Atheist buses ready to roll across country after making £31,000 in a day by Martin Beckford
(from Telegraph.co.uk)
Two thoughts: "Yay atheism!" and "Stupid Christians."
John McCain 'endorsed by al-Qaeda supporters'
(from Telegraph.co.uk)
"Supporters of al-Qaeda have said they would prefer Republican candidate John McCain to win the US election because he is more likely to continue the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan." Best news ever?
The Original Quantum of Solace Cliffhanger Ending
and
'Quantum' Organization To Return In Future James Bond Films
(both by Devin Zydel, from CommanderBond.net)
A pair of connected Bond stories here. In the first (which isn't as spoilery as it may seem), director Marc Forster reveals that he deleted a scene from the end of Quantum of Solace (after where it ends now) that would have ended the film on a definite cliffhanger and the "producers wouldn’t have had a choice but to make it a trilogy". (This scene will be on the DVD/Blu-ray.) The second article suggests this mightn't've been such a problem, however, as producer Barbara Broccoli confirms the long-held expectation/hope of fans that the secretive Quantum organisation will continue to be a presence in future franchise entries. Hurrah!
Sex and the City: The Movie R1 UCE in December by Dave Foster
(from DVD Times)
"another Ultimate Collector's Edition due before Christmas, and this time it's for a film that was only released on DVD last month." I don't really care either way about the film or the release, but the speed of the re-release is pretty shocking. Extras-packed re-releases are pretty much a given these days, a near-inevitable pitfall of DVD/Blu-ray collecting that are often unpredictable (some very successful films get re-churned-out (see Casino Royale), some relatively unsuccessful ones too (see I Am Legend), while others just don't (see Batman Begins)), but such a speedy re-issue is pretty cruel.
Review of Postal DVD by Eamonn McCusker
(from DVD Times)
In just a few short years (he only really came to prominence in 2005 after game adaptations Alone in the Dark and, previously, House of the Dead) German director Uwe Boll has become pretty widely reviled; genuinely loathed, in some circles. Over-loathed, some might say. And it really is very quickly, when you look at his filmography -- pretty much between a couple of movies, after only making two or three, he was suddenly The Worst Person Ever. Anyway, I've never seen one of his films, but Postal sounds great.
Wednesday, 22 October 2008
Websites
Rumours from doctorwhotoys.net
Compare the rumour titled Series 4 & SJA Releases "Confirmed" (dated 21st October 2008) with the one a bit further down, SJA Figures "Return" (dated 14th October 2008), and ponder which seems more likely. The fact that the 21/10 rumour also includes figures that I'd bet cold hard cash they'll never ever make (the complete cast of Midnight? The 'German Woman' who had all of five lines in Journey's End?) makes it seem all the more ludicrous.
On the other hand, the Classic Gift Set rumour (22nd October 2008) sounds very likely -- it overcomes the problem of whether they should be painted black & white or colour (the latter sounds obvious, but it wouldn't be story-accurate now would it) and potentially solves the problem that Doctors 1 and 2 aren't expected to sell well.
Compare the rumour titled Series 4 & SJA Releases "Confirmed" (dated 21st October 2008) with the one a bit further down, SJA Figures "Return" (dated 14th October 2008), and ponder which seems more likely. The fact that the 21/10 rumour also includes figures that I'd bet cold hard cash they'll never ever make (the complete cast of Midnight? The 'German Woman' who had all of five lines in Journey's End?) makes it seem all the more ludicrous.
On the other hand, the Classic Gift Set rumour (22nd October 2008) sounds very likely -- it overcomes the problem of whether they should be painted black & white or colour (the latter sounds obvious, but it wouldn't be story-accurate now would it) and potentially solves the problem that Doctors 1 and 2 aren't expected to sell well.
Tuesday, 21 October 2008
TV
The Micallef P(r)ogram(me)
"Polite Distances" sketch
"English Have a Go" sketch
The find of "Polite Distances" was research for something, and the other a link from that. It turned out to be almost-depressingly close to what I'm writing, though on the other hand it looks pretty old and I doubt anyone else here has seen it, so all should be OK.
The Sarah Jane Adventures
2x04 The Day of the Clown Part Two
Spooks
6x02 The Virus Part 2
Despite indulging in many of the flaws that have best Spooks in 'The Adam Era', this is a pretty cracking episode. Also, the 'on-going storyline' thing is off to a good start, based on the trailer for ep3. On the other hand, the ever-dislikable Ros is showing an unbelievable amount of humanity in her desire to track down Zaf.
"Polite Distances" sketch
"English Have a Go" sketch
The find of "Polite Distances" was research for something, and the other a link from that. It turned out to be almost-depressingly close to what I'm writing, though on the other hand it looks pretty old and I doubt anyone else here has seen it, so all should be OK.
The Sarah Jane Adventures
2x04 The Day of the Clown Part Two
Spooks
6x02 The Virus Part 2
Despite indulging in many of the flaws that have best Spooks in 'The Adam Era', this is a pretty cracking episode. Also, the 'on-going storyline' thing is off to a good start, based on the trailer for ep3. On the other hand, the ever-dislikable Ros is showing an unbelievable amount of humanity in her desire to track down Zaf.
DVD Extras
Casino Royale Deluxe Edition
Currently impossible to find in the shops (well, I had a good look round town yesterday, and couldn't find a single copy nor space in charts for one), this re-release for the last Bond movie lives up to its name with some beautiful presentation. The three discs -- packed with all the extras from the last release plus a slew of new ones, including two audio commentaries -- are in possibly the sturdiest box I've ever seen used for a DVD -- which is a good thing. I do like a nice sturdy DVD box. Plus it has the glossiest booklet I've ever seen within a DVD, with a handful of lovely piccies and a bit of text too.
Yes, this is essentially just a review of how they packaged it. But it's lovely, so there.
Currently impossible to find in the shops (well, I had a good look round town yesterday, and couldn't find a single copy nor space in charts for one), this re-release for the last Bond movie lives up to its name with some beautiful presentation. The three discs -- packed with all the extras from the last release plus a slew of new ones, including two audio commentaries -- are in possibly the sturdiest box I've ever seen used for a DVD -- which is a good thing. I do like a nice sturdy DVD box. Plus it has the glossiest booklet I've ever seen within a DVD, with a handful of lovely piccies and a bit of text too.
Yes, this is essentially just a review of how they packaged it. But it's lovely, so there.
Articles
BitTorrent Watchers Downloading Older Movies
(from Studio Briefing)
Slightly misleading headline, if you ask me, but some very interesting news: "the website TorrentFreak.com claimed that Get Smart, which was released theatrically last June, was the most-downloaded film of the week. It is due to be released on DVD on November 4. Journey to the Center of the Earth, which was released in theaters in July and is due to be released on DVD next week, was the second-most-downloaded movie. Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, which topped the list last week, fell to third place, possibly because the DVD had already hit the stores."
Considering that, once upon a time, it took films a year or more to travel from the cinema to the home ent market, and that window is now down to about four months, could we see the time reduced further still? With opening day/weekend fast becoming the most important part of a film's gross by far, with the ensuing weeks dwindling in import to the extent that many features only play for two or three weeks, could we see films hitting DVD/download within just a month or two of their theatrical debut?
(from Studio Briefing)
Slightly misleading headline, if you ask me, but some very interesting news: "the website TorrentFreak.com claimed that Get Smart, which was released theatrically last June, was the most-downloaded film of the week. It is due to be released on DVD on November 4. Journey to the Center of the Earth, which was released in theaters in July and is due to be released on DVD next week, was the second-most-downloaded movie. Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, which topped the list last week, fell to third place, possibly because the DVD had already hit the stores."
Considering that, once upon a time, it took films a year or more to travel from the cinema to the home ent market, and that window is now down to about four months, could we see the time reduced further still? With opening day/weekend fast becoming the most important part of a film's gross by far, with the ensuing weeks dwindling in import to the extent that many features only play for two or three weeks, could we see films hitting DVD/download within just a month or two of their theatrical debut?
Magazines
Radio Times 25-31 October 2008
For the start of Little Dorrit, the highly anticipated Dickens adaptation made in the same style as the hugely successful 2005 Bleak House, Radio Times have created four "collector's covers". While I'm sure such initiatives sell well for shows like Doctor Who and Ashes to Ashes -- series with built-in, geeky, collector fanbase/market -- I really can't imagine anyone bar the most ardent Dickens admirer/scholar bothering to buy more than one cover. Surely a fold-out would've been a better idea?
Still, it's a bloody starry cast, so there's that at least. The many notable members include (in alphabetical order) Freema Agyeman, Alun Armstrong, Darren Boyd, Ron Cook, Mackenzie Crook, Annette Crosbie, Tom Courtenay, James Fleet, Robert Hardy, Sue Johnston, Ruth Jones, Anton Lesser, Matthew Macfadyen, Eddie Marsan, Eve Myles, Judy Parfitt, Bill Paterson, Maxine Peake, Emma Pierson, Amanda Redman, Andy Serkis, Russell Tovey, and Claire Foy as the titular Amy Dorrit. Phew! (There's at least four new Who alumni in that list, donchaknow, plus a couple more among the less-famous other cast members.)
For the start of Little Dorrit, the highly anticipated Dickens adaptation made in the same style as the hugely successful 2005 Bleak House, Radio Times have created four "collector's covers". While I'm sure such initiatives sell well for shows like Doctor Who and Ashes to Ashes -- series with built-in, geeky, collector fanbase/market -- I really can't imagine anyone bar the most ardent Dickens admirer/scholar bothering to buy more than one cover. Surely a fold-out would've been a better idea?
Still, it's a bloody starry cast, so there's that at least. The many notable members include (in alphabetical order) Freema Agyeman, Alun Armstrong, Darren Boyd, Ron Cook, Mackenzie Crook, Annette Crosbie, Tom Courtenay, James Fleet, Robert Hardy, Sue Johnston, Ruth Jones, Anton Lesser, Matthew Macfadyen, Eddie Marsan, Eve Myles, Judy Parfitt, Bill Paterson, Maxine Peake, Emma Pierson, Amanda Redman, Andy Serkis, Russell Tovey, and Claire Foy as the titular Amy Dorrit. Phew! (There's at least four new Who alumni in that list, donchaknow, plus a couple more among the less-famous other cast members.)
Monday, 20 October 2008
TV
Dead Set TV Trailer
Fantastic concept and seems to have high production values too. This looks like it could be brilliant. See a variety of trailers on the official site.
Heroes Unmasked
3x03 On a Heroic Scale
Spooks
6x01 The Virus Part 1
On to series six somewhat quicker than I was expecting -- normally I'd've waited for the DVD's inevitable price drop to around £15, but with series seven only a week away -- and this season available on DVD already (usually it's not out til the weekend before/after episode one) -- I thought it would be good to catch up in time to watch the new series when it's on.
Wired
Part 2 (of 3)
Fantastic concept and seems to have high production values too. This looks like it could be brilliant. See a variety of trailers on the official site.
Heroes Unmasked
3x03 On a Heroic Scale
Spooks
6x01 The Virus Part 1
On to series six somewhat quicker than I was expecting -- normally I'd've waited for the DVD's inevitable price drop to around £15, but with series seven only a week away -- and this season available on DVD already (usually it's not out til the weekend before/after episode one) -- I thought it would be good to catch up in time to watch the new series when it's on.
Wired
Part 2 (of 3)
Films
After the Sunset (2004)
[#67 in 100 Films in a Year 2008]
Cool poster, shame about the film.
Se7en (1995)
[6th or so watch]
Despite often citing it as my favourite / one of my favourite films, I haven't actually seen Se7en for years (following a spate of watching it far too many times in one go). Luckily, it's still brilliant.
[#67 in 100 Films in a Year 2008]
Cool poster, shame about the film.
Se7en (1995)
[6th or so watch]
Despite often citing it as my favourite / one of my favourite films, I haven't actually seen Se7en for years (following a spate of watching it far too many times in one go). Luckily, it's still brilliant.
Non-Fiction
Three Uses of the Knife by David Mamet
Chapter One
Subtitled On the Nature and Purpose of Drama, if you were wondering what it was about. My word of the day -- not used in this, but thought about it -- is "obfuscate".
Chapter One
Subtitled On the Nature and Purpose of Drama, if you were wondering what it was about. My word of the day -- not used in this, but thought about it -- is "obfuscate".
shameless eBay self-promotion: almost the final update, hopefully
I still have several items for sale on eBay, believe it or not. Anything in bold is being bid on, anything crossed out sold since this was posted; everything else also has a Buy It Now option.
The following ends tonight at 11:43pm:
Sherlock Holmes and the Case of the Silk Stocking
Additionally, there are several items I've re-listed, now at a lower price. Fortunately, several have sold already:
Casino Royale (Penguin Modern Classics edition)
From Russia With Love (Penguin Modern Classics edition)
Live and Let Die (Penguin Modern Classics edition)
On Her Majesty's Secret Service (Penguin Modern Classics edition)
You Only Live Twice (Penguin Modern Classics edition)
And finally, these two aren't listed yet but will be one day:
Doctor Who Empress of the Racnoss action figure
Se7en (2-disc Special Edition)
And that's all for now!
The following ends tonight at 11:43pm:
Additionally, there are several items I've re-listed, now at a lower price. Fortunately, several have sold already:
And finally, these two aren't listed yet but will be one day:
And that's all for now!
Sunday, 19 October 2008
TV
Friday Night With Jonathan Ross
15x07 (17/10/08 edition)
Ian Fleming: Where Bond Began
It's his centenary (still) and Quantum of Solace is nearly upon us. Yep, it's time for another Fleming doco! Luckily this is a really good one. Joanna Lumley is a wonderful host, the biographical details more in depth than usual -- they touch on Fleming's private life as well as his espionage antics -- and there's some nice interludes looking at real-life Bond-style gadgets, his style of research, his methods of writing, and so on. If you missed this, catch it on the iPlayer or something -- it's worth it.
Stephen Fry in America
Part 2 Deep South
I find it reassuring how often I share Stephen Fry's views.
15x07 (17/10/08 edition)
Ian Fleming: Where Bond Began
It's his centenary (still) and Quantum of Solace is nearly upon us. Yep, it's time for another Fleming doco! Luckily this is a really good one. Joanna Lumley is a wonderful host, the biographical details more in depth than usual -- they touch on Fleming's private life as well as his espionage antics -- and there's some nice interludes looking at real-life Bond-style gadgets, his style of research, his methods of writing, and so on. If you missed this, catch it on the iPlayer or something -- it's worth it.
Stephen Fry in America
Part 2 Deep South
I find it reassuring how often I share Stephen Fry's views.
Fiction
Mock the Week: Scenes We'd Like To See by Ewan Phillips, Dan Patterson, Simon Bullivant, Rob Colley, Dan Gaster, Ged Parsons, Giles Pilbrow, Steve Punt & Colin Swash
64. DVDs That Wouldn't Sell
76. Lines You'd Never See in a James Bond Book (Part 1)
83. Lines You'd Never See in a James Bond Book (Part 2)
So is this Fiction or Non-Fiction, hm? As it's Scenes We'd Like To See, I'm going with Fiction. Also, look at that list of authors! And none of them panelists from the show itself. Anyway, the last one in Bond (Part 2) (which is also the last line in the entire book) is very amusing. The others were... intermittent.
64. DVDs That Wouldn't Sell
76. Lines You'd Never See in a James Bond Book (Part 1)
83. Lines You'd Never See in a James Bond Book (Part 2)
So is this Fiction or Non-Fiction, hm? As it's Scenes We'd Like To See, I'm going with Fiction. Also, look at that list of authors! And none of them panelists from the show itself. Anyway, the last one in Bond (Part 2) (which is also the last line in the entire book) is very amusing. The others were... intermittent.
Non-Fiction
Letters Between a Father and a Son (aka Between Father and Son: Family Letters) by V.S. Naipaul, edited by Gillon Aitken
Parts IX - X [the end]
Finally! Hurrah!
Parts IX - X [the end]
Finally! Hurrah!
Articles
And the winner is... who? by Lisa Jardine
(from BBC News Magazine)
"His name is largely unknown in Britain and the United States, but the recipient of the most feted prize in literature has much he could tell them about their lives today". A very interesting article, primarily the bits that open it about the self-obsessed snobbery ("why don't we win?! I've never heard of him!") of British and American literary snobs.
Aussie boy breaks into zoo, feeds animals to croc by Kristen Gelineau
(from Mail.com)
A horrible story, yet morbidly fascinating. Worst of all, the little shit can't be punished.
British burglar says 'sorry' with flowers
(from Mail.com)
"A repentant robber in England sent his elderly victim a bouquet of flowers to apologize for frightening her... A 91-year-old woman received the flowers and a note after confronting a burglar in her home around 4 a.m. on Oct. 9, police said. The card explained that the burglar thought the property in Halifax, about 200 miles north of London, was empty and apologized for breaking in." What a lovely burglar. It also amuses me that US news describes Halifax as being "200 miles north of London".
Dork talk (18/10/08) by Stephen Fry
(from The Guardian)
Another affinity I feel with Stephen Fry: "I shall also take my iPhone 3G, without which I'm pretty much an empty vessel these days... and my unlocked first generation iPhone... I will also pack one of the new iPod Nanos... As for reading, well, I have a Sony eReader, a Kindle and an Iliad, all dedicated electronic book readers, but the fact is, the iPhone has already proved itself (according to Forbes Magazine) the most popular ebook reader on the market. Nearly half a million people have downloaded the free Stanza application for iPhone (from the iTunes store)... For photography I shall take the Canon 1000D... I shall also pack a Sony Cybershot-W170, a competent all-round compact digital camera... my Nintendo DS Lite, dozens of game cartridges... I shall flip a coin to decide whether to take a MacBook Air, the lightest of the MacBook range, or the Livono ThinkPad X300. Whichever I choose will come preloaded with as many films and TV shows as I can download. Their weightlessness will save me having to lug DVDs about." I don't have so much technology, sadly, but my two desktops, laptop, iPod, iPhone 3G, Nintendo DS, Fuji camera, Sony camcorder, and (newly acquired) S8mm film camcorder all attest to a similar mindset. [I may retrospectively link-up this article later, but the 15+ links needed are too much hassle right now.]
Jamaica puzzled by theft of beach by Nick Davis
(from BBC News)
Best. Headline. Ever. (Today.) Go on, read it.
Lloyd Webber pens Eurovision song
(from BBC News)
Make sure to visit this one for the amusing/amusingly bad advert, in which Lord Lloyd Webber lets you know how much your country needs you. This year, said entry will be chosen with a standard-style TV talent show, presented by the always-excellent Graham Norton. Hurrah! This is somewhat in lieu of another West-End-star-finder shower, although those will be back in 2010...
Webber rules out 2009 talent show
(from BBC News)
He's too busy doing Phantom of the Opera 2, you see. Though don't be too disheartened, faithful viewer, as we can look forward to a Wizard of Oz-themed show in 2010. Title betting starts now! We're Off to See the Wizard? Over the Rainbow? Ding Dong the Witch is Dead?
(from BBC News Magazine)
"His name is largely unknown in Britain and the United States, but the recipient of the most feted prize in literature has much he could tell them about their lives today". A very interesting article, primarily the bits that open it about the self-obsessed snobbery ("why don't we win?! I've never heard of him!") of British and American literary snobs.
Aussie boy breaks into zoo, feeds animals to croc by Kristen Gelineau
(from Mail.com)
A horrible story, yet morbidly fascinating. Worst of all, the little shit can't be punished.
British burglar says 'sorry' with flowers
(from Mail.com)
"A repentant robber in England sent his elderly victim a bouquet of flowers to apologize for frightening her... A 91-year-old woman received the flowers and a note after confronting a burglar in her home around 4 a.m. on Oct. 9, police said. The card explained that the burglar thought the property in Halifax, about 200 miles north of London, was empty and apologized for breaking in." What a lovely burglar. It also amuses me that US news describes Halifax as being "200 miles north of London".
Dork talk (18/10/08) by Stephen Fry
(from The Guardian)
Another affinity I feel with Stephen Fry: "I shall also take my iPhone 3G, without which I'm pretty much an empty vessel these days... and my unlocked first generation iPhone... I will also pack one of the new iPod Nanos... As for reading, well, I have a Sony eReader, a Kindle and an Iliad, all dedicated electronic book readers, but the fact is, the iPhone has already proved itself (according to Forbes Magazine) the most popular ebook reader on the market. Nearly half a million people have downloaded the free Stanza application for iPhone (from the iTunes store)... For photography I shall take the Canon 1000D... I shall also pack a Sony Cybershot-W170, a competent all-round compact digital camera... my Nintendo DS Lite, dozens of game cartridges... I shall flip a coin to decide whether to take a MacBook Air, the lightest of the MacBook range, or the Livono ThinkPad X300. Whichever I choose will come preloaded with as many films and TV shows as I can download. Their weightlessness will save me having to lug DVDs about." I don't have so much technology, sadly, but my two desktops, laptop, iPod, iPhone 3G, Nintendo DS, Fuji camera, Sony camcorder, and (newly acquired) S8mm film camcorder all attest to a similar mindset. [I may retrospectively link-up this article later, but the 15+ links needed are too much hassle right now.]
Jamaica puzzled by theft of beach by Nick Davis
(from BBC News)
Best. Headline. Ever. (Today.) Go on, read it.
Lloyd Webber pens Eurovision song
(from BBC News)
Make sure to visit this one for the amusing/amusingly bad advert, in which Lord Lloyd Webber lets you know how much your country needs you. This year, said entry will be chosen with a standard-style TV talent show, presented by the always-excellent Graham Norton. Hurrah! This is somewhat in lieu of another West-End-star-finder shower, although those will be back in 2010...
Webber rules out 2009 talent show
(from BBC News)
He's too busy doing Phantom of the Opera 2, you see. Though don't be too disheartened, faithful viewer, as we can look forward to a Wizard of Oz-themed show in 2010. Title betting starts now! We're Off to See the Wizard? Over the Rainbow? Ding Dong the Witch is Dead?
shameless eBay self-promotion: items end soon!
I still have several items for sale on eBay that end tonight. Anything in bold is being bid on, anything crossed out sold since this was posted; everything else also has a Buy It Now option.
The following items end somewhere between 10:41 and 11:17pm tonight:
Doctor Who Complete Davros Collection box set (new)
The West Wing Season 1 Part 1
The West Wing Season 1 Part 2
And ending tomorrow at 11:43pm:
Sherlock Holmes and the Case of the Silk Stocking
Additionally, there are several items I've had to re-list, now at a lower price:
Casino Royale (Penguin Modern Classics edition)
From Russia With Love (Penguin Modern Classics edition)
Live and Let Die (Penguin Modern Classics edition)
On Her Majesty's Secret Service (Penguin Modern Classics edition)
You Only Live Twice (Penguin Modern Classics edition)
And finally, these two aren't listed yet but will be one day:
Doctor Who Empress of the Racnoss action figure
Se7en (2-disc Special Edition)
And that's all for now!
The following items end somewhere between 10:41 and 11:17pm tonight:
And ending tomorrow at 11:43pm:
Additionally, there are several items I've had to re-list, now at a lower price:
And finally, these two aren't listed yet but will be one day:
And that's all for now!
Saturday, 18 October 2008
TV
Have I Got News For You
36x01 (17/10/08 edition; extended repeat) [2nd watch]
The National Lottery: Who Dares Wins
2x06 (18/10/08 edition)
36x01 (17/10/08 edition; extended repeat) [2nd watch]
The National Lottery: Who Dares Wins
2x06 (18/10/08 edition)
Articles
Bourne 4 Gets Writer by Emily Phillips
(from Empire Online)
But will it be called The Bourne Legacy?
First Look At Inglourious Brad Pitt by Dan Goodswen
(from Empire Online)
More interesting than the photo, in my opinion, is the (brief) article itself: "Quentin Tarantino has painted his WWII epic Inglourious Basterds [sic] as his take on a spaghetti western, even joking that he might title the film Once Upon a Time in Nazi-Occupied France. [It's about] a group of Jewish-American soldiers, known as 'The Basterds' who are chosen specifically to spread fear among the Third Reich by scalping and brutally killing Nazis." Cool.
Movie Reviews: Max Payne
(from Studio Briefing)
"About the only thing it has going for it is the stylized production design and a few cool special effects, but the story couldn't be more inane nor the characters less credible." Oh dear. But no surprise, really.
Movie Reviews: W.
(from Studio Briefing)
"Somewhat surprisingly W. has turned out to be director Oliver Stone's best-reviewed film in ages... Josh Brolin's portrayal of the president receives nearly universal praise [but] 'making a Bush movie that doesn't dramatize 9/11 nor mention the historic 2000 election controversy is negligent at best' [and] 'Why, when Americans and citizens around the globe are still coming to terms with the implications of so many Bush policies, would they want to pay money at the box office to see what amounts to an extended Saturday Night Live skit?'" Too soon? I think so.
Review of Quantum of Solace by Kim Newman
(from Empire Online)
"A pacy, visually imaginative follow-up. If it doesn’t even try to be bigger than Casino Royale, that’s perhaps a smart move in that there’s still a sense at the end that Bond’s mission has barely begun and he’ll need a few more movies to work his way up to destroying the apparently undefeatable Quantum organisation. The only real caveat is that while it’s exciting, it’s not exactly anyone’s idea of fun. To keep in the game, perhaps the next movie could let the hero enjoy himself a bit more." It's sounding good to me! Still undecided on that poster though. I don't hate it, but it's not half as good as CR's.
As they did earlier this summer with The Dark Knight and... oh, some other blockbuster, I forget which... Empire are having a Bond Fortnight in the run up to the release of Quantum of Solace. It began yesterday with 30 Second Guides to Every Bond Movie, and continued today with their review of QoS (see above). There's 12 more features to come over the next two weeks.
(from Empire Online)
But will it be called The Bourne Legacy?
First Look At Inglourious Brad Pitt by Dan Goodswen
(from Empire Online)
More interesting than the photo, in my opinion, is the (brief) article itself: "Quentin Tarantino has painted his WWII epic Inglourious Basterds [sic] as his take on a spaghetti western, even joking that he might title the film Once Upon a Time in Nazi-Occupied France. [It's about] a group of Jewish-American soldiers, known as 'The Basterds' who are chosen specifically to spread fear among the Third Reich by scalping and brutally killing Nazis." Cool.
Movie Reviews: Max Payne
(from Studio Briefing)
"About the only thing it has going for it is the stylized production design and a few cool special effects, but the story couldn't be more inane nor the characters less credible." Oh dear. But no surprise, really.
Movie Reviews: W.
(from Studio Briefing)
"Somewhat surprisingly W. has turned out to be director Oliver Stone's best-reviewed film in ages... Josh Brolin's portrayal of the president receives nearly universal praise [but] 'making a Bush movie that doesn't dramatize 9/11 nor mention the historic 2000 election controversy is negligent at best' [and] 'Why, when Americans and citizens around the globe are still coming to terms with the implications of so many Bush policies, would they want to pay money at the box office to see what amounts to an extended Saturday Night Live skit?'" Too soon? I think so.
Review of Quantum of Solace by Kim Newman
(from Empire Online)
"A pacy, visually imaginative follow-up. If it doesn’t even try to be bigger than Casino Royale, that’s perhaps a smart move in that there’s still a sense at the end that Bond’s mission has barely begun and he’ll need a few more movies to work his way up to destroying the apparently undefeatable Quantum organisation. The only real caveat is that while it’s exciting, it’s not exactly anyone’s idea of fun. To keep in the game, perhaps the next movie could let the hero enjoy himself a bit more." It's sounding good to me! Still undecided on that poster though. I don't hate it, but it's not half as good as CR's.
As they did earlier this summer with The Dark Knight and... oh, some other blockbuster, I forget which... Empire are having a Bond Fortnight in the run up to the release of Quantum of Solace. It began yesterday with 30 Second Guides to Every Bond Movie, and continued today with their review of QoS (see above). There's 12 more features to come over the next two weeks.
Magazines
Doctor Who Magazine #401
Including the title of the next Christmas special (already widely reported), the director of the first 2009 special, and a huge ovation for Bernard Cribbins. Quite right too. And the You Are Not Alone column is about Terry Nation, rather than some sad "woe is me" fandom-related bollocks. Appropriately, it's a lot better than usual, though is still almost killed by the column's usual pathetic final 'funny' paragraph.
Including the title of the next Christmas special (already widely reported), the director of the first 2009 special, and a huge ovation for Bernard Cribbins. Quite right too. And the You Are Not Alone column is about Terry Nation, rather than some sad "woe is me" fandom-related bollocks. Appropriately, it's a lot better than usual, though is still almost killed by the column's usual pathetic final 'funny' paragraph.
shameless eBay self-promotion: items end tonight!
I wasn't going to bother with an eBay update today, as very little's changed... but then I realised that most things end tonight, so thought I'd point that out. Anything in bold is being bid on, anything crossed out sold since this was posted; everything else also has a Buy It Now option.
The following items end somewhere between 11:42pm and 1:22am tonight:
DVDs
Casino Royale 2-disc Collector's Edition
Ghost in the Shell
L.A. Confidential
Books
Casino Royale (Penguin Modern Classics edition)
Dr No (Penguin Modern Classics edition)
From Russia With Love (Penguin Modern Classics edition)
Goldfinger (Penguin Modern Classics edition)
Live and Let Die (Penguin Modern Classics edition)
Moonraker (Penguin Modern Classics edition)
On Her Majesty's Secret Service (Penguin Modern Classics edition)
Thunderball (Penguin Modern Classics edition)
You Only Live Twice (Penguin Modern Classics edition)
And these final four DVDs end on either Sunday or Monday:
Doctor Who Complete Davros Collection box set (new)
Sherlock Holmes and the Case of the Silk Stocking
The West Wing Season 1 Part 1
The West Wing Season 1 Part 2
And these two aren't listed yet, but will be one day:
Doctor Who Empress of the Racnoss action figure
Se7en (2-disc Special Edition)
S'all for now.
The following items end somewhere between 11:42pm and 1:22am tonight:
DVDs
Books
And these final four DVDs end on either Sunday or Monday:
And these two aren't listed yet, but will be one day:
S'all for now.
Friday, 17 October 2008
TV
Big Cat Week
2x03 (5/1/05 edition)
Have I Got News For You
36x01 (17/10/08 edition)
I stand by my assertion from last time I caught Have I Got News (in repeat form): this programme should be on all year round.
The Sandbaggers
1x05 Always Glad to Help
2x03 (5/1/05 edition)
Have I Got News For You
36x01 (17/10/08 edition)
I stand by my assertion from last time I caught Have I Got News (in repeat form): this programme should be on all year round.
The Sandbaggers
1x05 Always Glad to Help
Films
Inside-Out (1999)
[#66a in 100 Films in a Year 2008]
As well as the opening scenes of Fargo, Capote and Little Miss Sunshine -- it's a Creative Writing MA thing.
[#66a in 100 Films in a Year 2008]
As well as the opening scenes of Fargo, Capote and Little Miss Sunshine -- it's a Creative Writing MA thing.
shameless eBay self-promotion: update 4
You can read the full story behind these auctions in the previous four updates posted; here's just a list of what I'm currently selling. Anything in bold is being bid on, anything crossed out sold since this was posted; everything else also has a Buy It Now option.
DVDs
Casino Royale 2-disc Collector's Edition
Doctor Who Complete Davros Collection box set (new)
Ghost in the Shell
L.A. Confidential
Sherlock Holmes and the Case of the Silk Stocking
The West Wing Season 1 Part 1
The West Wing Season 1 Part 2
Books
Casino Royale (Penguin Modern Classics edition)
Dr No (Penguin Modern Classics edition)
From Russia With Love (Penguin Modern Classics edition)
Goldfinger (Penguin Modern Classics edition)
Live and Let Die (Penguin Modern Classics edition)
Moonraker (Penguin Modern Classics edition)
On Her Majesty's Secret Service (Penguin Modern Classics edition)
Thunderball (Penguin Modern Classics edition)
You Only Live Twice (Penguin Modern Classics edition)
All these auctions end this weekend, with the exception of the Holmes DVD, which ends on Monday.
I've still got two things left to sell: a Doctor Who Empress of the Racnoss action figure, and a copy of the UK 2-disc release of Se7en -- possibly my favourite film ever, which I currently have a spare copy to get rid of.
DVDs
Books
All these auctions end this weekend, with the exception of the Holmes DVD, which ends on Monday.
I've still got two things left to sell: a Doctor Who Empress of the Racnoss action figure, and a copy of the UK 2-disc release of Se7en -- possibly my favourite film ever, which I currently have a spare copy to get rid of.
Thursday, 16 October 2008
Non-Fiction
Letters Between a Father and a Son (aka Between Father and Son: Family Letters) by V.S. Naipaul, edited by Gillon Aitken
Part VIII
Part VIII
Articles
Ten Doctor Who covers for SFX issue 176 by David Bradley
(from SFX)
Stephen Fry! Stephen Fry!
Click to enlarge.
(from SFX)
Stephen Fry! Stephen Fry!
Click to enlarge.
Wednesday, 15 October 2008
Films
Hot Shots! Part Deux (1993)
[3rd or so watch]
After the disappointment I felt upon rewatching Hot Shots!, I approached this sequel with no small degree of trepidation. Luckily, this one's a lot better, and while some of the jokes are now dated (there are at least a couple of cultural references very specific to the early '90s) the majority still stands up today. Sure, it's still mostly immature and silly, but within that it's frequently amusing -- the point of a spoof, after all. In fact, it was even better watching it now than whenever I last saw it (as much as 10 years ago, possibly, if not more), because there were a few jokes I can now get, such as the references to The Godfather and Apocalypse Now. Additionally, the film has been cut to shreds in the UK over time -- well, trimmed of some very funny bits, at least -- so watching it as I did from the US DVD, this is actually the first time I've seen all of it.
Once Upon a Time in the West (1968)
[2nd watch]
It's been a good few years since I've seen this too. I was meant to watch it for my degree two or three years ago, but didn't bother. Now I need to watch it for my MA, so this time I'm bothering. Logic dictates it's at least four years since I last saw it therefore, and I'm somewhat glad I didn't watch it sooner -- the gap has allowed me to both forgot how brilliant it is, and grow up enough to enjoy it even more. Pure cinema, unremittingly excellent, and well deserving of all its high placings on Best Films Ever lists. An experience to be savoured.
[3rd or so watch]
After the disappointment I felt upon rewatching Hot Shots!, I approached this sequel with no small degree of trepidation. Luckily, this one's a lot better, and while some of the jokes are now dated (there are at least a couple of cultural references very specific to the early '90s) the majority still stands up today. Sure, it's still mostly immature and silly, but within that it's frequently amusing -- the point of a spoof, after all. In fact, it was even better watching it now than whenever I last saw it (as much as 10 years ago, possibly, if not more), because there were a few jokes I can now get, such as the references to The Godfather and Apocalypse Now. Additionally, the film has been cut to shreds in the UK over time -- well, trimmed of some very funny bits, at least -- so watching it as I did from the US DVD, this is actually the first time I've seen all of it.
Once Upon a Time in the West (1968)
[2nd watch]
It's been a good few years since I've seen this too. I was meant to watch it for my degree two or three years ago, but didn't bother. Now I need to watch it for my MA, so this time I'm bothering. Logic dictates it's at least four years since I last saw it therefore, and I'm somewhat glad I didn't watch it sooner -- the gap has allowed me to both forgot how brilliant it is, and grow up enough to enjoy it even more. Pure cinema, unremittingly excellent, and well deserving of all its high placings on Best Films Ever lists. An experience to be savoured.
Non-Fiction
Letters Between a Father and a Son (aka Between Father and Son: Family Letters) by V.S. Naipaul, edited by Gillon Aitken
Parts V - VII
Parts V - VII
shameless eBay self-promotion: update 3
You can read the full story behind these auctions in my previous three updates; here's just a list of what I'm currently selling. Anything in bold is being bid on, anything crossed out sold since this was posted; everything else also has a Buy It Now option.
DVDs
Casino Royale 2-disc Collector's Edition
Doctor Who Complete Davros Collection box set (new)
Ghost in the Shell
L.A. Confidential
Sherlock Holmes: The Hound of the Baskervilles with Richard Roxburgh, Ian Hart and Richard E. Grant
Sherlock Holmes and the Case of the Silk Stocking
The West Wing Season 1 Part 1
The West Wing Season 1 Part 2
Books
Casino Royale (Penguin Modern Classics edition)
Diamonds Are Forever (Penguin Modern Classics edition)
Dr No (Penguin Modern Classics edition)
From Russia With Love (Penguin Modern Classics edition)
Goldfinger (Penguin Modern Classics edition)
Live and Let Die (Penguin Modern Classics edition)
Moonraker (Penguin Modern Classics edition)
On Her Majesty's Secret Service (Penguin Modern Classics edition)
Thunderball (Penguin Modern Classics edition)
You Only Live Twice (Penguin Modern Classics edition)
Toys
Doctor Who Micro-Universe: Captain Jack's Chula Ship (with exclusive Captain Jack mini-figure)
All these auctions end next weekend, with the exception of the two Holmes DVDs, which end on Monday.
I've still got two things left to sell: a Doctor Who Empress of the Racnoss action figure, and a copy of the UK 2-disc release of Se7en, possibly my favourite film ever.
DVDs
Books
Toys
All these auctions end next weekend, with the exception of the two Holmes DVDs, which end on Monday.
I've still got two things left to sell: a Doctor Who Empress of the Racnoss action figure, and a copy of the UK 2-disc release of Se7en, possibly my favourite film ever.
Tuesday, 14 October 2008
TV
The Graham Norton Show
4x02 (9/10/08 edition, uncut repeat)
The Sandbaggers
1x04 The Most Suitable Person
4x02 (9/10/08 edition, uncut repeat)
The Sandbaggers
1x04 The Most Suitable Person
Non-Fiction
Letters Between a Father and a Son (aka Between Father and Son: Family Letters) by V.S. Naipaul, edited by Gillon Aitken
Parts I - IV
The letters themselves begin when V.S. (aka Vido) was just 17, and it shows. Selfish, self-centred, snobbish, whiny, irritating, 'depressed', obsessed with girls... 60 years on, teenagers are exactly the same, only now they can't construct full sentences -- or even words, thanks to txt spk. By the end of the fourth part/chapter (they're merely numbered) he's 19, but he hasn't improved; if anything, time at Oxford has made him even more snobbish. Other than these unappealing characteristics, the letters are packed with the boring monotony of most letters -- family news, of interest only to particularly gossipy family members (though, amusingly, Vido criticises Jane Austen's Emma for being just that), and other random snippets of normal, boring life. Beyond a couple of worthwhile pieces of advice for writers, and the odd snippet of genuinely good or interesting writing, one has to wonder where the value lies in publishing these.
Parts I - IV
The letters themselves begin when V.S. (aka Vido) was just 17, and it shows. Selfish, self-centred, snobbish, whiny, irritating, 'depressed', obsessed with girls... 60 years on, teenagers are exactly the same, only now they can't construct full sentences -- or even words, thanks to txt spk. By the end of the fourth part/chapter (they're merely numbered) he's 19, but he hasn't improved; if anything, time at Oxford has made him even more snobbish. Other than these unappealing characteristics, the letters are packed with the boring monotony of most letters -- family news, of interest only to particularly gossipy family members (though, amusingly, Vido criticises Jane Austen's Emma for being just that), and other random snippets of normal, boring life. Beyond a couple of worthwhile pieces of advice for writers, and the odd snippet of genuinely good or interesting writing, one has to wonder where the value lies in publishing these.
Articles
Apple laptops get $999 entry price, Nvidia chips by Jessica Mintz
(from Mail.com)
"Apple avoided a major price cut to the Macintosh line, though it did lower its least expensive computer, the existing version of the entry-level MacBook, by $100 to $999. For the updated MacBook and MacBook Pro machines, Apple gave them some of the high-end features that had been in the MacBook Air, including thinner laptop casings and a 'multitouch' track pad, which, like the iPhone, understands gestures for spinning and zooming... Apple switched from Intel Corp. to Nvidia Corp. as the supplier of the laptops' graphics chips. [Steve] Jobs said the change speeds up processing-intensive activities -- playing popular 3-D video games, for example -- as much as six-fold... The redesigned laptops are lighter than existing machines, and Apple touted a construction 'breakthrough' in the way the casings are cut and tooled from aluminum, without a stronger skeleton fused to the insides."
As Quantum of Solace edges closer (only 17 days to go!) there will surely be more and more articles about Bond. Here are a couple from today:
Bond is back... by Martyn Palmer, Charlie Higson & Danny Scott
(from Radio Times 18-24 October 2008, p.10-19)
Interviews with Daniel Craig (a surprisingly good one), producer Barbara Broccoli, and stuntmen Vic Armstrong and George Leech, plus an article by Charlie Higson looking back at previous Bonds (oft-trodden ground, well covered here). This is all thanks to a raft of TV specials about Bond next week -- a bit premature, it seems to me, as some are on almost two weeks before the film's release. Surely it would make more sense to show them in the week running up to October 31st?
James Bond Puts The Pressure On Marc Forster by Devin Zydel
(from CommanderBond.net)
Among other worthwhile comments from Bond 22's director, "It always comes up, this comparison [between James Bond and Jason Bourne...] I feel there’s a huge difference -- it’s like apples and oranges. Stylistically alone, Bond should never be in the Bourne vein. Bond has a different kind of quality. He can still transport you." Thank God for that. One of my greatest fears when Casino Royale turned up was they'd try to make it too much like Bourne (and everything on TV these days) -- hand held, shaky, grainy, "gritty". It works great for Bourne, in my opinion, but it's not Bond -- and, thankfully, Casino Royale didn't succumb to it. It's good to know they still haven't.
Also posted today, articles on a new series of Doctor Who books and the return of Red Dwarf in 2009.
(from Mail.com)
"Apple avoided a major price cut to the Macintosh line, though it did lower its least expensive computer, the existing version of the entry-level MacBook, by $100 to $999. For the updated MacBook and MacBook Pro machines, Apple gave them some of the high-end features that had been in the MacBook Air, including thinner laptop casings and a 'multitouch' track pad, which, like the iPhone, understands gestures for spinning and zooming... Apple switched from Intel Corp. to Nvidia Corp. as the supplier of the laptops' graphics chips. [Steve] Jobs said the change speeds up processing-intensive activities -- playing popular 3-D video games, for example -- as much as six-fold... The redesigned laptops are lighter than existing machines, and Apple touted a construction 'breakthrough' in the way the casings are cut and tooled from aluminum, without a stronger skeleton fused to the insides."
As Quantum of Solace edges closer (only 17 days to go!) there will surely be more and more articles about Bond. Here are a couple from today:
Bond is back... by Martyn Palmer, Charlie Higson & Danny Scott
(from Radio Times 18-24 October 2008, p.10-19)
Interviews with Daniel Craig (a surprisingly good one), producer Barbara Broccoli, and stuntmen Vic Armstrong and George Leech, plus an article by Charlie Higson looking back at previous Bonds (oft-trodden ground, well covered here). This is all thanks to a raft of TV specials about Bond next week -- a bit premature, it seems to me, as some are on almost two weeks before the film's release. Surely it would make more sense to show them in the week running up to October 31st?
James Bond Puts The Pressure On Marc Forster by Devin Zydel
(from CommanderBond.net)
Among other worthwhile comments from Bond 22's director, "It always comes up, this comparison [between James Bond and Jason Bourne...] I feel there’s a huge difference -- it’s like apples and oranges. Stylistically alone, Bond should never be in the Bourne vein. Bond has a different kind of quality. He can still transport you." Thank God for that. One of my greatest fears when Casino Royale turned up was they'd try to make it too much like Bourne (and everything on TV these days) -- hand held, shaky, grainy, "gritty". It works great for Bourne, in my opinion, but it's not Bond -- and, thankfully, Casino Royale didn't succumb to it. It's good to know they still haven't.
Also posted today, articles on a new series of Doctor Who books and the return of Red Dwarf in 2009.
Doctor Who: The Darksmith Legacy - Titles
Multi-Platform Book Range - Full List by John Bowman
(from The Doctor Who News Page)
For those who missed the initial announcement... this article handily recaps it!
"All the titles of the forthcoming 10-part multi-platform Doctor Who book project The Darksmith Legacy have been announced. As reported earlier this month by this site, the first two books will be out in January 2009, followed by a new "episode" every month after that. Published by BBC Children's Books in association with Penguin Books, they will offer the adventure of a book serialisation, complete with cliffhangers, plus interactivity and content that is only obtainable online."
Intriguing, eh? I'm intending to follow it, though I hope the online content isn't too essential -- especially if it includes silly games, tasks, or 'point gathering' thingies, because I'm not sure I can be bothered.
There are some pretty good titles in the series, in my opinion, so I've decided to list them below.
The Dust of Ages by Justin Richards
The Graves of Mordane by Colin Brake
The Colour of Darkness by Richard Dungworth
The Depths of Despair by Justin Richards
The Vampire of Paris by Steve Cole
The Game of Death by Trevor Baxendale
The Planet of Oblivion by Justin Richards
The Picture of Emptiness by Jacqueline Rayner
The Art of War by Mike Tucker
The End of Time by Justin Richards
Note several authors from the Decide Your Destiny series in that list -- clearly known to Penguin and/or deemed most capable of writing for children.
(from The Doctor Who News Page)
For those who missed the initial announcement... this article handily recaps it!
"All the titles of the forthcoming 10-part multi-platform Doctor Who book project The Darksmith Legacy have been announced. As reported earlier this month by this site, the first two books will be out in January 2009, followed by a new "episode" every month after that. Published by BBC Children's Books in association with Penguin Books, they will offer the adventure of a book serialisation, complete with cliffhangers, plus interactivity and content that is only obtainable online."
Intriguing, eh? I'm intending to follow it, though I hope the online content isn't too essential -- especially if it includes silly games, tasks, or 'point gathering' thingies, because I'm not sure I can be bothered.
There are some pretty good titles in the series, in my opinion, so I've decided to list them below.
Note several authors from the Decide Your Destiny series in that list -- clearly known to Penguin and/or deemed most capable of writing for children.
Red Dwarf is coming back!
I can't believe I hadn't heard this sooner, but Robert Llewellyn (aka Kryten) was on Loose Women today, where he revealed that there will be four new Red Dwarf specials next year! Yay!
The full article from the official site is here, but to summarise:
The four specials will be produced next year, for the 21st anniversary, and premiere on Dave. Yes, Dave.
Co-creator Doug Naylor will oversee them and all the original cast will return. Hurrah!
Why's it taken so long? "Thanks to movie and broadcaster wrangles, Grant Naylor haven't been in a position to produce new Red Dwarf since Series VIII went out to audiences of over eight million in 1999."
This might not be the end! Depending on the success of these specials, now the rights are back in the hands of GNP there's always the potential for more.
The four specials aren't all brand-new episodes of Red Dwarf exactly, however. In fact, they break down as follows:
Show One: The Making Of The Specials
"A highly entertaining look at what goes on behind the scenes on a Red Dwarf production."
Show Two: Red Dwarf Special: Part One
"The cast get back into character, and costume, a decade on..."
Show Three: Red Dwarf Special: Part Two
"The adventure continues..."
Show Four: A Clip Show With a Serious Difference
"The cast do it their way. Red Dwarf as you have never, ever seen it before!"
Hurrah again! And we should finally get an answer to series eight's cliffhanger. We've only had to wait a decade! (At least, there bloody better be an answer...)
The full article from the official site is here, but to summarise:
The four specials aren't all brand-new episodes of Red Dwarf exactly, however. In fact, they break down as follows:
"A highly entertaining look at what goes on behind the scenes on a Red Dwarf production."
"The cast get back into character, and costume, a decade on..."
"The adventure continues..."
"The cast do it their way. Red Dwarf as you have never, ever seen it before!"
Hurrah again! And we should finally get an answer to series eight's cliffhanger. We've only had to wait a decade! (At least, there bloody better be an answer...)
shameless eBay self-promotion: update 2
As you may know from Sunday, I'm selling a variety of items on eBay at the moment, so thought I'd bring them to the attention of anyone reading this. All are available as either auctions (with low low low starting prices) or Buy It Now prices (the latter disappears when someone bids, incidentally).
Many items have sold already (anything sold from the last two days has been removed, anything sold since posting this is crossed out) while others are already being bid on (those are in bold) -- so act fast if you want anything!
DVDs
Casino Royale 2-disc Collector's Edition
Doctor Who Complete Davros Collection box set (new)
Ghost in the Shell
L.A. Confidential
Sherlock Holmes: The Hound of the Baskervilles with Richard Roxburgh, Ian Hart and Richard E. Grant
Sherlock Holmes and the Case of the Silk Stocking
The West Wing Season 1 Part 1
The West Wing Season 1 Part 2
Books
Casino Royale (Penguin Modern Classics edition)
Diamonds Are Forever (Penguin Modern Classics edition)
Dr No (Penguin Modern Classics edition)
From Russia With Love (Penguin Modern Classics edition)
Goldfinger (Penguin Modern Classics edition)
Live and Let Die (Penguin Modern Classics edition)
Moonraker (Penguin Modern Classics edition)
On Her Majesty's Secret Service (Penguin Modern Classics edition)
Thunderball (Penguin Modern Classics edition)
You Only Live Twice (Penguin Modern Classics edition)
Toys
Doctor Who Micro-Universe: Captain Jack's Chula Ship (with exclusive Captain Jack mini-figure)
All these auctions end next weekend, with the exception of the two Holmes DVDs, which end on Monday -- provided none of them go for Buy It Now before then of course.
I've still got one thing left to sell in this clear-out -- namely, a Doctor Who Empress of the Racnoss action figure -- but that's big and awkward to work out the postage on, so I'll list it when I can be bothered to sort that out.
I'm liking selling stuff on eBay. Money is good, as is the space it creates. I'm quite tempted to trawl through my nearly-900-titles DVD collection and find other stuff I'm not really fussed about to flog; or perhaps some of my duplicate Who toys (damn box sets always including a Doctor).
Many items have sold already (anything sold from the last two days has been removed, anything sold since posting this is crossed out) while others are already being bid on (those are in bold) -- so act fast if you want anything!
DVDs
Books
Toys
All these auctions end next weekend, with the exception of the two Holmes DVDs, which end on Monday -- provided none of them go for Buy It Now before then of course.
I've still got one thing left to sell in this clear-out -- namely, a Doctor Who Empress of the Racnoss action figure -- but that's big and awkward to work out the postage on, so I'll list it when I can be bothered to sort that out.
I'm liking selling stuff on eBay. Money is good, as is the space it creates. I'm quite tempted to trawl through my nearly-900-titles DVD collection and find other stuff I'm not really fussed about to flog; or perhaps some of my duplicate Who toys (damn box sets always including a Doctor).
Monday, 13 October 2008
TV
The Sandbaggers
1x03 Is Your Journey Really Necessary?
Sandbaggers' surprise character deaths may not have the visceral impact of Spooks' (but then, very little beats a deep fat fryer in that respect), but they carry more than enough bleak punchiness of their own. This programme is excellent, by-the-way.
The Sarah Jane Adventures
2x03 The Day of the Clown Part One
I find it very intriguing that both SJA, Doctor Who's kid-friendly spin-off, and Torchwood, Doctor Who's adult-oriented spin-off, have done circus-related episodes. That must say something about the fear of clowns... (Both did them in their second series too, though that's not nearly as intriguing a coincidence/pattern.)
Wired
Part 1 (of 3)
The third (and final, I believe) serial in ITV's 'Monday thrillers' strand, this has a lot to live up to after the slow-paced (in a good way), intelligently written drama of both The Children and Place of Execution. The modern high-tech setting pushes it more toward Spooks territory, though it's not as whooshy (for want of a better phrase, clearly) as BBC shows of this ilk -- who'd've thought ITV would ever be less 'edgy', 'modern' and 'we need to make it appeal to people with no attention span' than the BBC? Part 1 shows potential; I hope it can maintain it.
1x03 Is Your Journey Really Necessary?
Sandbaggers' surprise character deaths may not have the visceral impact of Spooks' (but then, very little beats a deep fat fryer in that respect), but they carry more than enough bleak punchiness of their own. This programme is excellent, by-the-way.
The Sarah Jane Adventures
2x03 The Day of the Clown Part One
I find it very intriguing that both SJA, Doctor Who's kid-friendly spin-off, and Torchwood, Doctor Who's adult-oriented spin-off, have done circus-related episodes. That must say something about the fear of clowns... (Both did them in their second series too, though that's not nearly as intriguing a coincidence/pattern.)
Wired
Part 1 (of 3)
The third (and final, I believe) serial in ITV's 'Monday thrillers' strand, this has a lot to live up to after the slow-paced (in a good way), intelligently written drama of both The Children and Place of Execution. The modern high-tech setting pushes it more toward Spooks territory, though it's not as whooshy (for want of a better phrase, clearly) as BBC shows of this ilk -- who'd've thought ITV would ever be less 'edgy', 'modern' and 'we need to make it appeal to people with no attention span' than the BBC? Part 1 shows potential; I hope it can maintain it.
Non-Fiction
Letters Between a Father and a Son (aka Between Father and Son: Family Letters) by V.S. Naipaul, edited by Gillon Aitken
Introduction by Gillon Aitken
The introduction seems to average about 10 commas and semi-colons per sentence.
Introduction by Gillon Aitken
The introduction seems to average about 10 commas and semi-colons per sentence.
Articles
Che & Day The Earth Stood Still Posters by Emily Phillips
(from Empire Online)
Continuing my Che coverage (why, I'm still not sure), it seems the film will be split in half -- in France, at least -- bearing the twin titles -- on the poster, at least -- of Che: Premiere Partie - L'Argentin and Che: Deuxieme Partie - Guerilla. "Un Film de Steven Soderbergh" indeed. For English-speaking readers, they translate as Che: First Part - The Argentinian and Che: Second Part - Guerilla. What titles will appear on screen at the films' open (or indeed close these days) is anyone's guess. Of course, most people won't care enough to guess. (There's also a poster for the remake of The Day the Earth Stood Still at that link, as you may have guessed. I'm not fussed, to be honest.)
Fey Blamed For 'Ruining' Palin's Reputation
(from WENN)
To just get political, briefly: yay!
Robert Downey Jr. as Sherlock Holmes — FIRST PICTURES
and
Jude Law as Dr. Watson — FIRST LOOK
(from Just Jared.com)
The first link shows Holmes looking a little Charlie Chaplin-like (ironically enough), presumably undercover in some way. The second set of pictures are much more promising. I still think Law's a poor actor by and large, but at least he looks the part. I remain cautiously optimistic.
Will there be a Before Sunset Sequel? by Brad Brevet
(from RopeofSilicon)
Posting reviews of Before Sunrise and Before Sunset prompted me to look into this. The answer is... a bit vague...
Woody Allen's Manhattan Reveals the Meaning of Life by Brad Brevet
(from RopeofSilicon)
An interesting article, about both Allen's beautiful film and what is required of one's favourite movies.
(from Empire Online)
Continuing my Che coverage (why, I'm still not sure), it seems the film will be split in half -- in France, at least -- bearing the twin titles -- on the poster, at least -- of Che: Premiere Partie - L'Argentin and Che: Deuxieme Partie - Guerilla. "Un Film de Steven Soderbergh" indeed. For English-speaking readers, they translate as Che: First Part - The Argentinian and Che: Second Part - Guerilla. What titles will appear on screen at the films' open (or indeed close these days) is anyone's guess. Of course, most people won't care enough to guess. (There's also a poster for the remake of The Day the Earth Stood Still at that link, as you may have guessed. I'm not fussed, to be honest.)
Fey Blamed For 'Ruining' Palin's Reputation
(from WENN)
To just get political, briefly: yay!
Robert Downey Jr. as Sherlock Holmes — FIRST PICTURES
and
Jude Law as Dr. Watson — FIRST LOOK
(from Just Jared.com)
The first link shows Holmes looking a little Charlie Chaplin-like (ironically enough), presumably undercover in some way. The second set of pictures are much more promising. I still think Law's a poor actor by and large, but at least he looks the part. I remain cautiously optimistic.
Will there be a Before Sunset Sequel? by Brad Brevet
(from RopeofSilicon)
Posting reviews of Before Sunrise and Before Sunset prompted me to look into this. The answer is... a bit vague...
Woody Allen's Manhattan Reveals the Meaning of Life by Brad Brevet
(from RopeofSilicon)
An interesting article, about both Allen's beautiful film and what is required of one's favourite movies.
shameless eBay self-promotion: update
As you may know from yesterday, I'm selling a variety of items on eBay at the moment, so thought I'd bring them to the attention of anyone reading this. All are available as either auctions (with low low low starting prices) or Buy It Now prices (the latter disappears when someone bids, incidentally).
Many items have sold already (anything sold from yesterday has been removed, anything sold since posting this is crossed out) while others are already being bid on (those are in bold) -- so act fast if you want anything!
DVDs
Casino Royale 2-disc Collector's Edition
Doctor Who Complete Davros Collection box set (new)
The Game
Ghost in the Shell
L.A. Confidential
Marnie (The Hitchcock Collection)
The Prisoner The Ultimate Collection (complete series)
The West Wing Season 1 Part 1
The West Wing Season 1 Part 2
Books
Casino Royale (Penguin Modern Classics edition)
Diamonds Are Forever (Penguin Modern Classics edition)
Dr No (Penguin Modern Classics edition)
From Russia With Love (Penguin Modern Classics edition)
Goldfinger (Penguin Modern Classics edition)
Live and Let Die (Penguin Modern Classics edition)
Moonraker (Penguin Modern Classics edition)
On Her Majesty's Secret Service (Penguin Modern Classics edition)
Thunderball (Penguin Modern Classics edition)
You Only Live Twice (Penguin Modern Classics edition)
Toys
Doctor Who Micro-Universe: Captain Jack's Chula Ship (with exclusive Captain Jack mini-figure)
All these auctions end next weekend -- provided they don't go for Buy It Now before then of course, which many have.
I've still got more items to sell, which I'll add soon. These include:
The Hound of the Baskervilles with Richard Roxburgh, Ian Hart and Richard E. Grant
Sherlock Holmes and the Case of the Silk Stocking
Doctor Who Empress of the Racnoss action figure
So, eyes open -- though I'll undoubtedly mention them here.
Many items have sold already (anything sold from yesterday has been removed, anything sold since posting this is crossed out) while others are already being bid on (those are in bold) -- so act fast if you want anything!
DVDs
Books
Toys
All these auctions end next weekend -- provided they don't go for Buy It Now before then of course, which many have.
I've still got more items to sell, which I'll add soon. These include:
So, eyes open -- though I'll undoubtedly mention them here.
Sunday, 12 October 2008
TV
Big Cat Live
1x08 (12/10/08 edition) [season finale]
By Any Means
Part 6 (of 6)
Friday Night With Jonathan Ross
15x06 (10/10/08 edition)
Sir Roger Moore! I may not always think highly of his Bond (though have been enjoying them a surprising amount on re-watching lately), but he's a wonderful entertainer.
Stephen Fry in America
Part 1 The New World
Tess of the D'Urbervilles
Part 4 (of 4)
Ah, Hardy -- depressing to the bitter end.
1x08 (12/10/08 edition) [season finale]
By Any Means
Part 6 (of 6)
Friday Night With Jonathan Ross
15x06 (10/10/08 edition)
Sir Roger Moore! I may not always think highly of his Bond (though have been enjoying them a surprising amount on re-watching lately), but he's a wonderful entertainer.
Stephen Fry in America
Part 1 The New World
Tess of the D'Urbervilles
Part 4 (of 4)
Ah, Hardy -- depressing to the bitter end.
shamless eBay self-promotion
I'm selling a variety of items on eBay at the moment, so just thought I'd bring them to the attention of anyone reading this blog. All are available as either auctions (with low low low starting prices) or Buy It Now prices (the latter disappears when someone bids, incidentally). Items are selling already (anything crossed out has now sold), so act fast if you want anything.
DVDs
Casino Royale 2-disc Collector's Edition
Doctor Who: Genesis of the Daleks
Doctor Who: Resurrection of the Daleks
Doctor Who: Revelation of the Daleks
Doctor Who: Remembrance of the Daleks
Frankenstein & The Bride of Frankenstein
The Game
Ghost in the Shell
The Godfather Trilogy
L.A. Confidential
Marnie (The Hitchcock Collection)
The Seventh Seal
Books
Casino Royale (Penguin Modern Classics edition)
Diamonds Are Forever (Penguin Modern Classics edition)
Dr No (Penguin Modern Classics edition)
From Russia With Love (Penguin Modern Classics edition)
Goldfinger (Penguin Modern Classics edition)
Live and Let Die (Penguin Modern Classics edition)
Moonraker (Penguin Modern Classics edition)
On Her Majesty's Secret Service (Penguin Modern Classics edition)
Thunderball (Penguin Modern Classics edition)
You Only Live Twice (Penguin Modern Classics edition)
All these auctions end between 11:42pm on 18th October and 1:22am on 19th October (wow, I spent an hour and 40 minutes listing things?!)
I've got more items to sell, which I'll add sometime soon. These include:
Doctor Who Davros box set
The Hound of the Baskervilles with Richard Roxburgh, Ian Hart and Richard E. Grant
Sherlock Holmes and the Case of the Silk Stocking
The Prisoner Complete Series
The West Wing Season 1 (Parts 1&2)
Doctor Who Empress of the Racnoss action figure
Doctor Who Micro Universe Chula Ship with Captain Jack figure
So, eyes out. I'm sure I'll mention them here again.
DVDs
Books
All these auctions end between 11:42pm on 18th October and 1:22am on 19th October (wow, I spent an hour and 40 minutes listing things?!)
I've got more items to sell, which I'll add sometime soon. These include:
So, eyes out. I'm sure I'll mention them here again.
Saturday, 11 October 2008
TV
Big Cat Live
1x07 (11/10/08 edition)
Blue Peter at 50
Who doesn't love Blue Peter? Or, at least, loved it when they were little. (If you don't/didn't, what's wrong with you?!) I have to say, it's quite odd seeing the current line-up of presenters, now devoid of anyone who presented it when I was younger (which is entirely down to Konnie Huq's bizarrely long ten-year run, of course).
Merlin
1x04 The Poisoned Chalice
No Heroics
1x02 The Fantastic Chore
One of the most thoroughly sex-obsessed shows I've seen in a while.
The Sandbaggers
1x02 A Proper Function of Government
Still brilliant. You could remake this today with the same scripts, I swear.
1x07 (11/10/08 edition)
Blue Peter at 50
Who doesn't love Blue Peter? Or, at least, loved it when they were little. (If you don't/didn't, what's wrong with you?!) I have to say, it's quite odd seeing the current line-up of presenters, now devoid of anyone who presented it when I was younger (which is entirely down to Konnie Huq's bizarrely long ten-year run, of course).
Merlin
1x04 The Poisoned Chalice
No Heroics
1x02 The Fantastic Chore
One of the most thoroughly sex-obsessed shows I've seen in a while.
The Sandbaggers
1x02 A Proper Function of Government
Still brilliant. You could remake this today with the same scripts, I swear.
Articles
Moriarty Sees A Half-Hour Of Watchmen In Hollywood! by Drew McWeeny
(from Ain't It Cool News)
Massively spoiler-filled (even if you've read the book, it spoils some of the things they've changed/added), but also massively positive. Good news about the running time too: "The film’s running 2 hours and 43 minutes right now without closing credits, and he doesn’t feel like he’s really had to sacrifice anything to get it to that length. At most, a director’s extended cut might add 20 minutes or so to that time, and the Black Freighter material might add in another half-hour at most. The theatrical version might not be the last cut of Watchmen we see, but it’s certainly not a compromised edit in any way."
(from Ain't It Cool News)
Massively spoiler-filled (even if you've read the book, it spoils some of the things they've changed/added), but also massively positive. Good news about the running time too: "The film’s running 2 hours and 43 minutes right now without closing credits, and he doesn’t feel like he’s really had to sacrifice anything to get it to that length. At most, a director’s extended cut might add 20 minutes or so to that time, and the Black Freighter material might add in another half-hour at most. The theatrical version might not be the last cut of Watchmen we see, but it’s certainly not a compromised edit in any way."
100 Films update
I last posted an update from my other blog, 100 Films in a Year, a little over a month ago. Since then I've updated it with numerous new reviews, so here's some handy links to them all.
from 2008...
Agatha (1979)
Cathy Come Home (1966)
Flushed Away (2006)
Gentlemen Prefer Blondes (1953)
Road to Singapore (1940)
Southland Tales (2006)
Stardust (2007)
Texas Across the River (1966)
The Wizard of Oz (1939)
from 2007...
Alfie (1966)
C.S.A.: The Confederate States of America (2004)
The Cat's Meow (2001)
Gone With the Wind (1939)
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (2007)
An Inconvenient Truth (2006)
Letters From Iwo Jima (2006)
Mrs Brown (1997)
Neon Genesis Evangelion: Death & Rebirth (1997)
Neon Genesis Evangelion: The End of Evangelion (1997)
Pan's Labyrinth (2006)
Perfume: The Story of a Murderer (2006)
Point Break (1991)
100 Films Special: The Star Wars Series
Star Wars - Episode IV: A New Hope - DVD Edition (1977/2004)
Star Wars - Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back - DVD Edition (1980/2004)
Star Wars - Episode VI: Return of the Jedi - DVD Edition (1983/2004)
Stranger Than Fiction (2006)
Tenacious D in The Pick of Destiny (2006)
Thunderbirds (2004)
Wilde (1997)
More to come -- from both years -- in the future.
from 2008...
Agatha (1979)
Cathy Come Home (1966)
Flushed Away (2006)
Gentlemen Prefer Blondes (1953)
Road to Singapore (1940)
Southland Tales (2006)
Stardust (2007)
Texas Across the River (1966)
The Wizard of Oz (1939)
from 2007...
Alfie (1966)
C.S.A.: The Confederate States of America (2004)
The Cat's Meow (2001)
Gone With the Wind (1939)
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (2007)
An Inconvenient Truth (2006)
Letters From Iwo Jima (2006)
Mrs Brown (1997)
Neon Genesis Evangelion: Death & Rebirth (1997)
Neon Genesis Evangelion: The End of Evangelion (1997)
Pan's Labyrinth (2006)
Perfume: The Story of a Murderer (2006)
Point Break (1991)
100 Films Special: The Star Wars Series
Star Wars - Episode IV: A New Hope - DVD Edition (1977/2004)
Star Wars - Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back - DVD Edition (1980/2004)
Star Wars - Episode VI: Return of the Jedi - DVD Edition (1983/2004)
Stranger Than Fiction (2006)
Tenacious D in The Pick of Destiny (2006)
Thunderbirds (2004)
Wilde (1997)
More to come -- from both years -- in the future.
Friday, 10 October 2008
Films
Quantum of Solace Music Exclusive
Composer David Arnold chats about the score -- including some nice snippets while the orchestra play it -- and briefly touches on the title theme.
Composer David Arnold chats about the score -- including some nice snippets while the orchestra play it -- and briefly touches on the title theme.
Stand-Up
Tim Vine Live (DVD)
The great thing about Tim Vine's act is that he packs a Guiness World Record-breaking 499 jokes into an hour -- so if you don't find one gag particularly amusing there'll be another along in 7 seconds! Of course, if you don't like his style at all then that's pretty meaningless, but hey-ho.
He does songs too, which are more variable; especially the closing number, which is OK but probably the least funny bit of the whole act -- not the best thing to end on then. That said, it is catchy, and is still stuck in my head...
The great thing about Tim Vine's act is that he packs a Guiness World Record-breaking 499 jokes into an hour -- so if you don't find one gag particularly amusing there'll be another along in 7 seconds! Of course, if you don't like his style at all then that's pretty meaningless, but hey-ho.
He does songs too, which are more variable; especially the closing number, which is OK but probably the least funny bit of the whole act -- not the best thing to end on then. That said, it is catchy, and is still stuck in my head...
Fiction
Batman: The Dark Knight Strikes Again by Frank Miller & Lynn Varley
Book Two
Messy, in much the same way those stupid 'event' books -- like Infinite Crisis or Civil War or 52 -- are messy. It assumes you know who all these characters are, but it's a Batman book, not a JLA or Silly DCU Event book, and while some of them are obvious (Superman, Wonder Woman, Green Arrow...), others aren't. At all. The rest of the time, it feels like it's the work of someone who really wants to emulate the quality of Dark Knight Returns (many of its tropes are still there), but has less style when it comes to both art -- over-huge panels, wasted space, too scratchy, etc -- or story -- it is, as I have said, messy.
Book Two
Messy, in much the same way those stupid 'event' books -- like Infinite Crisis or Civil War or 52 -- are messy. It assumes you know who all these characters are, but it's a Batman book, not a JLA or Silly DCU Event book, and while some of them are obvious (Superman, Wonder Woman, Green Arrow...), others aren't. At all. The rest of the time, it feels like it's the work of someone who really wants to emulate the quality of Dark Knight Returns (many of its tropes are still there), but has less style when it comes to both art -- over-huge panels, wasted space, too scratchy, etc -- or story -- it is, as I have said, messy.
Articles
The 100 Essential DVDs You Must Own
(from Empire Online)
Empire published this a month or two ago but, despite my DVD obsession, I've only just got round to going through it. Debates over inclusions and exclusions aside, there are some disappointing factual errors (Hearts of Darkness was available on DVD long before this piece was written; the UK Buffy sets are not "extras-lite"), but otherwise is as interesting as these lists ever are. I can tell you that I own 69 of them, and of the remaining 31 there are at least a couple that I am never going to bother with.
Studios To Sponsor Oscarcast For First Time
(from Studio Briefing)
For normal people: an "Oscarcast" is the TV broadcast of the Oscars. 2009's ceremony will be the first time trailers for films can be shown during the ceremony. However, they'll be under incredibly strict guidelines: "They can not promote any nominated film, nor any prequel or sequel. Only films that are scheduled to open in April or later in the year can be promoted. Each distributor will be allowed to purchase one 30- or 60-second commercial, and each can promote only one film. They may not have aired prior to the telecast. Only one movie spot can be broadcast during any commercial break. And none of the spots will be permitted to use the terms 'Oscar' or 'Academy Award'." OTT? Expect a slew of Super Bowl-style blockbuster trailers then, as they'll all be out after April and aren't likely to want to invoke Oscar's name.
(from Empire Online)
Empire published this a month or two ago but, despite my DVD obsession, I've only just got round to going through it. Debates over inclusions and exclusions aside, there are some disappointing factual errors (Hearts of Darkness was available on DVD long before this piece was written; the UK Buffy sets are not "extras-lite"), but otherwise is as interesting as these lists ever are. I can tell you that I own 69 of them, and of the remaining 31 there are at least a couple that I am never going to bother with.
Studios To Sponsor Oscarcast For First Time
(from Studio Briefing)
For normal people: an "Oscarcast" is the TV broadcast of the Oscars. 2009's ceremony will be the first time trailers for films can be shown during the ceremony. However, they'll be under incredibly strict guidelines: "They can not promote any nominated film, nor any prequel or sequel. Only films that are scheduled to open in April or later in the year can be promoted. Each distributor will be allowed to purchase one 30- or 60-second commercial, and each can promote only one film. They may not have aired prior to the telecast. Only one movie spot can be broadcast during any commercial break. And none of the spots will be permitted to use the terms 'Oscar' or 'Academy Award'." OTT? Expect a slew of Super Bowl-style blockbuster trailers then, as they'll all be out after April and aren't likely to want to invoke Oscar's name.
"New Products Added"
I hate it when online retailers have sales that they then add new items to.
"New products added!", they proudly proclaim. But do they have a section where you can see these new products? No.
So if you trawled through the sale first time round, just in case they happened to have something worthwhile that you didn't already own at a worthwhile price, you now have to trawl through the whole thing again, just in case something they added is something worthwhile that you don't already own at a worthwhile price.
Which isn't very worth your while, if you ask me.
"New products added!", they proudly proclaim. But do they have a section where you can see these new products? No.
So if you trawled through the sale first time round, just in case they happened to have something worthwhile that you didn't already own at a worthwhile price, you now have to trawl through the whole thing again, just in case something they added is something worthwhile that you don't already own at a worthwhile price.
Which isn't very worth your while, if you ask me.
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