By Any Means
Part 2 (of 6)
Dexter
2x06 Dex, Lies and Videotape
Poirot
11x01 Mrs. McGinty's Dead
ITV may screw over both Miss Marple and Christie's sundry other characters by adapting them all willy-nilly in Marple, but Poirot sticks firmly to canon in its aim of filming all her stories about the Belgian detective. 61 down, 11 to go...
Sunday, 14 September 2008
Films
Bond from the Beginning #11:
Moonraker (1979)
[2nd half; 3rd or so watch]
See here for my thoughts on this film.
Moonraker (1979)
[2nd half; 3rd or so watch]
See here for my thoughts on this film.
Articles
Apocalypse then by Ed Potton
(from The Knowledge Sept 13-19, 2008, p.12-13)
The fact that articles like this can be found online these days almost makes you wonder why they publish the magazine. Though, on the page it does have a review of the new DVD release (identical to the US one from a couple of years ago, by the sound of things). It comes in a Steelbook, which the people at The Times have obviously never heard of, bless them, as they insist on calling it a "steelbox". In a rare instance of Steelbook-beating, I prefer the US packaging.
David Blaine: death-dealer by Michael Joseph Gross
(from Telegraph.co.uk)
"'A lot of people in England don't like me for some reason,' Blaine continues." Because he's a pretentious show-off dick, a bit like Derren Brown only less entertaining and based on tricks of endurance rather than skill. This article does nothing to dispel such an opinion. In fact, if anything, it makes it worse.
(from The Knowledge Sept 13-19, 2008, p.12-13)
The fact that articles like this can be found online these days almost makes you wonder why they publish the magazine. Though, on the page it does have a review of the new DVD release (identical to the US one from a couple of years ago, by the sound of things). It comes in a Steelbook, which the people at The Times have obviously never heard of, bless them, as they insist on calling it a "steelbox". In a rare instance of Steelbook-beating, I prefer the US packaging.
David Blaine: death-dealer by Michael Joseph Gross
(from Telegraph.co.uk)
"'A lot of people in England don't like me for some reason,' Blaine continues." Because he's a pretentious show-off dick, a bit like Derren Brown only less entertaining and based on tricks of endurance rather than skill. This article does nothing to dispel such an opinion. In fact, if anything, it makes it worse.
Bond from the Beginning #11: Moonraker
Moonraker has some good bits. A shocking thing to say, I know, especially for me -- but it's true!
Sandwiched between arguably the two most popular Moore films, it's probably the most reviled film in the entire franchise -- though A View to a Kill runs a close second these days -- but there are a number of redeeming qualities that prevent it being a total loss as a film -- though it helps to think of it as a generic sci-fi-tinged spy thriller, rather than a film starring Ian Fleming's James Bond.
The pre-titles sequence is a stunning piece of stunt work, the like of which you would surely never see today; Drax is an excellent villain, with some of the best one-liners in the entire series; and many other bits work marvelously too. But there are also huge lapses of judgement -- as if a motor-powered gondola wasn't bad enough, it has to turn into a hovercraft... with a double-taking pigeon, just to hammer home that final nail. There are others, far too numerous to mention -- though the constant repetition from earlier films is blatant when watching in sequence, and the huge sin that is the laser-gun space battle cannot go unacknowledged (and after most of the space bits were relatively realistic too!)
The real shame about Moonraker is it doesn't have to sink to such lows. Despite how "James Bond in space" sounds, the concept isn't inherently flawed -- it's only You Only Live Twice with Bond getting in the spacecraft -- but there are so many misguided bits that they sometimes become hard to ignore. On the bright side, if one can ignore the silly bits there's actually a hugely entertaining film here.
I never thought I'd say this, ever, but Moonraker is not my least favourite Bond film, and by some margin. (In the not-unlikely event that you can suddenly feel shooting pains in your left arm now, please call a doctor.) Perhaps there's hope yet for View to a Kill...
Sandwiched between arguably the two most popular Moore films, it's probably the most reviled film in the entire franchise -- though A View to a Kill runs a close second these days -- but there are a number of redeeming qualities that prevent it being a total loss as a film -- though it helps to think of it as a generic sci-fi-tinged spy thriller, rather than a film starring Ian Fleming's James Bond.
The pre-titles sequence is a stunning piece of stunt work, the like of which you would surely never see today; Drax is an excellent villain, with some of the best one-liners in the entire series; and many other bits work marvelously too. But there are also huge lapses of judgement -- as if a motor-powered gondola wasn't bad enough, it has to turn into a hovercraft... with a double-taking pigeon, just to hammer home that final nail. There are others, far too numerous to mention -- though the constant repetition from earlier films is blatant when watching in sequence, and the huge sin that is the laser-gun space battle cannot go unacknowledged (and after most of the space bits were relatively realistic too!)
The real shame about Moonraker is it doesn't have to sink to such lows. Despite how "James Bond in space" sounds, the concept isn't inherently flawed -- it's only You Only Live Twice with Bond getting in the spacecraft -- but there are so many misguided bits that they sometimes become hard to ignore. On the bright side, if one can ignore the silly bits there's actually a hugely entertaining film here.
I never thought I'd say this, ever, but Moonraker is not my least favourite Bond film, and by some margin. (In the not-unlikely event that you can suddenly feel shooting pains in your left arm now, please call a doctor.) Perhaps there's hope yet for View to a Kill...
Saturday, 13 September 2008
TV
Spaceballs: The Animated Series Trailer (direct link)
Apparently this series is going to air at 5PM in the US. Based on this trailer, I find it hard to believe they're going to get away with that. Also, I'm not convinced it will be very funny -- partly because I watched Spaceballs again a year or two ago and struggled to be amused, and partly because this trailer has no laughs. Not even one. And it's clearly been done with Flash animation, so looks cheap as chips. And, to be honest, just looks like it wants to be cartoon porn.
Apparently this series is going to air at 5PM in the US. Based on this trailer, I find it hard to believe they're going to get away with that. Also, I'm not convinced it will be very funny -- partly because I watched Spaceballs again a year or two ago and struggled to be amused, and partly because this trailer has no laughs. Not even one. And it's clearly been done with Flash animation, so looks cheap as chips. And, to be honest, just looks like it wants to be cartoon porn.
Articles
Temporary Production Shutdown on Dollhouse by Dave Golder
(from SFX)
"Production on Joss Whedon's Dollhouse has temporarily shut down... Apparently, "Whedon had been busy directing two of the first three [episodes], which kept him out of the writers' room. As a result, the studio, network and Whedon agreed that the show's fourth script needed work. Whedon also requested the production reprieve to get ahead on the next few scripts.” The show will still air as scheduled in the New Year."
Oh dear. This is after the news that the network half-insisted there by a new pilot episode (Whedon claims he agrees, stating the show needed setting up better, and Pilot #1 will now air as episode two). Depending on your perspective, these pieces of news are either:
Good! They want to produce the highest quality show possible. I'm an optimist, yay!
Bad! It's struggling under network pressure already and will surely go the way of Firefly. I'm a pessimist, boo!
Well, we'll have to wait and see won't we. Networks always interfere and quality shows still happen. I'm a realist. So there.
Movie Reviews: Righteous Kill
(from Studio Briefing)
"Taken purely on its merits as a psychological thriller, Righteous Kill is probably a two-star film. The third star is there strictly for De Niro and Pacino. Playing off each other, they stir up the ghosts of past greatness." A shame, because from the trailer I thought this looked like it could be a great thriller with two great stars. I'll judge for myself at some point, of course.
Movie Reviews: The Women
(from Studio Briefing)
Even the women hate The Women, which sounds to be as bad as the trailer looks. Except Roger Ebert, who praises it, yet again seeming to disagree with everyone else (see: The Mummy 3).
Unrelated by clydefro [online for a limited time]
(from clydefro)
"In 2004, the cities that had been attacked [on 9/11] picked one person as the best man to further protect us while nearly everyone else picked someone else, the eventual winner. With a new election just weeks away, these uncertainties and fears once again feel necessary."
Be sure to check out today's other Articles post for some Bondage.
(from SFX)
"Production on Joss Whedon's Dollhouse has temporarily shut down... Apparently, "Whedon had been busy directing two of the first three [episodes], which kept him out of the writers' room. As a result, the studio, network and Whedon agreed that the show's fourth script needed work. Whedon also requested the production reprieve to get ahead on the next few scripts.” The show will still air as scheduled in the New Year."
Oh dear. This is after the news that the network half-insisted there by a new pilot episode (Whedon claims he agrees, stating the show needed setting up better, and Pilot #1 will now air as episode two). Depending on your perspective, these pieces of news are either:
Movie Reviews: Righteous Kill
(from Studio Briefing)
"Taken purely on its merits as a psychological thriller, Righteous Kill is probably a two-star film. The third star is there strictly for De Niro and Pacino. Playing off each other, they stir up the ghosts of past greatness." A shame, because from the trailer I thought this looked like it could be a great thriller with two great stars. I'll judge for myself at some point, of course.
Movie Reviews: The Women
(from Studio Briefing)
Even the women hate The Women, which sounds to be as bad as the trailer looks. Except Roger Ebert, who praises it, yet again seeming to disagree with everyone else (see: The Mummy 3).
Unrelated by clydefro [online for a limited time]
(from clydefro)
"In 2004, the cities that had been attacked [on 9/11] picked one person as the best man to further protect us while nearly everyone else picked someone else, the eventual winner. With a new election just weeks away, these uncertainties and fears once again feel necessary."
Be sure to check out today's other Articles post for some Bondage.
Articles: Bond, James Bond
Another Way To Drink? by Matt Weston
(from CommanderBond.net)
Seems the Coke Zero Zero 7 ad has caused quite a stir -- so much so that I'm not going to quote the article, just recommend you go read it.
By Royal Command: Judging A Book By Its Cover by Tanner
(from double o section)
"I know most of you probably think me certifiable after reading this post, but I also know that there are some readers and collectors who know exactly what I’m talking about."
Charlie in Command by John Cox
(from The Young Bond Dossier)
Fairly extensive interview with Young Bond author Charlie Higson. Contains spoilers for By Royal Command, so do be careful.
David Arnold Audio Interview: Scoring Quantum of Solace by Devin Zydel
(from CommanderBond.net)
Interesting comments on both the film and its score.
Looks like I just need some articles beginning with E to Z...
(from CommanderBond.net)
Seems the Coke Zero Zero 7 ad has caused quite a stir -- so much so that I'm not going to quote the article, just recommend you go read it.
By Royal Command: Judging A Book By Its Cover by Tanner
(from double o section)
"I know most of you probably think me certifiable after reading this post, but I also know that there are some readers and collectors who know exactly what I’m talking about."
Charlie in Command by John Cox
(from The Young Bond Dossier)
Fairly extensive interview with Young Bond author Charlie Higson. Contains spoilers for By Royal Command, so do be careful.
David Arnold Audio Interview: Scoring Quantum of Solace by Devin Zydel
(from CommanderBond.net)
Interesting comments on both the film and its score.
Looks like I just need some articles beginning with E to Z...
Websites
Evil Dead: The Musical
I kid you not. Recent rumours have that it may be getting a film adaptation...
I kid you not. Recent rumours have that it may be getting a film adaptation...
Adverts
Coke Zero Zero 7
The new Coke ad allegedly uses music from Another Way to Die, the theme to Quantum of Solace. If that's true, I can't decide whether it sounds reassuringly Bond-like or depressingly generic-Bond-like -- if the article didn't claim it was the new song being used, I'd just assume it was some Bond-alike track Coke had found/had done. Either way, it's a fairly nifty advert, though most amusing is the Guardian's claim that it "is an homage to the Bond movie franchise's highly stylised pre-credit sequences" -- for a paper so into the arts and claiming such intelligence, you'd think they could tell the difference between the credits and pre-credits.
See today's Bond Articles post for more on this.
The new Coke ad allegedly uses music from Another Way to Die, the theme to Quantum of Solace. If that's true, I can't decide whether it sounds reassuringly Bond-like or depressingly generic-Bond-like -- if the article didn't claim it was the new song being used, I'd just assume it was some Bond-alike track Coke had found/had done. Either way, it's a fairly nifty advert, though most amusing is the Guardian's claim that it "is an homage to the Bond movie franchise's highly stylised pre-credit sequences" -- for a paper so into the arts and claiming such intelligence, you'd think they could tell the difference between the credits and pre-credits.
See today's Bond Articles post for more on this.
Friday, 12 September 2008
TV
Dexter
2x05 The Dark Defender
Never Mind the Buzzcocks
21x07 (3/1/08 edition) [2nd watch]
The Tudors
2x07 Matters of State
2x05 The Dark Defender
Never Mind the Buzzcocks
21x07 (3/1/08 edition) [2nd watch]
The Tudors
2x07 Matters of State
Fiction
Double or Die by Charlie Higson
Chapter 17
Trivia time: the events of this chapter are (briefly) referenced in canonical continuation novel Devil May Care.
Chapter 17
Trivia time: the events of this chapter are (briefly) referenced in canonical continuation novel Devil May Care.
Articles
Favreau Talks the Future of Iron Man by Devin Faraci
(from CHUD.com)
Faraci boasts (several times) about his very long interview with Iron Man director Jon Favreau. Handily for those of us only interested in the highlights, he hasn't got round to typing it all up yet, so summarises the best bits. They include:
"Favreau said that he very much wants War Machine in the second film. He said that Rhodey had a smaller than anticipated role in the first movie and that he would like to rectify that."
"The Mandarin is the overarching, behind the scenes villain of Favreau's planned trilogy, but he's very aware of how hard it is to keep a character like that cool. [He] is also 'surrounded by minefields,' specifically the racial aspects and the fact that his powers are arcane in nature."
"Favreau wants to complicate the personal stories in the sequels, not the plot lines. He sort of pointed at The Dark Knight as a movie that had a very complicated plot... To him it's about the characters first and the stories should be simple and fun." (No bad thing -- complex plot-driven stories suit Batman, not so much Downey Jr.'s very light take on Iron Man.)
"Favreau sees his trilogy as almost one long story, comparing it less to the Spider-Man films, which are modular, and more to The Lord of the Rings or even a season of a TV show." Aiming high indeed!
Ray Winstone Joins Edge Of Darkness by Chris Hewitt
(from Empire Online)
Ray Winstone replacing Robert De Niro? Well that's just odd.
Viva Che (Just When It Seemed Dead)
(from Studio Briefing)
"Nearly four months after it was screened at the Cannes Festival to widespread critical acclaim and a best-actor award for its star, Steven Soderbergh's Che has finally landed a distributor... Soderbergh indicated that it was still uncertain whether the film will be released in two parts or as one four-and-a-half hour feature. (At Cannes, it was shown both ways, and Soderbergh had indicated he would like it to be shown that way upon its release, allowing ticket buyers to decide for themselves whether they wish to see it in two installments or in one.)" That'll be fun for IMDb to list, then -- though they must've made a similar decision for Grindhouse at some point, so I guess there's a precedent. That said, in Grindhouse's case the double-feature versions are notably different to the individual releases; if Che is just The Argentine and Guerrilla stuck together, it might be a different matter. Currently they just list them both separately, so what would they do if it was only released as a single feature, eh? Ah the things I think about...
(from CHUD.com)
Faraci boasts (several times) about his very long interview with Iron Man director Jon Favreau. Handily for those of us only interested in the highlights, he hasn't got round to typing it all up yet, so summarises the best bits. They include:
Ray Winstone Joins Edge Of Darkness by Chris Hewitt
(from Empire Online)
Ray Winstone replacing Robert De Niro? Well that's just odd.
Viva Che (Just When It Seemed Dead)
(from Studio Briefing)
"Nearly four months after it was screened at the Cannes Festival to widespread critical acclaim and a best-actor award for its star, Steven Soderbergh's Che has finally landed a distributor... Soderbergh indicated that it was still uncertain whether the film will be released in two parts or as one four-and-a-half hour feature. (At Cannes, it was shown both ways, and Soderbergh had indicated he would like it to be shown that way upon its release, allowing ticket buyers to decide for themselves whether they wish to see it in two installments or in one.)" That'll be fun for IMDb to list, then -- though they must've made a similar decision for Grindhouse at some point, so I guess there's a precedent. That said, in Grindhouse's case the double-feature versions are notably different to the individual releases; if Che is just The Argentine and Guerrilla stuck together, it might be a different matter. Currently they just list them both separately, so what would they do if it was only released as a single feature, eh? Ah the things I think about...
Thursday, 11 September 2008
TV
8 Out of 10 Cats
7x02 (11/9/08 edition)
Dexter
2x04 See-Through
Mock the Week
6x10 (11/9/08 edition)
If only some Americans could see our satire, as opposed to their own pathetically weak attempts at it, they might sensibly rethink who they were voting for. Though if they knew it was satire by Foreigners it would probably just encourage them.
7x02 (11/9/08 edition)
Dexter
2x04 See-Through
Mock the Week
6x10 (11/9/08 edition)
If only some Americans could see our satire, as opposed to their own pathetically weak attempts at it, they might sensibly rethink who they were voting for. Though if they knew it was satire by Foreigners it would probably just encourage them.
Fiction
Arkham Asylum: A Serious House on Serious Earth by Grant Morrison & Dave McKean
Arkham Asylum is one of the most acclaimed Batman books ever written -- for one example, it came 4th on IGN's 25 Greatest Batman Graphic Novels -- and, as the blurb on the 15th anniversary edition proudly proclaims, is still "the most successful graphic novel of all time" (I took that to mean best-selling, but upon re-reading it's obviously completely vague). It's certainly unlike any other Batman book you will ever see; in fact, it's hard to believe something so unusual was ever released by a mainstream publisher; even more so that they allowed it to be about one of their most popular creations. It's very dark, very bleak, very dense, and, despite its wide-spread high acclaim, is surely an acquired taste.
The 15th anniversary edition (it seems like this was only recently released still, but Arkham will be 20 next year!) includes Morrison's complete original script, plus new annotations. It's hard to believe people got by a decade and a half without this, as his comments in the original script explain so much, and his new notes flesh out many bits further. I haven't read it through in full yet, but did refer to it on multiple occasions while reading the graphic novel, and will unquestionably be reading it properly at some point.
Double or Die by Charlie Higson
Chapter 16
Arkham Asylum is one of the most acclaimed Batman books ever written -- for one example, it came 4th on IGN's 25 Greatest Batman Graphic Novels -- and, as the blurb on the 15th anniversary edition proudly proclaims, is still "the most successful graphic novel of all time" (I took that to mean best-selling, but upon re-reading it's obviously completely vague). It's certainly unlike any other Batman book you will ever see; in fact, it's hard to believe something so unusual was ever released by a mainstream publisher; even more so that they allowed it to be about one of their most popular creations. It's very dark, very bleak, very dense, and, despite its wide-spread high acclaim, is surely an acquired taste.
The 15th anniversary edition (it seems like this was only recently released still, but Arkham will be 20 next year!) includes Morrison's complete original script, plus new annotations. It's hard to believe people got by a decade and a half without this, as his comments in the original script explain so much, and his new notes flesh out many bits further. I haven't read it through in full yet, but did refer to it on multiple occasions while reading the graphic novel, and will unquestionably be reading it properly at some point.
Double or Die by Charlie Higson
Chapter 16
Articles
The Dark Knight Set For Re-Release by Glen Ferris
(from Empire Online)
"Warner Bros. is... planning to re-release the comic-book epic in IMAX cinemas in January, the height of Academy Awards voting season. The move will fuel speculation that the studio hopes to win a posthumous gong for Heath Ledger, as well as attempting to grab all the other big prizes." Hey, if Titanic of all things can take ludicrous amounts of money and win all the Oscars, why can't The Dark Knight?
Paul McGann back as Dr Who by Jen Blackburn
(from The Sun)
I hope to God it's true, but I won't believe it til I see it confirmed somewhere official-like, considering the reliability of The Sun. That said, in the past they've got a surprising number of things right about Who... but they've also been known to print fan speculation from forums as facts and/or 'insider info', and this sounds exactly like that. But in case it isn't, the rumours go as follows: McGann "is expected to begin filming in October or November for one of four feature-length specials to be shown instead of a series in 2009. Flashback scenes will see him battered from the Time War and shorn of the long hair he had in the film. An insider said: “Fans loved Paul's Doctor and feel he was never given the proper chance to shine. Reference is often made to the Time War which wiped out the Time Lords and this will give them a taste of that.”... David Tennant will also appear." Fingers firmly crossed!
Tennant: I'll be movie Doctor by Sara Nathan
(from The Sun)
More from The Sun: "we can now reveal that the star has agreed to make a full fifth series [of Doctor Who] in 2010 if the big screen role can be tagged on to the deal." Considering the source, it's worth taking this with a pinch of salt. Actually, make that a handful. Actually, make that a bucket.
(An amusing postscript: The Sun's confusion over previous Who movies. "Two previous big-screen versions of Dr Who have been made, starring Peter Cushing in 1965 and Paul McGann in 1996." The facts, of course, are that there were two Cushing cinema releases (1965 & 1966) and the McGann effort was just a TV movie.)
Young Bond Loses His Innocence (non-spoiler version) by John Cox
(from The Young Bond Dossier)
Review of the fifth Young Bond novel, By Royal Command. Cox concludes the novel is "a picture perfect landing, touching down cleanly and evenly on every aspect of James Bond’s past and future life... a surprisingly profound and introspective chapter that takes a leap in quality and maturity from all that has come before." The rest of the review merits reading too, and if you want a spoiler-filled version can be read here.
(from Empire Online)
"Warner Bros. is... planning to re-release the comic-book epic in IMAX cinemas in January, the height of Academy Awards voting season. The move will fuel speculation that the studio hopes to win a posthumous gong for Heath Ledger, as well as attempting to grab all the other big prizes." Hey, if Titanic of all things can take ludicrous amounts of money and win all the Oscars, why can't The Dark Knight?
Paul McGann back as Dr Who by Jen Blackburn
(from The Sun)
I hope to God it's true, but I won't believe it til I see it confirmed somewhere official-like, considering the reliability of The Sun. That said, in the past they've got a surprising number of things right about Who... but they've also been known to print fan speculation from forums as facts and/or 'insider info', and this sounds exactly like that. But in case it isn't, the rumours go as follows: McGann "is expected to begin filming in October or November for one of four feature-length specials to be shown instead of a series in 2009. Flashback scenes will see him battered from the Time War and shorn of the long hair he had in the film. An insider said: “Fans loved Paul's Doctor and feel he was never given the proper chance to shine. Reference is often made to the Time War which wiped out the Time Lords and this will give them a taste of that.”... David Tennant will also appear." Fingers firmly crossed!
Tennant: I'll be movie Doctor by Sara Nathan
(from The Sun)
More from The Sun: "we can now reveal that the star has agreed to make a full fifth series [of Doctor Who] in 2010 if the big screen role can be tagged on to the deal." Considering the source, it's worth taking this with a pinch of salt. Actually, make that a handful. Actually, make that a bucket.
(An amusing postscript: The Sun's confusion over previous Who movies. "Two previous big-screen versions of Dr Who have been made, starring Peter Cushing in 1965 and Paul McGann in 1996." The facts, of course, are that there were two Cushing cinema releases (1965 & 1966) and the McGann effort was just a TV movie.)
Young Bond Loses His Innocence (non-spoiler version) by John Cox
(from The Young Bond Dossier)
Review of the fifth Young Bond novel, By Royal Command. Cox concludes the novel is "a picture perfect landing, touching down cleanly and evenly on every aspect of James Bond’s past and future life... a surprisingly profound and introspective chapter that takes a leap in quality and maturity from all that has come before." The rest of the review merits reading too, and if you want a spoiler-filled version can be read here.
Music
C-lebrity (song) by Queen + Paul Rodgers
Not their best work, if I'm honest, but it's a good concept and I wager it'll grow on me. Nonetheless, I still can't wait for the album. Though it's not been dispatched by HMV yet...
Not their best work, if I'm honest, but it's a good concept and I wager it'll grow on me. Nonetheless, I still can't wait for the album. Though it's not been dispatched by HMV yet...
Torchwood on the radio
As some/all readers will surely be aware, yesterday BBC Radio 4 broadcast an exclusive 45-minute full-cast Torchwood audio drama, tied in to all that fuss about "Big Bang Day" (y'know, the CERN thing).
Anyway, the drama -- which I've yet to listen to, typically -- will be released on CD next week (with a bonus feature thingy; Play.com are cheapest), but if you're snappy you can download an MP3 of it free and, importantly, legally, from Radio 4's website. Here's the Torchwood Big Bang Day page, here's a relatively similar page on the Torchwood official site, and here's the file itself.
Anyway, the drama -- which I've yet to listen to, typically -- will be released on CD next week (with a bonus feature thingy; Play.com are cheapest), but if you're snappy you can download an MP3 of it free and, importantly, legally, from Radio 4's website. Here's the Torchwood Big Bang Day page, here's a relatively similar page on the Torchwood official site, and here's the file itself.
Wednesday, 10 September 2008
Films
Casino Royale Collector's Edition DVD & Blu-ray Trailer
Finally getting the release it deserved first time round, here's a trail for the great-looking three-disc re-release of Casino Royale (Collector's Edition in the States, Deluxe Edition over here, I believe). Time to flog my 2-disc on eBay, methinks.
Ghost Town Trailer
After a surprisingly long wait, it's The Ricky Gervais Movie. Except it isn't -- that'd be This Side of the Truth, which is completed but not due til sometime in '09 -- but he does star in this one. And he plays the same character he played in The Office, Extras, cameo-size parts in films, his stand-up gigs, and on every chat show interview he's ever done. He can be a very funny guy, but this repetition is as bad as the overuse of catchphrases that he derides so much. Still, the film looks quite funny.
Fast & Furious Teaser Trailer
The third (can you believe it?) sequel to The Fast & the Furious, with a title so different I'm sure it won't cause confusion for anyone. With Vin Diesel (and a couple of others) finally returning to the franchise, and Paul Walker back having skipped a film, I won't be surprised if your average brain dead boy racer -- the film's primary market, surely -- thinks this is a pointless re-release and returns to their DVD of the original. That said, this first trailer -- mostly consisting of one action sequence and little plot detail -- makes it look like it could be as surprisingly entertaining as the first, though hopefully with less reliance on CGI.
Knowing Trailer
An interesting premise, but similar films recently have turned out to be pretty crappy so it's best not to be too hopeful.
Quantum of Solace Trailer [2nd watch]
Following the excellent teaser -- and, of course, the huge level of hype -- this had a lot to live up to. It's a slightly unusual trailer, with minimal use of the iconic Bond theme (it's really in need of it properly at the end) and an odd pace (a slightly lacklustre 'big final montage', for one thing), but it still delivers because everything looks great. Not exactly an exciting trailer in its own right, then, but the movie it promises looks bloody fantastic. Only seven weeks til the UK release!
Sukiyaki Western Django Trailer
Spaghetti Western (or should that be something like 'Sushi Western'?) from "famed Japanese auteur" Takashi Miike. It's hard to tell if it's going to be trashy & cool or just trashy. Whether they were or not, the bits featuring Tarantino look cheaply tacked on for a Western audience.
Finally getting the release it deserved first time round, here's a trail for the great-looking three-disc re-release of Casino Royale (Collector's Edition in the States, Deluxe Edition over here, I believe). Time to flog my 2-disc on eBay, methinks.
Ghost Town Trailer
After a surprisingly long wait, it's The Ricky Gervais Movie. Except it isn't -- that'd be This Side of the Truth, which is completed but not due til sometime in '09 -- but he does star in this one. And he plays the same character he played in The Office, Extras, cameo-size parts in films, his stand-up gigs, and on every chat show interview he's ever done. He can be a very funny guy, but this repetition is as bad as the overuse of catchphrases that he derides so much. Still, the film looks quite funny.
Fast & Furious Teaser Trailer
The third (can you believe it?) sequel to The Fast & the Furious, with a title so different I'm sure it won't cause confusion for anyone. With Vin Diesel (and a couple of others) finally returning to the franchise, and Paul Walker back having skipped a film, I won't be surprised if your average brain dead boy racer -- the film's primary market, surely -- thinks this is a pointless re-release and returns to their DVD of the original. That said, this first trailer -- mostly consisting of one action sequence and little plot detail -- makes it look like it could be as surprisingly entertaining as the first, though hopefully with less reliance on CGI.
Knowing Trailer
An interesting premise, but similar films recently have turned out to be pretty crappy so it's best not to be too hopeful.
Quantum of Solace Trailer [2nd watch]
Following the excellent teaser -- and, of course, the huge level of hype -- this had a lot to live up to. It's a slightly unusual trailer, with minimal use of the iconic Bond theme (it's really in need of it properly at the end) and an odd pace (a slightly lacklustre 'big final montage', for one thing), but it still delivers because everything looks great. Not exactly an exciting trailer in its own right, then, but the movie it promises looks bloody fantastic. Only seven weeks til the UK release!
Sukiyaki Western Django Trailer
Spaghetti Western (or should that be something like 'Sushi Western'?) from "famed Japanese auteur" Takashi Miike. It's hard to tell if it's going to be trashy & cool or just trashy. Whether they were or not, the bits featuring Tarantino look cheaply tacked on for a Western audience.
Articles
Attenborough: "ET Better Than Gandhi" by Dave Golder
(from SFX)
Sir Richard Attenborough, director of acclaimed Oscar-winning movie Gandhi, has said that "his film was honoured partly for its subject matter and that Spielberg's ET was a better movie, cinematically speaking." Bless dear old Dickie. (While I first came across this courtesy of SFX, it's spread wider, including BBC News and IMDb's Daily Poll (permalink for results of the latter).)
More Marvel Films From Fox? by Helen O'Hara
(from Empire Online)
Good news all round, if you ask me. "X-Men Origins: X-Men Mates: Deadpool" -- yep, best title ever. Though, if I'm honest, more Daredevil pleases me more -- I actually really liked the first one; still not seen the director's cut though... Is a reboot a good idea? Well, while I wouldn't mind it being a sequel, there's never any harm in getting rid of Ben Affleck, and as the original hardly captured the public's imagination few will notice if it's just ignored. As for what rebooting can do for quality... the same concept didn't work for The Incredible Hulk at the box office, but it certainly made for a much better film. But Casino Royale and Batman Begins were also reboots, and look what happened there.
Also check out the news about Queen's new album. Yay!
(from SFX)
Sir Richard Attenborough, director of acclaimed Oscar-winning movie Gandhi, has said that "his film was honoured partly for its subject matter and that Spielberg's ET was a better movie, cinematically speaking." Bless dear old Dickie. (While I first came across this courtesy of SFX, it's spread wider, including BBC News and IMDb's Daily Poll (permalink for results of the latter).)
More Marvel Films From Fox? by Helen O'Hara
(from Empire Online)
Good news all round, if you ask me. "X-Men Origins: X-Men Mates: Deadpool" -- yep, best title ever. Though, if I'm honest, more Daredevil pleases me more -- I actually really liked the first one; still not seen the director's cut though... Is a reboot a good idea? Well, while I wouldn't mind it being a sequel, there's never any harm in getting rid of Ben Affleck, and as the original hardly captured the public's imagination few will notice if it's just ignored. As for what rebooting can do for quality... the same concept didn't work for The Incredible Hulk at the box office, but it certainly made for a much better film. But Casino Royale and Batman Begins were also reboots, and look what happened there.
Also check out the news about Queen's new album. Yay!
Queen are back!
Somehow I mostly missed this til today, but Queen's first new studio album for 13 years -- entitled The Cosmos Rocks -- is out next Monday! Yay! I'm thoroughly over-excited, so here's a few bits & bobs about it:
Classic Rock Magazine's review is rather positive, which is obviously a good sign. "The Cosmos Rocks, while characterised by having Rodgers's raw blues in place of Freddie's flamboyance, is undisputedly the work of Queen. Not only can The Cosmos Rocks sit proudly in the Queen canon, it can also do the same alongside Rodgers's work with Free and Bad Company... Overall The Cosmos Rocks has more than enough power to take your breath away. Freddie's legacy is in safe hands."
Freddie's legacy
The lack of Freddie Mercury is understandably something that has concerned many, often leaving uninformed commentators to suggest he'd be spinning in his grave. Really? These comments from the order page for the "Exclusive Queen Online Tour Edition" of the album suggest otherwise:
"Rodgers... can stand assured in the fact that Mercury always rated him as one of the best rock voices of his time. It is public record that Mercury would make a point of dropping into the Marquee or any number of other London venues when Rodgers was performing with his band Free. Mercury often in his past acknowledged Free's Fire and Water as one of the albums to most influence Queen."
So ner to all those Rodgers haters. That page also has these promising snippets of info to impart:
"The first thing you notice... is "all tracks written by Queen and Paul Rodgers"..."produced and performed by Brian May, Paul Rodgers and Roger Taylor" (indicating that between them they played all instruments, including bass - Paul and Brian swapping duties - in case you were going to ask). This is obviously not a case of Rodgers lightly stepping in to fill a vocal gap, as some might have been drawn to assume would be the case when the three of them got into the studio together." (Another ner!)
Old style
"There's a lot of guitar orchestras and some of our old trademarks, but at the core of it you'll hear the three of us playing. People really, truly playing together in the studio - you don't get that much these days. But, you will get it on their new album. Do they still call them 'albums'? I don't even know. But this is really, we believe, an Album in the old sense of the word - something you can put on and listen to all the way through, and it takes you on a journey... the subjects and moods in it are widely spaced - but nevertheless, a challenge to the listener to put his day on hold for an hour or so, be drawn in, make connections, and experience something new."
"These days it has seemed to us that few people have this in mind - CD's by large tend to be a collection of songs, often produced by different teams, assembled in random sequence - with the idea that folks will shuffle the order on their iPods anyway. Of course you always have that option! But our teachers were the Beatles, Hendrix, blues + soul and... you know where we’re going with this."
"'Albums' in the old sense" are certainly preferable to a mere collection of songs as far as I'm concerned, so bring it on.
Buy buy buy
Of course, Queen have pleasingly embraced new technology in other, more fan-friendly ways. As well as being available as a, y'know, CD, the new album can also be had in a CD & DVD edition (featuring a full 15-track live gig on the DVD!), a digital download, and that Queen Online exclusive version, with slipcase and poster. There's even a vinyl version, just to fill out the spread. On top of that there's the Album Club that you can join for £2. For your money, you get three live tracks from the 2008 European Tour; first listen to tracks from The Cosmos Rocks; automatic entry into 12 prize draws to win exclusive prizes; exclusive video and pictures galleries; opportunity to purchase an exclusive ‘Album Club’ T-shirt; an exclusive album club forum; plus the latest tour news, set lists and reviews. Considering three tracks on iTunes would set you back £2.37 anyway, it's not bad really. (Those lucky enough to have joined before 8th September get 15 free tracks, the gits. Look out for them on Torrent sites, then.)
Anyway, that'll do for now. The countdown to release begins now... HMV better get my copy to me for Monday! (Hey, sometimes they get stuff to me the Saturday before release -- fingers crossed!)
Classic Rock Magazine's review is rather positive, which is obviously a good sign. "The Cosmos Rocks, while characterised by having Rodgers's raw blues in place of Freddie's flamboyance, is undisputedly the work of Queen. Not only can The Cosmos Rocks sit proudly in the Queen canon, it can also do the same alongside Rodgers's work with Free and Bad Company... Overall The Cosmos Rocks has more than enough power to take your breath away. Freddie's legacy is in safe hands."
Freddie's legacy
The lack of Freddie Mercury is understandably something that has concerned many, often leaving uninformed commentators to suggest he'd be spinning in his grave. Really? These comments from the order page for the "Exclusive Queen Online Tour Edition" of the album suggest otherwise:
"Rodgers... can stand assured in the fact that Mercury always rated him as one of the best rock voices of his time. It is public record that Mercury would make a point of dropping into the Marquee or any number of other London venues when Rodgers was performing with his band Free. Mercury often in his past acknowledged Free's Fire and Water as one of the albums to most influence Queen."
So ner to all those Rodgers haters. That page also has these promising snippets of info to impart:
"The first thing you notice... is "all tracks written by Queen and Paul Rodgers"..."produced and performed by Brian May, Paul Rodgers and Roger Taylor" (indicating that between them they played all instruments, including bass - Paul and Brian swapping duties - in case you were going to ask). This is obviously not a case of Rodgers lightly stepping in to fill a vocal gap, as some might have been drawn to assume would be the case when the three of them got into the studio together." (Another ner!)
Old style
"There's a lot of guitar orchestras and some of our old trademarks, but at the core of it you'll hear the three of us playing. People really, truly playing together in the studio - you don't get that much these days. But, you will get it on their new album. Do they still call them 'albums'? I don't even know. But this is really, we believe, an Album in the old sense of the word - something you can put on and listen to all the way through, and it takes you on a journey... the subjects and moods in it are widely spaced - but nevertheless, a challenge to the listener to put his day on hold for an hour or so, be drawn in, make connections, and experience something new."
"These days it has seemed to us that few people have this in mind - CD's by large tend to be a collection of songs, often produced by different teams, assembled in random sequence - with the idea that folks will shuffle the order on their iPods anyway. Of course you always have that option! But our teachers were the Beatles, Hendrix, blues + soul and... you know where we’re going with this."
"'Albums' in the old sense" are certainly preferable to a mere collection of songs as far as I'm concerned, so bring it on.
Buy buy buy
Of course, Queen have pleasingly embraced new technology in other, more fan-friendly ways. As well as being available as a, y'know, CD, the new album can also be had in a CD & DVD edition (featuring a full 15-track live gig on the DVD!), a digital download, and that Queen Online exclusive version, with slipcase and poster. There's even a vinyl version, just to fill out the spread. On top of that there's the Album Club that you can join for £2. For your money, you get three live tracks from the 2008 European Tour; first listen to tracks from The Cosmos Rocks; automatic entry into 12 prize draws to win exclusive prizes; exclusive video and pictures galleries; opportunity to purchase an exclusive ‘Album Club’ T-shirt; an exclusive album club forum; plus the latest tour news, set lists and reviews. Considering three tracks on iTunes would set you back £2.37 anyway, it's not bad really. (Those lucky enough to have joined before 8th September get 15 free tracks, the gits. Look out for them on Torrent sites, then.)
Anyway, that'll do for now. The countdown to release begins now... HMV better get my copy to me for Monday! (Hey, sometimes they get stuff to me the Saturday before release -- fingers crossed!)
100 Films makes Top 10!
I just wanted to briefly boast that my other, film-centric blog, 100 Films in a Year, has made it into the list of Top 10 Journals at its host site, FilmJournal.net.
I'd also like to point out that the list is determined by reader/member votes on blogs, not hits or what have you, so is an assessment of quality rather than just counting the number of people who've somehow found my site via a search engine.
A minor achievement, perhaps, but it still feels good.
Reviews Update
While I'm at it, the last time I posted an update on reviews from 100 Films was way back on 26th June, so here's a round-up of what reviews I've posted since then:
Brideshead Revisited (2008)
The Dark Knight (2008)
The Dark Knight: The IMAX Experience (2008)
The Golden Compass (2007)
Hairspray (2007)
Hamlet (1996)
The Happening (2008)
Hard Boiled (1992)
I Am Legend: Alternate Theatrical Version (2007/2008)
The Incredible Hulk (2008)
The Jane Austen Book Club (2007)
Presto (2008)
Superhero Movie (2008)
WALL-E (2008)
Wanted (2008)
As always, there's more to come in the future.
I'd also like to point out that the list is determined by reader/member votes on blogs, not hits or what have you, so is an assessment of quality rather than just counting the number of people who've somehow found my site via a search engine.
A minor achievement, perhaps, but it still feels good.
Reviews Update
While I'm at it, the last time I posted an update on reviews from 100 Films was way back on 26th June, so here's a round-up of what reviews I've posted since then:
Brideshead Revisited (2008)
The Dark Knight (2008)
The Dark Knight: The IMAX Experience (2008)
The Golden Compass (2007)
Hairspray (2007)
Hamlet (1996)
The Happening (2008)
Hard Boiled (1992)
I Am Legend: Alternate Theatrical Version (2007/2008)
The Incredible Hulk (2008)
The Jane Austen Book Club (2007)
Presto (2008)
Superhero Movie (2008)
WALL-E (2008)
Wanted (2008)
As always, there's more to come in the future.
Tuesday, 9 September 2008
TV
Dragons' Den
6x08 (8/9/08 edition) [season finale]
At some point, I watched 6x07 and seem to have completely forgotten to mention it. Oops.
Gilmore Girls
5x05 We Got Us a Pippi Virgin
The National Movie Awards 2008
A surprisingly good celebration of all that's popular in film. Despite a spectacularly weak opening monologue, James Nesbitt developed into a funny and enjoyable host. Though I do rather feel that, as they're British, they should be "Film Awards". Still, Quantum of Solace trailer! Yay! It was a slightly odd one, I thought, but still brilliantly exciting. (As of the end of this programme, the trailer is available online here, including HD options.)
6x08 (8/9/08 edition) [season finale]
At some point, I watched 6x07 and seem to have completely forgotten to mention it. Oops.
Gilmore Girls
5x05 We Got Us a Pippi Virgin
The National Movie Awards 2008
A surprisingly good celebration of all that's popular in film. Despite a spectacularly weak opening monologue, James Nesbitt developed into a funny and enjoyable host. Though I do rather feel that, as they're British, they should be "Film Awards". Still, Quantum of Solace trailer! Yay! It was a slightly odd one, I thought, but still brilliantly exciting. (As of the end of this programme, the trailer is available online here, including HD options.)
Articles
24 Boss Orders Seventh Season Rewrites
(from WENN)
It's good to see they're making a concerted effort to up the quality, after a couple of decidedly poor seasons.
Favorite live-action musical of the 00's (so far)? (poll results)
(from IMDb)
I vote in IMDb's Daily Poll most days, though don't usually mention them. Yesterday's earns one though, due to the extraordinary closeness of the top two: Moulin Rouge edges into first with just 7 more votes than Sweeney Todd. When the total number of votes is 21,523, that's a tiny margin -- 0.03%, in fact. I was one of the 2,735 people who preferred Baz Luhrmann's colourful explosion of joy and sorrow, a film packed with light and shade... whereas Sweeney, while good, was all just shades of grey -- literally.
Knightley Finished With Pirates
(from WENN)
Definitely no more Pirates, or just no more Pirates with Keira? The latter seems more likely.
We Cast Potential Spider-Man 4 Villians
(from Empire Online)
With Spider-Man 4 and 5 seemingly confirmed, Empire has a go at predicting which villain(s) might turn up and who might play them. (Note that they misspelt "villains" in the article's title... and then in the article itself too! Ho ho ho!)
Also check out some bits & bobs about this weekend at the US box office.
(from WENN)
It's good to see they're making a concerted effort to up the quality, after a couple of decidedly poor seasons.
Favorite live-action musical of the 00's (so far)? (poll results)
(from IMDb)
I vote in IMDb's Daily Poll most days, though don't usually mention them. Yesterday's earns one though, due to the extraordinary closeness of the top two: Moulin Rouge edges into first with just 7 more votes than Sweeney Todd. When the total number of votes is 21,523, that's a tiny margin -- 0.03%, in fact. I was one of the 2,735 people who preferred Baz Luhrmann's colourful explosion of joy and sorrow, a film packed with light and shade... whereas Sweeney, while good, was all just shades of grey -- literally.
Knightley Finished With Pirates
(from WENN)
Definitely no more Pirates, or just no more Pirates with Keira? The latter seems more likely.
We Cast Potential Spider-Man 4 Villians
(from Empire Online)
With Spider-Man 4 and 5 seemingly confirmed, Empire has a go at predicting which villain(s) might turn up and who might play them. (Note that they misspelt "villains" in the article's title... and then in the article itself too! Ho ho ho!)
Also check out some bits & bobs about this weekend at the US box office.
Dubya
Empire have a gallery of rather nifty posters for W., Oliver Stone's premature George W. Bush biopic. Most of the posters are amusingly similar (in a good way), so I thought I'd share my three favourites with you. (Click on any to enlarge.)
This is the best one. Brolin looks the most like Bush that I've seen to date here, allowing it to convey exactly what the film's about (W.'s a rather mysterious title, after all), while his looking to the sky conveys a mixture of carefree idiocy and "please help me God", something I'm sure Bush must've thought often.
Again conveying Bush's carefree -- or care-less -- attitude, especially with his boots on the desk like that. He looks too dreamy though, as if he's just come up with some grand plan that will save everything, and only he, with his reckless irreverence, can pull it off. Which is obviously not the case. Not a particularly close second favourite, then -- the top one's far better.
Though there's alway this one...
Monkey see monkey do!
On second thought, that's a lot better than the second. While those are my favourites, the very fact there are six so similar posters works brilliantly -- one hopes cinemas will choose to display all/several of them, in the way they do with different character posters for major releases, rather than just choosing their favourite.
This is the best one. Brolin looks the most like Bush that I've seen to date here, allowing it to convey exactly what the film's about (W.'s a rather mysterious title, after all), while his looking to the sky conveys a mixture of carefree idiocy and "please help me God", something I'm sure Bush must've thought often.
Again conveying Bush's carefree -- or care-less -- attitude, especially with his boots on the desk like that. He looks too dreamy though, as if he's just come up with some grand plan that will save everything, and only he, with his reckless irreverence, can pull it off. Which is obviously not the case. Not a particularly close second favourite, then -- the top one's far better.
Though there's alway this one...
Monkey see monkey do!
On second thought, that's a lot better than the second. While those are my favourites, the very fact there are six so similar posters works brilliantly -- one hopes cinemas will choose to display all/several of them, in the way they do with different character posters for major releases, rather than just choosing their favourite.
This weekend at the US box office
A couple of bits about the past weekend's box office in the US...
Box Office: The Winner Tanks
(from Studio Briefing)
"Although it opened in first-place at the box-office, the Nicolas Cage thriller Bangkok Dangerous was considered an unmitigated flop this weekend as it drew just $7.8 million... This was not a pretty weekend at the box office." Nope, it was a thoroughly shocking one. Total ticket sales were just $51.6 million, "the smallest number of tickets sold in at least five years".
And the reason why?
Movie Reviews: Bangkok Dangerous
(from Studio Briefing)
...And here's the primary reason why, as the critics pan the only new release. And I thought the trailer looked quite good. Oh well.
Additionally, the all-conquering Dark Knight is still sitting pretty in 3rd, taking a further $5.52m -- increasingly thanks to IMAX screenings. It was originally announced as coming 4th this weekend, but actual figures (as opposed to the estimates they publish on Sunday, which are almost always correct about positions) show it beat The House Bunny by $0.01m.
Box Office: The Winner Tanks
(from Studio Briefing)
"Although it opened in first-place at the box-office, the Nicolas Cage thriller Bangkok Dangerous was considered an unmitigated flop this weekend as it drew just $7.8 million... This was not a pretty weekend at the box office." Nope, it was a thoroughly shocking one. Total ticket sales were just $51.6 million, "the smallest number of tickets sold in at least five years".
And the reason why?
Movie Reviews: Bangkok Dangerous
(from Studio Briefing)
...And here's the primary reason why, as the critics pan the only new release. And I thought the trailer looked quite good. Oh well.
Additionally, the all-conquering Dark Knight is still sitting pretty in 3rd, taking a further $5.52m -- increasingly thanks to IMAX screenings. It was originally announced as coming 4th this weekend, but actual figures (as opposed to the estimates they publish on Sunday, which are almost always correct about positions) show it beat The House Bunny by $0.01m.
Monday, 8 September 2008
Articles
CBn Forum Member Suggestion Makes The Cut In By Royal Command by Matt Weston
(from CommanderBond.net)
Higson loves the fans. (On a similar note, By Royal Command includes a thanks to the webmaster of The Young Bond Dossier, the fansite so prolific they feed its news on the official Young Bond site.)
Inside Man 2 Is A Go, Says Spike Lee by Chris Hewitt
(from Empire Online)
I really enjoyed Inside Man, which came a little out of nowhere two-and-a-half years ago (has it really been so long?!) Hopefully this sequel can live up to the first film.
Troubled Movie Productions
(from Empire Online)
Inspired by the recent spat over Babylon A.D. ("I never had a chance to do one scene the way it was written or the way I wanted it to be... The script wasn't respected. Bad producers, bad partners, it was a terrible experience"), Empire takes a look at ten other famously tumultuous productions. Featuring American History X, Apocalypse Now, Brazil, Dune, Fitzcarraldo, The Invasion, Kingdom of Heaven, The Man Who Killed Don Quixote, Three Kings, and Waterworld. (If you've never heard of the Don Quixote film, it's cos it was never finished. The documentary film Lost in La Mancha documents how spectacularly wrong things went.)
For more articles from today, see here and here; and don't miss the Serenity-centric post right next to this one.
(from CommanderBond.net)
Higson loves the fans. (On a similar note, By Royal Command includes a thanks to the webmaster of The Young Bond Dossier, the fansite so prolific they feed its news on the official Young Bond site.)
Inside Man 2 Is A Go, Says Spike Lee by Chris Hewitt
(from Empire Online)
I really enjoyed Inside Man, which came a little out of nowhere two-and-a-half years ago (has it really been so long?!) Hopefully this sequel can live up to the first film.
Troubled Movie Productions
(from Empire Online)
Inspired by the recent spat over Babylon A.D. ("I never had a chance to do one scene the way it was written or the way I wanted it to be... The script wasn't respected. Bad producers, bad partners, it was a terrible experience"), Empire takes a look at ten other famously tumultuous productions. Featuring American History X, Apocalypse Now, Brazil, Dune, Fitzcarraldo, The Invasion, Kingdom of Heaven, The Man Who Killed Don Quixote, Three Kings, and Waterworld. (If you've never heard of the Don Quixote film, it's cos it was never finished. The documentary film Lost in La Mancha documents how spectacularly wrong things went.)
For more articles from today, see here and here; and don't miss the Serenity-centric post right next to this one.
Articles: Serenity comics
An Interview with Scott Allie
(from Stakes & Salvation)
Allie is the editor of Buffy Season Eight. Not a hugely interesting interview to be honest, especially as it's over a year old; unless you're really into exactly how Season Eight works behind the scenes.
Ron Glass announces A Shepherd’s Tale comic, reveals (some) secrets
(from SerenityStuff)
Slightly old news this (like, eight months) but I've only just come across it. As the prospect of a sequel to Serenity becomes increasingly unlikely, it seems the 'verse will be continuing in comic-form. Hopefully this third miniseries can improve on the first (I haven't read the second yet, though will when it hits tpb). It certainly looks set to be the best yet, potentially answering the largest remaining question(s) left hanging: who is Shepherd Book, and what is his history? I'm certifiably excited.
Whedon Can’t Get Enough Serenity by Wil Moss
(from Publishers Weekly)
Another article from 2007 (clearly no one's had anything to say in the last year), in which Joss discusses why Serenity would never work as an ongoing comic and why there aren't tie-in novels. The 'verse is still one great big missed opportunity, and it's a shame there's no suitable way for Joss to continue his larger story -- after all, a show that he was thinking would run for 150+ episodes has been reduced to 14, a movie, and three (standalone) comics. Hardly balanced, is it.
(from Stakes & Salvation)
Allie is the editor of Buffy Season Eight. Not a hugely interesting interview to be honest, especially as it's over a year old; unless you're really into exactly how Season Eight works behind the scenes.
Ron Glass announces A Shepherd’s Tale comic, reveals (some) secrets
(from SerenityStuff)
Slightly old news this (like, eight months) but I've only just come across it. As the prospect of a sequel to Serenity becomes increasingly unlikely, it seems the 'verse will be continuing in comic-form. Hopefully this third miniseries can improve on the first (I haven't read the second yet, though will when it hits tpb). It certainly looks set to be the best yet, potentially answering the largest remaining question(s) left hanging: who is Shepherd Book, and what is his history? I'm certifiably excited.
Whedon Can’t Get Enough Serenity by Wil Moss
(from Publishers Weekly)
Another article from 2007 (clearly no one's had anything to say in the last year), in which Joss discusses why Serenity would never work as an ongoing comic and why there aren't tie-in novels. The 'verse is still one great big missed opportunity, and it's a shame there's no suitable way for Joss to continue his larger story -- after all, a show that he was thinking would run for 150+ episodes has been reduced to 14, a movie, and three (standalone) comics. Hardly balanced, is it.
No Preacher either
Mark Steven Johnson: No Preacher on HBO
(from Comics Continuum)
No news for ages, then this.
"We were budgeting and everything and it was getting really close to going," Johnson said, "but the new head of HBO felt it was just too dark and too violent and too controversial. Which, of course, is kind of the point!" And I was so looking forward to it too. Wankers.
The article mentions the prospect of movie(s) -- "I've heard someone is in the process of getting the rights to turn it into a feature film... I hope it happens as a series of movies as one movie couldn't do it justice" -- but the script that was knocking around a few years back (by the comic's writer, Garth Ennis) wasn't great and was very much a single-film thing. So while it was exciting, the prospect of a full, faithful TV series-y adaptation was a dream come true. Of course, it was ultimately too good to be true.
(from Comics Continuum)
No news for ages, then this.
"We were budgeting and everything and it was getting really close to going," Johnson said, "but the new head of HBO felt it was just too dark and too violent and too controversial. Which, of course, is kind of the point!" And I was so looking forward to it too. Wankers.
The article mentions the prospect of movie(s) -- "I've heard someone is in the process of getting the rights to turn it into a feature film... I hope it happens as a series of movies as one movie couldn't do it justice" -- but the script that was knocking around a few years back (by the comic's writer, Garth Ennis) wasn't great and was very much a single-film thing. So while it was exciting, the prospect of a full, faithful TV series-y adaptation was a dream come true. Of course, it was ultimately too good to be true.
Buffy on(line), Firefly off
Immerse Yourself in a Virtual Buffyverse by Dave Golder
(from SFX)
"there’s a Buffy MMOG (Massively Multiplayer Online Game) on the way... The ground-breaking MMOG will offer a new experience for gamers, allowing them to play it either as a fully immersive 3D environment or as a Flash-based 2D game, where both types of players can interact."
Interesting idea. As much as I love Buffy, I wouldn't bother... though the easy-sounding 2D Flash version is kinda tempting, if it's free... Biggest question: will it follow the canon of the Season Eight comics?
Sadder news, however, is that "the previously-announced Firefly on-line game is now on hold." As dedicated as the Firefly fanbase is, I never believed it was large enough or gamery enough to support an MMOG, though maybe the sheer quality could have attracted non-fan gamers on the basis of it being a free-roaming space adventure? Who can say, as it'll probably (though kinda unsurprisingly) never see the light of day.
Shame, cos that one I would have played.
(from SFX)
"there’s a Buffy MMOG (Massively Multiplayer Online Game) on the way... The ground-breaking MMOG will offer a new experience for gamers, allowing them to play it either as a fully immersive 3D environment or as a Flash-based 2D game, where both types of players can interact."
Interesting idea. As much as I love Buffy, I wouldn't bother... though the easy-sounding 2D Flash version is kinda tempting, if it's free... Biggest question: will it follow the canon of the Season Eight comics?
Sadder news, however, is that "the previously-announced Firefly on-line game is now on hold." As dedicated as the Firefly fanbase is, I never believed it was large enough or gamery enough to support an MMOG, though maybe the sheer quality could have attracted non-fan gamers on the basis of it being a free-roaming space adventure? Who can say, as it'll probably (though kinda unsurprisingly) never see the light of day.
Shame, cos that one I would have played.
Sunday, 7 September 2008
TV
By Any Means
Part 1 (of 6)
Charley Boorman begins another round-the-world trip, this time Ewan McGregor-less, as he travels from Ireland down to Sydney by land- and sea-based methods appropriate to each region he passes through, specifically trying to avoid commercial flights. As per his two series with McGregor, the opening episode is half about the preparation for such an undertaking (an important phase that most travel shows ignore) and half about the opening leg of the journey, through Britain.
Dexter
2x03 An Inconvenient Lie
One of the best episodes yet. This season is shaping up very nicely.
God, the Devil and Bob
1x09 Bob Gets Greedy
1x10 There's Too Much Sex on TV
Have I Got News For You
35x07 (30/5/08 edition) [2nd watch]
Have I Got News should be on all year round. With Alexander Armstrong hosting, this is an especially good edition.
Joanna Lumley in the Land of the Northern Lights
A bit padded, to be honest, but entirely worth it for the stunning shots of the Northern Lights.
Part 1 (of 6)
Charley Boorman begins another round-the-world trip, this time Ewan McGregor-less, as he travels from Ireland down to Sydney by land- and sea-based methods appropriate to each region he passes through, specifically trying to avoid commercial flights. As per his two series with McGregor, the opening episode is half about the preparation for such an undertaking (an important phase that most travel shows ignore) and half about the opening leg of the journey, through Britain.
Dexter
2x03 An Inconvenient Lie
One of the best episodes yet. This season is shaping up very nicely.
God, the Devil and Bob
1x09 Bob Gets Greedy
1x10 There's Too Much Sex on TV
Have I Got News For You
35x07 (30/5/08 edition) [2nd watch]
Have I Got News should be on all year round. With Alexander Armstrong hosting, this is an especially good edition.
Joanna Lumley in the Land of the Northern Lights
A bit padded, to be honest, but entirely worth it for the stunning shots of the Northern Lights.
Articles
Review of Maid Marian and Her Merry Men: Complete Series 1-4 Special Edition DVD by Eamonn McCusker
(from DVD Times)
I vaguelly remember Maid Marian... from when I was younger, but this review makes me desperately want to see it again. So this set is seriously tempting...
Merlin Press Pack
(from the BBC Press Office)
Including, on page two, some surprising info on how much outgoing Who supremo Russell T Davies was involved in shaping the series.
(from DVD Times)
I vaguelly remember Maid Marian... from when I was younger, but this review makes me desperately want to see it again. So this set is seriously tempting...
Merlin Press Pack
(from the BBC Press Office)
Including, on page two, some surprising info on how much outgoing Who supremo Russell T Davies was involved in shaping the series.
Saturday, 6 September 2008
TV
Dexter
2x02 Waiting to Exhale
Gilmore Girls
5x04 Tippecanoe and Taylor, Too
Taylor Doose's reign is no more! Hurrah! And with no real last minute attempt at eliciting sympathy for him either, as is the usual Gilmore fashion. Good riddance, Taylor... though I sadly doubt it's the last we've seen of him.
2x02 Waiting to Exhale
Gilmore Girls
5x04 Tippecanoe and Taylor, Too
Taylor Doose's reign is no more! Hurrah! And with no real last minute attempt at eliciting sympathy for him either, as is the usual Gilmore fashion. Good riddance, Taylor... though I sadly doubt it's the last we've seen of him.
Articles
Exclusive James Bond Footage Scheduled For ITV1 Movie Awards by Devin Zydel
(from CommanderBond.net)
Normally I couldn't care less about ITV's pleb-voted National Movie Awards, but this is reason enough to watch. From the press release: "On Tuesday 9th September, ITV1's National Movie Awards will unveil a global exclusive with the first broadcast of preview footage from James Bond's 22nd adventure Quantum of Solace... Playing at over two minutes in length, the preview is action packed with the latest offerings from Daniel Craig's iconic Bond, and gives fans the unique opportunity to see Camille (Olga Kurylenko) -- Bond's unlikely ally -- and sinister Dominic Greene (Mathieu Amalric) in action. This dramatic and explosive footage is sure to delight fans and viewers with a taster of what is to come". It's obviously unclear if this is just a selection of clips or the full trailer, which sources suggested would be released around September 9th. Either way, it'll be a good'un.
Review of Spooks: Code 9 DVD by Michael Mackenzie
(from DVD Times)
I would add "Series One" to that title, but I rather suspect "The Complete Series" would be more apt. Yep, it's another scathing review. I was going to try to download this show (as I missed it on TV), but I don't think I'll bother.
(from CommanderBond.net)
Normally I couldn't care less about ITV's pleb-voted National Movie Awards, but this is reason enough to watch. From the press release: "On Tuesday 9th September, ITV1's National Movie Awards will unveil a global exclusive with the first broadcast of preview footage from James Bond's 22nd adventure Quantum of Solace... Playing at over two minutes in length, the preview is action packed with the latest offerings from Daniel Craig's iconic Bond, and gives fans the unique opportunity to see Camille (Olga Kurylenko) -- Bond's unlikely ally -- and sinister Dominic Greene (Mathieu Amalric) in action. This dramatic and explosive footage is sure to delight fans and viewers with a taster of what is to come". It's obviously unclear if this is just a selection of clips or the full trailer, which sources suggested would be released around September 9th. Either way, it'll be a good'un.
Review of Spooks: Code 9 DVD by Michael Mackenzie
(from DVD Times)
I would add "Series One" to that title, but I rather suspect "The Complete Series" would be more apt. Yep, it's another scathing review. I was going to try to download this show (as I missed it on TV), but I don't think I'll bother.
Film News
Turns out there was a mass of interesting film news yesterday, when I didn't bother to read any. Here's the best bits:
Mark Strong Joins Sherlock Holmes by Glen Ferris
(from Empire Online)
Mark Strong's doing very well for himself these days. Following roles in Syriana, Sunshine and Stardust (I sense a pattern...), recent releases Babylon A.D. and RocknRolla, as well as forthcoming flicks Body of Lies and The Young Victoria, he'll be seen as a villain (not Moriarty) in Guy Ritchie's Sherlock Holmes.
Monster Of Florence Attracts Tom Cruise by Chris Hewitt
(from Empire Online)
My interest in this is heightened because it was a book I worked on promotion for while I was in New York recently. It sounds like a fantastic read too (I have a free copy, ha ha!), so hopefully it'll make a good film. Learn about the book here. No links for the film I'm afraid.
No Edge Of Darkness For Robert De Niro by Chris Hewitt
(from Empire Online)
Sounds like The Clashing of the Egos to me.
Raimi And Maguire Back For More Spideys by Chris Hewitt
(from Empire Online)
I'm not sure whether I'm surprised or, well, not. Better news than a second-rate director and C-list star trying to emulate the formula, though hopefully it'll be an improvement on Spider-Man 3. In all honesty I hold little hope -- the last one was weak, and other recent attempts at shooting a pair of sequels back-to-back (Matrix, Pirates) have led to worse films. Still, they do have the writer of Zodiac on board, and a 2011 release date for Spider-Man 4 suggests they're not rushing it.
Who You Gonna Call... Again? by Chris Hewitt
(from Empire Online)
Ghostbusters 3? With the original cast? Best. News. Ever. (Read the article for a somewhat deeper commentary on the news.)
Mark Strong Joins Sherlock Holmes by Glen Ferris
(from Empire Online)
Mark Strong's doing very well for himself these days. Following roles in Syriana, Sunshine and Stardust (I sense a pattern...), recent releases Babylon A.D. and RocknRolla, as well as forthcoming flicks Body of Lies and The Young Victoria, he'll be seen as a villain (not Moriarty) in Guy Ritchie's Sherlock Holmes.
Monster Of Florence Attracts Tom Cruise by Chris Hewitt
(from Empire Online)
My interest in this is heightened because it was a book I worked on promotion for while I was in New York recently. It sounds like a fantastic read too (I have a free copy, ha ha!), so hopefully it'll make a good film. Learn about the book here. No links for the film I'm afraid.
No Edge Of Darkness For Robert De Niro by Chris Hewitt
(from Empire Online)
Sounds like The Clashing of the Egos to me.
Raimi And Maguire Back For More Spideys by Chris Hewitt
(from Empire Online)
I'm not sure whether I'm surprised or, well, not. Better news than a second-rate director and C-list star trying to emulate the formula, though hopefully it'll be an improvement on Spider-Man 3. In all honesty I hold little hope -- the last one was weak, and other recent attempts at shooting a pair of sequels back-to-back (Matrix, Pirates) have led to worse films. Still, they do have the writer of Zodiac on board, and a 2011 release date for Spider-Man 4 suggests they're not rushing it.
Who You Gonna Call... Again? by Chris Hewitt
(from Empire Online)
Ghostbusters 3? With the original cast? Best. News. Ever. (Read the article for a somewhat deeper commentary on the news.)
Friday, 5 September 2008
TV
Dexter
2x01 It's Alive!
I happened to catch the first season of Dexter on FX (the UK one) last year, before all the hype surrounding it's ITV1 repeat run, and I'm very glad I did -- it's bloody brilliant, one of the best shows currently in production. Not having FX available to me this year (where season two is airing long before it makes its way to one of the ITVs), I'm having to findless than legal legal, honest, ways to watch this second season. Starting now.
Friday Night With Jonathan Ross
15x01 (5/9/08 edition)
Wossy returns for another 15 weeks of fawning over celebrities and wannabe-celebrities.
The Tudors
2x06 The Definition of Love
2x01 It's Alive!
I happened to catch the first season of Dexter on FX (the UK one) last year, before all the hype surrounding it's ITV1 repeat run, and I'm very glad I did -- it's bloody brilliant, one of the best shows currently in production. Not having FX available to me this year (where season two is airing long before it makes its way to one of the ITVs), I'm having to find
Friday Night With Jonathan Ross
15x01 (5/9/08 edition)
Wossy returns for another 15 weeks of fawning over celebrities and wannabe-celebrities.
The Tudors
2x06 The Definition of Love
Fiction
Double or Die by Charlie Higson
Chapters 1 - 6
With the release this week of the fifth Young Bond adventure, By Royal Command, it's really time for me to get caught up so I can read the damn thing. So I now embark on the third book,The Deadlock Cipher... sorry, N.E.M.E.S.I.S.... sorry, Double or Die. It certainly has a strong opening, living up to Higson's description of it as "Da Vinci Code like". One of the best things about the Young Bond books is the level of variety contained within them (thus far, at least), especially as it's so successfully performed -- they don't just rehash each other in new locations with marginally different enemies, as even the regular Bond novels do at times.
Chapters 1 - 6
With the release this week of the fifth Young Bond adventure, By Royal Command, it's really time for me to get caught up so I can read the damn thing. So I now embark on the third book,
Music
Greatest Hits 1970-2002 by Elton John
Dr Horrible's Sing-Along Blog Original Soundtrack
Available worldwide from iTunes.
Dr Horrible's Sing-Along Blog Original Soundtrack
Available worldwide from iTunes.
Websites
getcloser.com
HMV bravely try to launch a social networking site, based on the USP of connecting your interests in music, film, TV, and the people who produce them.
It's not a bad concept, but the world hardly needs yet another social networking site, especially when there are already places that do similar concepts better -- e.g. sites that let you list your DVD collection, or YMDB (Your Movie DataBase) that allows you to list your personal top 20 movies, or various sites for music preferences, particularly last.fm.
There are a couple of other features HMV tries to offer in a USP-ish manner. The main one is a connections feature, which allows you to link artists, albums, films, etc, in a sort of brainstorm (or whatever the PC term is these days -- mindmap?) It's intriguing, but not always smooth to use and often downright awkward. Similarly, the displays of your films/albums/TV shows/actors/etc on your profile page is a nice concept, but seems difficult to manage and prone to suggest you like someone/thing much more than you actually do. getcloser can do other nifty things, like import information from iTunes to quickly fill out your profile, or use the things you're interested in to show categories in different font sizes... though my largest interest by far is "General" -- so that feature works well then.
If you're interested in investigating further, try the tour, or jump to my semi-complete profile (a link that wasn't easy to find -- another strike against it then).
HMV bravely try to launch a social networking site, based on the USP of connecting your interests in music, film, TV, and the people who produce them.
It's not a bad concept, but the world hardly needs yet another social networking site, especially when there are already places that do similar concepts better -- e.g. sites that let you list your DVD collection, or YMDB (Your Movie DataBase) that allows you to list your personal top 20 movies, or various sites for music preferences, particularly last.fm.
There are a couple of other features HMV tries to offer in a USP-ish manner. The main one is a connections feature, which allows you to link artists, albums, films, etc, in a sort of brainstorm (or whatever the PC term is these days -- mindmap?) It's intriguing, but not always smooth to use and often downright awkward. Similarly, the displays of your films/albums/TV shows/actors/etc on your profile page is a nice concept, but seems difficult to manage and prone to suggest you like someone/thing much more than you actually do. getcloser can do other nifty things, like import information from iTunes to quickly fill out your profile, or use the things you're interested in to show categories in different font sizes... though my largest interest by far is "General" -- so that feature works well then.
If you're interested in investigating further, try the tour, or jump to my semi-complete profile (a link that wasn't easy to find -- another strike against it then).
"The Lost Journal of Indiana Jones"
The Lost Journal of Indiana Jones
A bit of a flick-through this Indiana Jones tie-in, which, as I'm sure you can guess, is designed to be the character's journal. As such it's a bit of an odd volume -- it's not a novelisation, or a new story, or a guide book, or a making of, but more a ragtag collection of all those stripped to their most basic, combined with a 'prop replica' souvenir value (though it isn't really a prop replica). The text is a bit slight and the images spartan, but it still sounds like a cool idea. I rather suspect the latter was the governing idea here: someone thought it was cool, but then it couldn't quite be executed.
Perhaps its primary value is in providing a unified canon of the Indiana Jones universe: as well as covering the four movies (obviously) it includes the TV series, a bit of time before that, brief allusions to Indy's World War II service, and also the various computer games (most of the focus here is on the popular classic The Fate of Atlantis, but there are hints toward others too). I don't know if the comics get a mention (I suspect not), but the period in which the tie-in novels occur is 'ripped out'.
A bit of a flick-through this Indiana Jones tie-in, which, as I'm sure you can guess, is designed to be the character's journal. As such it's a bit of an odd volume -- it's not a novelisation, or a new story, or a guide book, or a making of, but more a ragtag collection of all those stripped to their most basic, combined with a 'prop replica' souvenir value (though it isn't really a prop replica). The text is a bit slight and the images spartan, but it still sounds like a cool idea. I rather suspect the latter was the governing idea here: someone thought it was cool, but then it couldn't quite be executed.
Perhaps its primary value is in providing a unified canon of the Indiana Jones universe: as well as covering the four movies (obviously) it includes the TV series, a bit of time before that, brief allusions to Indy's World War II service, and also the various computer games (most of the focus here is on the popular classic The Fate of Atlantis, but there are hints toward others too). I don't know if the comics get a mention (I suspect not), but the period in which the tie-in novels occur is 'ripped out'.
Thursday, 4 September 2008
TV
8 Out of 10 Cats
7x01 (4/9/08 edition)
A whole episode without a single mention of Big Brother? The surest sign yet that Channel 4'smethod of torture reality show is on its way out.
God, the Devil and Bob
1x08 Lonely at the Top
Mock the Week
6x09 (4/9/08 edition)
Spooks
5x10 Aftermath [season finale]
It was all going fairly well... til the ludicrous climax that was too dependent on bad CGI water and huge coincidences. And then, just to make things worse, Ros didn't die. Anyway, I'm as now caught up on Spooks as I'm gonna get til series six is both released on DVD and has time to get cheap.
7x01 (4/9/08 edition)
A whole episode without a single mention of Big Brother? The surest sign yet that Channel 4's
God, the Devil and Bob
1x08 Lonely at the Top
Mock the Week
6x09 (4/9/08 edition)
Spooks
5x10 Aftermath [season finale]
It was all going fairly well... til the ludicrous climax that was too dependent on bad CGI water and huge coincidences. And then, just to make things worse, Ros didn't die. Anyway, I'm as now caught up on Spooks as I'm gonna get til series six is both released on DVD and has time to get cheap.
Articles
Del Toro Commits To Universal Until 2017 by Chris Hewitt
(from Empire Online)
Following The Hobbit (and its mysterious sequel), he'll make/remake Frankenstein, Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde, Slaughterhouse Five and Drood between 2012 and 2017. Worryingly, that leaves no sign of Hellboy 3 (can't imagine a decade-late sequel would be popular) or At the Mountains of Madness (which I suspect he'll get to if it's the last thing he does). I guess we'll just have to wait and see...
Paxman: TV is biased against men
(from BBC News)
I hope not...
Two-Face Won't Be Back For Batman 3 by Chris Hewitt
(from Empire Online)
He's dead, fanboys. Dead. It's pretty clear y'know. Now, we just have to hope Nolan signs on for the inevitable second Begins sequel, cos otherwise it'll likely be shit. Unless Whedon gets it.
(from Empire Online)
Following The Hobbit (and its mysterious sequel), he'll make/remake Frankenstein, Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde, Slaughterhouse Five and Drood between 2012 and 2017. Worryingly, that leaves no sign of Hellboy 3 (can't imagine a decade-late sequel would be popular) or At the Mountains of Madness (which I suspect he'll get to if it's the last thing he does). I guess we'll just have to wait and see...
Paxman: TV is biased against men
(from BBC News)
I hope not...
Two-Face Won't Be Back For Batman 3 by Chris Hewitt
(from Empire Online)
He's dead, fanboys. Dead. It's pretty clear y'know. Now, we just have to hope Nolan signs on for the inevitable second Begins sequel, cos otherwise it'll likely be shit. Unless Whedon gets it.
Bond from the Beginning #10: The Spy Who Loved Me
The Spy Who Loved Me is one of the few films that Moore Haters (like me) sometimes like. To be honest, I'm not sure why.
As the 10th film in the series, and one not at all beholden to the original text (Fleming allowed them to use the title but none of the plot), someone apparently made the decision to remake some of the hits from previous films. While the pre-titles ski sequence is excellent and has become appropriately iconic, the rest of the film is a bit of a damp squib, with a nothingy villain who barely features, a Soviet-spy Bond girl almost as unrealistic as The World is Not Enough's nuclear scientist, and a plot more recycled than usual -- those who call it a remake of You Only Live Twice aren't far wrong.
Egypt looks stunning, Jaws is a good invention, parts are entertaining, but it's not Moore's best (though is surely better than much of what was to come). As the theme song says, nobody does it better... except Sean Connery, Timothy Dalton, Pierce Brosnan and Daniel Craig. Sorry Roger.
As the 10th film in the series, and one not at all beholden to the original text (Fleming allowed them to use the title but none of the plot), someone apparently made the decision to remake some of the hits from previous films. While the pre-titles ski sequence is excellent and has become appropriately iconic, the rest of the film is a bit of a damp squib, with a nothingy villain who barely features, a Soviet-spy Bond girl almost as unrealistic as The World is Not Enough's nuclear scientist, and a plot more recycled than usual -- those who call it a remake of You Only Live Twice aren't far wrong.
Egypt looks stunning, Jaws is a good invention, parts are entertaining, but it's not Moore's best (though is surely better than much of what was to come). As the theme song says, nobody does it better... except Sean Connery, Timothy Dalton, Pierce Brosnan and Daniel Craig. Sorry Roger.
Dr Horrible 2!
Slightly late on this one, but only just found it:
Doctor Horrible Sequel, Soundtrack Planned by Michael Hinman
(from SyFy Portal)
The soundtrack's already been released, but it's good to hear there'll be a sequel as the first three episodes of Dr Horrible's Sing-Along Blog were fantastic.
I can't wait for the DVD either:
"the writing crew already is preparing for a DVD release, which will be far more than simply 45 minutes of Whedon musical talents. "You probably heard about Commentary: The Musical," Jed Whedon said. "If you haven't, there is going to be commentary that we're writing songs for." There also will be a chance for fans to be involved. The crew is preparing to accept video from fans featuring their character they would like to be accepted into the Evil League of Evil. The 10 best videos will be picked and included in the DVD release."
Also, in a more random incident, Dr Horrible's van remote can be found online here. You'll need an iPhone to appreciate that at it's best though.
Doctor Horrible Sequel, Soundtrack Planned by Michael Hinman
(from SyFy Portal)
The soundtrack's already been released, but it's good to hear there'll be a sequel as the first three episodes of Dr Horrible's Sing-Along Blog were fantastic.
I can't wait for the DVD either:
"the writing crew already is preparing for a DVD release, which will be far more than simply 45 minutes of Whedon musical talents. "You probably heard about Commentary: The Musical," Jed Whedon said. "If you haven't, there is going to be commentary that we're writing songs for." There also will be a chance for fans to be involved. The crew is preparing to accept video from fans featuring their character they would like to be accepted into the Evil League of Evil. The 10 best videos will be picked and included in the DVD release."
Also, in a more random incident, Dr Horrible's van remote can be found online here. You'll need an iPhone to appreciate that at it's best though.
Young Bond 5 cover art revealed
Ever-so-slightly old news (already), this, but still:
"In keeping with the royal theme of the novel, the artwork is in striking red, black and silver with an embossed union-jack and regal-red edged pages." (It looks even better in the flesh.)
And also, the arguably-cooler (except for those yellow bars) audiobook:
"The Young Bond books have to date sold over three quarters of a million copies in Britain alone and have been translated in to 24 different languages. The series was launched with SilverFin in March 2005 and was followed by Blood Fever, Double or Die [should've been The Deadlock Cipher] and Hurricane Gold." By Royal Command is the fifth -- and final, for now -- entry in the series.
"In keeping with the royal theme of the novel, the artwork is in striking red, black and silver with an embossed union-jack and regal-red edged pages." (It looks even better in the flesh.)
And also, the arguably-cooler (except for those yellow bars) audiobook:
"The Young Bond books have to date sold over three quarters of a million copies in Britain alone and have been translated in to 24 different languages. The series was launched with SilverFin in March 2005 and was followed by Blood Fever, Double or Die [should've been The Deadlock Cipher] and Hurricane Gold." By Royal Command is the fifth -- and final, for now -- entry in the series.
Lost in Austen: Part One
"Is she mad, in a bonnet or back in time?"
ITV clearly think they have a huge hit on their hands here, based on the constant promotion it's been getting in their ad breaks and across their chat shows and morning TV thingies. And it's easy to see why, considering the mix of formulas they've concocted.
Period drama? Always popular -- just look at the recent success of series like Cranford and Lark Rise to Candleford, as well as innumerable others in the history of television.
Jane Austen? Especially popular -- look at the esteem in which the 1995 BBC Pride and Prejudice is still held, the financial and critical success of the recent Pride & Prej film, and again the success of ITV's even more recent adaptations of Austen's three lesser-done novels; not to mention the two biopics in the past year (or so), Becoming Jane and Miss Austen Regrets.
Time travel? Most definitely popular -- look at the ratings-dominating success of the revived Doctor Who, the more moderate but not irrelevant success of Primeval, and, most pertinent to this example, the critical and ratings success of Life On Mars and it's sequel/spin-off, Ashes to Ashes.
Put all these together -- with a dash of Bridget Jones for good measure -- and you get Lost in Austen, which mixes a cut-price Austen-esque cast (this is ITV rather than the BBC, after all) and all the popular tropes of traditional costume dramas, with time travel tomfoolery and jokes about reality TV and pubic hair styles (I kid you not). Plot-wise, it comes across a bit like they wanted to do an adaptation of Pride & Prej, but thought it was either too soon (considering the film was all of three years ago, and that felt hot on the heels of the then-10-years-old TV series) or that an ITV audience wouldn't be all that interested, so have given it a big twist.
After the first, largely entertaining, episode (of four), it remains to be seen if it can pass beyond being a LOM rip-off / yet another Austen adaptation to become something of its own.
ITV clearly think they have a huge hit on their hands here, based on the constant promotion it's been getting in their ad breaks and across their chat shows and morning TV thingies. And it's easy to see why, considering the mix of formulas they've concocted.
Period drama? Always popular -- just look at the recent success of series like Cranford and Lark Rise to Candleford, as well as innumerable others in the history of television.
Jane Austen? Especially popular -- look at the esteem in which the 1995 BBC Pride and Prejudice is still held, the financial and critical success of the recent Pride & Prej film, and again the success of ITV's even more recent adaptations of Austen's three lesser-done novels; not to mention the two biopics in the past year (or so), Becoming Jane and Miss Austen Regrets.
Time travel? Most definitely popular -- look at the ratings-dominating success of the revived Doctor Who, the more moderate but not irrelevant success of Primeval, and, most pertinent to this example, the critical and ratings success of Life On Mars and it's sequel/spin-off, Ashes to Ashes.
Put all these together -- with a dash of Bridget Jones for good measure -- and you get Lost in Austen, which mixes a cut-price Austen-esque cast (this is ITV rather than the BBC, after all) and all the popular tropes of traditional costume dramas, with time travel tomfoolery and jokes about reality TV and pubic hair styles (I kid you not). Plot-wise, it comes across a bit like they wanted to do an adaptation of Pride & Prej, but thought it was either too soon (considering the film was all of three years ago, and that felt hot on the heels of the then-10-years-old TV series) or that an ITV audience wouldn't be all that interested, so have given it a big twist.
After the first, largely entertaining, episode (of four), it remains to be seen if it can pass beyond being a LOM rip-off / yet another Austen adaptation to become something of its own.
Wednesday, 3 September 2008
TV
Gilmore Girls
5x03 Written in the Stars
God, the Devil and Bob
1x06 God's Favorite
1x07 Bob Gets Committed
Lost in Austen
Part 1 (of 4)
Read some of my thoughts on this here.
5x03 Written in the Stars
God, the Devil and Bob
1x06 God's Favorite
1x07 Bob Gets Committed
Lost in Austen
Part 1 (of 4)
Read some of my thoughts on this here.
Articles
Benjamin Button and the Curious Stories Surrounding Him by Brad Brevet
(from RopesofSilicon)
Somehow, all this fuss over The Curious Case of Benjamin Button has completely passed me by. Obviously it hasn't been big enough news for anyone other than the navel-gazing likes of AICN & co.
TMNT To Go Live Action Again by Glen Ferris
(from Empire Online)
"Following last year’s all-CGI TMNT and a clutch of movies and animated series, the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles may indeed be back in real-life if [their creator] Kevin Eastman is to be believed... “Although the CGI film did well enough to warrant a sequel, there has been much talk between Imagi and Warners to do a better ‘re-invention’ of the TMNTs... Back to basics, back to the origin and the intro of the Shredder." While it might sound like a great idea, the problem with "going back to basics and adopting the darker tone of their original comic books" -- you see, "far from kid friendly, their initial adventures were bloody and broody affairs" -- is that it would be too hard-edged to sell to kids and too ludicrous to sell to most adults,
Watchmen Trial Date Set by Helen O'Hara
(from Empire Online)
"The crux of the matter is that Fox is arguing that it still has distribution rights to the film, based on a 1991 agreement... the judge has ordered expedited discovery (a legal term which means "Show the other side all your paperwork already") but denied a preliminary motion to dismiss (in English, "I'll see you in court, Counsellor"), so the parties now have four months to examine each other's records, prepare for a case and work frantically on some sort of settlement on the side, before it all goes to court and out of their hands."
(from RopesofSilicon)
Somehow, all this fuss over The Curious Case of Benjamin Button has completely passed me by. Obviously it hasn't been big enough news for anyone other than the navel-gazing likes of AICN & co.
TMNT To Go Live Action Again by Glen Ferris
(from Empire Online)
"Following last year’s all-CGI TMNT and a clutch of movies and animated series, the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles may indeed be back in real-life if [their creator] Kevin Eastman is to be believed... “Although the CGI film did well enough to warrant a sequel, there has been much talk between Imagi and Warners to do a better ‘re-invention’ of the TMNTs... Back to basics, back to the origin and the intro of the Shredder." While it might sound like a great idea, the problem with "going back to basics and adopting the darker tone of their original comic books" -- you see, "far from kid friendly, their initial adventures were bloody and broody affairs" -- is that it would be too hard-edged to sell to kids and too ludicrous to sell to most adults,
Watchmen Trial Date Set by Helen O'Hara
(from Empire Online)
"The crux of the matter is that Fox is arguing that it still has distribution rights to the film, based on a 1991 agreement... the judge has ordered expedited discovery (a legal term which means "Show the other side all your paperwork already") but denied a preliminary motion to dismiss (in English, "I'll see you in court, Counsellor"), so the parties now have four months to examine each other's records, prepare for a case and work frantically on some sort of settlement on the side, before it all goes to court and out of their hands."
porn in the multiplex!
The full red band trailer (i.e. 18-rated) for Zack and Miri Make a Porno, Kevin Smith's latest comedic effort, is now available online.
Writers (and readers) at Empire seem to be reacting in much the way they might having watched a chunk of Zack and Miri's film -- "shaping up to be the man’s best for some time", "the perfect cross between Smith’s more caustic side and the ever-maturing sentimental streak", "the central relationship in particular looking particularly well-realised and full of warmth", "I haven't laughed that hard at a trailer in time", "the trailer is even funnier than i thought it'd be", "my most anticipated film of the year now has the best trailer I've seen this year"...
Maybe they were watching a different trailer to me. One that was funnier, for example, and had a warm central relationship. There were some amusing moments, but nothing that's going to have me rushing to see it on DVD, never mind at the cinema. Oh well.
Writers (and readers) at Empire seem to be reacting in much the way they might having watched a chunk of Zack and Miri's film -- "shaping up to be the man’s best for some time", "the perfect cross between Smith’s more caustic side and the ever-maturing sentimental streak", "the central relationship in particular looking particularly well-realised and full of warmth", "I haven't laughed that hard at a trailer in time", "the trailer is even funnier than i thought it'd be", "my most anticipated film of the year now has the best trailer I've seen this year"...
Maybe they were watching a different trailer to me. One that was funnier, for example, and had a warm central relationship. There were some amusing moments, but nothing that's going to have me rushing to see it on DVD, never mind at the cinema. Oh well.
"Midnight Sun" by Stephenie Meyer - Chapter 1
Earlier I reported on the leak of Midnight Sun, the uncompleted fifth book in Stephenie Meyer's Twilight series. You can see what she'd completed for free, legally, here. I wouldn't recommend it though -- I made it to page 12 of the first 23-page chapter before I had to give up.
The novel retells the series' first book from the perspective of another character, and while this isn't particularly overt it does cloud things when you know it -- Meyer is clearly pulling some narrative gymnastics to slot this new perspective around established events, which will be a lot of fun for the series' fans but is awkward for a new reader.
The primary flaw with this lies in the fact that the first novel showed things from a human perspective*, while this utilises a vampire's -- not necessarily a fatal mistake, but for a newbie reader who doesn't know the characters it locks you out of the events that are occurring, while instead focussing on describing, at interminable length, the vampire's thoughts and feelings. This means it mostly reads like a fairly competent example of amateur/fanfic vampire writing, a sense that is exacerbated by the prose's style. It's not poorly written, but nor is it in any way exemplary -- unless you were looking for something slow and repetitive, that is.
So, having finally experienced a small chunk of the much-hyped (thanks to the forthcoming film) Twilight universe, I can assure you, dear readers, that I won't be bothering with any more of it. Except perhaps the film, depending on what the reviews are like, and once it's on DVD, and my rental site finally send it to me, which isn't likely to be very speedily.
* I should point out that I haven't read any other novels in the series, but know this from having read a little about it thanks to the upcoming film and this leaked manuscript.
The novel retells the series' first book from the perspective of another character, and while this isn't particularly overt it does cloud things when you know it -- Meyer is clearly pulling some narrative gymnastics to slot this new perspective around established events, which will be a lot of fun for the series' fans but is awkward for a new reader.
The primary flaw with this lies in the fact that the first novel showed things from a human perspective*, while this utilises a vampire's -- not necessarily a fatal mistake, but for a newbie reader who doesn't know the characters it locks you out of the events that are occurring, while instead focussing on describing, at interminable length, the vampire's thoughts and feelings. This means it mostly reads like a fairly competent example of amateur/fanfic vampire writing, a sense that is exacerbated by the prose's style. It's not poorly written, but nor is it in any way exemplary -- unless you were looking for something slow and repetitive, that is.
So, having finally experienced a small chunk of the much-hyped (thanks to the forthcoming film) Twilight universe, I can assure you, dear readers, that I won't be bothering with any more of it. Except perhaps the film, depending on what the reviews are like, and once it's on DVD, and my rental site finally send it to me, which isn't likely to be very speedily.
* I should point out that I haven't read any other novels in the series, but know this from having read a little about it thanks to the upcoming film and this leaked manuscript.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)