Review of Coraline by Michael Karounos
(from Christian Spotlight on Entertainment at ChristianAnswers.net)
As Neil Gaiman himself said, "Funniest Coraline review ever".
It's by Christians, see; the ludicrous kind. Some of the people there clearly deserve our pity; others, our condemnation. It's good they're not too prolific.
Excuse me while I go laugh at some more of their reviews... including a particularly misguided one of Quantum of Solace (out on DVD today, incidentally; £7 in Tesco 'til Wednesday. Just in case you didn't know).
Best of all, perhaps, is Watchmen -- purely for how many Christians agree with Rorschach, clearly the most psychopathic of the characters. That is priceless.
Monday, 23 March 2009
Sunday, 22 March 2009
TV
Dancing On Ice
2009 Final
God I hate Ray Quinn. I'm mentioning it purely to say that.
[Watch it (again) on ITV Player.]
I've Never Seen Star Wars
1x01 Clive Anderson
The intriguingly-titled radio series transitions to TV, filling the Room 101-shaped hole in the schedules. (Interestingly, the second series of the radio version has only just finished broadcasting. One has to wonder if it will continue if the TV version takes off...)
The concept is fairly simple: comedian Marcus Brigstocke subjects a guest to five cultural experiences that they've never tried before. For example, his first guest is Clive Anderson, who is made to spend an hour in a flotation tank, read Men Are From Mars, Women Are From Venus, play the National Lottery, watch Withnail and I, and have a go at judo.
It's a slightly unusual format, but also quite a fun one with lots of potential. And, obviously, varied cultural experiences are right up this blog's street.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Lark Rise to Candleford
2x12 Episode 12 [season finale]
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
QI
6x12 Food (extended edition) [season finale]
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
2009 Final
God I hate Ray Quinn. I'm mentioning it purely to say that.
[Watch it (again) on ITV Player.]
I've Never Seen Star Wars
1x01 Clive Anderson
The intriguingly-titled radio series transitions to TV, filling the Room 101-shaped hole in the schedules. (Interestingly, the second series of the radio version has only just finished broadcasting. One has to wonder if it will continue if the TV version takes off...)
The concept is fairly simple: comedian Marcus Brigstocke subjects a guest to five cultural experiences that they've never tried before. For example, his first guest is Clive Anderson, who is made to spend an hour in a flotation tank, read Men Are From Mars, Women Are From Venus, play the National Lottery, watch Withnail and I, and have a go at judo.
It's a slightly unusual format, but also quite a fun one with lots of potential. And, obviously, varied cultural experiences are right up this blog's street.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Lark Rise to Candleford
2x12 Episode 12 [season finale]
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
QI
6x12 Food (extended edition) [season finale]
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Articles
Dunblane apology from Sunday Express
and
Why did the Express say sorry? by Anton Vowl
(from The enemies of reason)
"There was a time when you couldn't mobilise support for a campaign... Facebook, Twitter and blogs -- those things contemptuously dismissed by 'proper' journalists -- weren't about; there was no way of connecting together separate angry people... Whatever you think of online petitions, and many doubt their effectiveness, the one against the Express gained 10,000 signatures in a very short space of time...
Newspapers haven't learned it yet, but they will soon. You can't get away with it any more. People are watching. People are checking. And, more importantly, they can mobilise support against you very efficiently when you step out of line."
Lots of other good points here too. The Express flatter themselves to death (sadly, not literally) in their apology though.
And an instance of blatant theft...
Take a look at this article, posted 11th November 2008: Book of phone numbers 'left on doorstep' (by Andrew Taylor, from )
Now, take a look at this one, posted 12th November 2008: Security Leak ('by' Dave East, from Dave: the blog)
Notice anything? Yes, that's right -- Dave's totally plagarised him. This is especially amusing in light of the copyright notice carried on Davie's own front page:
Ooh, what a dirty little liar!
and
Why did the Express say sorry? by Anton Vowl
(from The enemies of reason)
"There was a time when you couldn't mobilise support for a campaign... Facebook, Twitter and blogs -- those things contemptuously dismissed by 'proper' journalists -- weren't about; there was no way of connecting together separate angry people... Whatever you think of online petitions, and many doubt their effectiveness, the one against the Express gained 10,000 signatures in a very short space of time...
Newspapers haven't learned it yet, but they will soon. You can't get away with it any more. People are watching. People are checking. And, more importantly, they can mobilise support against you very efficiently when you step out of line."
Lots of other good points here too. The Express flatter themselves to death (sadly, not literally) in their apology though.
And an instance of blatant theft...
Take a look at this article, posted 11th November 2008: Book of phone numbers 'left on doorstep' (by Andrew Taylor, from )
Now, take a look at this one, posted 12th November 2008: Security Leak ('by' Dave East, from Dave: the blog)
Notice anything? Yes, that's right -- Dave's totally plagarised him. This is especially amusing in light of the copyright notice carried on Davie's own front page:
Never use anything off this site, be it writing, images or html code, unless I say otherwise. I am very attached to my work and don't usually respond well when others help themselves to it. Copyright is protected by law and is in effect the minute something is created, whether the author has a © notice or not - but if you want me to spell it out, I claim copyright on everything posted on this site, unless I acknowledge that it comes from another source.
Ooh, what a dirty little liar!
Saturday, 21 March 2009
TV
Damages
2x05 I Agree, It Wasn't Funny
I think Damages has a few too many balls in play this season. Complex, multi-stranded, multi-layered TV is great, but with so many disparate plots going on Damages has to keep flitting between them, leaving some out entirely. It's not bad, but pulling things back a little -- to the level of complexity offered by season one, to be precise -- would improve things. If it's not careful, it'll go the way of 24...
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
The Graham Norton Show
5x02 (12/3/09 edition, uncut repeat)
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Lark Rise to Candleford
2x11 Episode 11
Many series have "Next Time" trails these days. I like them -- it's a nice little tease for what's coming up. Except on Lark Rise, where last week's trailer gave away nearly all of this week's twists. Oh dear.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Nature's Great Events
Part 6 The Great Feast [final part]
Jumping ahead for iPlayer-related reasons (which is fine, because the episodes aren't connected).
Lots of stunning footage in this one, but none more so than the bait-ball -- like an action sequence from a movie thanks to some great camerawork, fine editing and well-chosen music. Engrossing.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
2x05 I Agree, It Wasn't Funny
I think Damages has a few too many balls in play this season. Complex, multi-stranded, multi-layered TV is great, but with so many disparate plots going on Damages has to keep flitting between them, leaving some out entirely. It's not bad, but pulling things back a little -- to the level of complexity offered by season one, to be precise -- would improve things. If it's not careful, it'll go the way of 24...
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
The Graham Norton Show
5x02 (12/3/09 edition, uncut repeat)
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Lark Rise to Candleford
2x11 Episode 11
Many series have "Next Time" trails these days. I like them -- it's a nice little tease for what's coming up. Except on Lark Rise, where last week's trailer gave away nearly all of this week's twists. Oh dear.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Nature's Great Events
Part 6 The Great Feast [final part]
Jumping ahead for iPlayer-related reasons (which is fine, because the episodes aren't connected).
Lots of stunning footage in this one, but none more so than the bait-ball -- like an action sequence from a movie thanks to some great camerawork, fine editing and well-chosen music. Engrossing.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Articles
He looks a bit fed up for some reason, doesn't he? by Anton Vowl
(from The enemies of reason)
This is one of the stories that's most upset me this week -- not only for the tragic loss, of course, but for the callous and intrusive way the press have chosen to report it. This is why there should be laws against the paparazzi.
The Mail and Gemma Arterton. And pants. by Anton Vowl
(from The enemies of reason)
More anti-newspaper common sense (this is the kind of thing I love, by-the-by). A case study on the hypocrisy of the British tabloid press, in this instance focussed on one of said hypocrisy's main perpetrators, the Daily Mail. Go on, read it; and read to the end.
The Next Dimension by Josh Quittner
(from TIME)
"Jeffrey Katzenberg, the head of DreamWorks Animation SKG, is betting the future of his studio on digital 3-D. While he's not the first to embrace the technology, he has become its most vocal evangelist, asserting that digital 3-D is now good enough to make it -- after sound and color -- the third sea change to affect movies. "This really is a revolution," he says."
Is it, really? I think that remains to be seen. It's almost all riding on the back of James Cameron's Avatar -- while there are other big-name 3D films in production, if Avatar flops that could put off cinemas off bothering to upgrade for 3D and therefore not show the later films either. But, we'll see...
(from The enemies of reason)
This is one of the stories that's most upset me this week -- not only for the tragic loss, of course, but for the callous and intrusive way the press have chosen to report it. This is why there should be laws against the paparazzi.
The Mail and Gemma Arterton. And pants. by Anton Vowl
(from The enemies of reason)
More anti-newspaper common sense (this is the kind of thing I love, by-the-by). A case study on the hypocrisy of the British tabloid press, in this instance focussed on one of said hypocrisy's main perpetrators, the Daily Mail. Go on, read it; and read to the end.
The Next Dimension by Josh Quittner
(from TIME)
"Jeffrey Katzenberg, the head of DreamWorks Animation SKG, is betting the future of his studio on digital 3-D. While he's not the first to embrace the technology, he has become its most vocal evangelist, asserting that digital 3-D is now good enough to make it -- after sound and color -- the third sea change to affect movies. "This really is a revolution," he says."
Is it, really? I think that remains to be seen. It's almost all riding on the back of James Cameron's Avatar -- while there are other big-name 3D films in production, if Avatar flops that could put off cinemas off bothering to upgrade for 3D and therefore not show the later films either. But, we'll see...
Friday, 20 March 2009
TV
Moving Wallpaper
2x03 Episode 3
2x04 Episode 4
Still quite funny, but would benefit from a companion show still. Hopefully it'll get picked up for a third series and they can have Renaissance (or indeed something -- anything -- else) running alongside it again.
[Watch it (again) on ITV Player.]
Not Going Out
3x07 Marriage [season finale]
Another bit of a desperate episode, though still with a few hearty laughs. And you wouldn't guess it from the episode itself, but this appears to be the last of the series.
Or, all things considered, perhaps the last ever -- is Not Going Out on the way out? (Yeah, I just wanted to get that pun in.)
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Edit: Turns out there's one more episode, but the BBC have cancelled the show and decided not to show it. It should be on later in the year however.
And in TV news, starting Monday 30th March, BBC Two are going to be showing The Wire from the very start. They'll be showing one episode a night too, so it should go by at a nice pace. Most importantly, I can finally see it! For more details, have a look here.
2x03 Episode 3
2x04 Episode 4
Still quite funny, but would benefit from a companion show still. Hopefully it'll get picked up for a third series and they can have Renaissance (or indeed something -- anything -- else) running alongside it again.
[Watch it (again) on ITV Player.]
Not Going Out
3x07 Marriage [season finale]
Another bit of a desperate episode, though still with a few hearty laughs. And you wouldn't guess it from the episode itself, but this appears to be the last of the series.
Or, all things considered, perhaps the last ever -- is Not Going Out on the way out? (Yeah, I just wanted to get that pun in.)
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Edit: Turns out there's one more episode, but the BBC have cancelled the show and decided not to show it. It should be on later in the year however.
And in TV news, starting Monday 30th March, BBC Two are going to be showing The Wire from the very start. They'll be showing one episode a night too, so it should go by at a nice pace. Most importantly, I can finally see it! For more details, have a look here.
Articles
7 Coolest Movie Con Jobs by James White
(from Total Film)
Could Warner Bros. Be Putting The Kibosh On R-Rated Superhero Films? by Casey Seijas
(from MTV Splash Page)
Not all that surprising, considering, but still potentially a shame.
DMCA Take Down Notice: The NYTimes Goes to War & Wants to Shut us Down
(from Apartment Therapy)
Blogs have been around for about 16 years now (though how long they've been widely known about is a different matter), but it seems some old media still can't adapt to how useful they are. The New York Times are of course within their legal rights to both do this and do it this way, but it does come across as underhand and almost cowardly.
Personally, I won't be bothering to read their site any more -- when there are so many valid news sources on the web, why go to one you disapprove of? Losing me won't exactly have a huge impact on their hits, but still.
Also see some of my thoughts on this year's Hugo Award nominations here.
(from Total Film)
Could Warner Bros. Be Putting The Kibosh On R-Rated Superhero Films? by Casey Seijas
(from MTV Splash Page)
Not all that surprising, considering, but still potentially a shame.
DMCA Take Down Notice: The NYTimes Goes to War & Wants to Shut us Down
(from Apartment Therapy)
Blogs have been around for about 16 years now (though how long they've been widely known about is a different matter), but it seems some old media still can't adapt to how useful they are. The New York Times are of course within their legal rights to both do this and do it this way, but it does come across as underhand and almost cowardly.
Personally, I won't be bothering to read their site any more -- when there are so many valid news sources on the web, why go to one you disapprove of? Losing me won't exactly have a huge impact on their hits, but still.
Also see some of my thoughts on this year's Hugo Award nominations here.
2009 Hugo Award nominations
Specifically looking at "Best Dramatic Presentation, Short Form" here, as I came across these on a Doctor Who fansite...
2009 Hugo Award Nominations
(from The Hugo Awards)
Once again, Doctor Who gains multiple nominations for this year's Hugo Awards.
Who has received many nominations in the past few years, often receiving multiple nods where other shows can only manage one, undoubtedly due to the sheer variety of styles and content offered by the show. And incoming showrunner Steven Moffat has won every year.
This year, in my opinion, he doesn't deserve to win again -- his two-part Silence in the Library story was a bit sloppy, a weak plot hung on some truly excellent ideas. Russell T Davies' Turn Left, on the other hand, turned the series on its head to excellent effect -- it was both better sci-fi and better drama. Also, Davies' has been produced a relatively huge number of high-quality Who scripts over the past few years -- he deserves this one in recognition of his entire contribution as much as anything.
Both may fall to the competition posed by Battlestar Galactica in its final year (though it will surely be eligible for the 2010 awards too, so perhaps it will take it then) or the power of Joss Whedon's fanbase in the shape of internet sensation Dr Horrible's Sing-Along Blog.
2009 Hugo Award Nominations
(from The Hugo Awards)
Once again, Doctor Who gains multiple nominations for this year's Hugo Awards.
Who has received many nominations in the past few years, often receiving multiple nods where other shows can only manage one, undoubtedly due to the sheer variety of styles and content offered by the show. And incoming showrunner Steven Moffat has won every year.
This year, in my opinion, he doesn't deserve to win again -- his two-part Silence in the Library story was a bit sloppy, a weak plot hung on some truly excellent ideas. Russell T Davies' Turn Left, on the other hand, turned the series on its head to excellent effect -- it was both better sci-fi and better drama. Also, Davies' has been produced a relatively huge number of high-quality Who scripts over the past few years -- he deserves this one in recognition of his entire contribution as much as anything.
Both may fall to the competition posed by Battlestar Galactica in its final year (though it will surely be eligible for the 2010 awards too, so perhaps it will take it then) or the power of Joss Whedon's fanbase in the shape of internet sensation Dr Horrible's Sing-Along Blog.
Poem of the Week: The Ballad of Dr Manhattan's Change of Fortune
by Richard Nelson
Watchmen's been out for a good few weeks now, and here's the final part of a trilogy of poems about the film. Well, related to the film -- the first two were rather tenuous, whereas this one was composed by my good self in the wake of the film... and the Internet discussions about it, which seemed to focus around one particular member of the cast.
This is the first instance in a long time where I've posted a poem of my own composition. Just because I'm writing more doesn't mean this will be occurring more often.
Watchmen's been out for a good few weeks now, and here's the final part of a trilogy of poems about the film. Well, related to the film -- the first two were rather tenuous, whereas this one was composed by my good self in the wake of the film... and the Internet discussions about it, which seemed to focus around one particular member of the cast.
When it was normal-coloured he
had trouble getting laid,
but then there was the accident
which changed its fleshy shade:
No longer was it ugly, pink
and changeable in size,
but now a constant, hanging there;
pleasant blue to the eyes.
His fascinating phallus lets
him have it his own way:
he can have any girl he wants
('cept Silhouette -- she's gay).
This is the first instance in a long time where I've posted a poem of my own composition. Just because I'm writing more doesn't mean this will be occurring more often.
Who Watches the WALL-E?
Too remove all the magic, this is clips from WALL-E edited to the soundtrack from the first Watchmen trailer. It's better than that probably makes it sound.
Also available in HD.
Also available in HD.
Thursday, 19 March 2009
TV
Cracker
1x07 One Day a Lemming Will Fly Part 2 [season finale]
Cracker must be one of the only -- perhaps the only -- police procedural-type shows to have a story that concludes with the wrong man charged, the real killer still on the loose, and no one on the force caring about this. And I seriously doubt it's designed to set up a future story either -- it's just Cracker's very-real-world way.
Next, straight on to the second series.
[Watch it (again) on ITV Player.]
Horne & Corden
1x02 Episode 2
Still very mixed, though with potential. Will need to try harder if they want it to last. That said, the piss-take of Christian Youth organisations was fantastic.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Karma Kula: Mystic Warrior Sneak Peak
Trailer for the new live action webseries from the makers of Ninjai: The Little Ninja, exclusive to Ninjai mailing list subscribers (or their invited friends). The acting is atrocious, the writing pretentious, the direction lacklustre, and the unfilmised video stock makes it look dirt cheap... but the fighting is absolutely brilliant. Hopefully there'll be plenty of that in the series then.
1x07 One Day a Lemming Will Fly Part 2 [season finale]
Cracker must be one of the only -- perhaps the only -- police procedural-type shows to have a story that concludes with the wrong man charged, the real killer still on the loose, and no one on the force caring about this. And I seriously doubt it's designed to set up a future story either -- it's just Cracker's very-real-world way.
Next, straight on to the second series.
[Watch it (again) on ITV Player.]
Horne & Corden
1x02 Episode 2
Still very mixed, though with potential. Will need to try harder if they want it to last. That said, the piss-take of Christian Youth organisations was fantastic.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Karma Kula: Mystic Warrior Sneak Peak
Trailer for the new live action webseries from the makers of Ninjai: The Little Ninja, exclusive to Ninjai mailing list subscribers (or their invited friends). The acting is atrocious, the writing pretentious, the direction lacklustre, and the unfilmised video stock makes it look dirt cheap... but the fighting is absolutely brilliant. Hopefully there'll be plenty of that in the series then.
Articles
Back To Sleep
(from reddwarf.co.uk)
It's the bunk room set from the new Red Dwarf! Hurrah! Looks brilliant. Can't wait for this at Easter.
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (R1/US BD) in May by Dave Foster
(from DVD Times)
I don't know if I missed something, but it's come as quite a surprise that this is being released by Criterion! It's not unheard of for them to do new-release films, but I wouldn't've thought Paramount would want to farm out a high-profile Oscar-winner in that way. Also not sure of the last time Criterion released something so new and high-profile, which probably adds to the surprise.
Lionsgate Premieres Crank 2 Poster on Twitter by Peter Sciretta
(from /film)
Mainly reporting this for the cool tagline (not sure about the Watchmen-esque colour scheme however), though the thoughts about the dramatically increasing popularity of Twitter are interesting.
The Religion of Dolphins... by Neil Gaiman
(from Neil Gaiman's Journal)
"Picked up my copy of New Scientist over breakfast this morning... and found myself puzzling over an article that began,
"That a complex mind is required for religion may explain why faith is unique to humans."
Which left me amazed and potentially delighted that journalists at New Scientist had succeeded in interspecies communication to the point of being certain that dolphins and whales have no belief in things deeper than themselves, that ants do not imagine a supreme colony at the centre of everything... and that there are no Buddhist Pigs, Monkeys or whatever-the-hell Sandy was."
Who writer begs lotto for TV cash
(from BBC News)
Slightly misleading headline, in my opinion, for a very valid point: "Russell T Davies has called for national lottery money to be given to children's programmes. In a speech to Bafta members, Davies said: "They put money into rubbish films, why can't they put money into children's television?"" Too right!
(from reddwarf.co.uk)
It's the bunk room set from the new Red Dwarf! Hurrah! Looks brilliant. Can't wait for this at Easter.
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (R1/US BD) in May by Dave Foster
(from DVD Times)
I don't know if I missed something, but it's come as quite a surprise that this is being released by Criterion! It's not unheard of for them to do new-release films, but I wouldn't've thought Paramount would want to farm out a high-profile Oscar-winner in that way. Also not sure of the last time Criterion released something so new and high-profile, which probably adds to the surprise.
Lionsgate Premieres Crank 2 Poster on Twitter by Peter Sciretta
(from /film)
Mainly reporting this for the cool tagline (not sure about the Watchmen-esque colour scheme however), though the thoughts about the dramatically increasing popularity of Twitter are interesting.
The Religion of Dolphins... by Neil Gaiman
(from Neil Gaiman's Journal)
"Picked up my copy of New Scientist over breakfast this morning... and found myself puzzling over an article that began,
"That a complex mind is required for religion may explain why faith is unique to humans."
Which left me amazed and potentially delighted that journalists at New Scientist had succeeded in interspecies communication to the point of being certain that dolphins and whales have no belief in things deeper than themselves, that ants do not imagine a supreme colony at the centre of everything... and that there are no Buddhist Pigs, Monkeys or whatever-the-hell Sandy was."
Who writer begs lotto for TV cash
(from BBC News)
Slightly misleading headline, in my opinion, for a very valid point: "Russell T Davies has called for national lottery money to be given to children's programmes. In a speech to Bafta members, Davies said: "They put money into rubbish films, why can't they put money into children's television?"" Too right!
Batman Icon's Mutation
This is rather intriguing and a fun watch. You might be surprised by just how much variety there's been...
Wednesday, 18 March 2009
TV
Mad Men
2x04 Three Sundays
Nature's Great Events
Part 3 The Great Migration
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
2x04 Three Sundays
Nature's Great Events
Part 3 The Great Migration
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
France doesn't want Africans to die of AIDS
After yesterday's news...
France chastises Pope on condoms
(from BBC News)
Well done France.
France chastises Pope on condoms
(from BBC News)
France, echoing the reaction of some aid agencies, said it "voices extremely sharp concern over the consequences of [the Pope's comments]... we consider that such comments are a threat to public health policies and the duty to protect human life," foreign ministry spokesman Eric Chevallier said.
Well done France.
Tuesday, 17 March 2009
TV
Cracker
1x06 One Day a Lemming Will Fly Part 1
[Watch it (again) on ITV Player.]
Lark Rise to Candleford
2x10 Episode 10
Oh my, Lark Rise appears to have turned into a broad sitcom! (I'm sure some would argue it always was.) It also seems to run out of story about three-quarters of the way through, which is a shame.
More of a shame, however, as the "Next Time" trailer, apparently giving away all of the twists in next week's episode. That's just stupidity.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
1x06 One Day a Lemming Will Fly Part 1
[Watch it (again) on ITV Player.]
Lark Rise to Candleford
2x10 Episode 10
Oh my, Lark Rise appears to have turned into a broad sitcom! (I'm sure some would argue it always was.) It also seems to run out of story about three-quarters of the way through, which is a shame.
More of a shame, however, as the "Next Time" trailer, apparently giving away all of the twists in next week's episode. That's just stupidity.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Non-Fiction
The Ode Less Travelled by Stephen Fry
Chapter Three: VI (p.221-228, 242-246)
Chapter Three: VIII (p.261-262)
More re-reading. I was meant to be looking at the section on the Ballad again, but got distracted by these bits on the Villanelle, Ballade and Cento. It's all brilliantly written, of course, and very engaging.
I should really be a good boy and return to reading it in order too.
Watchmen: Portraits by Clay Enos
See here for me thoughts on this book.
Chapter Three: VI (p.221-228, 242-246)
Chapter Three: VIII (p.261-262)
More re-reading. I was meant to be looking at the section on the Ballad again, but got distracted by these bits on the Villanelle, Ballade and Cento. It's all brilliantly written, of course, and very engaging.
I should really be a good boy and return to reading it in order too.
Watchmen: Portraits by Clay Enos
See here for me thoughts on this book.
Poetry
The Making of a Poem by Mark Strand & Eavan Boland
The Ballad (p.73-98)
Having settled on the Ballad as the form for me, I'm now trying to read some and get an idea of how to do it well. Or an idea of what to write about. And so I've re-read this section of Making of a Poem, which features several good examples. However, most of them are rather old and consequently perhaps not the best guideline for modern work.
The Ballad (p.73-98)
Having settled on the Ballad as the form for me, I'm now trying to read some and get an idea of how to do it well. Or an idea of what to write about. And so I've re-read this section of Making of a Poem, which features several good examples. However, most of them are rather old and consequently perhaps not the best guideline for modern work.
Music
Made in Hong Kong (And in Various Other Places) by Nightwish
See here for my thoughts on this album.
Listening to Made in Hong Kong set me off listening to a few other Nightwish things, some of which I'd bought but not yet listened to. Normally I wouldn't mention most of these, but I had the following to say...
Dark Passion Play by Nightwish
The album from which all of Made in Hong Kong's live tracks are taken. This is the first time I've listened to it for a while. It's not quite as good as Once, the band's absolute high point in my opinion, but it's a good effort nonetheless. Most importantly, as the first album after the departure of original lead vocalist Tarja Turunen it shows definitively that Nightwish can go on successfully without her.
The Islander (single) by Nightwish
The Islander is one of my favourite tracks on Dark Passion Play, with a nice folkish vibe to it. Here it's accompanied by an instrumental version of Escapist, a track included as a B-side on the Bye Bye Beautiful single and as a bonus track on Made in Hong Kong. This instrumental is great, I think.
Also included is an orchestral version of album-closer Meadows of Heaven. A grand, 7-minute, orchestra-led epic, Meadows of Heaven works brilliantly like this -- not perfectly, as the guitars and so forth are missing, but better than the orchestral version of Ghost Love Score, another brilliant orchestra-led track (from the previous album) which featured guitars so integrally it fails without them.
See here for my thoughts on this album.
Listening to Made in Hong Kong set me off listening to a few other Nightwish things, some of which I'd bought but not yet listened to. Normally I wouldn't mention most of these, but I had the following to say...
Dark Passion Play by Nightwish
The album from which all of Made in Hong Kong's live tracks are taken. This is the first time I've listened to it for a while. It's not quite as good as Once, the band's absolute high point in my opinion, but it's a good effort nonetheless. Most importantly, as the first album after the departure of original lead vocalist Tarja Turunen it shows definitively that Nightwish can go on successfully without her.
The Islander (single) by Nightwish
The Islander is one of my favourite tracks on Dark Passion Play, with a nice folkish vibe to it. Here it's accompanied by an instrumental version of Escapist, a track included as a B-side on the Bye Bye Beautiful single and as a bonus track on Made in Hong Kong. This instrumental is great, I think.
Also included is an orchestral version of album-closer Meadows of Heaven. A grand, 7-minute, orchestra-led epic, Meadows of Heaven works brilliantly like this -- not perfectly, as the guitars and so forth are missing, but better than the orchestral version of Ghost Love Score, another brilliant orchestra-led track (from the previous album) which featured guitars so integrally it fails without them.
Articles
24 movie heading to Europe? by Simon Reynolds
(from Digital Spy)
Not really news -- as long as there's been discussion of a 24 movie it's been mooted that London wold be the setting -- but the concept of Jack being able to traverse Europe within the timespan is quite a neat one. On the other hand, it's still not a concept that really works as a movie. You either do it as two hours of real time, which isn't "24", or do the producers' oft-discussed method, where one hour of the film covers 23 hours and the final hour is real time -- which is just an ordinary thriller with a clock pointing the timings out to you. But hey, we'll see -- they might not even make it yet.
David Chase cuts Ribbon at HBO by Michael Schneider
(from Variety)
This series sounds great. And if they can pull it off, it will be.
Five Favorite Films with Alex Proyas by Jen Yamato
(from Rotten Tomatoes)
Not quite as good as Danny Boyle's from a few weeks back, but Proyas is a good filmmaker (Dark City is underrated and I, Robot isn't anything like as bad as some would have us believe) and his choices and interview are interesting.
Radio 4 ditches last remaining children's series by Ben Dowell
(from guardian.co.uk)
"Go4it [the cancelled series] sometimes registered zero listeners from its target four-to-14 age range, with an average of about 20,000 listeners in that age bracket tuning in. The average age of its 450,000 listeners was between 52 and 55." It's a shame really, but also, it must be said, quite funny.
Way Cooler Than Anything In Either Alien Vs. Predator Film... by Merrick
(from Ain't It Cool News)
Amusing indeed.
(from Digital Spy)
Not really news -- as long as there's been discussion of a 24 movie it's been mooted that London wold be the setting -- but the concept of Jack being able to traverse Europe within the timespan is quite a neat one. On the other hand, it's still not a concept that really works as a movie. You either do it as two hours of real time, which isn't "24", or do the producers' oft-discussed method, where one hour of the film covers 23 hours and the final hour is real time -- which is just an ordinary thriller with a clock pointing the timings out to you. But hey, we'll see -- they might not even make it yet.
David Chase cuts Ribbon at HBO by Michael Schneider
(from Variety)
This series sounds great. And if they can pull it off, it will be.
Five Favorite Films with Alex Proyas by Jen Yamato
(from Rotten Tomatoes)
Not quite as good as Danny Boyle's from a few weeks back, but Proyas is a good filmmaker (Dark City is underrated and I, Robot isn't anything like as bad as some would have us believe) and his choices and interview are interesting.
Radio 4 ditches last remaining children's series by Ben Dowell
(from guardian.co.uk)
"Go4it [the cancelled series] sometimes registered zero listeners from its target four-to-14 age range, with an average of about 20,000 listeners in that age bracket tuning in. The average age of its 450,000 listeners was between 52 and 55." It's a shame really, but also, it must be said, quite funny.
Way Cooler Than Anything In Either Alien Vs. Predator Film... by Merrick
(from Ain't It Cool News)
Amusing indeed.
Watchmen: Portraits
by Clay Enos
I only had a relatively fast look through this beautifully huge volume, but it was enough to garner the following thoughts:
The format, blurb and price give away the truth: this isn't really a Watchmen tie-in book, it's a book of photography -- portraiture, to be precise -- that happens to be about Watchmen. It's the visual-arts equivalent of poetry, where each unexplained image is designed to be perused slowly for its own beauty and its placement in relation to the other images, not rushed over in pursuit of an overall narrative. It is, if you will, an Art of the Film book taken to its furthest extreme.
However many times you've seen the film -- and, for some people, that's already a bizarrely large number -- there will still be far more faces here you don't recognise than those you do. For example, in amongst the previously faceless punks, prostitutes, protestors, prisoners, politicians and pedestrians there is only one shot of Nite Owl II and not even that many of Dan Dreiberg or a CGI Dr Manhattan.
This isn't about the film, it's about the people, and the art.
I only had a relatively fast look through this beautifully huge volume, but it was enough to garner the following thoughts:
The format, blurb and price give away the truth: this isn't really a Watchmen tie-in book, it's a book of photography -- portraiture, to be precise -- that happens to be about Watchmen. It's the visual-arts equivalent of poetry, where each unexplained image is designed to be perused slowly for its own beauty and its placement in relation to the other images, not rushed over in pursuit of an overall narrative. It is, if you will, an Art of the Film book taken to its furthest extreme.
However many times you've seen the film -- and, for some people, that's already a bizarrely large number -- there will still be far more faces here you don't recognise than those you do. For example, in amongst the previously faceless punks, prostitutes, protestors, prisoners, politicians and pedestrians there is only one shot of Nite Owl II and not even that many of Dan Dreiberg or a CGI Dr Manhattan.
This isn't about the film, it's about the people, and the art.
Made in Hong Kong (And in Various Other Places) by Nightwish
Nightwish's latest is a live CD (plus documentary DVD), including a variety of tracks from their most recent album as performed on their most recent tour. The selections are, shall we say, interesting -- as well as the singles (Bye Bye Beautiful, Amaranth) and centrepiece track (The Poet and the Pendulum) they offer up a couple of songs I can't even remember. In fact, a glance at my iTunes playcounts reveals I've only listened to them twice, as opposed to the decent double-figures of some tracks not included here. It's a shame, to say the least.
Arguably the most notable omission is Eva, which was the first single released featuring the group's new frontwoman, Anette Olzon. Talking of Olzon, while she was fine on the album she seems a bit weak live, leaving a few songs sounding decent but not as good as their studio counterparts. Those with male lead vocalists, or instrumental track Last of the Wilds, seem to transfer best.
The album is pushed up to 66-minute running time by the inclusion of some B-sides (and one new demo version). A nice inclusion for some, I'm sure, but in the days when individual tracks are easily acquired by digital download, any band/company which does this begins to seem a tad greedy, as fans will surely have got hold of these tracks already (I know I had). To be fair, it does no harm them being there if the alternative was blank space, but equally it could've been used for some more live cuts.
Arguably the most notable omission is Eva, which was the first single released featuring the group's new frontwoman, Anette Olzon. Talking of Olzon, while she was fine on the album she seems a bit weak live, leaving a few songs sounding decent but not as good as their studio counterparts. Those with male lead vocalists, or instrumental track Last of the Wilds, seem to transfer best.
The album is pushed up to 66-minute running time by the inclusion of some B-sides (and one new demo version). A nice inclusion for some, I'm sure, but in the days when individual tracks are easily acquired by digital download, any band/company which does this begins to seem a tad greedy, as fans will surely have got hold of these tracks already (I know I had). To be fair, it does no harm them being there if the alternative was blank space, but equally it could've been used for some more live cuts.
The Pope wants Africans to die of AIDS
Pope says condoms are not the solution to Aids - they make it worse by Richard Owen
(from Times Online)
Yeah, helpful.
(from Times Online)
The Pope courted further controversy on his first trip to Africa today by declaring that condoms were not a solution to the Aids epidemic – but were instead part of the problem.
Yeah, helpful.
Monday, 16 March 2009
TV
Horne & Corden
1x01 Episode 1
Varying degrees of funniness, just like most sketch shows. Not a failure then, but not yet a success. We shall see...
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Law & Order: UK
1x04 Unsafe
Nothing like as bad as the Radio Times try to make out. In fact, after expressing his support for this week's villain, I'm slightly concerned for the mental state of RT's review...
[Watch it (again) on ITV Player.]
1x01 Episode 1
Varying degrees of funniness, just like most sketch shows. Not a failure then, but not yet a success. We shall see...
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Law & Order: UK
1x04 Unsafe
Nothing like as bad as the Radio Times try to make out. In fact, after expressing his support for this week's villain, I'm slightly concerned for the mental state of RT's review...
[Watch it (again) on ITV Player.]
Articles
100 Things More Popular Than Twitter by Nicholas Carlson
(from Silicon Alley Insider at The Business Insider)
Twitter's received a huge spike in popularity of late. Here's a dose of reality, reminding us that it doesn't rule the world. Yet.
The Big Writing FAQ by James Moran
(from the pen is mightier than the spork)
James Moran -- writer of the movie Severance and episodes of Doctor Who, Torchwood, and other things -- gives advice on how to break into the industry and a bit about what being a writer is like. There are no magic solutions here, but there is truth.
Google Earth used by thief to pinpoint buildings with valuable lead roofs
(from Telegraph.co.uk)
Yes, it's crime; but it's funny crime.
K9 and Co by Dave Golder
(from SFX)
Oh no, poor K9 -- what have they done to you?
(from Silicon Alley Insider at The Business Insider)
Twitter's received a huge spike in popularity of late. Here's a dose of reality, reminding us that it doesn't rule the world. Yet.
The Big Writing FAQ by James Moran
(from the pen is mightier than the spork)
James Moran -- writer of the movie Severance and episodes of Doctor Who, Torchwood, and other things -- gives advice on how to break into the industry and a bit about what being a writer is like. There are no magic solutions here, but there is truth.
Google Earth used by thief to pinpoint buildings with valuable lead roofs
(from Telegraph.co.uk)
Yes, it's crime; but it's funny crime.
K9 and Co by Dave Golder
(from SFX)
Oh no, poor K9 -- what have they done to you?
Sunday, 15 March 2009
TV
The Graham Norton Show
5x01 (5/3/09 edition, uncut repeat)
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Yep, that's it for today.
5x01 (5/3/09 edition, uncut repeat)
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Yep, that's it for today.
1984 gets closer every day...
The New Book Banning
Children’s books burn, courtesy of the federal government...
It’s hard to believe, but true: under a law Congress passed last year aimed at regulating hazards in children’s products, the federal government has now advised that children’s books published before 1985 should not be considered safe and may in many cases be unlawful to sell or distribute.
It really is as shocking as that sounds. For the full story, look here.
Saturday, 14 March 2009
TV
Comic Relief: Funny For Money
There was some good stuff post-midnight. Not that I can really remember what happened when now...
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Let's Dance for Comic Relief
Episode 4 (of 4)
Webb won! It's only right.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Mad Men
2x03 The Benefactor
QI
6x11 Film (extended edition)
I got several right! This may be a first. Also, brilliance from Emma Thompson.
[Watch the standard edition on iPlayer.]
There was some good stuff post-midnight. Not that I can really remember what happened when now...
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Let's Dance for Comic Relief
Episode 4 (of 4)
Webb won! It's only right.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Mad Men
2x03 The Benefactor
QI
6x11 Film (extended edition)
I got several right! This may be a first. Also, brilliance from Emma Thompson.
[Watch the standard edition on iPlayer.]
Friday, 13 March 2009
TV
Comic Relief: Funny For Money
This being most of Red Nose Day 2009 (as it goes on after midnight, it'll be here again tomorrow).
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
This being most of Red Nose Day 2009 (as it goes on after midnight, it'll be here again tomorrow).
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Films
The Lunch Date (1990)
[#9a in 100 Films in a Year 2009]
Oscar-winning short film. It's brilliant.
Watchmen (2009)
[2nd watch]
Still love it.
[#9a in 100 Films in a Year 2009]
Oscar-winning short film. It's brilliant.
Watchmen (2009)
[2nd watch]
Still love it.
Poem of the Week: Ozymandias
aka On A Stupendous Leg of Granite, Discovered Standing by Itself in the Deserts of Egypt, with the Inscription Inserted Below
by Horace Smith
As detailed last Friday, I've had this poetic pair lined up since November to tie in with the cinema release of Watchmen. It was great, wasn't it? What do you mean you've not seen it yet?
Anyway, here's the second of the pair:
Again as explained before, this was written in 1817 (published sometime in early 1818) as part of a writing competition with Smith's friend, Percy Bysshe Shelley. Shelley's poem is well-remembered and quoted; Smith's is now mainly known as a footnote. Poor guy.
Next week, no more tenuously-linked-to-new-releases poetry. Promise. (It's explicitly linked instead.)
by Horace Smith
As detailed last Friday, I've had this poetic pair lined up since November to tie in with the cinema release of Watchmen. It was great, wasn't it? What do you mean you've not seen it yet?
Anyway, here's the second of the pair:
In Egypt's sandy silence, all alone,
Stands a gigantic Leg, which far off throws
The only shadow that the Desert knows --
"I am great OZYMANDIAS," saith the stone,
"The King of Kings; this mighty City shows
"The wonders of my hand."-- The City's gone,--
Nought but the Leg remaining to disclose
The site of this forgotten Babylon.
We wonder,-- and some Hunter may express
Wonder like ours, when thro' the wilderness
Where London stood, holding the Wolf in chace,
He meets some fragment huge, and stops to guess
What powerful but unrecorded race
Once dwelt in that annihilated place.
Again as explained before, this was written in 1817 (published sometime in early 1818) as part of a writing competition with Smith's friend, Percy Bysshe Shelley. Shelley's poem is well-remembered and quoted; Smith's is now mainly known as a footnote. Poor guy.
Next week, no more tenuously-linked-to-new-releases poetry. Promise. (It's explicitly linked instead.)
Thursday, 12 March 2009
TV
Comic Relief Does the Apprentice
Well, I wanted a Swap Belt. And how horrid was Patsy Palmer? She came across incredibly badly, walking out on a charity event because she felt personally insulted and all but saying to someone, "who are you to talk to me like that? I'm famous and you're nobody" (the first half she did say). Bitchy, selfish and egotistical.
Tune in to tomorrow's concluding few minutes (shown during the main Comic Relief event) to see who gets fired. Not that it matters one jot.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Kilimanjaro: The Big Red Nose Climb
An impressive feat, and they've done very well for charity. Only half watched because, if I'm honest, I don't care that much about any of the people who took part. Though there was a funny bit with Gary Barlow and Chris Moyles almost-discussing Take That songs (Moyles actually being funny?! I was shocked too).
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Well, I wanted a Swap Belt. And how horrid was Patsy Palmer? She came across incredibly badly, walking out on a charity event because she felt personally insulted and all but saying to someone, "who are you to talk to me like that? I'm famous and you're nobody" (the first half she did say). Bitchy, selfish and egotistical.
Tune in to tomorrow's concluding few minutes (shown during the main Comic Relief event) to see who gets fired. Not that it matters one jot.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Kilimanjaro: The Big Red Nose Climb
An impressive feat, and they've done very well for charity. Only half watched because, if I'm honest, I don't care that much about any of the people who took part. Though there was a funny bit with Gary Barlow and Chris Moyles almost-discussing Take That songs (Moyles actually being funny?! I was shocked too).
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Websites
Jon Hamm (from Mad Men) stars as Lex Luthor in this recession-based spoof. Apparently it's web-exclusive, which surely makes getting a TV star quite impressive.
It's not actually that funny (well, maybe it is to Superman fans...), but is notable for the above reason.
It's not actually that funny (well, maybe it is to Superman fans...), but is notable for the above reason.
"Lex Luthor Bailout" with Jon Hamm - watch more funny videos
Hunt for the Special Red Dwarf SFX Covers
To celebrate the long-awaited return of Red Dwarf to satellite channel Dave, SFX has hidden 50 highly collectable Red Dwarf editions amongst copies on the newsstand.
Alongside the regular Doctor Who cover for SFX’s April issue, fans of Red Dwarf and SFX readers are in with a chance of finding one of 50 copies with a Red Dwarf cover.
For the full story -- including how this is related to the specials themselves -- look here.
Chances of actually finding one? Very, very slim. Though if you live in London I'd bet they're massively higher.
Tuesday's updates
As well as Wednesday's updates going up on time, Tuesday's are now online too. They include...
TV - Lark Rise and orangutans.
Non-Fiction - more about poetry.
Articles - including fantastic Watchmen LEGO!
Wednesday, 11 March 2009
TV
Damages
2x04 Hey! Mr Pibb
Purcell is switching sides more often than a tennis ball! Some potentially huge logic holes in this week's episode, but with nine still to go there's plenty of time for those to be filled.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Mad Men
2x02 Flight 1
Some answers already. The key word being "some".
2x04 Hey! Mr Pibb
Purcell is switching sides more often than a tennis ball! Some potentially huge logic holes in this week's episode, but with nine still to go there's plenty of time for those to be filled.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Mad Men
2x02 Flight 1
Some answers already. The key word being "some".
Articles: Watchmen
Once again, there's only one topic in today's articles -- Watchmen, of course. Today's lot are primarily aimed at fans of the book...
Easter Eggs (And Missing Parts) In Watchmen's Titles by Meredith Woerner
(from io9)
Any chance to admire the amazing title sequence is a good one. There's also mention of some tableaus that had to be cut -- fingers crossed the turn up in the Director's Cut!
Watchmen Director Explains His Favorite Additions & Subtractions From The Comic Book by Rick Marshall
(from MTV Splash Page)
To be honest, some of these changes and omissions I hadn't even noticed!
What If Stan Lee Wrote The Watchmen Comic Books? by Brian Warmoth
(from MTV Splash Page)
A funny idea, but rather reliant on a familiarity with Stan Lee's writing style -- something I don't have, unfortunately.
And don't forget screenwriter David Hayter's open letter to fans, which you can read here.
Easter Eggs (And Missing Parts) In Watchmen's Titles by Meredith Woerner
(from io9)
Any chance to admire the amazing title sequence is a good one. There's also mention of some tableaus that had to be cut -- fingers crossed the turn up in the Director's Cut!
Watchmen Director Explains His Favorite Additions & Subtractions From The Comic Book by Rick Marshall
(from MTV Splash Page)
To be honest, some of these changes and omissions I hadn't even noticed!
What If Stan Lee Wrote The Watchmen Comic Books? by Brian Warmoth
(from MTV Splash Page)
A funny idea, but rather reliant on a familiarity with Stan Lee's writing style -- something I don't have, unfortunately.
And don't forget screenwriter David Hayter's open letter to fans, which you can read here.
An Open Letter From Watchmen Screenwriter David Hayter
You may well have seen this around the web already (most sites seem to have reported on it; the original is here), but it's a well-written piece with an interesting -- and, potentially, important -- message to convey. Go on, give it a read:
Personally, I was always going to see Watchmen again on the big screen at some point, though I probably would've gone the middle of next week before I read this. Now, Friday afternoon is looking good again...
[In the unlikely event you don't get any/all of Hayter's references, I'll be fully linking this up later.]
AN OPEN LETTER FROM A WATCHMEN SCREENWRITER
So it has been five months since I saw my first rough cut of Watchmen, and eight days since the premiere of the film I've been working on since late in the year 2000.
The reviews are out -- Some outstanding, others rankly dismissive, which can be frustrating for the people involved, (though I can only speak for myself,) because I firmly believe that Watchmen, the novel, must be read through more than once to even have the faintest grip on it. And I believe the film is the same.
I've seen it twice now, and despite having run the movie in my head thousands of times, my two viewings still don’t' allow me to view the film with the proper distance or objectivity. Is it Apocalypse Now? Is it Blade Runner? Is it Kubrick, or Starship Troopers? I don’t know yet.
All I know is that I had a pretty amazing experience the two times I've seen it. And both viewings produced remarkably different experiences. The point is, I have listened for years, to complaints from true comic book fans, that "not enough movies take the source material seriously." "Too many movies puss out," or "They change great stories, just to be commercial." Well, I f***ing dare you to say any one of those things about this movie.
This is a movie made by fans, for fans. Hundreds of people put in years of their lives to make this movie happen, and every one of them was insanely committed to retaining the integrity of this amazing, epic tale. This is a rare success story, bordering on the impossible, and every studio in town is watching to see if it will work. Hell, most of them own a piece of the movie.
So look, this is a note to the fanboys and fangirls. The true believers. Dedicated for life.
If the film made you think. Or argue with your friends. If it inspired a debate about the nature of man, or vigilante justice, or the horror of Nixon abolishing term limits. If you laughed at Bowie hanging with Adrian at Studio 54, or the Silhouette kissing that nurse.
Please go see the movie again next weekend.
You have to understand, everyone is watching to see how the film will do in its second week. If you care about movies that have a brain, or balls, (and this film's got both, literally), or true adaptations -- And if you're thinking of seeing it again anyway, please go back this weekend, Friday or Saturday night. Demonstrate the power of the fans, because it'll help let the people who pay for these movies know what we'd like to see. Because if it drops off the radar after the first weekend, they will never allow a film like this to be made again.
In the interests of full disclosure, let me also point out that I do not profit one cent from an increase in box office, although an increase in box office can add to the value of the writers' eventual residual profits from dvd and tv sales.
But I'm not saying it for money. I'm saying it for people like me. I'm saying it for people who love smart, dark entertainment, on a grand, operatic scale. I'm talking to the Snake fans, the Rorschach fans, the people of the Dark Knight.
And hey, if you hated the film, if you think we committed atrocities, or literary mistakes of a massive, cephalopodic nature. If the movie made you a little sick to your stomach, or made you feel bad about your life. If you hated it for whatever reason, that's cool too. I'm not suggesting you risk gastro-intestinal distress just for the sake of risky filmmaking.
But if you haven't seen it yet? Well, I'll just say this...
It may upset you. And it probably will upset you.
And all along, we really meant it to.
Because face it. All this time...You there, with the Smiley-face pin. Admit it.
All this time, you’ve been waiting for a director who was going to hit you in the face with this story. To just crack you in the jaw, and then bend you over the pool table with this story. With its utterly raw view of the darkest sides of human nature, expressed through its masks of action and beauty and twisted good intentions. Like a fry-basket full of hot grease in the face. Like the Comedian on the Grassy Knoll. I know, I know...
You say you don't like it. You say you've got issues. I get it.
And yet... You'll be thinking about this film, down the road. It'll nag at you. How it was rough and beautiful. How it went where it wanted to go, and you just hung on. How it was thoughtful and hateful and bleak and hilarious. And for Jackie Earle Haley.
Trust me. You'll come back, eventually. Just like Sally.
Might as well make it count for something.
Personally, I was always going to see Watchmen again on the big screen at some point, though I probably would've gone the middle of next week before I read this. Now, Friday afternoon is looking good again...
[In the unlikely event you don't get any/all of Hayter's references, I'll be fully linking this up later.]
Delay
The usual variety of updates will appear for Tuesday, but unfortunately I'm too busy to sort them this evening.
Expect them tomorrow, then, though they will still be dated for Tuesday night.
Expect them tomorrow, then, though they will still be dated for Tuesday night.
Tuesday, 10 March 2009
TV
Lark Rise to Candleford
2x09 Episode 9
By turns hilarious for good reasons (Minnie!) and hilarious for bad reasons (the sickening sentiment, such as when the two villages make up).
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Orangutan Diary
2x02 Episode 2 [2nd half]
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
2x09 Episode 9
By turns hilarious for good reasons (Minnie!) and hilarious for bad reasons (the sickening sentiment, such as when the two villages make up).
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Orangutan Diary
2x02 Episode 2 [2nd half]
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Non-Fiction
101 Sonnets edited by Don Paterson
Introduction
The Ode Less Travelled by Stephen Fry
Chapter Three: II-X (selections from)
Having to jump ahead, I'm afraid, in order to find bits relevant to the essay I was writing. Will resume normal service shortly.
Introduction
The Ode Less Travelled by Stephen Fry
Chapter Three: II-X (selections from)
Having to jump ahead, I'm afraid, in order to find bits relevant to the essay I was writing. Will resume normal service shortly.
Articles
7 Films That Must Be Saved From Development Hell by James White
(from Total Film)
I'm not convinced they all deserving saving, but some sound crackin'.
6 Unforgettable Opening Credits Sequences by James White
(from Total Film)
Several good choices, several key omissions.
Alex Proyas Describes How He Would Treat Dark City Sequel by Brian Warmoth
(from MTV Movies Blog)
Dark City is amazing and massively underrated. Consequently, a sequel would be amazing.
Eurovision bans Georgia's anti-Putin song by Leigh Holmwood
(from guardian.co.uk)
Shame.
LEGO Watchmen minifigs by Sir Nadroj by Andrew
(from The Brothers Brick)
I wish these were real. I want them.
Times fails to overturn 'internet publication rule' in court case by Afua Hirsch
(from guardian.co.uk)
Bloody Europe, meddling to ill effect again.
(from Total Film)
I'm not convinced they all deserving saving, but some sound crackin'.
6 Unforgettable Opening Credits Sequences by James White
(from Total Film)
Several good choices, several key omissions.
Alex Proyas Describes How He Would Treat Dark City Sequel by Brian Warmoth
(from MTV Movies Blog)
Dark City is amazing and massively underrated. Consequently, a sequel would be amazing.
Eurovision bans Georgia's anti-Putin song by Leigh Holmwood
(from guardian.co.uk)
Shame.
LEGO Watchmen minifigs by Sir Nadroj by Andrew
(from The Brothers Brick)
I wish these were real. I want them.
Times fails to overturn 'internet publication rule' in court case by Afua Hirsch
(from guardian.co.uk)
Bloody Europe, meddling to ill effect again.
Monday, 9 March 2009
TV
Law & Order: UK
1x03 Vice
A rather good episode, though it's somewhat worrying how 'rape victims' in dramas are almost always faking it. I'm sure it seems like a good twist to the writers, but it does little to support real life rape cases (in which it is already near impossible to earn a conviction).
[Watch it (again) on ITV Player.]
Orangutan Diary
2x02 Episode 2 [1st half]
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
1x03 Vice
A rather good episode, though it's somewhat worrying how 'rape victims' in dramas are almost always faking it. I'm sure it seems like a good twist to the writers, but it does little to support real life rape cases (in which it is already near impossible to earn a conviction).
[Watch it (again) on ITV Player.]
Orangutan Diary
2x02 Episode 2 [1st half]
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Fiction
The Melancholy Death of Oyster Boy & Other Stories by Tim Burton
This falls into Poetry as much as Fiction: its a selection of narrative poems by film director Tim Burton, of varying length and able to be slotted into the nonsense tradition. All are written poetically, though one would describe his observance of form as lax at best -- even when he seems to be fitting a loose style, he frequently breaks it. While that's theoretically fine, most of the pieces read very rhythmically; some of his breaks actually support the rhythm, others shatter it.
My personal favourite was Anchor Baby -- it has a couple of serious flaws, but is otherwise brilliant. Stain Boy was also good. The titular tale is possibly the darkest of the lot, belying (as many do) the child-like nursery-rhyme style of the Burton's verse. But then, most of the best children's tales are, in their original form, surprisingly dark.
Perhaps the biggest flaw is Burton's tendency to repeat himself; not just with plots (they almost exclusively concern children who are born with some bizarre deformity and so remain outsiders -- working through his own childhood, perhaps?) but concepts. For example, there are two pieces about people afflicted by being pin cushions. Others are brief to the point of pointlessness, the prime offender being Jimmy, the Hideous Penguin Boy.
The whole text can be read online for free here. I have no idea if this is a legal copy or not.
This falls into Poetry as much as Fiction: its a selection of narrative poems by film director Tim Burton, of varying length and able to be slotted into the nonsense tradition. All are written poetically, though one would describe his observance of form as lax at best -- even when he seems to be fitting a loose style, he frequently breaks it. While that's theoretically fine, most of the pieces read very rhythmically; some of his breaks actually support the rhythm, others shatter it.
My personal favourite was Anchor Baby -- it has a couple of serious flaws, but is otherwise brilliant. Stain Boy was also good. The titular tale is possibly the darkest of the lot, belying (as many do) the child-like nursery-rhyme style of the Burton's verse. But then, most of the best children's tales are, in their original form, surprisingly dark.
Perhaps the biggest flaw is Burton's tendency to repeat himself; not just with plots (they almost exclusively concern children who are born with some bizarre deformity and so remain outsiders -- working through his own childhood, perhaps?) but concepts. For example, there are two pieces about people afflicted by being pin cushions. Others are brief to the point of pointlessness, the prime offender being Jimmy, the Hideous Penguin Boy.
The whole text can be read online for free here. I have no idea if this is a legal copy or not.
Non-Fiction
The Making of a Poem by Mark Strand & Eavan Boland
The Sonnet (p.55-58)
Blank Verse (p.101-112)
The Heroic Couplet (p.121-134)
IV: Open Forms - Overview (p.259-260)
Another selection of randomised tidbits from this mighty tome. Theoretically in the name of essay writing, but it's actually very interesting -- brief enough to not be boring (unlike its introductions!), but detailed enough to be informative. Also simply explains the rules of writing various poetic forms, which is extremely handy.
The Sonnet (p.55-58)
Blank Verse (p.101-112)
The Heroic Couplet (p.121-134)
IV: Open Forms - Overview (p.259-260)
Another selection of randomised tidbits from this mighty tome. Theoretically in the name of essay writing, but it's actually very interesting -- brief enough to not be boring (unlike its introductions!), but detailed enough to be informative. Also simply explains the rules of writing various poetic forms, which is extremely handy.
Articles
3D TV by Christmas, hints Sky by James Sherwood
(from Register Hardware)
Seriously.
Watchmen Inspired Cocktails
(from Isotope)
Watchmen Takes Top Spot At US Box Office by Chris Hewitt
(from Empire)
I know I reported on this yesterday, but here a few interesting comments:
"Critics of the movie have suggested that the figure [$55.7 million] is something of a disappointment, pointing out that it’s significantly less than the $70 million 300 opened to in the same spot two years ago. But let’s put it all in a little perspective... Although 300 was, like Watchmen, based on a cult comic book, it benefited from a strong marketing campaign which contained an already iconic catchphrase... and a clear delineation of the film’s unique visual style and simple plot: 300 guys versus the world.
"Watchmen’s marketing, although bold and effective, had a harder job of conveying the intricacies of a convoluted plot and multiple characters to an audience that, for the most part, wouldn’t have heard of the source material... Despite that, and despite reviews which ranged from wildly positive to dismissive... it’s the second-highest opening of all time for a DC property, ahead of Batman Begins, Superman Returns and Swamp Thing."
Beating films of that size (if we ignore Swamp Thing, anyway) is certainly nothing to be sniffed at. It's also the biggest opening of 2009 so far and was the top film internationally this weekend ($27.5 million).
(from Register Hardware)
Seriously.
Watchmen Inspired Cocktails
(from Isotope)
Watchmen Takes Top Spot At US Box Office by Chris Hewitt
(from Empire)
I know I reported on this yesterday, but here a few interesting comments:
"Critics of the movie have suggested that the figure [$55.7 million] is something of a disappointment, pointing out that it’s significantly less than the $70 million 300 opened to in the same spot two years ago. But let’s put it all in a little perspective... Although 300 was, like Watchmen, based on a cult comic book, it benefited from a strong marketing campaign which contained an already iconic catchphrase... and a clear delineation of the film’s unique visual style and simple plot: 300 guys versus the world.
"Watchmen’s marketing, although bold and effective, had a harder job of conveying the intricacies of a convoluted plot and multiple characters to an audience that, for the most part, wouldn’t have heard of the source material... Despite that, and despite reviews which ranged from wildly positive to dismissive... it’s the second-highest opening of all time for a DC property, ahead of Batman Begins, Superman Returns and Swamp Thing."
Beating films of that size (if we ignore Swamp Thing, anyway) is certainly nothing to be sniffed at. It's also the biggest opening of 2009 so far and was the top film internationally this weekend ($27.5 million).
Art
TR Non-Review Review: Watchmen
There's a review-ish thing of the film here, but the art's the thing -- in the style of classic, noir-ish movie posters. Sumptuous.
There's a review-ish thing of the film here, but the art's the thing -- in the style of classic, noir-ish movie posters. Sumptuous.
Sunday, 8 March 2009
TV
Mad Men
2x01 For Those Who Think Young
Mad Men's return does its best to be as confusing as can be. Clearly a long time has passed, but this is barely even referenced; in fact, it's only thanks to having read a couple of preview articles that I know the time difference is something like 18 months to 2 years. All part of the fun, I guess -- it's certainly a different way of doing a time leap, when most shows (for example, 24) spend their whole premiere episode at pains to inform you of what's occurred in between.
2x01 For Those Who Think Young
Mad Men's return does its best to be as confusing as can be. Clearly a long time has passed, but this is barely even referenced; in fact, it's only thanks to having read a couple of preview articles that I know the time difference is something like 18 months to 2 years. All part of the fun, I guess -- it's certainly a different way of doing a time leap, when most shows (for example, 24) spend their whole premiere episode at pains to inform you of what's occurred in between.
Non-Fiction
The Making of a Poem by Mark Strand & Eavan Boland
Introductory Statement
On Becoming a Poet by Mark Strand (p.xvii-xx)
I: Verse Forms - Overview (p.1-4)
The Villanelle (p.5-20)
The Ballad (p.73-98)
My reading of "On Becoming a Poet" was cut short because, quite frankly, I got bored. This isn't wholly the article's fault -- as mentioned previously, I'm struggling to get enough work done to finish (and, to be honest, start) an essay, which makes everything feel twice as long and ten times as frustrating -- but I'm not certain it's wholly my fault either... Certainly, I skipped the rest of the introductions (there are three in all, including the one-and-a-half I read) and jumped to more relevant sections.
Have discovered I find it very natural to write ballads -- at last, a form to latch on to for the rest of my work!
Introductory Statement
On Becoming a Poet by Mark Strand (p.xvii-xx)
I: Verse Forms - Overview (p.1-4)
The Villanelle (p.5-20)
The Ballad (p.73-98)
My reading of "On Becoming a Poet" was cut short because, quite frankly, I got bored. This isn't wholly the article's fault -- as mentioned previously, I'm struggling to get enough work done to finish (and, to be honest, start) an essay, which makes everything feel twice as long and ten times as frustrating -- but I'm not certain it's wholly my fault either... Certainly, I skipped the rest of the introductions (there are three in all, including the one-and-a-half I read) and jumped to more relevant sections.
Have discovered I find it very natural to write ballads -- at last, a form to latch on to for the rest of my work!
Articles
Billion Dollar Batman by Brandon Gray
(from Box Office Mojo)
Shame it took so long to get there, as I completely missed this story (it's over two weeks old). Dark Knight is still playing at some sites in the US (and round the world, I presume) so its final tally may even go up a teeny bit more yet, though it seems Warner Bros have stopped counting.
Doctor Who - Skins Actress For New Companion? by Cameron K McEwan
(from Den of Geek!)
It's only from Den of Geek -- and via News of the World at that! -- so don't take it too seriously, but there are worse people they could pick.
Kindle 2 Review: Sheeeyah, More Like Kindle 1.5 by Wilson Rothman
(from Gizmodo)
Amazon have updated the Kindle... not that it matters to us Brits, as they still haven't bothered to bring it over here.
Meanwhile, at the US box office...
Watchmen Busts Out on Opening Day by Brandon Gray
(from Box Office Mojo)
"Watchmen pulled in an estimated $25.1 million... including an estimated $4.55 million from its first midnight shows. That ranks as the eighth-highest grossing opening day for a superhero movie and 32nd among all movies... Among R-rated movies, Watchmen's opening day was fifth behind The Matrix Reloaded, 300, Sex and the City and The Passion of the Christ. 300... holds the overall March record for opening weekend ($70.9 million)."
How will Watchmen have fared over the weekend as a whole? [Well, look below to see! I wrote this last night. But I'll include it for posterity...] Fairly well, I expect; possibly even better than the opening day would suggest, as I wouldn't be surprised if some were put off a Friday-evening showing by the epic running time and will instead have caught it on Saturday or Sunday. Plus, it seems to me that word-of-mouth reaction has been better than the majority of widely-seen reviews, so perhaps it will gain a slightly delayed audience from that. Of course, while it may not be a record-breaker, it's still done rather well!
Weekend Report: Watchmen Rages in the Top Spot by Brandon Gray
(from Box Office Mojo)
"Watchmen clocked in with a vibrant estimated $55.7 million... handily topping a weekend where overall business was up around ten percent over last year but a relative cool down compared to 2009's prior blistering pace. [It] notched the 12th highest-grossing opening weekend for a comic book movie... With the biggest theater count ever for an R-rated movie, Watchmen had the sixth-highest grossing R-rated start... Among Alan Moore adaptations, it doubled the openings of V for Vendetta and The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen."
For even more statisticy information, check out the full article.
(from Box Office Mojo)
Shame it took so long to get there, as I completely missed this story (it's over two weeks old). Dark Knight is still playing at some sites in the US (and round the world, I presume) so its final tally may even go up a teeny bit more yet, though it seems Warner Bros have stopped counting.
Doctor Who - Skins Actress For New Companion? by Cameron K McEwan
(from Den of Geek!)
It's only from Den of Geek -- and via News of the World at that! -- so don't take it too seriously, but there are worse people they could pick.
Kindle 2 Review: Sheeeyah, More Like Kindle 1.5 by Wilson Rothman
(from Gizmodo)
Amazon have updated the Kindle... not that it matters to us Brits, as they still haven't bothered to bring it over here.
Meanwhile, at the US box office...
Watchmen Busts Out on Opening Day by Brandon Gray
(from Box Office Mojo)
"Watchmen pulled in an estimated $25.1 million... including an estimated $4.55 million from its first midnight shows. That ranks as the eighth-highest grossing opening day for a superhero movie and 32nd among all movies... Among R-rated movies, Watchmen's opening day was fifth behind The Matrix Reloaded, 300, Sex and the City and The Passion of the Christ. 300... holds the overall March record for opening weekend ($70.9 million)."
How will Watchmen have fared over the weekend as a whole? [Well, look below to see! I wrote this last night. But I'll include it for posterity...] Fairly well, I expect; possibly even better than the opening day would suggest, as I wouldn't be surprised if some were put off a Friday-evening showing by the epic running time and will instead have caught it on Saturday or Sunday. Plus, it seems to me that word-of-mouth reaction has been better than the majority of widely-seen reviews, so perhaps it will gain a slightly delayed audience from that. Of course, while it may not be a record-breaker, it's still done rather well!
Weekend Report: Watchmen Rages in the Top Spot by Brandon Gray
(from Box Office Mojo)
"Watchmen clocked in with a vibrant estimated $55.7 million... handily topping a weekend where overall business was up around ten percent over last year but a relative cool down compared to 2009's prior blistering pace. [It] notched the 12th highest-grossing opening weekend for a comic book movie... With the biggest theater count ever for an R-rated movie, Watchmen had the sixth-highest grossing R-rated start... Among Alan Moore adaptations, it doubled the openings of V for Vendetta and The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen."
For even more statisticy information, check out the full article.
Saturday Morning Watchmen
Can't believe I neglected to post this a day or two ago! Watch and enjoy...
Saturday, 7 March 2009
TV
Damages
2x03 I Knew Your Pig
Flashbacks too! Yay! Still not hitting season one's heights, but it's early days yet. Incidentally, for those who haven't noticed, the episode titles are always drawn from a line of dialogue within the episode. They do like to pick odd and obscure ones, it seems.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Let's Dance for Comic Relief
Episode 3 (of 4)
Dances not as funny as the previous two weeks, sadly, but some surprisingly good. Next time, the final! Still want Robert Webb to win.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
2x03 I Knew Your Pig
Flashbacks too! Yay! Still not hitting season one's heights, but it's early days yet. Incidentally, for those who haven't noticed, the episode titles are always drawn from a line of dialogue within the episode. They do like to pick odd and obscure ones, it seems.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Let's Dance for Comic Relief
Episode 3 (of 4)
Dances not as funny as the previous two weeks, sadly, but some surprisingly good. Next time, the final! Still want Robert Webb to win.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Non-Fiction
The Ode Less Travelled by Stephen Fry
Chapter One: II (p.33-54)
Still not getting through it fast enough, considering when my self-reflexive essay is due on my poetry module. At the same time, struggling to do any worthwhile work from it (not the fault of the book, I hasten to add). Still, my failure might give me something to write about in that essay.
Chapter One: II (p.33-54)
Still not getting through it fast enough, considering when my self-reflexive essay is due on my poetry module. At the same time, struggling to do any worthwhile work from it (not the fault of the book, I hasten to add). Still, my failure might give me something to write about in that essay.
Articles: Watchmen
Once again, they're all about one film...
6 Really Bad Watchmen Sequel Ideas by James White
(from Total Film)
Deliberately humourous (hence the "really bad"), but not all that funny (hence the "really bad"?) Contains major spoilers right from the start.
Watchmen cupcakes
(from Cupcakes Take the Cake)
Aww! I want.
What if Woody Allen Had Directed Watchmen? by Dan Kois & Ashley Quigg
(from Slate)
Also imagines it as done by Judd Apatow, Tyler Perry, Sofia Coppola, Pedro Almodovar and Quentin Tarantino. With the exception of the Tarantino bit, which presents a slightly sideways look at things and therefore is quite clever, this is like Total Film's article: not as funny as you'd hope.
6 Really Bad Watchmen Sequel Ideas by James White
(from Total Film)
Deliberately humourous (hence the "really bad"), but not all that funny (hence the "really bad"?) Contains major spoilers right from the start.
Watchmen cupcakes
(from Cupcakes Take the Cake)
Aww! I want.
What if Woody Allen Had Directed Watchmen? by Dan Kois & Ashley Quigg
(from Slate)
Also imagines it as done by Judd Apatow, Tyler Perry, Sofia Coppola, Pedro Almodovar and Quentin Tarantino. With the exception of the Tarantino bit, which presents a slightly sideways look at things and therefore is quite clever, this is like Total Film's article: not as funny as you'd hope.
Watchmen 2: a couple of suggestions
Recently posted at 100 Films...
Head here to read the full piece and all 12 suggestions.
After finding Total Film's humourous suggestions for a Watchmen sequel a little lacking in the funniness department, I thought I'd jot down a few myself. It doesn't mean they're actually any better, obviously, but it kept me amused for a few minutes.
Betcha can'tspot all the references...
The Watchmen Strike Back
In which the Watchmen form a rebel alliance to fight crime and try to repeal the Keene Act! Sounds depressingly plausible...
Head here to read the full piece and all 12 suggestions.
Friday, 6 March 2009
TV
Moving Wallpaper
2x02 Episode 2
Not the best episode, which does raise the question: with show-within-show Renaissance already shooting, what are the behind-the-scenes team going to do for most of the series? It's still funny, though only sporadically. I hope it gets another recommission, but Must Try Harder if it's going to.
[Watch it (again) on ITV Player.]
Not Going Out
3x06 Speech
Simple pleasures.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Orangutan Diary
2x01 Episode 1
Since the advent of iPlayer, the BBC's website has really gone downhill -- series that previously had dedicated sites now just have pages with iPlayer-esque links, like this one for Orangutan Diary. Series 1 had a proper site! (Archive here.)
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
2x02 Episode 2
Not the best episode, which does raise the question: with show-within-show Renaissance already shooting, what are the behind-the-scenes team going to do for most of the series? It's still funny, though only sporadically. I hope it gets another recommission, but Must Try Harder if it's going to.
[Watch it (again) on ITV Player.]
Not Going Out
3x06 Speech
Simple pleasures.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Orangutan Diary
2x01 Episode 1
Since the advent of iPlayer, the BBC's website has really gone downhill -- series that previously had dedicated sites now just have pages with iPlayer-esque links, like this one for Orangutan Diary. Series 1 had a proper site! (Archive here.)
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Films
Watchmen (2009)
[#9 in 100 Films in a Year 2009]
Watchmen is turning out to be a real "love it or hate it" film, with both critics and audiences. Depending on what day you're looking on and what site you're looking at, you're likely to be left thinking it's either utterly brilliant or utterly dreadful. Incidentally, this isn't a "fans love it / non-fans hate it" split either -- it seems to afflict both sides equally. So the truth, as I say, is that it more or less divides people.
Personally, I found a few flaws with it; but, as Danny Boyle recently said (about a different film), "it's imperfect; which every film should be". Yep, I'm firmly in the "loved it" camp.
[#9 in 100 Films in a Year 2009]
Watchmen is turning out to be a real "love it or hate it" film, with both critics and audiences. Depending on what day you're looking on and what site you're looking at, you're likely to be left thinking it's either utterly brilliant or utterly dreadful. Incidentally, this isn't a "fans love it / non-fans hate it" split either -- it seems to afflict both sides equally. So the truth, as I say, is that it more or less divides people.
Personally, I found a few flaws with it; but, as Danny Boyle recently said (about a different film), "it's imperfect; which every film should be". Yep, I'm firmly in the "loved it" camp.
Watchmen in Top 250
Poem of the Week: Ozymandias
by Percy Bysshe Shelley
You know, I've had this poem lined up since November -- that's almost four months ago. Why so long? Well, that's when I found it, and realised it would be a good enough choice for today -- Watchmen Day. It's not necessarily got a great deal to do with said comic adaptation, but that does have a major character called Ozymandias, and some of the poem's imagery is appropriate...
It was written in December 1817 (published January 1818) as part of a writing competition with Shelley's friend, Horace Smith. So guess what I'll be publishing on Monday...
You know, I've had this poem lined up since November -- that's almost four months ago. Why so long? Well, that's when I found it, and realised it would be a good enough choice for today -- Watchmen Day. It's not necessarily got a great deal to do with said comic adaptation, but that does have a major character called Ozymandias, and some of the poem's imagery is appropriate...
I met a traveller from an antique land
Who said:-- "Two vast and trunkless legs of stone
Stand in the desert. Near them, on the sand,
Half sunk, a shatter'd visage lies, whose frown
And wrinkled lip and sneer of cold command
Tell that its sculptor well those passions read
Which yet survive, stamp'd on these lifeless things,
The hand that mock'd them and the heart that fed.
And on the pedestal these words appear:
"My name is Ozymandias, king of kings:
Look on my works, ye mighty, and despair!"
Nothing beside remains: round the decay
Of that colossal Wreck, boundless and bare,
The lone and level sands stretch far away.
It was written in December 1817 (published January 1818) as part of a writing competition with Shelley's friend, Horace Smith. So guess what I'll be publishing on Monday...
Twitter & feed
Two new ways for you to follow My Cultural Experience, as well as the good ol' fashioned way (i.e. through the site).
Twitter, the increasingly popular social networking (of sorts) site.
a FeedBurner feed, which I believe is something to do with RSS feeds, but I've never understood those...
I also intend to set it up so that 100 Films is fed to @MyCulturalExp -- that's my next task, in fact.
And that's it, dear readers. I hope these new sources are of use to someone...
I also intend to set it up so that 100 Films is fed to @MyCulturalExp -- that's my next task, in fact.
And that's it, dear readers. I hope these new sources are of use to someone...
Thursday, 5 March 2009
TV
Friday Night With Jonathan Ross
16x06 (27/2/09 edition)
Clive Owen: cool, if stand-offish.
Emily Blunt: loved by men, hated by women (so I'm told).
David Attenborough: knight of the realm.
U2: bland.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
16x06 (27/2/09 edition)
Clive Owen: cool, if stand-offish.
Emily Blunt: loved by men, hated by women (so I'm told).
David Attenborough: knight of the realm.
U2: bland.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Articles: Watchmen
Because they're all about a little forthcoming (well, arrived now, I suppose!) film again...
100ft Dr. Manhattan and the Comedians Badge arrive in London - Amazing Water Projection
(from Live For Films)
As mentioned yesterday, now with pictures and video. It's... well...
Review of Watchmen by Roger Ebert
(from rogerebert.com)
Yep, yet another review. But this is from Roger Ebert, one of the world's most respected film critics, so it's worth paying attention to. And he loves it!
Review of Watchmen by Dave Foster
(from DVD Times)
Another good review. Super. Only 11 hours 'til it finally opens in my area (damn those at midnight screenings as I post this!)
Snyder Rules Out Watchmen Sequel
(from WENN)
But the cast are contractually obligated... Hopefully it's a standard blockbuster contract, not a statement of intent.
100ft Dr. Manhattan and the Comedians Badge arrive in London - Amazing Water Projection
(from Live For Films)
As mentioned yesterday, now with pictures and video. It's... well...
Review of Watchmen by Roger Ebert
(from rogerebert.com)
Yep, yet another review. But this is from Roger Ebert, one of the world's most respected film critics, so it's worth paying attention to. And he loves it!
Review of Watchmen by Dave Foster
(from DVD Times)
Another good review. Super. Only 11 hours 'til it finally opens in my area (damn those at midnight screenings as I post this!)
Snyder Rules Out Watchmen Sequel
(from WENN)
But the cast are contractually obligated... Hopefully it's a standard blockbuster contract, not a statement of intent.
Technology
Spent most of today battling to fix my iMac (late 2006 model, according to Apple's help pages).
It seems to be well & truly screwed though -- something wrong with the hard disk, basically amounting to the computer not being able to find it. Could mean it's just come unplugged (lord knows how), could be thoroughly done for.
Hopefully, at the very least, some or all of the data can be retrieved from it though, because there's so much stuff on there -- including all my notes for future 100 Films reviews and, more importantly, a heck of a lot of work-related things.
Nothing more I can do, it seems. A trip to the local Genius Bar will be required -- I'm just thankfully that, firstly, so many Apple Stores have popped up across the UK now, and secondly, that I live in Exeter, where we have one! Not sure when I'll go though, as I'm not sacrificing Watchmen time tomorrow and I hate town on Saturdays.
Sunday then...
It seems to be well & truly screwed though -- something wrong with the hard disk, basically amounting to the computer not being able to find it. Could mean it's just come unplugged (lord knows how), could be thoroughly done for.
Hopefully, at the very least, some or all of the data can be retrieved from it though, because there's so much stuff on there -- including all my notes for future 100 Films reviews and, more importantly, a heck of a lot of work-related things.
Nothing more I can do, it seems. A trip to the local Genius Bar will be required -- I'm just thankfully that, firstly, so many Apple Stores have popped up across the UK now, and secondly, that I live in Exeter, where we have one! Not sure when I'll go though, as I'm not sacrificing Watchmen time tomorrow and I hate town on Saturdays.
Sunday then...
Wednesday, 4 March 2009
TV
QI
6x10 Flora and Fauna (extended edition)
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Getting so far behind with TV viewing again...
6x10 Flora and Fauna (extended edition)
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Getting so far behind with TV viewing again...
Articles
Many Doctors to save the universe
(from Forbidden Planet International Blog Log)
An unusual piece of Who art...
Papers sorry for 'Facebook party' story by Oliver Luft
(from guardian.co.uk)
Oh they got it wrong, and how! Interestingly, the Guardian wasn't one of them.
Robert Patrick to appear in Terminator 5? by Chris Hicks
(from Total Film)
Could be good... maybe...
Sucker Punch - Mamma Mia! The cast for Zack Snyder's next film has been announced
(from Live For Films)
This film sounds mad. Follow the link for more info.
Plus, so many Watchmen articles they get their own post here.
(from Forbidden Planet International Blog Log)
An unusual piece of Who art...
Papers sorry for 'Facebook party' story by Oliver Luft
(from guardian.co.uk)
Oh they got it wrong, and how! Interestingly, the Guardian wasn't one of them.
Robert Patrick to appear in Terminator 5? by Chris Hicks
(from Total Film)
Could be good... maybe...
Sucker Punch - Mamma Mia! The cast for Zack Snyder's next film has been announced
(from Live For Films)
This film sounds mad. Follow the link for more info.
Plus, so many Watchmen articles they get their own post here.
Articles: Watchmen
As its Tomatometer slowly slides downwards, here are today's Watchmen-related articles of interest...
Manhattan-on-Thames
(from WatchmenComicMovie.com)
"Dr. Manhattan, the blue skinned, super-powered being beloved of all Watchmen fans, will rise above the murky depths of the Thames to a height of over 70 feet and tower over all those who dare to attend. This dramatic, one-off spectacle will be created using the world’s biggest water screen projector. The water screen... will create an enormous vertical screen of water that will extend to 72 feet in height and 100 feet across."
Sounds pretty impressive. This was due to happen earlier this evening, but I've not come across any reports or photos yet. Please comment if you have. I'll report more if I hear more...
Watchmen has already broken a record by Carl DiOrio
(from THR.com)
"However high Watchmen grosses can climb, the superhero actioner sure will be playing wide: Its 3,611 playdates will be the most ever for an R-rated film. [It] will play in an impressive 1,600 locations at midnight [on] Thursday. That's substantially more than the 656 midnight shows that helped [director Zack] Snyder's ancient Greece actioner 300 fetch an incredible... $71 million opening weekend in March 2007... The previous widest release for an R-rated pic was the 3,603-theater bow for The Matrix Reloaded...
dates include 124 engagements in Imax giant-screen auditoriums... Imax's Web site crashed four times this week because of traffic surges by Watchmen fans looking for ticket information, Foster said."
Looks certain it'll beat 300 to become the 2nd highest grossing R-rated opening weekend, but can it beat The Matrix Reloaded too? I'd bet "yes" myself.
And as Empire begin a "Watchmen Week", here are the first two items...
Watchmen: The Failed Attempts
(from Empire)
"take a look at the Watchmen movies that might have been..."
Watchmen: The Added Stories
(from Empire)
"Watchmen [is] punctuated with texts that expand upon that main story, clarify it and occasionally go off on a tangent (or seem to). Here are the pieces of the puzzle outside that main story that you may not see on the big screen"
Manhattan-on-Thames
(from WatchmenComicMovie.com)
"Dr. Manhattan, the blue skinned, super-powered being beloved of all Watchmen fans, will rise above the murky depths of the Thames to a height of over 70 feet and tower over all those who dare to attend. This dramatic, one-off spectacle will be created using the world’s biggest water screen projector. The water screen... will create an enormous vertical screen of water that will extend to 72 feet in height and 100 feet across."
Sounds pretty impressive. This was due to happen earlier this evening, but I've not come across any reports or photos yet. Please comment if you have. I'll report more if I hear more...
Watchmen has already broken a record by Carl DiOrio
(from THR.com)
"However high Watchmen grosses can climb, the superhero actioner sure will be playing wide: Its 3,611 playdates will be the most ever for an R-rated film. [It] will play in an impressive 1,600 locations at midnight [on] Thursday. That's substantially more than the 656 midnight shows that helped [director Zack] Snyder's ancient Greece actioner 300 fetch an incredible... $71 million opening weekend in March 2007... The previous widest release for an R-rated pic was the 3,603-theater bow for The Matrix Reloaded...
dates include 124 engagements in Imax giant-screen auditoriums... Imax's Web site crashed four times this week because of traffic surges by Watchmen fans looking for ticket information, Foster said."
Looks certain it'll beat 300 to become the 2nd highest grossing R-rated opening weekend, but can it beat The Matrix Reloaded too? I'd bet "yes" myself.
And as Empire begin a "Watchmen Week", here are the first two items...
Watchmen: The Failed Attempts
(from Empire)
"take a look at the Watchmen movies that might have been..."
Watchmen: The Added Stories
(from Empire)
"Watchmen [is] punctuated with texts that expand upon that main story, clarify it and occasionally go off on a tangent (or seem to). Here are the pieces of the puzzle outside that main story that you may not see on the big screen"
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