A particularly busy TV day, which makes for a nice change.
Argumental
2x01 (23/3/09 edition)
After what seems like no time away, Argumental's back! Hurrah! (Look, forget I've already watched the next two, alright?) A particularly strong start to a new series too, packed with utter hilarity until the very last -- well, if we're honest, until the penultimate -- round.
I've Never Seen Star Wars
1x06 Nigel Havers
Havers made for a consistently surprising guest -- I'd never have expected him to give such high scores to McDonalds or getting a tattoo. How little he enjoyed the Smiths (which I can completely relate to) didn't seem to warrant a score as high as 7 though.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Mad Men
2x09 Six Month Leave
Mad Men's quality has been slightly variable in this second season -- never bad, but you get the sense proceedings aren't quite as focused as they were in the first year, especially when it comes to arc plots -- but this episode sees the show on blazingly good form. One of the best.
The Mentalist
1x03 Red Tide
Some dodgy dialogue (and delivery) aside, this continues to be an entertaining procedural that makes good use of the lead character's Derren Brown-style skills -- they're all believably grounded in truth and treated with suitable skepticism by his colleagues, rather than being some magic semi-mystical solution.
[Watch it (again) on Demand Five.]
The Wire
1x11 The Hunt
Following the shooting of a cop in the previous episode, the police -- as usual -- seriously mobilise their forces. One of the series' best episodes yet, for all kinds of reasons -- there's plenty of room for character, plot, subplots, themes, tropes, and more. Plus, a brief silent scene centered on a pen stain on a sofa exemplifies all that is so clever and so praised about this series.
Friday, 17 April 2009
Articles
First Look At Tintin by Helen O'Hara
(from Empire)
It's Empire's 20th birthday soon, and the celebratory issue is guest-edited by Steven Spielberg. Fancy-pants, ain't it. And from that forthcoming issue, here's a couple of world exclusives. Firstly, a brief look behind the scenes of Tintin...
Jackson/Del Toro Talk Hobbit by Chris Hewitt
(from Empire)
...and secondly, news that the Guillermo del Toro-directed Hobbit films will now both adapt the titular book, and not in fact tell two different stories. Shame.
Review: State of Play by Mick LaSalle
(from the San Francisco Chronicle at SFGate)
As a huge fan of the original TV series, I'll be very interested to see if this much-lambasted ending is the same one that had, or some new mistake grafted on the end.
(from Empire)
It's Empire's 20th birthday soon, and the celebratory issue is guest-edited by Steven Spielberg. Fancy-pants, ain't it. And from that forthcoming issue, here's a couple of world exclusives. Firstly, a brief look behind the scenes of Tintin...
Jackson/Del Toro Talk Hobbit by Chris Hewitt
(from Empire)
...and secondly, news that the Guillermo del Toro-directed Hobbit films will now both adapt the titular book, and not in fact tell two different stories. Shame.
Review: State of Play by Mick LaSalle
(from the San Francisco Chronicle at SFGate)
As a huge fan of the original TV series, I'll be very interested to see if this much-lambasted ending is the same one that had, or some new mistake grafted on the end.
new review at 100 Films
The Kite Runner (2007)
There are currently 15 new films in the review pipeline at 100 Films, not to mention two shorts, two films I've previously seen, and an alternate cut review. As ever, updates here as and when they're posted.
the story seems to be more about its themes than its characters: bravery, cowardice, and the difference between the two; friendship, and the lengths (or not) it will go to; truth and lies, and what underhand things people — especially children — will do to cover up their own shortcomings and failings.
There are currently 15 new films in the review pipeline at 100 Films, not to mention two shorts, two films I've previously seen, and an alternate cut review. As ever, updates here as and when they're posted.
Thursday, 16 April 2009
TV
The Speaker
1x04 Episode 4
The sooner Duncan goes the better, if you ask me.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
1x04 Episode 4
The sooner Duncan goes the better, if you ask me.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Magazines
SFX #182
So packed with interesting things that I actually read most of it! Shocking, I know. Amongst the goodness in this Star Trek-bedecked issue there's...
a good interview with Alan Moore, as the new League of Extraordinary Gentlemen is out in the next week or two;
a retrospective on Babylon 5 (I wonder if Straczynski still hates SFX?);
a decent feature on Ashes to Ashes series two, complete with hints at series three and an exclusive, amusing comic;
a look back at the acclaimed 1981 BBC radio adaptation of Lord of the Rings, which I keep meaning to listen to;
a fairly large feature on sci-fi-related computer games, which includes The Secret of Monkey Island at a very respectable #6 in a Top 20 count-up, plus a look at worthwhile forthcomers;
a reviews section that means I now have a whole lot more stuff I want toread/watch/hear;
plus a very good news section. I'm not going to go summarising it here, but it took ages to get through so it must've been interesting.
Oh, and some big exclusive feature on that Star Trek thing, if you're interested.
So packed with interesting things that I actually read most of it! Shocking, I know. Amongst the goodness in this Star Trek-bedecked issue there's...
Oh, and some big exclusive feature on that Star Trek thing, if you're interested.
Nursing Council don't care about patients' wellbeing
Shocking and slightly untruthful title got your attention? Good. Now read this:
Read the full story here.
A nurse who secretly filmed for the BBC to reveal the neglect of elderly patients at a hospital has been struck off for misconduct...
She was struck off by the Nursing and Midwifery Council which said she failed to "follow her obligations as a nurse". Ms Haywood, a nurse for over 20 years, said she thought she had been treated harshly and had put patients first... The chair of the panel, Linda Read, said Ms Haywood had prioritised the filming, which in the view of the panel "was a major breach of the code of conduct"...
Elizabeth Bloor, the BBC programme's producer, told the hearing there had been "an over-arching public interest" to produce the Undercover Nurse documentary because Panorama had received up to 5,000 complaints about conditions. She also said that questions had been asked in the House of Commons about the issues investigated, and the Royal College of Nursing conducted research into patient dignity on hospital wards in the wake of its broadcast...
The decision was criticised by Joyce Robins, co-director of Patient Concern. She said: "This just demonstrates the priorities of the regulators - rules come before patients every time. The message that goes out to nurses is: however badly you see patients treated, keep your face shut. This makes total nonsense of all the talk about openness and transparency in the NHS. Cover-up is the order of the game."
Ms Haywood's actions were also defended by Gary Fitzgerald, chief executive of Action on Elder Abuse. He said: "We know that we're seeing older people suffering the most appalling care and neglect too often in our care environments. In that context I believe what Margaret Haywood did and what Panorama did was right and proper. She said the public needs to be aware of what exactly's going on in these places, in these wards, we didn't have any other way of telling them and I think that's the point".
Read the full story here.
Wednesday, 15 April 2009
Articles
Russell T Davies: interview by Gabriel Tate
(from Time Out London)
Who-related interviews are everywhere at the minute thanks to the recent special, which inevitably means lots of repetition. As interviews go this is a good one though, with a few interesting bits you might not have seen elsewhere.
(from Time Out London)
Who-related interviews are everywhere at the minute thanks to the recent special, which inevitably means lots of repetition. As interviews go this is a good one though, with a few interesting bits you might not have seen elsewhere.
Tuesday, 14 April 2009
TV
Red Dwarf
The Making of Back to Earth
A nice little making-of, though it's only about the filming and so sadly lacks detail in how the project came about, what it was really like to be back after 10 years, and various bits of production too (such as the new camera system being used and anything that happened post-wrap -- i.e. CGI).
For my thoughts on the three-part season itself, look here, here and here.
The Speaker
1x03 Episode 3
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
The Making of Back to Earth
A nice little making-of, though it's only about the filming and so sadly lacks detail in how the project came about, what it was really like to be back after 10 years, and various bits of production too (such as the new camera system being used and anything that happened post-wrap -- i.e. CGI).
For my thoughts on the three-part season itself, look here, here and here.
The Speaker
1x03 Episode 3
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Monday, 13 April 2009
TV
Nature's Great Events
Part 4 The Great Tide
Despite some heavy similarities with the final episode, this is still a spectacular edition. And when it's those movie-action-sequence-esque bait-ball bits that are being repeated, I don't mind in the slightest.
Orangutan Diary
2x05 Episode 5
Despite this penultimate episode of the wildlife series airing almost three weeks ago, complete with a "next time" trail promising a resolution to the series, the BBC have only just scheduled a first airing for episode six. (Next Sunday, if you're interested.) Oddly, they still list the series as having 10 episodes. No explanation for that one.
Primeval
3x03 Episode 3
An episode of two halves, the first a light, fluffy, infinitely silly romp, the second dark and arc-plot heavy. It's a very odd disjunct, and feels a bit like the makers have tried to combine those two opposites in the way that Doctor Who does, but instead of blending them have just stuck them next to each other. It also featured a Very Significant Event... which, thanks to appalling ratings, will surely come as a shock to casual viewers who skip this one.
[Watch it (again) on ITV Player.]
Part 4 The Great Tide
Despite some heavy similarities with the final episode, this is still a spectacular edition. And when it's those movie-action-sequence-esque bait-ball bits that are being repeated, I don't mind in the slightest.
Orangutan Diary
2x05 Episode 5
Despite this penultimate episode of the wildlife series airing almost three weeks ago, complete with a "next time" trail promising a resolution to the series, the BBC have only just scheduled a first airing for episode six. (Next Sunday, if you're interested.) Oddly, they still list the series as having 10 episodes. No explanation for that one.
Primeval
3x03 Episode 3
An episode of two halves, the first a light, fluffy, infinitely silly romp, the second dark and arc-plot heavy. It's a very odd disjunct, and feels a bit like the makers have tried to combine those two opposites in the way that Doctor Who does, but instead of blending them have just stuck them next to each other. It also featured a Very Significant Event... which, thanks to appalling ratings, will surely come as a shock to casual viewers who skip this one.
[Watch it (again) on ITV Player.]
Articles
Huge audiences for Talent, Who by Neil Wilkes
(from Digital Spy)
"The first of this year's Doctor Who specials, Planet Of The Dead, was seen by a respectable 8.41m (39.6%) on BBC One. [It] was the first episode of Who to be simulcast in HD on BBC HD, where it was seen by 184k (1%).
Primeval, meanwhile, shed over 1.5m in its head-to-head battle with Who. This week's episode, which saw one of the major characters killed off, averaged a disappointing 2.71m (14.3%)."
Chances for a fourth year of Primeval aren't look too rosy then.
(from Digital Spy)
"The first of this year's Doctor Who specials, Planet Of The Dead, was seen by a respectable 8.41m (39.6%) on BBC One. [It] was the first episode of Who to be simulcast in HD on BBC HD, where it was seen by 184k (1%).
Primeval, meanwhile, shed over 1.5m in its head-to-head battle with Who. This week's episode, which saw one of the major characters killed off, averaged a disappointing 2.71m (14.3%)."
Chances for a fourth year of Primeval aren't look too rosy then.
Games: Wii
Had my first-ever proper go on a Wii today.
It's easy to see why it's proved so popular, as it's a great deal of fun, especially when you have other people to play with. A quick go on Wii Fit (dull and preachy) was followed by some multiplayer Wii Sports. I started the Bowling abysmally, scoring just 7 in the first round against proper scores from my Wii-versed family members, but soon got the hang of it and stormed to a 40-point-lead victory. I like Bowling.
Conclusion: I want a Wii. Can't say much better than that.
It's easy to see why it's proved so popular, as it's a great deal of fun, especially when you have other people to play with. A quick go on Wii Fit (dull and preachy) was followed by some multiplayer Wii Sports. I started the Bowling abysmally, scoring just 7 in the first round against proper scores from my Wii-versed family members, but soon got the hang of it and stormed to a 40-point-lead victory. I like Bowling.
Conclusion: I want a Wii. Can't say much better than that.
Sunday, 12 April 2009
TV
Orangutan Diary
2x04 Episode 4
Red Dwarf
9x03 Back to Earth Part 3 [season finale]
See here for my thoughts on this episode.
2x04 Episode 4
Red Dwarf
9x03 Back to Earth Part 3 [season finale]
See here for my thoughts on this episode.
Films
Predator (1987)
[#16a in 100 Films in a Year 2009]
Seen this twice before, but will be reviewing it as part of a series on the Alien and Predator films.
[#16a in 100 Films in a Year 2009]
Seen this twice before, but will be reviewing it as part of a series on the Alien and Predator films.
Red Dwarf: Back to Earth (Part 3)
Not the strongest part of the three, thought it confirmed to me that this would be much better viewed as a single 90-minute piece -- the sheer volume of ongoing plot elements, running jokes, quite in depth references back to events of previous parts, and really awkward cliffhangers all suggest this that's how it was meant to be seen. I suppose only the DVD release can reveal that for certain.
In all, it's not the best Red Dwarf has to offer, but it was mostly very cleverly done (too cleverly for some, it seems) and entertained plentifully. There were also a nice number of references to previous episodes -- many of them years and years old -- that only fans were likely to get, but which didn't impede too much on the enjoyment for newbies. It did rather rely on you having seen Blade Runner to fully appreciate it though.
Ratings for Part 1 were strong but dipped for Part 2, though were still great by Dave's standard and was against much stronger competition. Hopefully Part 3's were alright and, factoring everything in (including various repeats and a bumper-bonus single-sitting repeat tomorrow), here's hoping we'll be treated to more RD in the future.
In all, it's not the best Red Dwarf has to offer, but it was mostly very cleverly done (too cleverly for some, it seems) and entertained plentifully. There were also a nice number of references to previous episodes -- many of them years and years old -- that only fans were likely to get, but which didn't impede too much on the enjoyment for newbies. It did rather rely on you having seen Blade Runner to fully appreciate it though.
Ratings for Part 1 were strong but dipped for Part 2, though were still great by Dave's standard and was against much stronger competition. Hopefully Part 3's were alright and, factoring everything in (including various repeats and a bumper-bonus single-sitting repeat tomorrow), here's hoping we'll be treated to more RD in the future.
Poem of the Week: Peter Cottontail
by Beatrix Potter
A slightly delayed poem this week -- because it's Easter! Mmm, chocolate. And in that sort of spirt, here's a lovely bit of Beatrix Potter.
Before we begin, I should point out that the titular rabbit is, of course, Peter Rabbit. Apparently; because, as I'm sure you know, Peter and Cottontail are two different bunnies in The Tale of Peter Rabbit. I'm afraid I have no clarification on this point.
Happy Easter Day indeed.
A slightly delayed poem this week -- because it's Easter! Mmm, chocolate. And in that sort of spirt, here's a lovely bit of Beatrix Potter.
Before we begin, I should point out that the titular rabbit is, of course, Peter Rabbit. Apparently; because, as I'm sure you know, Peter and Cottontail are two different bunnies in The Tale of Peter Rabbit. I'm afraid I have no clarification on this point.
Here comes Peter Cottontail,
Hoppin' down the bunny trail,
Hippity, hoppity,
Easter's on its way.
Bringin' every girl and boy Baskets full of Easter joy,
Things to make your Easter bright and gay.
He's got jelly beans for Tommy,
Colored eggs for sister Sue,
There's an orchid for your Mommy
And an Easter bonnet, too.
Oh, here comes Peter Cottontail,
Hoppin' down the bunny trail,
Hippity, hoppity,
Happy Easter day.
Here comes Peter Cottontail,
Hoppin' down the bunny trail,
Look at him stop,
And listen to him say:
"Try to do the things you should."
Maybe if you're extra good,
He'll roll lots of Easter eggs your way.
You'll wake up on Easter morning
And you'll know that he was there
When you find those choc'late bunnies
That he's hiding ev'rywhere.
Oh, here comes Peter Cottontail,
Hoppin' down the bunny trail,
Hippity, hoppity,
Happy Easter day.
Happy Easter Day indeed.
Saturday, 11 April 2009
TV
Doctor Who [new]
4x15 Planet of the Dead [Easter special]
See here for my thoughts on this story.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Primeval
3x02 Episode 2
Oh dear, what a load of tosh.
[Watch it (again) on ITV Player.]
Red Dwarf
9x02 Back to Earth Part 2
The real point of this new series kicks in here, I feel; Part 1 was all preamble to this. Funnier and cleverer -- too clever for some, it seems, based on comments to be found online.
Robin Hood
3x03 Lost in Translation
As action-packed as the rest of this new series, but suffered from coming right after a brilliant new episode of Doctor Who. Scheduling fail there.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
4x15 Planet of the Dead [Easter special]
See here for my thoughts on this story.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Primeval
3x02 Episode 2
Oh dear, what a load of tosh.
[Watch it (again) on ITV Player.]
Red Dwarf
9x02 Back to Earth Part 2
The real point of this new series kicks in here, I feel; Part 1 was all preamble to this. Funnier and cleverer -- too clever for some, it seems, based on comments to be found online.
Robin Hood
3x03 Lost in Translation
As action-packed as the rest of this new series, but suffered from coming right after a brilliant new episode of Doctor Who. Scheduling fail there.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Films
Alien Resurrection (1997)
[#16 in 100 Films in a Year 2009]
Found this surprisingly enjoyable -- underrated, I think.
[#16 in 100 Films in a Year 2009]
Found this surprisingly enjoyable -- underrated, I think.
Articles
Dollhouse Robbery? The Truth Behind the "Missing" Episode by Matt Mitovich
(from TV Guide)
I'm not even watching Dollhouse (awaiting a UK broadcast like a good boy), but this has been an interesting story that -- unsurprisingly -- has a far less sinister truth behind it than most were assuming.
Random Wikipedia trivia: "Episodes of Dollhouse are about six minutes longer than standard one-hour dramas on US network television, as the show airs with half as many commercial advertising slots."
New Red Dwarf pulls in over 2 million by Neil Wilkes
(from Digital Spy)
"The return of Red Dwarf for its first new episode in ten years was a huge hit for Dave... The first episode of a three-part reunion special, Red Dwarf: Back To Earth, pulled in 2.06m (10%) [and] a further 341k (1.9%) watched at 10pm." Apparently Dave's usual ratings are around the 250k mark, so this is clearly a great success. The total will go up later too, as this doesn't include those who recorded it to watch later.
"The success of Red Dwarf helped Dave to a primetime share of 3.2%, making it the most popular multichannel station of the night by a margin of almost one share point." It also beat BBC Two and Five in the ratings, and came relatively close to BBC One and Channel 4 too.
Let's hope this success continues tonight and tomorrow -- it's ratings and DVD sales that will dictate if we get more.
TV REVIEW Doctor Who "Planet Of The Dead" by Dave Golder
(from SFX)
I thought it was slightly better than this review does, though lots of comments are fair enough.
Your Questions for Jordan Fields of Shout! Factory
(from Satellite News)
About the current DVD releases of Mystery Science Theater 3000, which are put out by Shout! Factory. Very interesting if you're into the show or intrigued by how much work goes into small-label DVD releases (a helluva lot).
And see a pair of TV-related interviews here.
(from TV Guide)
I'm not even watching Dollhouse (awaiting a UK broadcast like a good boy), but this has been an interesting story that -- unsurprisingly -- has a far less sinister truth behind it than most were assuming.
Random Wikipedia trivia: "Episodes of Dollhouse are about six minutes longer than standard one-hour dramas on US network television, as the show airs with half as many commercial advertising slots."
New Red Dwarf pulls in over 2 million by Neil Wilkes
(from Digital Spy)
"The return of Red Dwarf for its first new episode in ten years was a huge hit for Dave... The first episode of a three-part reunion special, Red Dwarf: Back To Earth, pulled in 2.06m (10%) [and] a further 341k (1.9%) watched at 10pm." Apparently Dave's usual ratings are around the 250k mark, so this is clearly a great success. The total will go up later too, as this doesn't include those who recorded it to watch later.
"The success of Red Dwarf helped Dave to a primetime share of 3.2%, making it the most popular multichannel station of the night by a margin of almost one share point." It also beat BBC Two and Five in the ratings, and came relatively close to BBC One and Channel 4 too.
Let's hope this success continues tonight and tomorrow -- it's ratings and DVD sales that will dictate if we get more.
TV REVIEW Doctor Who "Planet Of The Dead" by Dave Golder
(from SFX)
I thought it was slightly better than this review does, though lots of comments are fair enough.
Your Questions for Jordan Fields of Shout! Factory
(from Satellite News)
About the current DVD releases of Mystery Science Theater 3000, which are put out by Shout! Factory. Very interesting if you're into the show or intrigued by how much work goes into small-label DVD releases (a helluva lot).
And see a pair of TV-related interviews here.
Doctor Who: Planet of the Dead
Doctor Who's never-ending fourth series continues throughout this year -- they're consistently dubbed The 2009 Specials, and I'm sure will be on DVD, but as Series 5 begins in early 2010 and these are referred to by the production as 4.14 to 4.18, I suppose they do remain part of Series 4 -- and this Easter special is supposedly the last chance for a romp before the run up to Tennant's departure at Christmas/New Year. It's also the first Who shot in HD -- oo-ooh.
Anyway, what of the episode itself? Very entertaining, with a good mix of styles and a suitably epic feel. The concept of creating something with enough meat to tide you over 'til there's more at Christmas was a good one as this hour pulls it off as well as it was likely to. Trapping a bunch of Ordinary People in a vehicle seems to be a favourite trope of Davies', but that's because it works; it's just a shame there wasn't an extra ten or fifteen minutes to flesh them all out more.
The final moments, hinting at the darkness to come, were very well handled, whetting the appetite but not overdoing it and ruining this episode. And the trailer for the next special looks fantastic -- The Waters of Mars has to be the best title since The Empty Child! I'm counting down to November already.
Anyway, what of the episode itself? Very entertaining, with a good mix of styles and a suitably epic feel. The concept of creating something with enough meat to tide you over 'til there's more at Christmas was a good one as this hour pulls it off as well as it was likely to. Trapping a bunch of Ordinary People in a vehicle seems to be a favourite trope of Davies', but that's because it works; it's just a shame there wasn't an extra ten or fifteen minutes to flesh them all out more.
The final moments, hinting at the darkness to come, were very well handled, whetting the appetite but not overdoing it and ruining this episode. And the trailer for the next special looks fantastic -- The Waters of Mars has to be the best title since The Empty Child! I'm counting down to November already.
Russell T Davies and Doug Naylor interviews
With Britain's two biggest sci-fi series both having new episodes tonight after a long break (though Red Dwarf's is considerably longer!), here are interviews with the men in charge...
Doug Naylor on the red carpet
(from Dave)
A video interview with the co-creator, writer and current director of Red Dwarf, Doug Naylor, discussing (amongst other things) the miniscule budget the new specials were produced on and what the future potential for RD is. Considering the excellent ratings achieved by part one, if it can maintain that momentum I think we may well see more.
Russell T Davies Doctor Who interview: full transcript by Robert Colvile
(from Robert Colvile's blog at Telegraph.co.uk)
A nice long interview with Davies, discussing a little of what's to come in his remaining three episodes (spoiler warning on that, then), how the transition to Steven Moffat has been (and will be) handled, and various reflective thoughts on his era of Who.
Doug Naylor on the red carpet
(from Dave)
A video interview with the co-creator, writer and current director of Red Dwarf, Doug Naylor, discussing (amongst other things) the miniscule budget the new specials were produced on and what the future potential for RD is. Considering the excellent ratings achieved by part one, if it can maintain that momentum I think we may well see more.
Russell T Davies Doctor Who interview: full transcript by Robert Colvile
(from Robert Colvile's blog at Telegraph.co.uk)
A nice long interview with Davies, discussing a little of what's to come in his remaining three episodes (spoiler warning on that, then), how the transition to Steven Moffat has been (and will be) handled, and various reflective thoughts on his era of Who.
Friday, 10 April 2009
TV
Argumental
2x03 (6/4/09 edition)
Red Dwarf
9x01 Back to Earth Part 1
Hurray, they're back! Looking rather swish and filmic in RED-shot HD (how appropriate that it's the first UK TV programme to do this) with some rather wonderful CGI (and some poor bits too, of course). Most importantly, was it funny?
Yes, in places. In reality it's about as good as could be expected, I think, and while some bits were a tad garbled -- and it felt like watching the first half-hour of a 90-minute feature film -- it was entertaining enough for me. I suspect (hope?) that the real goodies will be in the next two parts, showing tomorrow and Sunday.
The Wire
1x09 Game Day
Perhaps the best episode yet, as the police get one step closer to Avon Barksdale and Omar continues to be unflappably cool.
2x03 (6/4/09 edition)
Red Dwarf
9x01 Back to Earth Part 1
Hurray, they're back! Looking rather swish and filmic in RED-shot HD (how appropriate that it's the first UK TV programme to do this) with some rather wonderful CGI (and some poor bits too, of course). Most importantly, was it funny?
Yes, in places. In reality it's about as good as could be expected, I think, and while some bits were a tad garbled -- and it felt like watching the first half-hour of a 90-minute feature film -- it was entertaining enough for me. I suspect (hope?) that the real goodies will be in the next two parts, showing tomorrow and Sunday.
The Wire
1x09 Game Day
Perhaps the best episode yet, as the police get one step closer to Avon Barksdale and Omar continues to be unflappably cool.
Films
Alien3 (1992)
[#15 in 100 Films in a Year 2009]
And tomorrow, I'll finish things off with Alien Resurrection... and then start on the Predator films. Can you see where this is headed?
[#15 in 100 Films in a Year 2009]
And tomorrow, I'll finish things off with Alien Resurrection... and then start on the Predator films. Can you see where this is headed?
Articles
Turkish Rambo Coming to DVD in April by Kevin Gilvear
(from DVD Times)
"Get RambOWNED."
Including an interview with the distributor's marketing assistant and a trailer for the film. It sounds crazily brilliant to me.
(from DVD Times)
"Get RambOWNED."
Including an interview with the distributor's marketing assistant and a trailer for the film. It sounds crazily brilliant to me.
Thursday, 9 April 2009
TV
Damages
2x08 They Had to Tweeze That Out of My Kidney
Again, Damages almost seems to tread water; and again, I'd blame this on the sheer volume of plot threads, where some have to be left untouched in order to devote enough time to others. I'm beginning to wonder if this season is a lost cause, one which we should stick with to its end in the hope they can more successfully emulate season one in the already-commissioned third.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
The Graham Norton Show
5x05 (2/4/09 edition, uncut repeat)
It can be quite interesting -- or quite odd, depending how you see it -- watching this a week after recording, because all of the topical jokes are a week out. Guest-wise, this one was a bizarre affair, as Oscar-winning Italian actor/director Roberto Benigni manfully struggled to understand and speak English while being irrepressibly enthusiastic, and Patsy Kensit was... just bizarre.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
The Wire
1x08 Lessons
It seems like every episode someone is trying to shut the team down, only to be defeated by some technicality near the end. Perhaps it is realistic that such a large operation would be an annoyance to so many, but it begins to feel like a disappointingly stock TV trick when it almost-happens-but-is-thankfully-stopped so neatly within every episode -- so much for grand overlapping plot arcs, eh?
That said, it's a relatively minor irritant in what is by and large a brilliant show. Lots of memorable bits in this episode -- McNulty getting his kids to follow Stringer, for example, or rescuing Bunk from a drunken one night stand -- but the best of all has to be Omar's efficient, violent revenge.
2x08 They Had to Tweeze That Out of My Kidney
Again, Damages almost seems to tread water; and again, I'd blame this on the sheer volume of plot threads, where some have to be left untouched in order to devote enough time to others. I'm beginning to wonder if this season is a lost cause, one which we should stick with to its end in the hope they can more successfully emulate season one in the already-commissioned third.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
The Graham Norton Show
5x05 (2/4/09 edition, uncut repeat)
It can be quite interesting -- or quite odd, depending how you see it -- watching this a week after recording, because all of the topical jokes are a week out. Guest-wise, this one was a bizarre affair, as Oscar-winning Italian actor/director Roberto Benigni manfully struggled to understand and speak English while being irrepressibly enthusiastic, and Patsy Kensit was... just bizarre.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
The Wire
1x08 Lessons
It seems like every episode someone is trying to shut the team down, only to be defeated by some technicality near the end. Perhaps it is realistic that such a large operation would be an annoyance to so many, but it begins to feel like a disappointingly stock TV trick when it almost-happens-but-is-thankfully-stopped so neatly within every episode -- so much for grand overlapping plot arcs, eh?
That said, it's a relatively minor irritant in what is by and large a brilliant show. Lots of memorable bits in this episode -- McNulty getting his kids to follow Stringer, for example, or rescuing Bunk from a drunken one night stand -- but the best of all has to be Omar's efficient, violent revenge.
Articles
6 Crazy Film Ratings Decision Battles by James White
(from Total Film)
I'm bizarrely fascinated by the classifications/censorship system here and in the US, so this was a good read for me. Don't worry, it's also layman friendly.
12 Cool New Posters Get a Critical Look by James White
(from Total Film)
Can't say I agree with all the opinions, but it's always cool to look at some nice posters.
Eight 3D Movies We're Looking Forward To
(from Empire)
Some of these you can't fail to have heard of (Avatar, Tintin, several more), but perhaps most exciting of all is Master Mind -- not because of the 3D, just because it sounds good.
Happy Easter. Here Are Some Eggs by Dave Golder
(from SFX)
A seasonal feature about eggs in sci-fi films. No, really. It's just absurd... and therefore quietly brilliant.
Review of Star Trek by Colin Kennedy
(from Empire)
It's pretty good, it would seem. Read a couple of reviews that all express the same basic opinion as this one.
Why David Tennant and Russell T Davies are leaving Doctor Who by Johnny Davis
(from Times Online)
An interview with the titular pair, displaying all their usual wit and camaraderie. Who fans might not learn much new, but it still makes for a fun read.
(from Total Film)
I'm bizarrely fascinated by the classifications/censorship system here and in the US, so this was a good read for me. Don't worry, it's also layman friendly.
12 Cool New Posters Get a Critical Look by James White
(from Total Film)
Can't say I agree with all the opinions, but it's always cool to look at some nice posters.
Eight 3D Movies We're Looking Forward To
(from Empire)
Some of these you can't fail to have heard of (Avatar, Tintin, several more), but perhaps most exciting of all is Master Mind -- not because of the 3D, just because it sounds good.
Happy Easter. Here Are Some Eggs by Dave Golder
(from SFX)
A seasonal feature about eggs in sci-fi films. No, really. It's just absurd... and therefore quietly brilliant.
Review of Star Trek by Colin Kennedy
(from Empire)
It's pretty good, it would seem. Read a couple of reviews that all express the same basic opinion as this one.
Why David Tennant and Russell T Davies are leaving Doctor Who by Johnny Davis
(from Times Online)
An interview with the titular pair, displaying all their usual wit and camaraderie. Who fans might not learn much new, but it still makes for a fun read.
Wednesday, 8 April 2009
TV
Cracker
2x03 To Be a Somebody Part 3
A suitably explosive conclusion to Cracker's defining story. Incidentally, Jimmy McGovern's one-off drama about Hillsborough is on ITV3 next Wednesday (15th April), the first time it's been shown since the original broadcast in 1996.
[For some reason this episode isn't available on ITV Player, even though all preceding and following episodes are.]
Horne & Corden
1x03 Episode 3
When this is on form it's absolutely hilarious -- the Christian youth group song, for example, or the opening sketch of this episode (even if it spent too long on the build-up), or indeed several other bits -- but other bits drag on far too long, and others simply aren't any good.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
The Speaker
1x02 Episode 2
As this has now settled down it's improved slightly, showing much potential. I like that the judges and mentors are different sets of experts -- drivel like The X Factor could learn something from that. However, Jane Horrocks is a dreadful choice for narrator -- for a programme all about speaking, why choose someone with such an irritating voice?
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
The Wire
1x06 The Wire
1x07 One Arrest
A look ahead at the schedules suggest the BBC aren't showing all of The Wire in one huge twelve-week chunk after all, which saddens me. It's also very odd scheduling -- why rush through the first season in just three weeks if you're going to leave a gap before more?
2x03 To Be a Somebody Part 3
A suitably explosive conclusion to Cracker's defining story. Incidentally, Jimmy McGovern's one-off drama about Hillsborough is on ITV3 next Wednesday (15th April), the first time it's been shown since the original broadcast in 1996.
[For some reason this episode isn't available on ITV Player, even though all preceding and following episodes are.]
Horne & Corden
1x03 Episode 3
When this is on form it's absolutely hilarious -- the Christian youth group song, for example, or the opening sketch of this episode (even if it spent too long on the build-up), or indeed several other bits -- but other bits drag on far too long, and others simply aren't any good.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
The Speaker
1x02 Episode 2
As this has now settled down it's improved slightly, showing much potential. I like that the judges and mentors are different sets of experts -- drivel like The X Factor could learn something from that. However, Jane Horrocks is a dreadful choice for narrator -- for a programme all about speaking, why choose someone with such an irritating voice?
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
The Wire
1x06 The Wire
1x07 One Arrest
A look ahead at the schedules suggest the BBC aren't showing all of The Wire in one huge twelve-week chunk after all, which saddens me. It's also very odd scheduling -- why rush through the first season in just three weeks if you're going to leave a gap before more?
Films
Alien: The Director's Cut (1979/2003)
[#13a in 100 Films in a Year 2009]
There are many differences between this and the original cut (they're catalogued in full on IMDb) but none that make it significantly different, hence the 'a' numbering.
[#13a in 100 Films in a Year 2009]
There are many differences between this and the original cut (they're catalogued in full on IMDb) but none that make it significantly different, hence the 'a' numbering.
Tuesday, 7 April 2009
TV
The Mentalist
1x02 Red Hair and Silver Tape
Every episode of The Mentalist's first season features "red" or a similar colour in the title. I hope that they only intend to do this for one season. And, secondarily, that they do the same thing with a different colour every year, otherwise it'll just be a bizarre first-year quirk (rather than a bizarre whole-series quirk, which is much better).
The Speaker
1x01 Episode 1
The BBC's latest reality show... but it's on BBC Two, so it's a cut above all the rest. In this one, teenagers are trained to be public speakers. It has some potential.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Aw, no The Wire to complete a triumvirate of "The"s.
1x02 Red Hair and Silver Tape
Every episode of The Mentalist's first season features "red" or a similar colour in the title. I hope that they only intend to do this for one season. And, secondarily, that they do the same thing with a different colour every year, otherwise it'll just be a bizarre first-year quirk (rather than a bizarre whole-series quirk, which is much better).
The Speaker
1x01 Episode 1
The BBC's latest reality show... but it's on BBC Two, so it's a cut above all the rest. In this one, teenagers are trained to be public speakers. It has some potential.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Aw, no The Wire to complete a triumvirate of "The"s.
Magazines: Radio Times redesign
Radio Times 11-17 April 2009
Really speaking, under the 'rules' of this blog, I ought to mention RT every week as I do read it every week. As it is, of course, I only mention it occasionally, when there's a special reason (or when I remember).
This is a special RT for a couple of reasons. One is their redesign, which I approve of. They haven't lost any major sections/columns (always a redesign fear), and they've even managed to extend some. Importantly, their main channel listings are fundamentally unchanged, but the few cosmetic tweaks (such as making episode numbers and titles clearer) are very much for the best. They've also improved their main digital listings -- the larger format, especially the larger Choices box, takes a little getting used to, but it is better.
The magazine-wide change, however, is a general one stylistic one -- most of the features are the same and in the same place, but it now uses a different font. As was clear to me, and is thankfully flat-out admitted in the editorial, this "classy new design... reinforces RT's position at the top of the TV magazines premier league." Meaning to say, "this isn't just any TV listings magazine, this is a special TV listings magazine". And so it should be.
In the magazine itself, there are features on this Easter's Doctor Who special and Sky1's adaptation of Skellig, amongst other things. And yet another lovely Who cover -- with only four episodes this year, and two of those over the Christmas period, Who will surely see its greatest dearth of RT covers since it returned in 2005!
Really speaking, under the 'rules' of this blog, I ought to mention RT every week as I do read it every week. As it is, of course, I only mention it occasionally, when there's a special reason (or when I remember).
This is a special RT for a couple of reasons. One is their redesign, which I approve of. They haven't lost any major sections/columns (always a redesign fear), and they've even managed to extend some. Importantly, their main channel listings are fundamentally unchanged, but the few cosmetic tweaks (such as making episode numbers and titles clearer) are very much for the best. They've also improved their main digital listings -- the larger format, especially the larger Choices box, takes a little getting used to, but it is better.
The magazine-wide change, however, is a general one stylistic one -- most of the features are the same and in the same place, but it now uses a different font. As was clear to me, and is thankfully flat-out admitted in the editorial, this "classy new design... reinforces RT's position at the top of the TV magazines premier league." Meaning to say, "this isn't just any TV listings magazine, this is a special TV listings magazine". And so it should be.
In the magazine itself, there are features on this Easter's Doctor Who special and Sky1's adaptation of Skellig, amongst other things. And yet another lovely Who cover -- with only four episodes this year, and two of those over the Christmas period, Who will surely see its greatest dearth of RT covers since it returned in 2005!
Monday, 6 April 2009
TV
Law & Order: UK
1x07 Trust
A very powerful episode, well written and performed. I've never been a huge fan of Freema Agyeman, if I'm honest -- Martha as a character made a great change from Rose, but I was only ever 90% convinced by her acting. In this, however, she did a great job. The triumphant conclusion is, depressingly, unlikely in real life, but made for a suitably pleasing ending here.
This is the last we'll see of L&O:UK for a while, though technically it's not actually the season finale. It had a season finale feel to it, suggesting foresight on the part of the makers, but 13 episodes have been made -- yep, ITV are playing at their usual game and taking a break for an unspecified amount of time. God only knows what goes through their schedulers' minds.
[Watch it (again) on ITV Player.]
Mad Men
2x08 A Night to Remember
Little Betty Draper finally makes a stand for herself. Hurrah! But the character I really felt for tonight was ever-confident Joan Holloway, getting a sniff of a higher-powered career she was really good at and then having it cruelly snatched away. Poor Joanie.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
The Wire
1x05 The Pager
1x07 Trust
A very powerful episode, well written and performed. I've never been a huge fan of Freema Agyeman, if I'm honest -- Martha as a character made a great change from Rose, but I was only ever 90% convinced by her acting. In this, however, she did a great job. The triumphant conclusion is, depressingly, unlikely in real life, but made for a suitably pleasing ending here.
This is the last we'll see of L&O:UK for a while, though technically it's not actually the season finale. It had a season finale feel to it, suggesting foresight on the part of the makers, but 13 episodes have been made -- yep, ITV are playing at their usual game and taking a break for an unspecified amount of time. God only knows what goes through their schedulers' minds.
[Watch it (again) on ITV Player.]
Mad Men
2x08 A Night to Remember
Little Betty Draper finally makes a stand for herself. Hurrah! But the character I really felt for tonight was ever-confident Joan Holloway, getting a sniff of a higher-powered career she was really good at and then having it cruelly snatched away. Poor Joanie.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
The Wire
1x05 The Pager
Articles
Microsoft Encarta Dies After Long Battle With Wikipedia by Noam Cohen
(from Bits at The New York Times)
Ah, Encarta... I remember it with a vague amount of fondness. Mainly because my tiny little home town was on there.
"In January, Wikipedia got 97% of the visits that Web surfers in the United States made to online encyclopedias... Encarta was second, with 1.27%. "
More Torchwood For 2009 by Dave Golder
(from SFX)
"Radio 4 which has confirmed there will be a Torchwood audio series, possibly for broadcast in June, but would not give us any more information at the present."
This following the success of one-off radio drama Lost Souls on both broadcast and CD last year. Online retailers are listing three CD releases for this series, which would suggest anywhere from three to six one-hour dramas.
Reviewer Loses Job Over Wolverine Review by Dave Golder
(from SFX)
"Fox News has fired an entertainment blogger Roger Friedman who wrote for FoxNews.com, after he published a review of the Wolverine movie (released, of course, by Fox) based on a one of the pirated copies that have been doing the rounds."
Poor guy. Though clearly lacking in common sense. This is by far the funniest bit though:
"he even gave it a good review... Fox released a statement saying: “Roger Friedman’s views in no way reflect the views... 20th Century Fox Film Corporation." Ha!
And finally...
Roads named after Discworld books
(from BBC News)
Seriously. And this is in the town that's been twinned with Ankh-Morpork. No, seriously.
(from Bits at The New York Times)
Ah, Encarta... I remember it with a vague amount of fondness. Mainly because my tiny little home town was on there.
"In January, Wikipedia got 97% of the visits that Web surfers in the United States made to online encyclopedias... Encarta was second, with 1.27%. "
More Torchwood For 2009 by Dave Golder
(from SFX)
"Radio 4 which has confirmed there will be a Torchwood audio series, possibly for broadcast in June, but would not give us any more information at the present."
This following the success of one-off radio drama Lost Souls on both broadcast and CD last year. Online retailers are listing three CD releases for this series, which would suggest anywhere from three to six one-hour dramas.
Reviewer Loses Job Over Wolverine Review by Dave Golder
(from SFX)
"Fox News has fired an entertainment blogger Roger Friedman who wrote for FoxNews.com, after he published a review of the Wolverine movie (released, of course, by Fox) based on a one of the pirated copies that have been doing the rounds."
Poor guy. Though clearly lacking in common sense. This is by far the funniest bit though:
"he even gave it a good review... Fox released a statement saying: “Roger Friedman’s views in no way reflect the views... 20th Century Fox Film Corporation." Ha!
And finally...
Roads named after Discworld books
(from BBC News)
Seriously. And this is in the town that's been twinned with Ankh-Morpork. No, seriously.
Wikipedia
Apparently I'm the only person in the world who can't currently access that inestimable web resource, Wikipedia. Which is annoying because, as you may've noticed, I tend to use it for linking-up all of my posts.
Apologies if today's have dodgy links, then -- they're all done through guesswork.
Apologies if today's have dodgy links, then -- they're all done through guesswork.
Sunday, 5 April 2009
TV
Today, I'm exactly a week behind on two completely different programmes...
Damages
2x07 New York Sucks
The plot doesn't so much thicken as continue in this episode, though the segments focussing on Uncle Pete are brilliant.
One of Damages' problems is that it has too many balls in the air this season -- a few are good to keep things interesting and complex, but too many and they all just blur. It's still a good show, but I don't think it has that Special Something that made the first season so amazing. I think I might dub this condition "24 Syndrome".
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
The Graham Norton Show
5x04 (26/3/09 edition, uncut repeat)
I almost feel sorry for Zac Efron ("star of High School Musical, High School Musical 2 and, er, High School Musical 3") -- he clearly had no idea what he'd let himself in for, or really what was going on. But, then again, I don't.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Damages
2x07 New York Sucks
The plot doesn't so much thicken as continue in this episode, though the segments focussing on Uncle Pete are brilliant.
One of Damages' problems is that it has too many balls in the air this season -- a few are good to keep things interesting and complex, but too many and they all just blur. It's still a good show, but I don't think it has that Special Something that made the first season so amazing. I think I might dub this condition "24 Syndrome".
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
The Graham Norton Show
5x04 (26/3/09 edition, uncut repeat)
I almost feel sorry for Zac Efron ("star of High School Musical, High School Musical 2 and, er, High School Musical 3") -- he clearly had no idea what he'd let himself in for, or really what was going on. But, then again, I don't.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Films
Wild Wild West (1999)
[2nd watch]
Can you believe this -- and, of course, its (in)famous associated song -- are now a decade old? I saw it on video way back when and quite liked, though was aware it wasn't all that good. Now those flaws are even more obvious, I'm sad to say.
Also, while a lot of the effects work is rather dodgy, some of it still holds good today. Not a huge point in the film's favour, but at least it means there's something nice to look at while the attempts at humour fall pathetically flat.
[2nd watch]
Can you believe this -- and, of course, its (in)famous associated song -- are now a decade old? I saw it on video way back when and quite liked, though was aware it wasn't all that good. Now those flaws are even more obvious, I'm sad to say.
Also, while a lot of the effects work is rather dodgy, some of it still holds good today. Not a huge point in the film's favour, but at least it means there's something nice to look at while the attempts at humour fall pathetically flat.
Articles
A pair of articles related to sci-fi fiction today...
Grok This: Forget The Business Books, Go Sci-Fi To Stoke Your Imagination by Michael Arrington
(from TechCrunch)
Initially coming at things from a business blog perspective, it quickly moves on to just being a list of sci-fi books (i.e. don't worry that it's going to try to relate all of them back to business concepts or something). It's a fairly interesting list with several good books. And Frankenstein, which I think is overrated.
And that article links to...
Top 100 Sci-Fi Books
(from Sci-Fi Lists)
Not sure how this list is compiled, and I've not even heard of some of the books, but it's interesting nonetheless. See the parent site for similar lists about film, television and short fiction.
Grok This: Forget The Business Books, Go Sci-Fi To Stoke Your Imagination by Michael Arrington
(from TechCrunch)
Initially coming at things from a business blog perspective, it quickly moves on to just being a list of sci-fi books (i.e. don't worry that it's going to try to relate all of them back to business concepts or something). It's a fairly interesting list with several good books. And Frankenstein, which I think is overrated.
And that article links to...
Top 100 Sci-Fi Books
(from Sci-Fi Lists)
Not sure how this list is compiled, and I've not even heard of some of the books, but it's interesting nonetheless. See the parent site for similar lists about film, television and short fiction.
Saturday, 4 April 2009
TV
Primeval
3x01 Episode 1
ITV's Doctor Who rival is still nothing like as good, packed to bursting with cliches in both its action and its dialogue (there are whole sequences that go by without a single non-cliched line being uttered). It can be passable entertainment at times, but the sheer volume of niggling flaws have me literally shouting at the TV.
And I can't let a Primeval comment go by without mentioning Cutter's ridiculous new haircut -- or, rather, lack thereof. Someone fetch the trimmers!
Also, scheduling it against Robin Hood wasn't such a good idea, at least as far as I'm concerned (hence why I'm a week behind -- yep, it's Demons all over again).
[Watch it (again) on ITV Player.]
Robin Hood
3x02 Cause and Effect
Sword fights for no reason? Utterly implausible escapes? Action, action, action? Yep, Robin Hood has finally got it right! This is what I've wanted from the series from day one, and only rarely got before now. Hopefully it can keep it up.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Total Wipeout
1x09 The Total Wipeout Awards
I caught glimpses of Total Wipeout throughout its run. Essentially, it's people trying to run hard obstacles courses, failing and falling into water. And it's much funnier than it has any right to be. This is just a "best of" presented in a slightly different format -- don't worry, you don't have to suffer illiterate acceptance speeches if you choose to watch it.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
3x01 Episode 1
ITV's Doctor Who rival is still nothing like as good, packed to bursting with cliches in both its action and its dialogue (there are whole sequences that go by without a single non-cliched line being uttered). It can be passable entertainment at times, but the sheer volume of niggling flaws have me literally shouting at the TV.
And I can't let a Primeval comment go by without mentioning Cutter's ridiculous new haircut -- or, rather, lack thereof. Someone fetch the trimmers!
Also, scheduling it against Robin Hood wasn't such a good idea, at least as far as I'm concerned (hence why I'm a week behind -- yep, it's Demons all over again).
[Watch it (again) on ITV Player.]
Robin Hood
3x02 Cause and Effect
Sword fights for no reason? Utterly implausible escapes? Action, action, action? Yep, Robin Hood has finally got it right! This is what I've wanted from the series from day one, and only rarely got before now. Hopefully it can keep it up.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Total Wipeout
1x09 The Total Wipeout Awards
I caught glimpses of Total Wipeout throughout its run. Essentially, it's people trying to run hard obstacles courses, failing and falling into water. And it's much funnier than it has any right to be. This is just a "best of" presented in a slightly different format -- don't worry, you don't have to suffer illiterate acceptance speeches if you choose to watch it.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Music
Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl by Klaus Badelt
and
Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest and
Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End by Hans Zimmer
The scores for the Pirates trilogy provide great music for writing big action-adventure blockbusters to. My personal preference lies with the first film's score -- yes, it can be repetitive, but the bit it repeats is brilliant. The albums for two and three have their moments, but they're more scattered.
and
Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest and
Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End by Hans Zimmer
The scores for the Pirates trilogy provide great music for writing big action-adventure blockbusters to. My personal preference lies with the first film's score -- yes, it can be repetitive, but the bit it repeats is brilliant. The albums for two and three have their moments, but they're more scattered.
Articles
BBC Charged £150,000 Over Sachsgate. Fine? No, Not Really… by RedJolt
(from FaceJolt)
"They’ve taken £150,000 away from the BBC, which means we can have £150,000 less good programming in the near future, and given it to Ofcom."
Metrodome in April by Dave Foster
(from DVD Times)
Remember Lordi, that crazy Finnish rock band who won Eurovision a few years back? Well, they're now starring in a horror film. No, really. Have a look about it here.
Personal web data to be stored for a year by Robert Verkaik
(from The Independent)
"Bloody Europe again," you might think, but you'd only be half right. So I'm told, Brown thought it would be too controversial here (too right) and so had it pushed through in Europe. (And let's not forget, we still haven't elected this man.)
Student submits worst application ever? by Sarah Rollo
(from Digital Spy)
"A horticulture student was left red-faced after sending a job application to a Welsh attraction from the email address 'atleastimnotwelsh'."
Virgin1 launches Dr Hoo, a year-round online only drama by Matt Warman
(from Telegraph.co.uk)
My various travels around the web led me to uncover this series on IMDb, an intriguingly-named entity starring some moderately well-known names (Ian Hart, Elaine Cassidy, someone who used to be in EastEnders) about which there was next to no info.
A little more digging unearthed this article. Turns out, it's some webseries that supposedly runs year round, though Virgin seem to have uploaded 10 three-minute episodes and left it be for the time being. Connections to a certain immensely popular sci-fi show referenced by the title seem to be minimal, although I haven't actually watched it yet so can't say for certain.
If you're interested, you can watch it for yourself here.
(from FaceJolt)
"They’ve taken £150,000 away from the BBC, which means we can have £150,000 less good programming in the near future, and given it to Ofcom."
Metrodome in April by Dave Foster
(from DVD Times)
Remember Lordi, that crazy Finnish rock band who won Eurovision a few years back? Well, they're now starring in a horror film. No, really. Have a look about it here.
Personal web data to be stored for a year by Robert Verkaik
(from The Independent)
"Bloody Europe again," you might think, but you'd only be half right. So I'm told, Brown thought it would be too controversial here (too right) and so had it pushed through in Europe. (And let's not forget, we still haven't elected this man.)
Student submits worst application ever? by Sarah Rollo
(from Digital Spy)
"A horticulture student was left red-faced after sending a job application to a Welsh attraction from the email address 'atleastimnotwelsh'."
Virgin1 launches Dr Hoo, a year-round online only drama by Matt Warman
(from Telegraph.co.uk)
My various travels around the web led me to uncover this series on IMDb, an intriguingly-named entity starring some moderately well-known names (Ian Hart, Elaine Cassidy, someone who used to be in EastEnders) about which there was next to no info.
A little more digging unearthed this article. Turns out, it's some webseries that supposedly runs year round, though Virgin seem to have uploaded 10 three-minute episodes and left it be for the time being. Connections to a certain immensely popular sci-fi show referenced by the title seem to be minimal, although I haven't actually watched it yet so can't say for certain.
If you're interested, you can watch it for yourself here.
new reviews at 100 Films
A couple of new reviews have been posted over at 100 Films since my last update, and they are...
Sherlock Holmes in Washington (1943)
Some Like It Hot (1959)
There are currently 10 new films in the review pipeline at 100 Films, not to mention two shorts and another review of something previously seen. Updates as and when they're posted.
Sherlock Holmes in Washington (1943)
once again more a spy thriller than a traditional detective tale. That’s not to say Holmes’ abilities as a detective aren’t present — in fact, he does a very reasonable amount — but if you switched him for a generic British Intelligence agent the plot would be unlikely to suffer
Some Like It Hot (1959)
a very funny film even 50 years on. It rattles from situation to situation at an occasionally surprising pace, literally without a dull moment. Not that there’s anything wrong with slower old films, but its certainly spritely for its age.
There are currently 10 new films in the review pipeline at 100 Films, not to mention two shorts and another review of something previously seen. Updates as and when they're posted.
Friday, 3 April 2009
TV
I've Never Seen Star Wars
1x04 Emily Maitlis
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
K9 MIPTV Trailer
Read my thoughts on this trailer here.
Moving Wallpaper
2x06 Episode 6 [season finale]
A brilliantly ludicrous finale to the second series. Fingers crossed for a third -- when it's good it can be great -- though I'm not confident.
It's a shame Renaissance is just a 9-minute online thing (to be found here, or currently papering over the ITV.com front page) rather than the fully-fledged TV special promised by the marketing of the show. I swear some of the actors flat-out lied during the promotion for this -- possibly to keep the ending a secret, but really, I suspect, to make people think it was still relevant and worthy of being on TV.
[Watch it (again) on ITV Player.]
The Wire
1x04 Old Cases
Read my (brief) thoughts on this episode here.
1x04 Emily Maitlis
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
K9 MIPTV Trailer
Read my thoughts on this trailer here.
Moving Wallpaper
2x06 Episode 6 [season finale]
A brilliantly ludicrous finale to the second series. Fingers crossed for a third -- when it's good it can be great -- though I'm not confident.
It's a shame Renaissance is just a 9-minute online thing (to be found here, or currently papering over the ITV.com front page) rather than the fully-fledged TV special promised by the marketing of the show. I swear some of the actors flat-out lied during the promotion for this -- possibly to keep the ending a secret, but really, I suspect, to make people think it was still relevant and worthy of being on TV.
[Watch it (again) on ITV Player.]
The Wire
1x04 Old Cases
Read my (brief) thoughts on this episode here.
Articles
Cinema's third attempt at 3D by Mark Savage
(from BBC News)
Interesting article on the pros and cons of the current trend towards 3D in cinema. There've been a lot of articles on this topic lately, but this is the first I've seen that expresses any genuine skepticism about it. Which is a good thing, because for all the plaudits being thrown around by major filmmakers, there are a number of reasons that this isn't really up there with Sound and Colour in the pantheon of Great Revolutions In Cinema. I mean, you didn't have to wear special glasses for either of the other two, did you.
March Stalls 2009 Madness by Brandon Gray
(from Box Office Mojo)
Once you get past the opening paragraphs that seem to add fuel to the "Watchmen flopped!" fire (it didn't), this has some realistic points to make. Such as, "expectations were so unrealistically high that it was the sole new nationwide release for the first weekend of the month, and overall business suffered from that dearth of counter-programming." (Emphasis my own.)
Talking of Watchmen...
Watchmen Second Run Confirmed
(from WatchmenComicMovie.com)
Chances of it hitting the UK, in my opinion? Slim. Chances of it being outside London if it does? Nil.
You Wouldn't Steal a Car... by Helen O'Hara
(from the Empire Blog)
Empire weighs in on the whole Wolverine leak fiasco. Makes for some interesting reading, as do the comments.
(from BBC News)
Interesting article on the pros and cons of the current trend towards 3D in cinema. There've been a lot of articles on this topic lately, but this is the first I've seen that expresses any genuine skepticism about it. Which is a good thing, because for all the plaudits being thrown around by major filmmakers, there are a number of reasons that this isn't really up there with Sound and Colour in the pantheon of Great Revolutions In Cinema. I mean, you didn't have to wear special glasses for either of the other two, did you.
March Stalls 2009 Madness by Brandon Gray
(from Box Office Mojo)
Once you get past the opening paragraphs that seem to add fuel to the "Watchmen flopped!" fire (it didn't), this has some realistic points to make. Such as, "expectations were so unrealistically high that it was the sole new nationwide release for the first weekend of the month, and overall business suffered from that dearth of counter-programming." (Emphasis my own.)
Talking of Watchmen...
Watchmen Second Run Confirmed
(from WatchmenComicMovie.com)
Chances of it hitting the UK, in my opinion? Slim. Chances of it being outside London if it does? Nil.
You Wouldn't Steal a Car... by Helen O'Hara
(from the Empire Blog)
Empire weighs in on the whole Wolverine leak fiasco. Makes for some interesting reading, as do the comments.
K9 series MIPTV trailer
Here's the trailer for Doctor Who spin-off (sort of) series K9, which has been floating around the web for the last few days. It was created for the MIPTV trade conference in Cannes and is technically unfinished. Watch it (if you want), then read more after.
In case you haven't heard of this series before, it's a Doctor Who spin-off... sort of. It's not made by the BBC and it's not connected to the Who production office (unlike Torchwood and Sarah Jane), but it does feature a revamped version of the Doctor's robotic dog companion, K9. And it is the self-same K9, because the original model appears at the start of the series.
How can this happen? Because copyright for the tin dog lies with the guy who co-created him, not with the BBC.
Will the series be any good? Hard to tell from this trailer, which is aimed at the trade and features unfinished music, titles and -- most importantly -- voice-over work. As kids' shows go it looks OK enough, but nothing more. Also, it was shot in Australia, so the over-posh British accents are occasionally amusing.
In case you haven't heard of this series before, it's a Doctor Who spin-off... sort of. It's not made by the BBC and it's not connected to the Who production office (unlike Torchwood and Sarah Jane), but it does feature a revamped version of the Doctor's robotic dog companion, K9. And it is the self-same K9, because the original model appears at the start of the series.
How can this happen? Because copyright for the tin dog lies with the guy who co-created him, not with the BBC.
Will the series be any good? Hard to tell from this trailer, which is aimed at the trade and features unfinished music, titles and -- most importantly -- voice-over work. As kids' shows go it looks OK enough, but nothing more. Also, it was shot in Australia, so the over-posh British accents are occasionally amusing.
The Wire 1x04: Old Cases
The more The Wire continues, the more certain I become that it is indeed a grower.
Some shows start and grab you immediately; they can then either build on this or throw it all away (more often than not it's the latter, sadly). Others are quite good and improve, others are just bad and stay bad. But The Wire is that very rare thing -- possibly unique -- where you start off uncertain because it only works the more of it you see. And, I suspect, its true quality (however high that may or may not be) is only revealed once you've seen the complete season -- or, to put it another way, the complete story.
Also worthy of note from this episode... well, many things, I'm sure -- but the one bit I wanted to mention is a great sequence in which Detectives McNulty and Bunk analyse a cold case crime scene without saying a word bar variations on the word "fuck". (In practice, this is less Tarantino than it sounds here.)
Some shows start and grab you immediately; they can then either build on this or throw it all away (more often than not it's the latter, sadly). Others are quite good and improve, others are just bad and stay bad. But The Wire is that very rare thing -- possibly unique -- where you start off uncertain because it only works the more of it you see. And, I suspect, its true quality (however high that may or may not be) is only revealed once you've seen the complete season -- or, to put it another way, the complete story.
Also worthy of note from this episode... well, many things, I'm sure -- but the one bit I wanted to mention is a great sequence in which Detectives McNulty and Bunk analyse a cold case crime scene without saying a word bar variations on the word "fuck". (In practice, this is less Tarantino than it sounds here.)
Poem of the Week: Jabberwocky
by Lewis Carroll
I was rather surprised to discover I hadn't had this for Poem of the Week yet (I'd merely suggested the idea a couple of months ago), and so, in need of a speedy one this week, here it is.
As usual, first the poem, then some brief notes.
Jabberwocky is, of course, a nonsense poem, and quite possibly the most famous of them all. It was originally published in 1871 as part of the novel Through the Looking Glass, the sequel to Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, both of which are fairly nonsensical in themselves. (They're also both great, quick reads, incidentally, if you've never read them.)
Interestingly, it's managed to take on quite a life of its own beyond this. As well as its independent popularity and featuring in some of the adaptations of the Alice books, there's been both a feature-length film adaption by director Terry Gilliam and, before that, a short film featuring the whole poem by Czech surrealist Jan Švankmajer. I've seen neither, so can't vouch for either's quality.
I was rather surprised to discover I hadn't had this for Poem of the Week yet (I'd merely suggested the idea a couple of months ago), and so, in need of a speedy one this week, here it is.
As usual, first the poem, then some brief notes.
'Twas brillig, and the slithy toves
Did gyre and gimble in the wabe;
All mimsy were the borogoves,
And the mome raths outgrabe.
"Beware the Jabberwock, my son!
The jaws that bite, the claws that catch!
Beware the Jubjub bird, and shun
The frumious Bandersnatch!"
He took his vorpal sword in hand:
Long time the manxome foe he sought—
So rested he by the Tumtum tree,
And stood awhile in thought.
And as in uffish thought he stood,
The Jabberwock, with eyes of flame,
Came whiffling through the tulgey wood,
And burbled as it came!
One, two! One, two! and through and through
The vorpal blade went snicker-snack!
He left it dead, and with its head
He went galumphing back.
"And hast thou slain the Jabberwock?
Come to my arms, my beamish boy!
O frabjous day! Callooh! Callay!"
He chortled in his joy.
'Twas brillig, and the slithy toves
Did gyre and gimble in the wabe;
All mimsy were the borogoves,
And the mome raths outgrabe.
Jabberwocky is, of course, a nonsense poem, and quite possibly the most famous of them all. It was originally published in 1871 as part of the novel Through the Looking Glass, the sequel to Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, both of which are fairly nonsensical in themselves. (They're also both great, quick reads, incidentally, if you've never read them.)
Interestingly, it's managed to take on quite a life of its own beyond this. As well as its independent popularity and featuring in some of the adaptations of the Alice books, there's been both a feature-length film adaption by director Terry Gilliam and, before that, a short film featuring the whole poem by Czech surrealist Jan Švankmajer. I've seen neither, so can't vouch for either's quality.
Thursday, 2 April 2009
Articles
Lots today, on all sorts of subjects, so let's get going...
Checklist: Fad Wars! by Bonnie Burton, Pete Vilmur & Pablo Hidalgo
(from Star Wars official site)
There's been a helluva lot of Star Wars tat produced over the years, and here's a catalogue of some of the worst. No, younger readers, it's not an April Fools -- all this stuff really was made.
Quint has seen the first footage from Neill Blomkamp's District 9 at ShoWest! by Quint
(from Ain't It Cool News)
This sounds brilliant -- I am now massively more hyped for it than I was before and can't wait to see the trailer. Also, I personally really enjoyed Cloverfield, enough to put it in my Top 10 of 2008 (which you'll see is relevant if you read the article).
Raiders of the Lost Ark: The Adaptation To Get UK Premiere In London
(from Fan Cinema Today)
But sadly not a wider release.
Tauntaun Sleeping Bag
(from Think Geek)
This started out as an April Fools joke, but clearly proved too popular: "Due to an overwhelming tsunami of requests from YOU THE PEOPLE, we have decided to TRY and bring this to life." Yup, really.
Top Hollywood classics get advertising makeover by Cal
(from Heroes of the East)
Amusingly satirical April Fools article on putting product placement into classic films.
Wallpaper sparks transphobia complaints by Daniel Kilkelly
(from Digital Spy)
I guess you had to be there...
We Don't Want Your Wolverine Reviews!!! by Beaks
(from Ain't It Cool News)
You've probably heard about the Wolverine leak by now -- the "April Fools that wasn't", as I like to call it -- but here's a bit from AICN just in case.
Checklist: Fad Wars! by Bonnie Burton, Pete Vilmur & Pablo Hidalgo
(from Star Wars official site)
There's been a helluva lot of Star Wars tat produced over the years, and here's a catalogue of some of the worst. No, younger readers, it's not an April Fools -- all this stuff really was made.
Quint has seen the first footage from Neill Blomkamp's District 9 at ShoWest! by Quint
(from Ain't It Cool News)
This sounds brilliant -- I am now massively more hyped for it than I was before and can't wait to see the trailer. Also, I personally really enjoyed Cloverfield, enough to put it in my Top 10 of 2008 (which you'll see is relevant if you read the article).
Raiders of the Lost Ark: The Adaptation To Get UK Premiere In London
(from Fan Cinema Today)
But sadly not a wider release.
Tauntaun Sleeping Bag
(from Think Geek)
This started out as an April Fools joke, but clearly proved too popular: "Due to an overwhelming tsunami of requests from YOU THE PEOPLE, we have decided to TRY and bring this to life." Yup, really.
Top Hollywood classics get advertising makeover by Cal
(from Heroes of the East)
Amusingly satirical April Fools article on putting product placement into classic films.
Wallpaper sparks transphobia complaints by Daniel Kilkelly
(from Digital Spy)
I guess you had to be there...
We Don't Want Your Wolverine Reviews!!! by Beaks
(from Ain't It Cool News)
You've probably heard about the Wolverine leak by now -- the "April Fools that wasn't", as I like to call it -- but here's a bit from AICN just in case.
The Wire 1x03: The Buys
Three episodes in and The Wire is definitely growing on me. It's also becoming much clearer why people refer to it as "a novel on TV".
Other shows will often wrap up subplots within an episode, or handily remind you of them in a recap -- even ones that are also one long story, like Damages (I think I'll be making this comparison often through the series). The Wire, on the other hand, merrily plays little things that seem to have resolved themselves within a scene, but are actually setting things up for a future episode. This is done without a single opening recap to jog the memory. Perhaps best of all, many of these little things aren't absolutely essential to understand the ongoing plot, but do deepen character and events considerably.
For example, take the opening of this episode, in which D'Angelo argues against the violent way Baltimore's drugs trade is run. All his points are directly lifted from the police interview he had in the previous episode. You can understand the scene just fine without remembering this, but it's so much richer if you do. Similar little moments play out throughout the episode(s). I suspect this is one of the main reasons it's attracted such a devout following.
While I'm still not convinced it's the Best TV Series Of All Time Ever, the way its true quality is revealed gradually means I'll be reserving final judgement until at least the end of the season, perhaps even the end of the series.
Other shows will often wrap up subplots within an episode, or handily remind you of them in a recap -- even ones that are also one long story, like Damages (I think I'll be making this comparison often through the series). The Wire, on the other hand, merrily plays little things that seem to have resolved themselves within a scene, but are actually setting things up for a future episode. This is done without a single opening recap to jog the memory. Perhaps best of all, many of these little things aren't absolutely essential to understand the ongoing plot, but do deepen character and events considerably.
For example, take the opening of this episode, in which D'Angelo argues against the violent way Baltimore's drugs trade is run. All his points are directly lifted from the police interview he had in the previous episode. You can understand the scene just fine without remembering this, but it's so much richer if you do. Similar little moments play out throughout the episode(s). I suspect this is one of the main reasons it's attracted such a devout following.
While I'm still not convinced it's the Best TV Series Of All Time Ever, the way its true quality is revealed gradually means I'll be reserving final judgement until at least the end of the season, perhaps even the end of the series.
24: Unaired 1994 Pilot
This clip has done the rounds around the 'net a couple of times now, so figured it was about time I shared it.
It's probably a bit too long, and if you've never seen 24 you won't get it, but otherwise it's very funny.
It's probably a bit too long, and if you've never seen 24 you won't get it, but otherwise it's very funny.
Wednesday, 1 April 2009
TV
The Apprentice
5x02 (1/4/09 edition)
Not entirely sure how or why I found myself watching this (for the first time ever, I should add). It's just as rubbish as I always thought it looked, to be honest, so I shan't be bothering again
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Ashes to Ashes Series 2 Trailer
The first series of Ashes suffered in some quarters by comparisons to its parent show, Life on Mars. Is it as good as Mars? Probably not. But it's certainly a well-above-average drama and I'm very glad to see it back, and this specially-shot trailer was certainly a lot of fun. Hopefully they can make it as far as the proposed third year, and then I suspect it will be time to leave the LoM universe alone. But you never know...
Doctor Who: Planet of the Dead Trailer
With so little new Who this year its good to see that this Easter special -- our only televisual dose until Christmas -- looks so promising. My initial thoughts are that it looks a bit like Voyage of the Damned crossed with Pitch Black -- two things I love, incidentally, so in my opinion this is a Good Thing.
It's also entertained me that the trailer confirmed a Saturday 11th broadcast date. From some speculation somewhere a whole raft of people had got it into their heads that Sunday 12th was the confirmed date and have been bandying this around as fact. It always amuses me when something like that happens... and yet, these people never learn.
I've Never Seen Star Wars
1x03 Rory McGrath
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
The Wire
1x02 The Detail
Already becoming more engrossing, though yet to grab me as much as some other one-long-story series do. Let's put it this way: I think I may be able to see why some fans prefer to wait and watch it all in one go.
5x02 (1/4/09 edition)
Not entirely sure how or why I found myself watching this (for the first time ever, I should add). It's just as rubbish as I always thought it looked, to be honest, so I shan't be bothering again
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Ashes to Ashes Series 2 Trailer
The first series of Ashes suffered in some quarters by comparisons to its parent show, Life on Mars. Is it as good as Mars? Probably not. But it's certainly a well-above-average drama and I'm very glad to see it back, and this specially-shot trailer was certainly a lot of fun. Hopefully they can make it as far as the proposed third year, and then I suspect it will be time to leave the LoM universe alone. But you never know...
Doctor Who: Planet of the Dead Trailer
With so little new Who this year its good to see that this Easter special -- our only televisual dose until Christmas -- looks so promising. My initial thoughts are that it looks a bit like Voyage of the Damned crossed with Pitch Black -- two things I love, incidentally, so in my opinion this is a Good Thing.
It's also entertained me that the trailer confirmed a Saturday 11th broadcast date. From some speculation somewhere a whole raft of people had got it into their heads that Sunday 12th was the confirmed date and have been bandying this around as fact. It always amuses me when something like that happens... and yet, these people never learn.
I've Never Seen Star Wars
1x03 Rory McGrath
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
The Wire
1x02 The Detail
Already becoming more engrossing, though yet to grab me as much as some other one-long-story series do. Let's put it this way: I think I may be able to see why some fans prefer to wait and watch it all in one go.
Articles
Number 2 Has Got Number 6 All Bottled Up, In New Prisoner Poster by Charlie Jane Anders
(from io9)
A fairly cool poster for what will be an interesting remake. The presence of Ian McKellen in the cast certainly suggests quality. Also included, a poster for the new Day of the Triffids. Dreadful poster, wonderful cast.
Review of State of Play by Shonette Laffy
(from Total Film)
While they come out on the positive side, it still doesn't sound great to me. But we'll see.
Simon Pegg Exclusive by Nick Setchfield
(from SFX)
A good interview with "alpha geek" Simon Pegg, covering Tintin, working with Spielberg, and various other future projects. Perhaps best of all, it confirms that Thomson and Thompson will look alike in the Tintin films, despite being played by the physically-very-different Pegg and Frost.
Apparently this interview is part one of two (or more), so eyes peeled for the rest.
And for a list of lists (related to films), have a look here.
(from io9)
A fairly cool poster for what will be an interesting remake. The presence of Ian McKellen in the cast certainly suggests quality. Also included, a poster for the new Day of the Triffids. Dreadful poster, wonderful cast.
Review of State of Play by Shonette Laffy
(from Total Film)
While they come out on the positive side, it still doesn't sound great to me. But we'll see.
Simon Pegg Exclusive by Nick Setchfield
(from SFX)
A good interview with "alpha geek" Simon Pegg, covering Tintin, working with Spielberg, and various other future projects. Perhaps best of all, it confirms that Thomson and Thompson will look alike in the Tintin films, despite being played by the physically-very-different Pegg and Frost.
Apparently this interview is part one of two (or more), so eyes peeled for the rest.
And for a list of lists (related to films), have a look here.
Total Film lists
I'm posting this separately from today's main articles post because, quite simply, there are rather a lot of them. All can be found at Total Film's website (where there are many, many more) and all written by Sam Ashurst.
10 Unbelievable Future Movie Posters
Total Film's attempt at an April Fools joke. Unfortunately very few are believable enough to pull that off; plus the sheer volume of posters included and the facetious tone at the start of the article give the game away immediately. And I swear I've seen that Avatar poster as a real one on numerous sites... which is no guarantee of authenticity, of course.
Among the others, the New Moon one is believably dull, the Riddler Bat-sequel one is believably 'til you reach the pathetically-handled title, and the Harley Quinn Bat one is easily the best. I don't imagine they'll actually use Quinn in the next Bat film, but if they did I can well imagine she'd look like that.
The 10 Worst Sequels Of The '80s
Only 10? They must've been spoilt for choice.
The 16 Endings They Didn’t Want You To See
A mix of ones that aren't missed (Brazil, Blade Runner, y) and some that are superior (I Am Legend). Be warned, there are some serious spoilers in this list.
The 17 Worst Movie Posters Of 2009
Some of these aren't actually all that bad. And some really, really are. My favourite is the one for Fired Up, which is literally just a big "F U".
10 Unbelievable Future Movie Posters
Total Film's attempt at an April Fools joke. Unfortunately very few are believable enough to pull that off; plus the sheer volume of posters included and the facetious tone at the start of the article give the game away immediately. And I swear I've seen that Avatar poster as a real one on numerous sites... which is no guarantee of authenticity, of course.
Among the others, the New Moon one is believably dull, the Riddler Bat-sequel one is believably 'til you reach the pathetically-handled title, and the Harley Quinn Bat one is easily the best. I don't imagine they'll actually use Quinn in the next Bat film, but if they did I can well imagine she'd look like that.
The 10 Worst Sequels Of The '80s
Only 10? They must've been spoilt for choice.
The 16 Endings They Didn’t Want You To See
A mix of ones that aren't missed (Brazil, Blade Runner, y) and some that are superior (I Am Legend). Be warned, there are some serious spoilers in this list.
The 17 Worst Movie Posters Of 2009
Some of these aren't actually all that bad. And some really, really are. My favourite is the one for Fired Up, which is literally just a big "F U".
Tuesday, 31 March 2009
TV
Argumental
2x02 (30/3/09 edition)
In which Rufus Hound summarises four years' of Doctor Who's arc plots in one very long sentence. Impressive.
The Wire
1x01 The Target
With BBC Two airing The Wire rather late at night, I'm intending to watch every episode the next day -- so, the episode that was actually on TV this evening was 1x02 (just in case this has confused you).
For my thoughts on this episode, look here.
2x02 (30/3/09 edition)
In which Rufus Hound summarises four years' of Doctor Who's arc plots in one very long sentence. Impressive.
The Wire
1x01 The Target
With BBC Two airing The Wire rather late at night, I'm intending to watch every episode the next day -- so, the episode that was actually on TV this evening was 1x02 (just in case this has confused you).
For my thoughts on this episode, look here.
Articles
David Cronenberg Making Plans For Eastern Promises Sequel by Eric Ditzian
(from Movies Blog at MTV)
I've yet to see the highly acclaimed Eastern Promises... but now I know the big twist ending, thanks to this article. And Cronenberg himself has warned against this! Bastard news article writers.
Anyway, if you've not seen it, let the title and following quote satiate your interest:
"“We are going to have a meeting very soon between me, [screenwriter] Steve Knight and [producer] Paul Webster to discuss what the script would be,” Cronenberg said. “I have some very strong ideas about what I would like to see, but I would like to hear what they have to say as well. And then after that, if all goes well, Steve goes away and writes a great script. If we all like it, we make it.”"
First Footage of Sherlock Holmes Shown At ShoWest! by George 'El Guapo' Roush
(from Latino Review)
Sounds pretty cool -- despite the involvement of Guy Ritchie and Jude Law, and potential irreverence to the source material, I'm still quite looking forward to the film. At the very least it will be Interesting.
Here's a Poster Featuring Downey As Sherlock Holmes... by Merrick
(from Ain't It Cool News)
That's quite a cool poster too, if you ask me.
Okay, Hot Toys Is Getting Absurd
(from Topless Robot)
This new 'Heath Ledger's Joker' action figure is mad. Not only is it freakishly accurate, not only is it crazily accessorized, but its eyes move. No, really, they do. Check out the full article for more on that.
(from Movies Blog at MTV)
I've yet to see the highly acclaimed Eastern Promises... but now I know the big twist ending, thanks to this article. And Cronenberg himself has warned against this! Bastard news article writers.
Anyway, if you've not seen it, let the title and following quote satiate your interest:
"“We are going to have a meeting very soon between me, [screenwriter] Steve Knight and [producer] Paul Webster to discuss what the script would be,” Cronenberg said. “I have some very strong ideas about what I would like to see, but I would like to hear what they have to say as well. And then after that, if all goes well, Steve goes away and writes a great script. If we all like it, we make it.”"
First Footage of Sherlock Holmes Shown At ShoWest! by George 'El Guapo' Roush
(from Latino Review)
Sounds pretty cool -- despite the involvement of Guy Ritchie and Jude Law, and potential irreverence to the source material, I'm still quite looking forward to the film. At the very least it will be Interesting.
Here's a Poster Featuring Downey As Sherlock Holmes... by Merrick
(from Ain't It Cool News)
That's quite a cool poster too, if you ask me.
Okay, Hot Toys Is Getting Absurd
(from Topless Robot)
This new 'Heath Ledger's Joker' action figure is mad. Not only is it freakishly accurate, not only is it crazily accessorized, but its eyes move. No, really, they do. Check out the full article for more on that.
The Wire 1x01: The Target
The Wire arrives on the back of 7 years' (yes, 7 years!) worth of massive hype. Is it as good as everyone says?
On the strength of one episode, it's hard to tell. Some series' brilliance strikes you clearly after just one episode -- The Wire is not one of those series. This makes it a bit of a struggle to see why it's so widely acclaimed as the greatest TV series ever made. Equally, fans go on about how it takes time to get into and the story is really spread across many episodes (as if 24 didn't do that even earlier, and numerous series haven't used the same idea since; or, indeed, as if we aren't used to long multi-part adaptations of fiction), so I'll give it more of a chance yet.
This has raised some interesting points for me, however. As many fans are keen to tell you, The Wire is more like a novel than traditional TV, actually telling one story over all 13 episodes of the season. Of course, as I've noted above, this is a much-imitated style nowadays -- it's exactly what legal thriller Damages does, for example -- but The Wire really does it: where other shows still try to make each episode function in itself somehow, this doesn't matter to The Wire, where you're served one thirteenth of the drama.
Is this a valid use of the form? By which I mean, should it actually see the episodic format as a virtue and make each episode moderately self-contained (as Damages does). If it wants to tell one long story, why isn't it a novel, where it is theoretically uninterrupted? (Of course few people read novels in one sitting, but you're aware it's one whole work, whereas a season of 13 episodes is, in one way or another, 13 separate but connected works.)
I don't have an answer to any of this, but it's something I'm wondering. We'll see how things progress over the next 12 hours.
On the strength of one episode, it's hard to tell. Some series' brilliance strikes you clearly after just one episode -- The Wire is not one of those series. This makes it a bit of a struggle to see why it's so widely acclaimed as the greatest TV series ever made. Equally, fans go on about how it takes time to get into and the story is really spread across many episodes (as if 24 didn't do that even earlier, and numerous series haven't used the same idea since; or, indeed, as if we aren't used to long multi-part adaptations of fiction), so I'll give it more of a chance yet.
This has raised some interesting points for me, however. As many fans are keen to tell you, The Wire is more like a novel than traditional TV, actually telling one story over all 13 episodes of the season. Of course, as I've noted above, this is a much-imitated style nowadays -- it's exactly what legal thriller Damages does, for example -- but The Wire really does it: where other shows still try to make each episode function in itself somehow, this doesn't matter to The Wire, where you're served one thirteenth of the drama.
Is this a valid use of the form? By which I mean, should it actually see the episodic format as a virtue and make each episode moderately self-contained (as Damages does). If it wants to tell one long story, why isn't it a novel, where it is theoretically uninterrupted? (Of course few people read novels in one sitting, but you're aware it's one whole work, whereas a season of 13 episodes is, in one way or another, 13 separate but connected works.)
I don't have an answer to any of this, but it's something I'm wondering. We'll see how things progress over the next 12 hours.
Monday, 30 March 2009
TV
Law & Order: UK
1x06 Paradise
Another strong episode, if still subject to the series' penchant for worthiness... though at least it seems to be aware of it, turning it into a character flaw rather than just blunt writing. Well done.
[Watch it (again) on ITV Player.]
The Mentalist
1x01 Pilot
Sherlock Holmes meets Derren Brown by way of any old US cop show in Five's latest import. As a fan of at least two out of those three things, this is very promising.
1x06 Paradise
Another strong episode, if still subject to the series' penchant for worthiness... though at least it seems to be aware of it, turning it into a character flaw rather than just blunt writing. Well done.
[Watch it (again) on ITV Player.]
The Mentalist
1x01 Pilot
Sherlock Holmes meets Derren Brown by way of any old US cop show in Five's latest import. As a fan of at least two out of those three things, this is very promising.
Films
Big Nothing (2006)
[#12 in 100 Films in a Year 2009]
This is the third new film in a row I've watched on TV, an unusually high number for me.
[#12 in 100 Films in a Year 2009]
This is the third new film in a row I've watched on TV, an unusually high number for me.
Articles
Robin Hood tops Primeval in ratings by Neil Wilkes
(from Digital Spy)
"The return of Robin Hood beat the return of Primeval in the ratings... The BBC drama averaged 5.62m (25.8%)... Its ITV1 rival, also launching its third run, put in 5.27m (23.7%)...
Hood suffered from being up against Harry Hill's TV Burp... but when Primeval began Hood's audience jumped from 5.65m to a peak of 6.74m (29.7%) within five minutes.
The audience for Hood was roughly on par with that for the first episode of series two, which managed 5.76m... Primeval, meanwhile, was down around 500k on its second series premiere, which delivered 5.72m."
Clearly I wasn't the only one who preferred the Hood. Their overall closeness may not be enough to jolt ITV into moving them out of direct competition, sadly, though Primeval's drop from last year and Hood's spike when Primeval began might convince them...
Weekend Report: Monsters, Haunting Scare Up Big Business by Brandon Gray
(from Box Office Mojo)
But never mind them -- this is an "oh dear" update on Watchmen:
"Watchmen's rapid descent persisted, this time dissipating 59% to an estimated $2.8 million... The superhero drama did lose more than half of its screens and showings from last weekend, but there were still many more than enough to satiate any remaining audience interest. On its 21st day, it crossed the $100 million mark, but it was the slowest of any movie that opened to over $50 million to reach that milestone".
(from Digital Spy)
"The return of Robin Hood beat the return of Primeval in the ratings... The BBC drama averaged 5.62m (25.8%)... Its ITV1 rival, also launching its third run, put in 5.27m (23.7%)...
Hood suffered from being up against Harry Hill's TV Burp... but when Primeval began Hood's audience jumped from 5.65m to a peak of 6.74m (29.7%) within five minutes.
The audience for Hood was roughly on par with that for the first episode of series two, which managed 5.76m... Primeval, meanwhile, was down around 500k on its second series premiere, which delivered 5.72m."
Clearly I wasn't the only one who preferred the Hood. Their overall closeness may not be enough to jolt ITV into moving them out of direct competition, sadly, though Primeval's drop from last year and Hood's spike when Primeval began might convince them...
Weekend Report: Monsters, Haunting Scare Up Big Business by Brandon Gray
(from Box Office Mojo)
But never mind them -- this is an "oh dear" update on Watchmen:
"Watchmen's rapid descent persisted, this time dissipating 59% to an estimated $2.8 million... The superhero drama did lose more than half of its screens and showings from last weekend, but there were still many more than enough to satiate any remaining audience interest. On its 21st day, it crossed the $100 million mark, but it was the slowest of any movie that opened to over $50 million to reach that milestone".
Sunday, 29 March 2009
Films
Quantum of Solace (2008)
[2nd watch]
A much, much better film than many think -- I certainly appreciated it more on a second viewing. I suspect that, in time, this one may be reevaluated, much as On Her Majesty's Secret Service has been. Though it took that a couple of decades...
[2nd watch]
A much, much better film than many think -- I certainly appreciated it more on a second viewing. I suspect that, in time, this one may be reevaluated, much as On Her Majesty's Secret Service has been. Though it took that a couple of decades...
Articles
Daniel Craig On Pushing James Bond Forward by Devin Zydel
(from CommanderBond.net)
Fairly long interview with the incumbent Bond actor, discussing Quantum of Solace and touching on Bond 23.
End of Rainbow Captured On iPhone Camera, No Pot Of Gold by Sean Fallon
(from Gizmodo)
I drove past the end of a rainbow the other day. I didn't take a photo, because I was DRIVING.
(from CommanderBond.net)
Fairly long interview with the incumbent Bond actor, discussing Quantum of Solace and touching on Bond 23.
End of Rainbow Captured On iPhone Camera, No Pot Of Gold by Sean Fallon
(from Gizmodo)
I drove past the end of a rainbow the other day. I didn't take a photo, because I was DRIVING.
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