-hour daysays Sutherland. That's all well and good, but the main thing about the show is less that it all takes place in one day (though, obviously, that's the title) and more that it takes place in real time. Note that the one-off circa-90-minute TV movie special didn't try to include 24 hours, but simply it covered a (real-time) two.
Previously producers intimated that the movie might make half the film cover 23 hours and the last hour occur in real-time -- this is a little half-arsed, but at the same time is probably the only way to cover both the titular period and the franchise's primary gimmick.
Zac Efron in Firefly
(from Serial Bus)
Holy moly, so it is!
Collection Count
Collection Count tracks my DVD/Blu-ray collection via a number of statistics every week. Slight increases this week thanks to some new Doctor Who DVDs.
Number of titles in collection: 1,164 [up 2]
Of which DVDs: 1,089 [up 2]
Of which Blu-rays: 75 [no change]
Number of discs in collection: 2,827 [up 5]
Number of films in collection: 1,222 [no change]
Number of TV episodes in collection: 3,890 [up 16]
Statistic of the week:
Number of titles in the 'Drama' genre:
183
(15.7% of the total)
Genre is a rather subjective thing and many titles cross several -- is Back to the Future Comedy or Sci-fi? Which Bond films are Thrillers and which are just Action? -- which is why I've thus far avoided any stats around it. Nonetheless, I group every title on my list into one genre, and the largest of these is the suitably generic 'Drama'.
See you next week, faithful reader.
Number of titles in collection: 1,164 [up 2]
Of which DVDs: 1,089 [up 2]
Of which Blu-rays: 75 [no change]
Number of discs in collection: 2,827 [up 5]
Number of films in collection: 1,222 [no change]
Number of TV episodes in collection: 3,890 [up 16]
Statistic of the week:
Number of titles in the 'Drama' genre:
183
(15.7% of the total)
Genre is a rather subjective thing and many titles cross several -- is Back to the Future Comedy or Sci-fi? Which Bond films are Thrillers and which are just Action? -- which is why I've thus far avoided any stats around it. Nonetheless, I group every title on my list into one genre, and the largest of these is the suitably generic 'Drama'.
See you next week, faithful reader.
Thursday, 15 April 2010
Articles
Review of Kick-Ass by Roger Ebert
(from rogerebert.com)
I don't agree with Ebert in the slightest -- I loved Kick-Ass -- but, at the same time, his arguments are moderately well-reasoned. Certainly better than the Daily Mail's laughable claptrap, anyway.
(from rogerebert.com)
I don't agree with Ebert in the slightest -- I loved Kick-Ass -- but, at the same time, his arguments are moderately well-reasoned. Certainly better than the Daily Mail's laughable claptrap, anyway.
Wednesday, 14 April 2010
TV
The Mentalist
2x07 Red Bulls
[Watch it (again) on Demand Five.]
Over the Rainbow
Programme 5 (of 20)
Programme 6 (of 20)
[Watch programmes 5 and 6 (again) on iPlayer.]
2x07 Red Bulls
[Watch it (again) on Demand Five.]
Over the Rainbow
Programme 5 (of 20)
Programme 6 (of 20)
[Watch programmes 5 and 6 (again) on iPlayer.]
Articles
FlashForward tipped for season two renewal by Oli Simpson
(from Digital Spy)
Despite performing poorly in the US, apparently "it actually does fairly well overseas". Really?! The world has poor taste... (Says he who still intends to keep watching season one. When I get round to it.)
Still, the story is actually more interesting for this reason:
Rare indeed.
(from Digital Spy)
Despite performing poorly in the US, apparently "it actually does fairly well overseas". Really?! The world has poor taste... (Says he who still intends to keep watching season one. When I get round to it.)
Still, the story is actually more interesting for this reason:
"This is a rare case where a low domestic performer could get a surprise pickup."
Rare indeed.
Tuesday, 13 April 2010
TV
House
6x16 Black Hole
Well, that's certainly some... unusual science...
Mad Men
3x12 The Grown Ups
[Watch it again in HD on iPlayer.]
6x16 Black Hole
Well, that's certainly some... unusual science...
Mad Men
3x12 The Grown Ups
[Watch it again in HD on iPlayer.]
Articles
Survivors axe confirmed by BBC by Paul Millar
(from Digital Spy)
Cheerio Survivors! Though they clearly wanted a third run, they'd at least wrapped up most of the major plot threads. It's no surprise it's gone, really.
But bless Digital Spy for thinking the largely-criticised opinion of their often-criticised TV reviewer counts as "a roasting by critics".
(from Digital Spy)
Cheerio Survivors! Though they clearly wanted a third run, they'd at least wrapped up most of the major plot threads. It's no surprise it's gone, really.
But bless Digital Spy for thinking the largely-criticised opinion of their often-criticised TV reviewer counts as "a roasting by critics".
Doctor Who's 10 best cliffhangers
For no reason other than I have, I've written a list of my favourite 10 cliffhangers from the 00s revival of Doctor Who -- yes, this makes the post's title slightly misleading... but also slightly catchier.
With Moffat's reign only just underway -- and no proper cliffhangers yet -- this is really "the best cliffhangers from the RTD years", but there you go. I was going to do the classic series too, but there are just too many to try to remember.
And so, in a loosely ranked order, here they are...
10) Bad Wolf
This is 10th because, really, technically, it's not a cliffhanger. Forget "Rose, I'm coming for you" or whatever -- very dramatic speech, yes; cliffhanger, not really -- the Next Time trailer does the real work here, getting us all excited in a way the 'cliffhanger' didn't. And the key is the closing dialogue: an extra-deep Dalek voice booms, "THEY SURVIVED THROUGH ME". Through who, through who? I can't even remember the details of the revelation, but the tease is immense and the speculation ran rampant.
9) Evolution of the Daleks
This one was thoroughly ruined in advance: it was all over the cover of that week's Radio Times. But if you play the game of pretending you don't know... holy crap, it's a Human Dalek! That's new!
8) Last of the Time Lords
"Something strange enters the TARDIS" became the staple for end-of-season Christmas-special teases -- though it just felt that way, because in fact they only did it twice (well, three if you count the first season's regeneration; and it was almost a fourth, but they (wisely) cut that scene from Journey's End). So Doomsday gets points for doing it first, and it certainly did it well... but Last of the Time Lords did it better. This wins out for how it does it: it's the Titanic! And it's broken through the side of the console room! Repetitious or not, that still earns maximum points for originality, thanks.
7) Silence in the Library
Donna's one of those help droid things! By nuWho standards this is gloriously understated -- no monsters surrounding our heroes, no twist-tastic reveal, no oh-no-it's-all-lost moment for the Doctor -- he's just running away, and mid-chase spots his friend's face glued to a computer, and we know what this means -- she's sucked inside and there's no hope for her. Well done Mr Moffat, much better than The Empty Child's "they've surrounded us" cookie-cutter closer.
6) The Sound of Drums
Whatever you think of the choice of music, or the ageing of the Doctor, this is a helluvan ending: the villain isn't about to win, as per usual in cliffhangers, he has won. Never-ending hordes of floating metallic spheres descend on the Earth, decimating it, and the Doctor can only stand by and watch, helpless, as the Master celebrates like a loon. How the hell are they gonna get out of this one?!
5) Army of Ghosts
Now, personally, on first viewing, I just thought "oh typical, it's the bloody Daleks again". But if you weren't expecting RTD to pull such a stunt, or if you think the Daleks are actually pretty cool and should be in every season, then I imagine this is pretty amazing. Indeed, if one switches off and believes the lies -- i.e. the Daleks were all wiped out at the end of Parting of the Ways and so we shall completely ignore the possibility they might ever return -- then this would be a shocking surprise.
4) Turn Left
It's less an actual cliffhanger more a hint that Something Big Is Coming, but the key to this is context. Bad Wolf was a huge part of nuWho's return -- fans spent the whole of the first season debating what it might mean and what it was all building to. Many were let down by the eventual revelation, but that doesn't detract from its significance. And then it kept cropping up, right until Bad Wolf Bay, appending a whole extra set of heightened emotion onto those words. So they mean a lot to fans, and they also mean Rose -- so factor in that we've seen her two or three times already this season, and that we know Donna's meant to convey a message, and that it says Bad Wolf EVERYWHERE... Christ it's exciting.
3) The End of Time, Part One
It's the Master again, and again he's won. This cliffhanger is both hilariously funny and gloriously tense: John Simm, on the face -- and in the body -- of every man, woman and child on the planet is at once amusing and, when you think about it, utterly terrifying; and there's no obvious way that the Doctor can just fix it and undo everything. Once again, the Master's won, and the Doctor's screwed. Oh noes.
2) The Stolen Earth
In the middle of an over-stuffed story full of Everything We Ever Did In New Who, Russell picks up on one more: regeneration. For one whole week, the nation genuinely believed the Who production team might've pulled off the greatest coup in modern TV history by filming a major twist that no paper or magazine had got its grubby little hands on. The fact that he ultimately didn't regenerate almost didn't matter: viewers genuinely believed he might have, and that's the important bit. Now, of course, when any viewer knows the 10th Doctor definitely survives for another six episodes, it might not have quite the same effect.
1) Utopia
He's the goddamn Master! Even if you'd suspected, the writing, editing and music make the end of this episode the most thrilling 10 minutes nuWho had produced to this point (arguably, it still is). Plus the actual cliffhanger bit -- that the Doctor & co are stranded in the Far Future, with enemies baring down and the TARDIS stolen -- is pretty neat too. But it's that reveal that's the real classic here.
And, to extract maximum value-for-money from this post, the worst cliffhanger in all 60 episodes of Russell T Davies-managed Who is...
The Poison Sky
"Oh my God, the TARDIS is suddenly and randomly pulling us off into the future to a different story! Why?!" Well, um, simply because someone decided Martha should be in another episode… Rubbish.
With Moffat's reign only just underway -- and no proper cliffhangers yet -- this is really "the best cliffhangers from the RTD years", but there you go. I was going to do the classic series too, but there are just too many to try to remember.
And so, in a loosely ranked order, here they are...
10) Bad Wolf
This is 10th because, really, technically, it's not a cliffhanger. Forget "Rose, I'm coming for you" or whatever -- very dramatic speech, yes; cliffhanger, not really -- the Next Time trailer does the real work here, getting us all excited in a way the 'cliffhanger' didn't. And the key is the closing dialogue: an extra-deep Dalek voice booms, "THEY SURVIVED THROUGH ME". Through who, through who? I can't even remember the details of the revelation, but the tease is immense and the speculation ran rampant.
9) Evolution of the Daleks
This one was thoroughly ruined in advance: it was all over the cover of that week's Radio Times. But if you play the game of pretending you don't know... holy crap, it's a Human Dalek! That's new!
8) Last of the Time Lords
"Something strange enters the TARDIS" became the staple for end-of-season Christmas-special teases -- though it just felt that way, because in fact they only did it twice (well, three if you count the first season's regeneration; and it was almost a fourth, but they (wisely) cut that scene from Journey's End). So Doomsday gets points for doing it first, and it certainly did it well... but Last of the Time Lords did it better. This wins out for how it does it: it's the Titanic! And it's broken through the side of the console room! Repetitious or not, that still earns maximum points for originality, thanks.
7) Silence in the Library
Donna's one of those help droid things! By nuWho standards this is gloriously understated -- no monsters surrounding our heroes, no twist-tastic reveal, no oh-no-it's-all-lost moment for the Doctor -- he's just running away, and mid-chase spots his friend's face glued to a computer, and we know what this means -- she's sucked inside and there's no hope for her. Well done Mr Moffat, much better than The Empty Child's "they've surrounded us" cookie-cutter closer.
6) The Sound of Drums
Whatever you think of the choice of music, or the ageing of the Doctor, this is a helluvan ending: the villain isn't about to win, as per usual in cliffhangers, he has won. Never-ending hordes of floating metallic spheres descend on the Earth, decimating it, and the Doctor can only stand by and watch, helpless, as the Master celebrates like a loon. How the hell are they gonna get out of this one?!
5) Army of Ghosts
Now, personally, on first viewing, I just thought "oh typical, it's the bloody Daleks again". But if you weren't expecting RTD to pull such a stunt, or if you think the Daleks are actually pretty cool and should be in every season, then I imagine this is pretty amazing. Indeed, if one switches off and believes the lies -- i.e. the Daleks were all wiped out at the end of Parting of the Ways and so we shall completely ignore the possibility they might ever return -- then this would be a shocking surprise.
4) Turn Left
It's less an actual cliffhanger more a hint that Something Big Is Coming, but the key to this is context. Bad Wolf was a huge part of nuWho's return -- fans spent the whole of the first season debating what it might mean and what it was all building to. Many were let down by the eventual revelation, but that doesn't detract from its significance. And then it kept cropping up, right until Bad Wolf Bay, appending a whole extra set of heightened emotion onto those words. So they mean a lot to fans, and they also mean Rose -- so factor in that we've seen her two or three times already this season, and that we know Donna's meant to convey a message, and that it says Bad Wolf EVERYWHERE... Christ it's exciting.
3) The End of Time, Part One
It's the Master again, and again he's won. This cliffhanger is both hilariously funny and gloriously tense: John Simm, on the face -- and in the body -- of every man, woman and child on the planet is at once amusing and, when you think about it, utterly terrifying; and there's no obvious way that the Doctor can just fix it and undo everything. Once again, the Master's won, and the Doctor's screwed. Oh noes.
2) The Stolen Earth
In the middle of an over-stuffed story full of Everything We Ever Did In New Who, Russell picks up on one more: regeneration. For one whole week, the nation genuinely believed the Who production team might've pulled off the greatest coup in modern TV history by filming a major twist that no paper or magazine had got its grubby little hands on. The fact that he ultimately didn't regenerate almost didn't matter: viewers genuinely believed he might have, and that's the important bit. Now, of course, when any viewer knows the 10th Doctor definitely survives for another six episodes, it might not have quite the same effect.
1) Utopia
He's the goddamn Master! Even if you'd suspected, the writing, editing and music make the end of this episode the most thrilling 10 minutes nuWho had produced to this point (arguably, it still is). Plus the actual cliffhanger bit -- that the Doctor & co are stranded in the Far Future, with enemies baring down and the TARDIS stolen -- is pretty neat too. But it's that reveal that's the real classic here.
And, to extract maximum value-for-money from this post, the worst cliffhanger in all 60 episodes of Russell T Davies-managed Who is...
The Poison Sky
"Oh my God, the TARDIS is suddenly and randomly pulling us off into the future to a different story! Why?!" Well, um, simply because someone decided Martha should be in another episode… Rubbish.
Monday, 12 April 2010
TV
Archer
1x08 The Rock
[Watch it (again) on Demand Five.]
Have I Got News For You
39x02 (8/4/10 edition)
No extended edition this week, sadly; especially a shame as it was a particularly good edition, I thought.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
House
6x15 Private Lives
Russell Howard's Good News
2x03 (8/4/10 edition; extended repeat)
[Watch only the shorter version (again) on iPlayer.]
1x08 The Rock
[Watch it (again) on Demand Five.]
Have I Got News For You
39x02 (8/4/10 edition)
No extended edition this week, sadly; especially a shame as it was a particularly good edition, I thought.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
House
6x15 Private Lives
Russell Howard's Good News
2x03 (8/4/10 edition; extended repeat)
[Watch only the shorter version (again) on iPlayer.]
Articles
Johnson: 'Kick-Ass controversy is mad' by Catriona Wightman
(from Digital Spy)
Despite his embarrassing uncomfortableness in interviews, Aaron Johnson has some very sensible things to say about what's considered 'controversial' and what should be.
(from Digital Spy)
Despite his embarrassing uncomfortableness in interviews, Aaron Johnson has some very sensible things to say about what's considered 'controversial' and what should be.
Sunday, 11 April 2010
TV
Archer
1x06 Skorpio
1x07 Skytanic
If you've not been watching Archer you should consider catching up with it (unfortunately only the most recent episodes are still available on Demand Five if one wants a place to see it legally & free). It's humour isn't always the height of sophisticated wit, but it's largely funny and has a surprising line in on-going storylines for a comedy cartoon.
[Watch Skorpio and Skytanic (again) on Demand Five.]
Doctor Who
31x02 The Beast Below
Another excellent episode: a different style of story, beautiful fairytale tone, meaningful collection of relevant subtexts, Sophie Okonedo being fantastic, and, wonderfully, the Demon Headmaster. A shining example of a standalone episode -- come the end of season polls it'll likely be forgotten behind all the high-profile returning monsters, two-parters and the season finale, which is a real shame.
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
Doctor Who Confidential
5x02 All About the Girl
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
House
6x14 5 to 9
Truly excellent Cuddy-centric episode, even if the everything-turns-out-perfect conclusion(s) were so perfect it made me think it was going to turn out to be a daydream -- that would've been a very House-like trick to pull.
The Mentalist
2x06 Black Gold and Red Blood
[Watch it (again) on Demand Five.]
The National Lottery: Who Dares Wins
3x05 (10/4/10 edition)
That Star Wars list was a walk in the park! Sure, the full version was full of all kinds of obsessively obscure characters and droids, but getting to 15 or so would've been eminently achievable. Blokey was just showing off naming the likes of Boba Fett over Han Solo, Chewbacca and Yoda.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
1x06 Skorpio
1x07 Skytanic
If you've not been watching Archer you should consider catching up with it (unfortunately only the most recent episodes are still available on Demand Five if one wants a place to see it legally & free). It's humour isn't always the height of sophisticated wit, but it's largely funny and has a surprising line in on-going storylines for a comedy cartoon.
[Watch Skorpio and Skytanic (again) on Demand Five.]
Doctor Who
31x02 The Beast Below
Another excellent episode: a different style of story, beautiful fairytale tone, meaningful collection of relevant subtexts, Sophie Okonedo being fantastic, and, wonderfully, the Demon Headmaster. A shining example of a standalone episode -- come the end of season polls it'll likely be forgotten behind all the high-profile returning monsters, two-parters and the season finale, which is a real shame.
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
Doctor Who Confidential
5x02 All About the Girl
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
House
6x14 5 to 9
Truly excellent Cuddy-centric episode, even if the everything-turns-out-perfect conclusion(s) were so perfect it made me think it was going to turn out to be a daydream -- that would've been a very House-like trick to pull.
The Mentalist
2x06 Black Gold and Red Blood
[Watch it (again) on Demand Five.]
The National Lottery: Who Dares Wins
3x05 (10/4/10 edition)
That Star Wars list was a walk in the park! Sure, the full version was full of all kinds of obsessively obscure characters and droids, but getting to 15 or so would've been eminently achievable. Blokey was just showing off naming the likes of Boba Fett over Han Solo, Chewbacca and Yoda.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Articles
The case for arresting the Pope by Allison Kilkenny
(from Allison Kilkenny: Unreported on True/Slant)
Fingers crossed...
(from Allison Kilkenny: Unreported on True/Slant)
Fingers crossed...
this week on 100 Films
After some time away, I've finally posted a new review to 100 Films in a Year, and it was...
Choke (2008)
More next Sunday. Quite a few more, I hope.
Choke (2008)
the distinctive narratorial ‘voice’ is very reminiscent of Fight Club, both book and film, as are numerous other elements: support groups; random encounters; the inclusion of a Big Twist. While an awareness of the author means the latter feels a little formulaic, Shyamalan-style, at least it seems Palahniuk can still pull them off.
More next Sunday. Quite a few more, I hope.
Saturday, 10 April 2010
TV
Doctor Who
31x01 The Eleventh Hour [2nd watch]
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
Doctor Who Confidential
5x01 Call Me the Doctor
Outtake TV
2009/10 Episode 1
Doesn't Rufus Hound look like Anne Robinson these days...
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Over the Rainbow
Programme 3 (of 20)
Programme 4 (of 20)
How Amy even made it into the final 20, never mind final 10, I don't know. Well, actually, I can guess, and it's nothing to do with her appropriateness to play Dorothy.
[Watch programme 4 (again) on iPlayer.]
Russell Howard's Good News
2x02 (1/4/10 edition; extended repeat)
[Watch only the shorter version (again) on iPlayer.]
31x01 The Eleventh Hour [2nd watch]
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
Doctor Who Confidential
5x01 Call Me the Doctor
Outtake TV
2009/10 Episode 1
Doesn't Rufus Hound look like Anne Robinson these days...
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Over the Rainbow
Programme 3 (of 20)
Programme 4 (of 20)
How Amy even made it into the final 20, never mind final 10, I don't know. Well, actually, I can guess, and it's nothing to do with her appropriateness to play Dorothy.
[Watch programme 4 (again) on iPlayer.]
Russell Howard's Good News
2x02 (1/4/10 edition; extended repeat)
[Watch only the shorter version (again) on iPlayer.]
Collection Count
Collection Count tracks my DVD/Blu-ray collection via a number of statistics every week. Except last week, as it turned out.
A pile of post in my absence means this week the numbers jump up more than they have in a while -- yay! Plus it's the latest running time update, which I always like because it saves me having to think of a new statistic for this week.
Number of titles in collection: 1,162 [up 6]
Of which DVDs: 1,087 [up 6]
Of which Blu-rays: 75 [no change]
Number of discs in collection: 2,822 [up 11]
Number of films in collection: 1,222 [up 7]
Number of TV episodes in collection: 3,874 [no change]
Statistic of the week:
Total running time of collection (approx.):
196 days, and 50 minutes.
(Up 1 day, 4 hours, and 12 minutes from last month.)
See you next week, faithful reader.
A pile of post in my absence means this week the numbers jump up more than they have in a while -- yay! Plus it's the latest running time update, which I always like because it saves me having to think of a new statistic for this week.
Number of titles in collection: 1,162 [up 6]
Of which DVDs: 1,087 [up 6]
Of which Blu-rays: 75 [no change]
Number of discs in collection: 2,822 [up 11]
Number of films in collection: 1,222 [up 7]
Number of TV episodes in collection: 3,874 [no change]
Statistic of the week:
Total running time of collection (approx.):
196 days, and 50 minutes.
(Up 1 day, 4 hours, and 12 minutes from last month.)
See you next week, faithful reader.
Friday, 9 April 2010
TV
Ashes to Ashes
3x01 Episode 1
And so, the final series of Life On Mars/Ashes to Ashes begins (yes, a week late for me). Plenty of questions still unanswered, plenty of new ones in this episode. It should be an exciting couple of months...
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
Doctor Who
22x05 The Mark of the Rani Part One
22x06 The Mark of the Rani Part Two
I'm fairly certain that this is the first (proper) classic Who story I've watched that I'd never seen before since City of Death way back in June 2008. I ought to do this more.
You may also have guessed this was for Insomniac Whovian (it now has it's own real site/blog!) on twitter. Follow @I_Whovian and me for more such antics, and take a look-see at #MarkOfTheRani for comments on this story.
[Watch The Mark of the Rani (again) on msn video player or SeeSaw.]
Outnumbered
3x01 Programme 1
Outnumbered impressively retains its brilliance even as the kids age and it heads into a third run, thoroughly disproving the notion that if you want to make a good comedy series you can only do two rounds. Karen may just be the greatest TV character created ever. Though the Doctor (see above) and Gene Hunt (see above above) would run her close. Good day, good day.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
3x01 Episode 1
And so, the final series of Life On Mars/Ashes to Ashes begins (yes, a week late for me). Plenty of questions still unanswered, plenty of new ones in this episode. It should be an exciting couple of months...
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
Doctor Who
22x05 The Mark of the Rani Part One
22x06 The Mark of the Rani Part Two
I'm fairly certain that this is the first (proper) classic Who story I've watched that I'd never seen before since City of Death way back in June 2008. I ought to do this more.
You may also have guessed this was for Insomniac Whovian (it now has it's own real site/blog!) on twitter. Follow @I_Whovian and me for more such antics, and take a look-see at #MarkOfTheRani for comments on this story.
[Watch The Mark of the Rani (again) on msn video player or SeeSaw.]
Outnumbered
3x01 Programme 1
Outnumbered impressively retains its brilliance even as the kids age and it heads into a third run, thoroughly disproving the notion that if you want to make a good comedy series you can only do two rounds. Karen may just be the greatest TV character created ever. Though the Doctor (see above) and Gene Hunt (see above above) would run her close. Good day, good day.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Articles
Boyle blasted for Down's Syndrome gags by Alex Fletcher
(from Digital Spy)
What this women's basically saying is, "I find Frankie Boyle's dark and un-PC humour really funny... until he makes nasty jokes about a condition I actually know about and then he's evil."
Jonathan Ross: Can I be honest with you? by Decca Aitkenhead
(from guardian.co.uk)
Absolutely fantastic interview with Jonathan Ross, ostensibly about his new comic -- and there is indeed some nice stuff in there about Turf and his general thoughts on comics -- but the interview ranges wider, to his attitude towards life, the press and certain controversial matters in his past. Well-written and insightful, this is actually an excellent example of how to do an interview-piece, and probably deserves to be read by everyone, whatever your opinion of the interviewee.
(from Digital Spy)
What this women's basically saying is, "I find Frankie Boyle's dark and un-PC humour really funny... until he makes nasty jokes about a condition I actually know about and then he's evil."
Jonathan Ross: Can I be honest with you? by Decca Aitkenhead
(from guardian.co.uk)
Absolutely fantastic interview with Jonathan Ross, ostensibly about his new comic -- and there is indeed some nice stuff in there about Turf and his general thoughts on comics -- but the interview ranges wider, to his attitude towards life, the press and certain controversial matters in his past. Well-written and insightful, this is actually an excellent example of how to do an interview-piece, and probably deserves to be read by everyone, whatever your opinion of the interviewee.
Thursday, 8 April 2010
TV
A Comedy Roast
1x01 Bruce Forsyth
Very funny. Hopefully this is a format that can now run and run.
[Watch it (again) on 4oD.]
The National Lottery: Who Dares Wins
3x04 (3/4/10 edition)
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
1x01 Bruce Forsyth
Very funny. Hopefully this is a format that can now run and run.
[Watch it (again) on 4oD.]
The National Lottery: Who Dares Wins
3x04 (3/4/10 edition)
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Articles
Doctor Who - The Adventure Games by Marcus
(from Doctor Who News Page)
Announcement of a series of Doctor Who PC/Mac games, to be made available free from the official site later this year.
These aren't the tacky little Flash-built arcade-style games the site's always had, but Proper, 3D, Download-and-Install games with voice casts and writers and the whole works. They sound like the could be excellent, provided they really are old-school adventure games and not platformers/shoot-em-ups masquerading as 'adventure games'. Best of all (from a very fannish point of view), the screenshot of a Cyberman suggests we may have seen the back of the alternate-universe Cybus Cybermen...
Very, very exciting.
The greatest 9,331 movies of all time by Paul Hiebert
(from Film Salon)
Yes, nine thousand, three hundred and thirty-one. Madness! But fun madness.
Still Wrapped In Plastic: Twin Peaks Turns 20 by John Powers
(from npr)
Nice little piece on the importance, impact and greatness of Twin Peaks. Don't worry, there're no spoilers.
(from Doctor Who News Page)
Announcement of a series of Doctor Who PC/Mac games, to be made available free from the official site later this year.
These aren't the tacky little Flash-built arcade-style games the site's always had, but Proper, 3D, Download-and-Install games with voice casts and writers and the whole works. They sound like the could be excellent, provided they really are old-school adventure games and not platformers/shoot-em-ups masquerading as 'adventure games'. Best of all (from a very fannish point of view), the screenshot of a Cyberman suggests we may have seen the back of the alternate-universe Cybus Cybermen...
Very, very exciting.
The greatest 9,331 movies of all time by Paul Hiebert
(from Film Salon)
Yes, nine thousand, three hundred and thirty-one. Madness! But fun madness.
Still Wrapped In Plastic: Twin Peaks Turns 20 by John Powers
(from npr)
Nice little piece on the importance, impact and greatness of Twin Peaks. Don't worry, there're no spoilers.
Wednesday, 7 April 2010
TV
Have I Got News For You
39x01 (1/4/10 edition; extended repeat) [2nd watch]
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Mad Men
3x11 The Gypsy and the Hobo
39x01 (1/4/10 edition; extended repeat) [2nd watch]
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Mad Men
3x11 The Gypsy and the Hobo
Tuesday, 6 April 2010
Monday, 5 April 2010
TV
Channel 4's Comedy Gala
In aid of Great Ormond Street Hospital.
Most of the show was very good too, but can anyone tell me just why Lee Evans is so popular? Some of his stuff is funny, other bits fail miserably, and other bits are just old; there are worse comedians, certainly, but why does he get such huge gigs -- and, here, headlines with double the time of anyone else + an award (albeit a rather daft one) -- when there are other much better, and arguably more prominent, funnymen (and women) out there? It baffles me.
[Watch it (again) on 4oD.]
In aid of Great Ormond Street Hospital.
Most of the show was very good too, but can anyone tell me just why Lee Evans is so popular? Some of his stuff is funny, other bits fail miserably, and other bits are just old; there are worse comedians, certainly, but why does he get such huge gigs -- and, here, headlines with double the time of anyone else + an award (albeit a rather daft one) -- when there are other much better, and arguably more prominent, funnymen (and women) out there? It baffles me.
[Watch it (again) on 4oD.]
Articles
Download 700+ Free Scifi Books Onto Your iPhone by Cyriaque Lamar
(from io9)
Always good. (And it's legal, of course.)
Pope's immunity could be challenged in Britain by Paisley Dodds
(from Mail Times at mail.com)
Interesting article discussing the possibility of this happening. Sounds unlikely, but we can but hope. You can sign a related petition here.
(from io9)
Always good. (And it's legal, of course.)
Pope's immunity could be challenged in Britain by Paisley Dodds
(from Mail Times at mail.com)
Interesting article discussing the possibility of this happening. Sounds unlikely, but we can but hope. You can sign a related petition here.
Sunday, 4 April 2010
TV
Doctor Who
31x01 The Eleventh Hour
Fantastic start to the new series. It's beautifully shot -- incredibly movie-like, much more so than it has been before -- and wonderfully fast-paced, witty and exciting. Not sure on the new TARDIS set but I may be convinced; but the new theme is a too-busy mess and the new title sequence a little lacking, in my opinion: it's like the old one but with a more-complex vortex graphic and fewer unique moments (e.g. the time-freeze TARDIS-spin). I like the new episode title/credits font, and that someone's finally worked out how to make it different sizes in the post-titles opening credits, but it amuses me that, having gone HD, they've suddenly got massively bigger overall.
But these are silly fan-ish worries. The episode itself was wonderful -- the bit with all the previous Doctors, and #11 walking through the hologram, was simply glorious -- and the hints at the series arc highly intriguing. I'm unfeasibly excited for the rest of the season.
Job done.
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
Jonathan Creek
The Judas Tree [Easter special]
Hm. Well, that's not vintage Creek, is it.
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
31x01 The Eleventh Hour
Fantastic start to the new series. It's beautifully shot -- incredibly movie-like, much more so than it has been before -- and wonderfully fast-paced, witty and exciting. Not sure on the new TARDIS set but I may be convinced; but the new theme is a too-busy mess and the new title sequence a little lacking, in my opinion: it's like the old one but with a more-complex vortex graphic and fewer unique moments (e.g. the time-freeze TARDIS-spin). I like the new episode title/credits font, and that someone's finally worked out how to make it different sizes in the post-titles opening credits, but it amuses me that, having gone HD, they've suddenly got massively bigger overall.
But these are silly fan-ish worries. The episode itself was wonderful -- the bit with all the previous Doctors, and #11 walking through the hologram, was simply glorious -- and the hints at the series arc highly intriguing. I'm unfeasibly excited for the rest of the season.
Job done.
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
Jonathan Creek
The Judas Tree [Easter special]
Hm. Well, that's not vintage Creek, is it.
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
Articles
The Doctor Who Roadshow comes to Scotland by Jonathan Melville
(from ReelScotland)
I was in Edinburgh while this was going on. I missed it. To be honest, I'm quite glad I didn't bother taking the time to go.
The New TARDIS by Dave Golder
(from SFX)
Exec producers Steven Moffat and Piers Wenger chat a bit about the ethos behind the new TARDIS console room. Interesting.
Scott wants Robin Hood sequel by Simon Reynolds
(from Digital Spy)
Hm.
(from ReelScotland)
I was in Edinburgh while this was going on. I missed it. To be honest, I'm quite glad I didn't bother taking the time to go.
The New TARDIS by Dave Golder
(from SFX)
Exec producers Steven Moffat and Piers Wenger chat a bit about the ethos behind the new TARDIS console room. Interesting.
Scott wants Robin Hood sequel by Simon Reynolds
(from Digital Spy)
Hm.
Saturday, 3 April 2010
TV
Chris Moyles' Quiz Night
2x06 (2/4/10 edition)
Have I Got News For You
39x01 (1/4/10 edition; extended repeat)
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
2x06 (2/4/10 edition)
Have I Got News For You
39x01 (1/4/10 edition; extended repeat)
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Articles
Don't be fooled by the hype: This crime against cinema is twisted, cynical, and revels in the abuse of childhood by Christopher Tookey
(from Mail Online)
The Mail's single-star review of the excellent Kick-Ass -- as usual with a Mail article, this is so ridiculous it's just funny. It affirms my long-held view that the lower-rated the Mail's review, the better the film. Still, it's worrying how some people think.
(from Mail Online)
The Mail's single-star review of the excellent Kick-Ass -- as usual with a Mail article, this is so ridiculous it's just funny. It affirms my long-held view that the lower-rated the Mail's review, the better the film. Still, it's worrying how some people think.
Dinner
The Kitchin
I don't normally highlight what I eat -- obviously -- but I think going to a Michelin-starred restaurant (especially for the first time) counts as a cultural experience.
It was very nice, thank you very much.
I don't normally highlight what I eat -- obviously -- but I think going to a Michelin-starred restaurant (especially for the first time) counts as a cultural experience.
It was very nice, thank you very much.
Friday, 2 April 2010
TV
Friday Night With Jonathan Ross
18x11 (2/4/10 edition)
Aaron Johnson was great in Kick-Ass (and, apparently, in Nowhere Boy), but he's certainly uncomfortable in interviews. Needs some kind of training I think, especially if he has to do the American press junket yet.
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
18x11 (2/4/10 edition)
Aaron Johnson was great in Kick-Ass (and, apparently, in Nowhere Boy), but he's certainly uncomfortable in interviews. Needs some kind of training I think, especially if he has to do the American press junket yet.
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
This confounds my regular array of categories, but still, it counts...
City Sightseeing bus tour of Edinburgh
City Sightseeing bus tour of Edinburgh
Thursday, 1 April 2010
Films
Kick-Ass (2010)
[#39 in 100 Films in a Year 2010]
It was a review cliché even before the reviews were published, but it's still true: Kick-Ass kicks ass. See it.
[#39 in 100 Films in a Year 2010]
It was a review cliché even before the reviews were published, but it's still true: Kick-Ass kicks ass. See it.
Articles
10/40/70 #1: Starship Troopers by Nicholas Rombes
(from The Rumpus)
An intriguing new series of columns, this, best explained by its own introduction:
First iPad Reviews Are In by Rosa Golijan
(from Gizmodo)
...and they're all shiny & good. Hurrah!
(from The Rumpus)
An intriguing new series of columns, this, best explained by its own introduction:
what if, instead of freely choosing which parts of the film to address, I select three different, arbitrary time codes (in this case and for future columns, the 10-minute, 40-minute, and 70-minute mark), freeze the frames, and use that as a guide to writing about the filmIt's a little bit film-school pretentious at times, but it's an interesting enough idea to make it worth keeping an eye on.
First iPad Reviews Are In by Rosa Golijan
(from Gizmodo)
...and they're all shiny & good. Hurrah!
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