Alchemised by SenLinYu
Chapters 3–4
Monday, 31 August 2026
Sunday, 30 August 2026
Films
Dragonfly Squadron 3D (1954)
[#48 in The 100 Films in a Year Challenge 2026]
Quatermass and the Pit (1967)
[#49 in The 100 Films in a Year Challenge 2026]
[#48 in The 100 Films in a Year Challenge 2026]
Quatermass and the Pit (1967)
[#49 in The 100 Films in a Year Challenge 2026]
Fiction
Alchemised by SenLinYu
Prologue
Chapters 1–2
Knowing this started life as a Harry Potter fanfic, I can't help but try to map characters and locations back onto Potter. Some are blatant, others less so. Either way, I need to try to stop doing that — if I wanted the Potter version, I could just read the original!
Prologue
Chapters 1–2
Knowing this started life as a Harry Potter fanfic, I can't help but try to map characters and locations back onto Potter. Some are blatant, others less so. Either way, I need to try to stop doing that — if I wanted the Potter version, I could just read the original!
Saturday, 29 August 2026
Films
Dersu Uzala (1975)
[#47 in The 100 Films in a Year Challenge 2026]
"What Do You Mean You Haven't Seen...?" 2026 #4
[#47 in The 100 Films in a Year Challenge 2026]
"What Do You Mean You Haven't Seen...?" 2026 #4
Fiction
His Last Bow: Some Reminiscences of Sherlock Holmes by Arthur Conan Doyle
5 The Disappearance of Lady Frances Carfax
6 The Adventure of the Dying Detective
That's the end of His Last Bow for me, but no "the end" note because I've already read the final story. Not that I don't want to read it again, but I'm still focused on reading all the stories I have never read (nine to go!)
Lady Frances Carfax goes to show why you can't always trust others' opinions: rated a strong but not exceptional 4 stars by the Pocket Essentials guide, and ranked right near the bottom-end by the fan poll, I thought this was actually rather brilliant — an unusual, fun, and surprising escapade.
The Dying Detective, meanwhile, is rated full marks by Pocket Essentials but sits almost bang in the middle of the fan poll. It's also different and kind of clever, but the 'reveal' feels obvious.
5 The Disappearance of Lady Frances Carfax
6 The Adventure of the Dying Detective
That's the end of His Last Bow for me, but no "the end" note because I've already read the final story. Not that I don't want to read it again, but I'm still focused on reading all the stories I have never read (nine to go!)
Lady Frances Carfax goes to show why you can't always trust others' opinions: rated a strong but not exceptional 4 stars by the Pocket Essentials guide, and ranked right near the bottom-end by the fan poll, I thought this was actually rather brilliant — an unusual, fun, and surprising escapade.
The Dying Detective, meanwhile, is rated full marks by Pocket Essentials but sits almost bang in the middle of the fan poll. It's also different and kind of clever, but the 'reveal' feels obvious.
Collection Count
Collection Count tracks my DVD/Blu-ray collection via a number of statistics every week.
I spent lots of money on Blu-rays this week... but almost all on preorders. Only one new addition actually arrived: Radiance's delayed box set of Jean Luc Godard's Histoire(s) du cinéma, along with other related works.
Number of titles in collection: 3,729 [up 1]
Of which DVDs: 962 [no change]
Of which Blu-rays: 2,767 [up 1]
— of which Ultra HD Blu-rays: 554 [no change]
Number of discs in collection: 8,952 [up 3]
Number of films: 4,825 [up 4]
Number of additional cuts: 511 [no change]
Number of TV episodes: 10,144 [up 8]
Number of short films: 1,330 [up 5]
See you next week, faithful reader.
I spent lots of money on Blu-rays this week... but almost all on preorders. Only one new addition actually arrived: Radiance's delayed box set of Jean Luc Godard's Histoire(s) du cinéma, along with other related works.
Number of titles in collection: 3,729 [up 1]
Of which DVDs: 962 [no change]
Of which Blu-rays: 2,767 [up 1]
— of which Ultra HD Blu-rays: 554 [no change]
Number of discs in collection: 8,952 [up 3]
Number of films: 4,825 [up 4]
Number of additional cuts: 511 [no change]
Number of TV episodes: 10,144 [up 8]
Number of short films: 1,330 [up 5]
See you next week, faithful reader.
Friday, 28 August 2026
Fiction
His Last Bow: Some Reminiscences of Sherlock Holmes by Arthur Conan Doyle
3 The Adventure of the Devil's Foot
This is one of the most-acclaimed Holmes adventures (9th on Conan Doyle's personal top 12; 13th in definitive fan poll; 5 stars in the Pocket Essentials guide), which is interesting because I pretty much guessed exactly what had happened. But it's a bit different to the norm and atmospherically told, so it still has that going for it.
3 The Adventure of the Devil's Foot
This is one of the most-acclaimed Holmes adventures (9th on Conan Doyle's personal top 12; 13th in definitive fan poll; 5 stars in the Pocket Essentials guide), which is interesting because I pretty much guessed exactly what had happened. But it's a bit different to the norm and atmospherically told, so it still has that going for it.
Thursday, 27 August 2026
Films
Robot Monster 3D (1953)
[#45 in The 100 Films in a Year Challenge 2026]
Preceded by the short Stardust in Your Eyes (as it was in theatres), which I already watched earlier this year as part of 3-D Rarities. Didn't see that rewatch coming!
[#45 in The 100 Films in a Year Challenge 2026]
Preceded by the short Stardust in Your Eyes (as it was in theatres), which I already watched earlier this year as part of 3-D Rarities. Didn't see that rewatch coming!
Fiction
The Once and Future King by T.H. White
The Witch in the Wood Chapters 10–14 [the end]
Well, it didn't drag on like Sword in the Stone, but in the end I don't think I enjoyed it any more. The Once and Future King is not turning out to be anything like what I was expecting, and not in a good way. So far I'm failing to see why it's so acclaimed.
The Witch in the Wood Chapters 10–14 [the end]
Well, it didn't drag on like Sword in the Stone, but in the end I don't think I enjoyed it any more. The Once and Future King is not turning out to be anything like what I was expecting, and not in a good way. So far I'm failing to see why it's so acclaimed.
Video Games
Buffet Knight: Decadent Full Course
Classing this as completed — I only got ending 1 (of 4), but it wasn't immediately obvious how to get 2 and 3 (and 4 is a whole extra palaver), so I couldn't be bothered. Fun game, though.
Classing this as completed — I only got ending 1 (of 4), but it wasn't immediately obvious how to get 2 and 3 (and 4 is a whole extra palaver), so I couldn't be bothered. Fun game, though.
Wednesday, 26 August 2026
Tuesday, 25 August 2026
Monday, 24 August 2026
Sunday, 23 August 2026
Fiction
The Once and Future King by T.H. White
The Witch in the Wood Chapters 1–7
Didn't mean to leave it two whole years before picking this back up, but, well, here we are.
This second part is also known as The Queen of Air and Darkness, the title they've gone with for the Wikipedia article because apparently that's what it was later retitled, and it was significantly revised too. Well, my copy (first published in 2015, so hardly out of date) calls it The Witch in the Wood, so I'm going with that, though I have no idea whether what I'm reading is actually the original or the modified version (although I think it's the latter).
The Witch in the Wood Chapters 1–7
Didn't mean to leave it two whole years before picking this back up, but, well, here we are.
This second part is also known as The Queen of Air and Darkness, the title they've gone with for the Wikipedia article because apparently that's what it was later retitled, and it was significantly revised too. Well, my copy (first published in 2015, so hardly out of date) calls it The Witch in the Wood, so I'm going with that, though I have no idea whether what I'm reading is actually the original or the modified version (although I think it's the latter).
Saturday, 22 August 2026
Films
Woman in the Dunes (1964)
[#43 in The 100 Films in a Year Challenge 2026]
"What Do You Mean You Haven't Seen...?" 2026 #3
[#43 in The 100 Films in a Year Challenge 2026]
"What Do You Mean You Haven't Seen...?" 2026 #3
Fiction
His Last Bow: Some Reminiscences of Sherlock Holmes by Arthur Conan Doyle
1 The Adventure of Wisteria Lodge
4 The Adventure of the Red Circle
2 The Adventure of the Bruce-Partington Plans
Despite the title, this isn't the final volume of Sherlock Holmes stories (that's Case-Book), although maybe I should've saved it for last because, according to my Pocket Essentials guide, it has the highest concentration of five-star stories in the series. The numbering above is the order I read them in, because I began with the two stories said guide considers the weakest of the collection, rated three- and two-stars respectively.
I rather enjoyed Wiseria Lodge, though The Red Circle is one of those ones where Holmes basically hangs around, pulling off some very minor deductions, until everything has concluded itself and a participant explains the plot to him. The Bruce-Partington Plans, on the other hand, is rated five-stars by the guide, and has been well-regarded by both Doyle (he ranked it in his top 19 Holmes stories) and fans (who ranked it 9th in a 1999 poll). It is, indeed, a fairly clever mystery.
With a Mind to Kill by Anthony Horowitz
Chapters 20–23 [the end]
1 The Adventure of Wisteria Lodge
4 The Adventure of the Red Circle
2 The Adventure of the Bruce-Partington Plans
Despite the title, this isn't the final volume of Sherlock Holmes stories (that's Case-Book), although maybe I should've saved it for last because, according to my Pocket Essentials guide, it has the highest concentration of five-star stories in the series. The numbering above is the order I read them in, because I began with the two stories said guide considers the weakest of the collection, rated three- and two-stars respectively.
I rather enjoyed Wiseria Lodge, though The Red Circle is one of those ones where Holmes basically hangs around, pulling off some very minor deductions, until everything has concluded itself and a participant explains the plot to him. The Bruce-Partington Plans, on the other hand, is rated five-stars by the guide, and has been well-regarded by both Doyle (he ranked it in his top 19 Holmes stories) and fans (who ranked it 9th in a 1999 poll). It is, indeed, a fairly clever mystery.
With a Mind to Kill by Anthony Horowitz
Chapters 20–23 [the end]
Collection Count
Collection Count tracks my DVD/Blu-ray collection via a number of statistics every week.
A new 4K of an older film (Hunt for the Wilderpeople on its 10th anniversary), a DVD-to-4K upgrade of an even older film (Troy, 22 years old this year!), and a box set of four even older films (four actioners starring Angela Mao from the '70s) make up the entirety of this week's additions.
Number of titles in collection: 3,728 [up 2]
Of which DVDs: 962 [down 1]
Of which Blu-rays: 2,766 [up 3]
— of which Ultra HD Blu-rays: 554 [up 2]
Number of discs in collection: 8,949 [up 5]
Number of films: 4,821 [up 5]
Number of additional cuts: 511 [up 2]
Number of TV episodes: 10,136 [no change]
Number of short films: 1,325 [no change]
See you next week, faithful reader.
A new 4K of an older film (Hunt for the Wilderpeople on its 10th anniversary), a DVD-to-4K upgrade of an even older film (Troy, 22 years old this year!), and a box set of four even older films (four actioners starring Angela Mao from the '70s) make up the entirety of this week's additions.
Number of titles in collection: 3,728 [up 2]
Of which DVDs: 962 [down 1]
Of which Blu-rays: 2,766 [up 3]
— of which Ultra HD Blu-rays: 554 [up 2]
Number of discs in collection: 8,949 [up 5]
Number of films: 4,821 [up 5]
Number of additional cuts: 511 [up 2]
Number of TV episodes: 10,136 [no change]
Number of short films: 1,325 [no change]
See you next week, faithful reader.
Friday, 21 August 2026
Video Games
Buffet Knight: Decadent Full Course
Of all the games I haven't played for months, this was the one I most felt like returning to? Well, yes and no — it seemed like the easiest to just drop in on. Also, it's pretty fun.
Of all the games I haven't played for months, this was the one I most felt like returning to? Well, yes and no — it seemed like the easiest to just drop in on. Also, it's pretty fun.
Thursday, 20 August 2026
Tuesday, 18 August 2026
Monday, 17 August 2026
Sunday, 16 August 2026
Fiction
The Swords of Lankhmar by Fritz Leiber
Chapters 12–17 [the end]
With a Mind to Kill by Anthony Horowitz
Chapters 1–4
Chapters 12–17 [the end]
With a Mind to Kill by Anthony Horowitz
Chapters 1–4
With a new adult James Bond novel by Charlie Higson imminent, I decided it was about time I finally read the previous one (not that they're in any way connected), which (as usual) I bought when it came out... four years ago. Oopsie.
Saturday, 15 August 2026
Collection Count
Collection Count tracks my DVD/Blu-ray collection via a number of statistics every week.
A bunch of new Radiance titles arrive just in time for the montly running time update...
Number of titles in collection: 3,726 [up 5]
Of which DVDs: 963 [down 1]
Of which Blu-rays: 2,763 [up 6]
— of which Ultra HD Blu-rays: 552 [up 3]
Number of discs in collection: 8,944 [up 7]
Number of films: 4,816 [up 5]
Number of additional cuts: 509 [no change]
Number of TV episodes: 10,136 [no change]
Number of short films: 1,325 [up 3]
Total running time of collection (approx.):
623 days, 4 hours, and 7 minutes.
(Up 2 days, 18 hours, and 49 minutes from last month.)
See you next week, faithful reader.
A bunch of new Radiance titles arrive just in time for the montly running time update...
Number of titles in collection: 3,726 [up 5]
Of which DVDs: 963 [down 1]
Of which Blu-rays: 2,763 [up 6]
— of which Ultra HD Blu-rays: 552 [up 3]
Number of discs in collection: 8,944 [up 7]
Number of films: 4,816 [up 5]
Number of additional cuts: 509 [no change]
Number of TV episodes: 10,136 [no change]
Number of short films: 1,325 [up 3]
Total running time of collection (approx.):
623 days, 4 hours, and 7 minutes.
(Up 2 days, 18 hours, and 49 minutes from last month.)
See you next week, faithful reader.
Friday, 14 August 2026
TV
Only Murders in the Building
5x09 LESTR
5x10 The House Always... [season finale]
Richard Osman's House of Games
4x03 Week 1: Wednesday
5x09 LESTR
5x10 The House Always... [season finale]
Richard Osman's House of Games
4x03 Week 1: Wednesday
Articles
If you're not paying attention to retro game recompilations, you're missing the most exciting thing in gaming right now
by Wes Fenlon (from PC Gamer)
I've got a couple of the games mentioned herein setup through emulators on my Steam Deck. Sounds like I should be getting these versions instead...
by Wes Fenlon (from PC Gamer)
I've got a couple of the games mentioned herein setup through emulators on my Steam Deck. Sounds like I should be getting these versions instead...
Thursday, 13 August 2026
Wednesday, 12 August 2026
Tuesday, 11 August 2026
Monday, 10 August 2026
Sunday, 9 August 2026
Fiction
The Swords of Lankhmar by Fritz Leiber
Chapters 1–2
Resuming the Fafhrd and Gray Mouser series after a three-month break. This is the only full-length novel in the series (although even then it's relatively short as novels go).
Chapters 1–2
Resuming the Fafhrd and Gray Mouser series after a three-month break. This is the only full-length novel in the series (although even then it's relatively short as novels go).
this fortnight on 100Films.co.uk
Didn't get round to posting a 100Films.co.uk update last week, but that's okay because it just means both halves of my July review are condensed into this post.
First up, the general review of the month:
And then, the failures:
More next Sunday? Unlikely as ever these days.
First up, the general review of the month:
And then, the failures:
More next Sunday? Unlikely as ever these days.
Saturday, 8 August 2026
Collection Count
Collection Count tracks my DVD/Blu-ray collection via a number of statistics every week.
Three brand-new 4K releases this week, including an upgrade for Jackie Chan's Armour of God.
Number of titles in collection: 3,721 [up 2]
Of which DVDs: 964 [no change]
Of which Blu-rays: 2,757 [up 2]
— of which Ultra HD Blu-rays: 549 [up 3]
Number of discs in collection: 8,937 [up 5]
Number of films: 4,811 [up 2]
Number of additional cuts: 509 [up 1]
Number of TV episodes: 10,136 [no change]
Number of short films: 1,322 [no change]
See you next week, faithful reader.
Three brand-new 4K releases this week, including an upgrade for Jackie Chan's Armour of God.
Number of titles in collection: 3,721 [up 2]
Of which DVDs: 964 [no change]
Of which Blu-rays: 2,757 [up 2]
— of which Ultra HD Blu-rays: 549 [up 3]
Number of discs in collection: 8,937 [up 5]
Number of films: 4,811 [up 2]
Number of additional cuts: 509 [up 1]
Number of TV episodes: 10,136 [no change]
Number of short films: 1,322 [no change]
See you next week, faithful reader.
Friday, 7 August 2026
Thursday, 6 August 2026
Wednesday, 5 August 2026
TV
Only Murders in the Building
5x01 Nail in the Coffin
As usual, watching this in August almost a year late.
Richard Osman's House of Games
4x58 Week 12: Wednesday
5x01 Nail in the Coffin
As usual, watching this in August almost a year late.
Richard Osman's House of Games
4x58 Week 12: Wednesday
Tuesday, 4 August 2026
Monday, 3 August 2026
Tabletop Games
Daggerheart
All 3 games continuing.
The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring - Trick-Taking Game
All 3 games continuing.
The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring - Trick-Taking Game
Collection Count
Collection Count tracks my DVD/Blu-ray collection via a number of statistics every week.
A bit late this week because a pile of stuff turned up on Saturday morning but then I had a busy weekend. As ever, I know no one cares but me.
Number of titles in collection: 3,719 [up 4]
Of which DVDs: 964 [no change]
Of which Blu-rays: 2,755 [up 4]
— of which Ultra HD Blu-rays: 546 [up 4]
Number of discs in collection: 8,932 [up 9]
Number of films: 4,809 [up 2]
Number of additional cuts: 508 [up 2]
Number of TV episodes: 10,136 [up 13]
Number of short films: 1,322 [up 1]
See you next week, faithful reader.
A bit late this week because a pile of stuff turned up on Saturday morning but then I had a busy weekend. As ever, I know no one cares but me.
Number of titles in collection: 3,719 [up 4]
Of which DVDs: 964 [no change]
Of which Blu-rays: 2,755 [up 4]
— of which Ultra HD Blu-rays: 546 [up 4]
Number of discs in collection: 8,932 [up 9]
Number of films: 4,809 [up 2]
Number of additional cuts: 508 [up 2]
Number of TV episodes: 10,136 [up 13]
Number of short films: 1,322 [up 1]
See you next week, faithful reader.
Sunday, 2 August 2026
Saturday, 1 August 2026
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