How I Met Your Mother
4x07 Not a Father's Day
[Watch it (again) on 4oD.]
Survivors [2008]
2x02 Episode 2
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
Tuesday, 2 February 2010
Articles
The Oscar Nominations Are Announced! by Chris Hewitt
(from Empire)
Today was, of course, Oscar nominations day. It's been covered pretty widely, naturally, but here's some of Empire's thoughts, plus the full list of nominees.
(from Empire)
Today was, of course, Oscar nominations day. It's been covered pretty widely, naturally, but here's some of Empire's thoughts, plus the full list of nominees.
Monday, 1 February 2010
TV
How I Met Your Mother
4x06 Happily Ever After
[Watch it (again) on 4oD.]
Mad Men
3x01 Out of Town
3x02 Love Among the Ruins
Great opening to the third season. Having a time-leap, but not one as thoroughly radical as season two's, works excellently (whereas season two's was a bit much), while the writing shows all its usual subtly and style -- not everything makes sense yet, but it surely will before the season's out.
[Watch Out of Town and Love Among the Ruins again in HD on iPlayer.]
4x06 Happily Ever After
[Watch it (again) on 4oD.]
Mad Men
3x01 Out of Town
3x02 Love Among the Ruins
Great opening to the third season. Having a time-leap, but not one as thoroughly radical as season two's, works excellently (whereas season two's was a bit much), while the writing shows all its usual subtly and style -- not everything makes sense yet, but it surely will before the season's out.
[Watch Out of Town and Love Among the Ruins again in HD on iPlayer.]
Articles
Sky runs world-first live 3D TV sport by Andrew Laughlin
(from Digital Spy)
A report on how the above went; or, rather, initial impressions from the journalist, because no public survey data is back yet. Suffice to say, football doesn't look that different in 3D -- but "other stuff might, honest" seems to be Sky's line.
Transformers leads Razzies worst films contest
(from BBC News)
Pleasing to see lots of noms for Twirubbish: New Tosh (or, y'know, whatever it's called), though they seem to have forgotten Avatar in the screenplay category.
(from Digital Spy)
A report on how the above went; or, rather, initial impressions from the journalist, because no public survey data is back yet. Suffice to say, football doesn't look that different in 3D -- but "other stuff might, honest" seems to be Sky's line.
Transformers leads Razzies worst films contest
(from BBC News)
Pleasing to see lots of noms for Twirubbish: New Tosh (or, y'know, whatever it's called), though they seem to have forgotten Avatar in the screenplay category.
Sunday, 31 January 2010
TV
Australian Open 2010
The Men's Singles final, of course, despite the early hour it was on over here. Can't say I'm too disappointed by the result, though seeing Andy Murray cry was a surprise. Maybe he'll humble up and actually become a nice guy now...
Wallander [Swedish]
1x13 Hemligheten (aka The Secret) [season finale]
[Due to its original theatrical release, this also counts as #12 in 100 Films in a Year 2010.]
The Men's Singles final, of course, despite the early hour it was on over here. Can't say I'm too disappointed by the result, though seeing Andy Murray cry was a surprise. Maybe he'll humble up and actually become a nice guy now...
Wallander [Swedish]
1x13 Hemligheten (aka The Secret) [season finale]
[Due to its original theatrical release, this also counts as #12 in 100 Films in a Year 2010.]
Saturday, 30 January 2010
TV
Mock the Week
8x02 (28/1/10 edition)
Great bit on the undeservingness of Avatar (jump straight to it on iPlayer).
[Watch the whole episode (again) on iPlayer.]
8x02 (28/1/10 edition)
Great bit on the undeservingness of Avatar (jump straight to it on iPlayer).
[Watch the whole episode (again) on iPlayer.]
Articles
Articles from the past few days that I'd forgotten to put up...
The 50 Worst Movies Ever by Helen O'Hara, Alastair Plumb & Phil de Semlyen
(from Empire)
Not necessarily the best list ever -- many are more disappointing than genuinely bad -- but lists are always fun. And number one is deserved.
Billy Connolly claims British comedy is 'too censored'
(from BBC News)
"If you swear in a book, you're some kind of clever guy, if you swear in a poem, oh how dangerous he is, you swear in a song - oh my God, what a groundbreaker! You swear as a comedian, and you're a vulgarian and foul mouthed. When did this happen? Who's doing the judging?"
Michael Landy: Perfecting the art of destruction
(from BBC News)
What an idiot.
Snoop Dogg wants Coronation St cameo by Sarah Rollo
(from Digital Spy)
Well... I... hm...
Stars lambast South Bank Show axe by Paul Millar
(from Digital Spy)
What Joey from Friends did next by Neil Wilkes
(from Digital Spy)
Preview clip/trailer in which Matt LeBlanc plays Matt LeBlanc auditioning to play Matt LeBlanc in a show in which Matt LeBlanc is going to be in a sitcom. Confused? Don't worry, most of the gags are more familiar. Fingers crossed the actual series is good because it's a nice idea.
The 50 Worst Movies Ever by Helen O'Hara, Alastair Plumb & Phil de Semlyen
(from Empire)
Not necessarily the best list ever -- many are more disappointing than genuinely bad -- but lists are always fun. And number one is deserved.
Billy Connolly claims British comedy is 'too censored'
(from BBC News)
"If you swear in a book, you're some kind of clever guy, if you swear in a poem, oh how dangerous he is, you swear in a song - oh my God, what a groundbreaker! You swear as a comedian, and you're a vulgarian and foul mouthed. When did this happen? Who's doing the judging?"
Michael Landy: Perfecting the art of destruction
(from BBC News)
What an idiot.
Snoop Dogg wants Coronation St cameo by Sarah Rollo
(from Digital Spy)
Well... I... hm...
Stars lambast South Bank Show axe by Paul Millar
(from Digital Spy)
Billy Connolly told a journalist: "It really makes me awfully sad. Without arts programmes there's only reality TV and reality TV needs the arts to tell them what reality is."
Rob Brydon added jestfully: "Well done, ITV. I can't back Billy's leftist thoughts. Good riddance I say, let's get rid of our bastion of culture on ITV and let's just lie around in pig s**t."
What Joey from Friends did next by Neil Wilkes
(from Digital Spy)
Preview clip/trailer in which Matt LeBlanc plays Matt LeBlanc auditioning to play Matt LeBlanc in a show in which Matt LeBlanc is going to be in a sitcom. Confused? Don't worry, most of the gags are more familiar. Fingers crossed the actual series is good because it's a nice idea.
Friday, 29 January 2010
TV
24
7x09 4:00PM - 5:00PM
Friday Night With Jonathan Ross
18x02 (22/1/10 edition)
Yes, last week's.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
How I Met Your Mother
4x05 Shelter Island
[Watch it (again) on 4oD.]
7x09 4:00PM - 5:00PM
Friday Night With Jonathan Ross
18x02 (22/1/10 edition)
Yes, last week's.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
How I Met Your Mother
4x05 Shelter Island
[Watch it (again) on 4oD.]
Collection Count
Collection Count tracks my DVD/Blu-ray collection via a number of statistics every week. This week, another round of increases as normal.
Not much more to add, really.
Number of titles in collection: 1,133 [up 7]
Of which DVDs: 1,073 [up 5]
Of which Blu-rays: 60 [up 2]
Number of discs in collection: 2,781 [up 9]
Number of films in collection: 1,198 [up 14]
Number of TV episodes in collection: 3,876 [up 6]
Statistic of the week:
Number of Doctor Who episodes:
409 (10.6% of the total number of TV episodes)
That breaks down as 348 classic series (9%) and 61 new series (1.6%).
See you next week, faithful reader.
Not much more to add, really.
Number of titles in collection: 1,133 [up 7]
Of which DVDs: 1,073 [up 5]
Of which Blu-rays: 60 [up 2]
Number of discs in collection: 2,781 [up 9]
Number of films in collection: 1,198 [up 14]
Number of TV episodes in collection: 3,876 [up 6]
Statistic of the week:
Number of Doctor Who episodes:
409 (10.6% of the total number of TV episodes)
That breaks down as 348 classic series (9%) and 61 new series (1.6%).
See you next week, faithful reader.
Thursday, 28 January 2010
TV
10 Minute Tales
Episode 10 Perfect Day
Episode 11 The Running of the Deer [final episode]
24
7x08 3:00PM - 4:00PM
Pushing the what-might-happen-in-an-hour credibility to the limit here. This plot would've been better spread over two episodes.
How I Met Your Mother
4x03 I Heart NJ
4x04 Intervention
[Watch I Heart NJ and Intervention (again) on 4oD.]
Episode 10 Perfect Day
Episode 11 The Running of the Deer [final episode]
24
7x08 3:00PM - 4:00PM
Pushing the what-might-happen-in-an-hour credibility to the limit here. This plot would've been better spread over two episodes.
How I Met Your Mother
4x03 I Heart NJ
4x04 Intervention
[Watch I Heart NJ and Intervention (again) on 4oD.]
Wednesday, 27 January 2010
TV
24
7x07 2:00PM - 3:00PM
The whole four-people-against-the-whole-establishment thing is beginning to get a bit silly now -- this isn't The A-Team. Still, the days of such silliness may be numbered... though I wouldn't count on it just yet...
7x07 2:00PM - 3:00PM
The whole four-people-against-the-whole-establishment thing is beginning to get a bit silly now -- this isn't The A-Team. Still, the days of such silliness may be numbered... though I wouldn't count on it just yet...
Tuesday, 26 January 2010
TV
How I Met Your Mother
4x01 Do I Know You?
4x02 The Best Burger in New York
Making a belated start on season four. But because E4 have switched to showing it weekly (the first three series were daily), I'll be caught up -- and, probably, overtake -- in no time. Hurrah for the Internet.
Law & Order: UK
2x03 Community Service
Sadly this episode suffers from Most Famous Guest Star Syndrome; not to mention that it's yet another bleak-ended episode -- can we have one with some proper justice soon, please? Such realism is a tad depressing, and not appropriate on shiny happy light-weight ITV.
[Watch it (again) on ITV Player.]
4x01 Do I Know You?
4x02 The Best Burger in New York
Making a belated start on season four. But because E4 have switched to showing it weekly (the first three series were daily), I'll be caught up -- and, probably, overtake -- in no time. Hurrah for the Internet.
Law & Order: UK
2x03 Community Service
Sadly this episode suffers from Most Famous Guest Star Syndrome; not to mention that it's yet another bleak-ended episode -- can we have one with some proper justice soon, please? Such realism is a tad depressing, and not appropriate on shiny happy light-weight ITV.
[Watch it (again) on ITV Player.]
Films
Ernst Lubitsch in Berlin: From Schönhauser Allee to Hollywood (2006)
[#10 in 100 Films in a Year 2010]
And that brings to a close my run through the Masters of Cinema Lubitsch in Berlin box set, and with it 100 Films' first Silent Week. Apart from posting all the reviews, that is.
Kick-Ass Theatrical Trailer 2
Yes.
[#10 in 100 Films in a Year 2010]
And that brings to a close my run through the Masters of Cinema Lubitsch in Berlin box set, and with it 100 Films' first Silent Week. Apart from posting all the reviews, that is.
Kick-Ass Theatrical Trailer 2
Yes.
Articles
Tesco sets up film studio to adapt hit novels by Vanessa Thorpe
(from The Observer at guardian.co.uk)
Well, now, this is unusual news. It also sounds like something of a new business model -- potentially, a very exciting and lucrative one. Let's just hope the adaptations are good and not sub-par-TV-movie direct-to-DVD standard (i.e. rubbish). Though with such big-name authors involved -- including ones who've already been adapted by the likes of the BBC and Proper Big Hollywood Studios -- you have to assume there's been some degree of quality control.
(from The Observer at guardian.co.uk)
Well, now, this is unusual news. It also sounds like something of a new business model -- potentially, a very exciting and lucrative one. Let's just hope the adaptations are good and not sub-par-TV-movie direct-to-DVD standard (i.e. rubbish). Though with such big-name authors involved -- including ones who've already been adapted by the likes of the BBC and Proper Big Hollywood Studios -- you have to assume there's been some degree of quality control.
Monday, 25 January 2010
TV
QI
7x09 Gallimaufrey (extended repeat)
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Wallander [Swedish]
1x12 Jokern (aka The Joker)
With a quirky jazz score! Weird...
7x09 Gallimaufrey (extended repeat)
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Wallander [Swedish]
1x12 Jokern (aka The Joker)
With a quirky jazz score! Weird...
Films
Die Bergkatze (1921)
aka The Mountain-Lion / The Wildcat
[#9 in 100 Films in a Year 2010]
And the accompanying new essay of the same title by Anna Thorngate.
aka The Mountain-Lion / The Wildcat
[#9 in 100 Films in a Year 2010]
And the accompanying new essay of the same title by Anna Thorngate.
Articles
Avatar to topple Titanic's BO record by Simon Reynolds
(from Digital Spy)
Not that Titanic is a worthy number one, but... well, neither's Avatar. Still, lesser of two evils and all that.
(from Digital Spy)
Not that Titanic is a worthy number one, but... well, neither's Avatar. Still, lesser of two evils and all that.
Sunday, 24 January 2010
TV
24
7x05 12:00PM - 1:00PM
7x06 1:00PM - 2:00PM
A quarter of the way through Day 7, and the MacGuffin Device (I completely forget what it's actually called -- CPS? CRB? CPR? Could be anything...) is threatening to give us a re-run of Day 4's histrionics. Still, it's not there yet, so fingers crossed...
Our World
Guantanamo Reunited
Happened across the tail end of this BBC News documentary last night while it was on BBC Two. It's an excellent documentary in which "a former guard at Guantanamo Bay comes face-to-face with two of his ex-prisoners who spent more than two years at the world's most notorious prison" (and were found to be falsely accused, it should be noted). It's reassuring to see how the men can reconcile with each other. If only world leaders were capable of the same.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
7x05 12:00PM - 1:00PM
7x06 1:00PM - 2:00PM
A quarter of the way through Day 7, and the MacGuffin Device (I completely forget what it's actually called -- CPS? CRB? CPR? Could be anything...) is threatening to give us a re-run of Day 4's histrionics. Still, it's not there yet, so fingers crossed...
Our World
Guantanamo Reunited
Happened across the tail end of this BBC News documentary last night while it was on BBC Two. It's an excellent documentary in which "a former guard at Guantanamo Bay comes face-to-face with two of his ex-prisoners who spent more than two years at the world's most notorious prison" (and were found to be falsely accused, it should be noted). It's reassuring to see how the men can reconcile with each other. If only world leaders were capable of the same.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Films
Anna Boleyn (1920)
aka Deception
[#8 in 100 Films in a Year 2010]
And the accompanying new essay, "The Court Jester", by David Cairns.
aka Deception
[#8 in 100 Films in a Year 2010]
And the accompanying new essay, "The Court Jester", by David Cairns.
Saturday, 23 January 2010
TV
24
7x04 11:00AM - 12:00PM
Mock the Week
8x01 (21/1/10 edition)
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Wallander [British]
2x03 The Fifth Woman [season finale]
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
7x04 11:00AM - 12:00PM
Mock the Week
8x01 (21/1/10 edition)
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Wallander [British]
2x03 The Fifth Woman [season finale]
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
Articles
Lawless: 'Spartacus will offend people' by Catriona Wightman
(from Digital Spy)
"new show Spartacus: Blood And Sand... features explicit sex and violence." So it's basically Rome 2 then. Well, Rome was severely underrated, so you never know...
Why do Americans care about late night TV? by Elizabeth Diffin & Megan Lane
(from BBC News Magazine)
Interesting article from a UK perspective -- as it points out, "the late-night talk show has been a staple of American programming for the best part of half a century [but] it's a format - and a timeslot - that's never really caught on in the UK.".
(from Digital Spy)
"new show Spartacus: Blood And Sand... features explicit sex and violence." So it's basically Rome 2 then. Well, Rome was severely underrated, so you never know...
Why do Americans care about late night TV? by Elizabeth Diffin & Megan Lane
(from BBC News Magazine)
Interesting article from a UK perspective -- as it points out, "the late-night talk show has been a staple of American programming for the best part of half a century [but] it's a format - and a timeslot - that's never really caught on in the UK.".
Friday, 22 January 2010
TV
Friday Night With Jonathan Ross
18x01 (15/1/10 edition)
Wossy's final series (well, presumably -- they might put a break halfway through; though the BBC site says it'll run for a straight 25 episodes) gets underway with only veiled references to his impending departure. Sensible, probably.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
18x01 (15/1/10 edition)
Wossy's final series (well, presumably -- they might put a break halfway through; though the BBC site says it'll run for a straight 25 episodes) gets underway with only veiled references to his impending departure. Sensible, probably.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Films
Sumurun (1920)
aka One Arabian Night
[#7 in 100 Films in a Year 2010]
And the accompanying new essay, "Ali-Babelsberg", by David Cairns.
aka One Arabian Night
[#7 in 100 Films in a Year 2010]
And the accompanying new essay, "Ali-Babelsberg", by David Cairns.
Collection Count
Collection Count tracks my DVD/Blu-ray collection via a number of statistics every week. Slight increases across the board this week (almost), though a couple of box sets mean the discs/films total is quadruple the titles! This is why I count titles and actual discs separately.
Number of titles in collection: 1,126 [up 5]
Of which DVDs: 1,068 [up 4]
Of which Blu-rays: 58 [up 1]
Number of discs in collection: 2,772 [up 19]
Number of films in collection: 1,184 [up 20]
Number of TV episodes in collection: 3,870 [no change]
Statistic of the week:
Number of silent titles:
19
(1.7% of the total)
These titles include 48 feature-length films and numerous shorts.
(Some are box sets that include a mix of silent and sound titles, but I've only counted genuine silents from that era -- so not including the likes of The Call of Cthulu, made in 2005 in an imitation silent style. Just to complicate matters, two Charlie Chaplin films -- City Lights and Modern Times -- are technically sound pictures, but only have synchronised music/effects and limited dialogue. The latter is often called the last silent film. So, you could say my actual total is therefore 50.)
See you next week, faithful reader.
Number of titles in collection: 1,126 [up 5]
Of which DVDs: 1,068 [up 4]
Of which Blu-rays: 58 [up 1]
Number of discs in collection: 2,772 [up 19]
Number of films in collection: 1,184 [up 20]
Number of TV episodes in collection: 3,870 [no change]
Statistic of the week:
Number of silent titles:
19
(1.7% of the total)
These titles include 48 feature-length films and numerous shorts.
(Some are box sets that include a mix of silent and sound titles, but I've only counted genuine silents from that era -- so not including the likes of The Call of Cthulu, made in 2005 in an imitation silent style. Just to complicate matters, two Charlie Chaplin films -- City Lights and Modern Times -- are technically sound pictures, but only have synchronised music/effects and limited dialogue. The latter is often called the last silent film. So, you could say my actual total is therefore 50.)
See you next week, faithful reader.
Thursday, 21 January 2010
TV
24
7x03 10:00AM - 11:00AM
I'm beginning to get a little worried by the amount of plot that's already been revealed. There's 21 hours to go, guys -- don't make the same mistake as recent seasons and over-cram the story with an unfeasible amount of incident!
7x03 10:00AM - 11:00AM
I'm beginning to get a little worried by the amount of plot that's already been revealed. There's 21 hours to go, guys -- don't make the same mistake as recent seasons and over-cram the story with an unfeasible amount of incident!
Films
Die Austernprinzessin (1919)
aka The Oyster Princess / My Lady Margarine
[#6 in 100 Films in a Year 2010]
And the accompanying new essay of the same title by Ignatiy Vishnevetsky.
aka The Oyster Princess / My Lady Margarine
[#6 in 100 Films in a Year 2010]
And the accompanying new essay of the same title by Ignatiy Vishnevetsky.
Wednesday, 20 January 2010
TV
National Television Awards 2009
A surprisingly high number of worthwhile winners this year. Not all of them, of course, but what do you expect? It's on ITV after all. So, well done British public.
A surprisingly high number of worthwhile winners this year. Not all of them, of course, but what do you expect? It's on ITV after all. So, well done British public.
Films
Ich möchte kein Mann sein (1918)
aka I Wouldn't Like to Be a Man
[#4 in 100 Films in a Year 2010]
And the accompanying new essay of the same title by Anna Thorngate.
Die Puppe (1919)
aka The Doll
[#5 in 100 Films in a Year 2010]
And the accompanying new essay of the same title by Ignatiy Vishnevetsky.
aka I Wouldn't Like to Be a Man
[#4 in 100 Films in a Year 2010]
And the accompanying new essay of the same title by Anna Thorngate.
Die Puppe (1919)
aka The Doll
[#5 in 100 Films in a Year 2010]
And the accompanying new essay of the same title by Ignatiy Vishnevetsky.
Articles
Marc Webb Will Direct New Spider-Man Reboot by Brad Brevet
(from RopeofSilicon)
This story's all over everywhere, so you can take your pic of who reported it. Quite surprising news though -- a) to have announced a director so speedily, and b) their unproven choice. Could make for an interesting Spider-Man 4... er, 0... or... um...
Spooks, Waking The Dead tipped for axe by Daniel Kilkelly
(from Digital Spy)
And the BBC deny it, of course, but their denial sounds rather false: the original story reports both will end after their next series, the BBC 'denial' just says they've been recommissioned not cancelled... which is true, but because the article says after the next series there's no reason it's not also correct.
It's probably about time though -- Spooks has its moments, but its best years are long gone and they're clearly out of stories; and I've never watched Waking the Dead but it doesn't look much cop.
(from RopeofSilicon)
This story's all over everywhere, so you can take your pic of who reported it. Quite surprising news though -- a) to have announced a director so speedily, and b) their unproven choice. Could make for an interesting Spider-Man 4... er, 0... or... um...
Spooks, Waking The Dead tipped for axe by Daniel Kilkelly
(from Digital Spy)
And the BBC deny it, of course, but their denial sounds rather false: the original story reports both will end after their next series, the BBC 'denial' just says they've been recommissioned not cancelled... which is true, but because the article says after the next series there's no reason it's not also correct.
It's probably about time though -- Spooks has its moments, but its best years are long gone and they're clearly out of stories; and I've never watched Waking the Dead but it doesn't look much cop.
Tuesday, 19 January 2010
TV
24
7x02 9:00AM - 10:00AM
Law & Order: UK
2x02 Hidden
A surprisingly strong episode of L&O:UK, both in terms of its subject matter and its relentlessly twisty storytelling. If only every episode had this much going on.
[Watch it (again) on ITV Player.]
QI
7x08 Germany (extended repeat)
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
7x02 9:00AM - 10:00AM
Law & Order: UK
2x02 Hidden
A surprisingly strong episode of L&O:UK, both in terms of its subject matter and its relentlessly twisty storytelling. If only every episode had this much going on.
[Watch it (again) on ITV Player.]
QI
7x08 Germany (extended repeat)
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Magazines
Radio Times 25-31 January 2010
Sometimes there's nothing to read in the Radio Times, other times I'm virtually reading cover to cover. This week's is the latter, thanks in part to the belated return of Mad Men to BBC Four and BBC HD -- hurrah! If only we didn't have to wait so long for it -- makes it very tempting to acquire it while it's on in the US.
Sometimes there's nothing to read in the Radio Times, other times I'm virtually reading cover to cover. This week's is the latter, thanks in part to the belated return of Mad Men to BBC Four and BBC HD -- hurrah! If only we didn't have to wait so long for it -- makes it very tempting to acquire it while it's on in the US.
Articles
Fox readying U.S. version of Torchwood by James Hibberd
(from the live feed at The Hollywood Reporter)
I'll believe it when I see it. It's not wholly implausible, but there're enough suspicious bits in the article (like they'd allow a "reboot Doctor Who for U.S. audiences") to make it doubt-worthy. Still, a US-set variant of Torchwood could work... maybe...
(from the live feed at The Hollywood Reporter)
I'll believe it when I see it. It's not wholly implausible, but there're enough suspicious bits in the article (like they'd allow a "reboot Doctor Who for U.S. audiences") to make it doubt-worthy. Still, a US-set variant of Torchwood could work... maybe...
Monday, 18 January 2010
TV
10 Minute Tales
Episode 7 The Three Kings
Episode 9 Syncing
If only Syncing had a decent, sense-making ending, it might've been rather good. As it stands, it's a couple of neat sound/image-trickery ideas in search of a story to support them.
24
7x01 8:00AM - 9:00AM
It's been literally years since I last watched a series of 24: you may remember this seventh season was delayed a full 12 months thanks to the Writers' Strike (in the interim we were treated to the season-bridging TV movie Redemption), and season eight has just kicked off in the US (with the UK broadcast beginning next Sunday). Add it all up and it's about two-and-a-half years since I saw the end of season six.
I only missed Day 7 (as some like to call it) when it was on because I didn't have Sky1 then (I say "only" -- I was all prepared to be dishonest, I just didn't get round to it), so it's only now -- prompted, of course, by season eight beginning -- that I'm catching up. Is it the long-awaited return to form some fans claimed? Or just another chapter in the show's descent into overblown unbelievable uber-threats? Well, I'll have to wait and see, but this is certainly a strong start going in the right direction.
Peep Show
1x01 Warring Factions
Everyone goes on about the brilliance of Peep Show, and I've just discovered I can watch it online for free (legally) so thought I'd give it a go. The first-ever episode clearly has potential and a couple of good moments, but it certainly isn't great yet. I presume, therefore, that things only get better, and so I shall continue to watch.
[Watch for free at LOVEFiLM or on 4oD.]
Episode 7 The Three Kings
Episode 9 Syncing
If only Syncing had a decent, sense-making ending, it might've been rather good. As it stands, it's a couple of neat sound/image-trickery ideas in search of a story to support them.
24
7x01 8:00AM - 9:00AM
It's been literally years since I last watched a series of 24: you may remember this seventh season was delayed a full 12 months thanks to the Writers' Strike (in the interim we were treated to the season-bridging TV movie Redemption), and season eight has just kicked off in the US (with the UK broadcast beginning next Sunday). Add it all up and it's about two-and-a-half years since I saw the end of season six.
I only missed Day 7 (as some like to call it) when it was on because I didn't have Sky1 then (I say "only" -- I was all prepared to be dishonest, I just didn't get round to it), so it's only now -- prompted, of course, by season eight beginning -- that I'm catching up. Is it the long-awaited return to form some fans claimed? Or just another chapter in the show's descent into overblown unbelievable uber-threats? Well, I'll have to wait and see, but this is certainly a strong start going in the right direction.
Peep Show
1x01 Warring Factions
Everyone goes on about the brilliance of Peep Show, and I've just discovered I can watch it online for free (legally) so thought I'd give it a go. The first-ever episode clearly has potential and a couple of good moments, but it certainly isn't great yet. I presume, therefore, that things only get better, and so I shall continue to watch.
[Watch for free at LOVEFiLM or on 4oD.]
Sunday, 17 January 2010
TV
Wallander [British]
2x02 The Man Who Smiled
Kurt Wallander is depressed. No change there, you might think, but now he's properly depressed in the wake of shooting Svartman -- sorry, Racist Murderer Guy -- in last week's episode. It feels odd for a series of out-of-sequence novel adaptations to have such a linking thread, but it's a good showcase for Branagh. I imagine it must frustrate some viewers -- "he killed a bad man, why can't he just get over it?" -- but I should imagine murder, even of someone so deserving, isn't that easy to deal with in reality.
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
2x02 The Man Who Smiled
Kurt Wallander is depressed. No change there, you might think, but now he's properly depressed in the wake of shooting Svartman -- sorry, Racist Murderer Guy -- in last week's episode. It feels odd for a series of out-of-sequence novel adaptations to have such a linking thread, but it's a good showcase for Branagh. I imagine it must frustrate some viewers -- "he killed a bad man, why can't he just get over it?" -- but I should imagine murder, even of someone so deserving, isn't that easy to deal with in reality.
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
Films
The Man Who Sued God (2001)
[#3 in 100 Films in a Year 2010]
Probably because it stars Billy Connolly and has a rather quirky subject matter, I'd always assumed this was a British film. But no, it's a very, very Australian one. Which is fair enough.
[#3 in 100 Films in a Year 2010]
Probably because it stars Billy Connolly and has a rather quirky subject matter, I'd always assumed this was a British film. But no, it's a very, very Australian one. Which is fair enough.
Articles
Most Overrated Movie of 2009: Avatar by ShepRamsey
(from MovieChopShop)
Yes. And here's a good explanation of why.
(from MovieChopShop)
Yes. And here's a good explanation of why.
Saturday, 16 January 2010
TV
8 Out of 10 Cats
9x02 (15/1/10 edition)
I wasn't going to bother with this series of 8 Out of 10 Cats, largely because it isn't often that good (I blame people like sex-obsessed Jason Manford and the frankly sporadic and over-praised Sean Lock -- who are both, unfortunately, team captains), but I needed something on the half-hour-comedy end of the spectrum and, with How I Met Your Mother 4 stilldownloading on its way and Mock the Week not back til next week, there wasn't much choice. I expect last week's, with Shappi Khorsandi, would've been better, but 4oD (on the telly) doesn't have series link. Ho hum.
[Watch it (again) on 4oD.]
9x02 (15/1/10 edition)
I wasn't going to bother with this series of 8 Out of 10 Cats, largely because it isn't often that good (I blame people like sex-obsessed Jason Manford and the frankly sporadic and over-praised Sean Lock -- who are both, unfortunately, team captains), but I needed something on the half-hour-comedy end of the spectrum and, with How I Met Your Mother 4 still
[Watch it (again) on 4oD.]
Friday, 15 January 2010
Articles
Lasseter: '2D animation was a scapegoat' by Mayer Nissim
(from Digital Spy)
Very, very true. This is why it's a Good Thing that Pixar are now in charge of Disney.
Laurie "kicking ass" directing House by Dan French
(from Digital Spy)
Nolan: 'Inception a four-dimensional Bond' by Simon Reynolds
(from Digital Spy)
Finally, some idea what it's actually about... and it sounds good.
Tarantino admits dislike for digital cinema by Simon Reynolds
(from Digital Spy)
"Admits"?! Cos he's not been going on about it for years!
Will Red Riding be welcomed home in the US? by Danny Leigh
(from Film Blog at guardian.co.uk)
Interesting piece speculating on the Red Riding Trilogy's imminent US release
(from Digital Spy)
Very, very true. This is why it's a Good Thing that Pixar are now in charge of Disney.
Laurie "kicking ass" directing House by Dan French
(from Digital Spy)
[Hugh Laurie] is a MULTI threat. Actor, Producer, Director, Author, Comedian, Singer, Musician and the man can dance, yo.
Nolan: 'Inception a four-dimensional Bond' by Simon Reynolds
(from Digital Spy)
Finally, some idea what it's actually about... and it sounds good.
Tarantino admits dislike for digital cinema by Simon Reynolds
(from Digital Spy)
"Admits"?! Cos he's not been going on about it for years!
Will Red Riding be welcomed home in the US? by Danny Leigh
(from Film Blog at guardian.co.uk)
Interesting piece speculating on the Red Riding Trilogy's imminent US release
Collection Count
Collection Count tracks my DVD/Blu-ray collection via a number of statistics every week. This week's numbers boosted by a host of released-just-after-Christmas and random-January-sale purchases.
Number of titles in collection: 1,121 [up 10]
Of which DVDs: 1,064 [up 7]
Of which Blu-rays: 57 [up 3]
Number of discs in collection: 2,753 [up 14]
Number of films in collection: 1,164 [up 7]
Number of TV episodes in collection: 3,870 [up 6]
Statistic of the week:
Total running time of collection (approx.):
190 days, 19 hours, and 48 minutes.
(Up 3 days, 23 hours, and 9 minutes from last month.)
See you next week, faithful reader.
Number of titles in collection: 1,121 [up 10]
Of which DVDs: 1,064 [up 7]
Of which Blu-rays: 57 [up 3]
Number of discs in collection: 2,753 [up 14]
Number of films in collection: 1,164 [up 7]
Number of TV episodes in collection: 3,870 [up 6]
Statistic of the week:
Total running time of collection (approx.):
190 days, 19 hours, and 48 minutes.
(Up 3 days, 23 hours, and 9 minutes from last month.)
See you next week, faithful reader.
Thursday, 14 January 2010
TV
FlashForward
1x10 A561984 [midseason finale]
And FlashForward returns in... Christ, I dunno -- ages. Maybe it'll get better...
[Watch it (again) on Demand Five.]
How I Met Your Mother
3x20 Miracles [season finale]
Surprisingly, nearly caught up with E4 now (though only cos they switched from "every weeknight" to "every Thursday").
Survivors [2008]
2x01 Episode 1
After an unsatisfying first season finale, Survivors returns with a bang: loads of info about the shady organisation barely glimpsed previously, lots of other character and plot advancement (well, sort of), and some truly epic sequences on deserted city streets and in a collapsing hospital -- very impressive effects work there as well. Next week also looks heavy on arc plot -- maybe Survivors is shifting from a largely "encounter of the week"-based format into a more serialised one? Ideally, I hope they can strike a better balance between the two.
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
1x10 A561984 [midseason finale]
And FlashForward returns in... Christ, I dunno -- ages. Maybe it'll get better...
[Watch it (again) on Demand Five.]
How I Met Your Mother
3x20 Miracles [season finale]
Surprisingly, nearly caught up with E4 now (though only cos they switched from "every weeknight" to "every Thursday").
Survivors [2008]
2x01 Episode 1
After an unsatisfying first season finale, Survivors returns with a bang: loads of info about the shady organisation barely glimpsed previously, lots of other character and plot advancement (well, sort of), and some truly epic sequences on deserted city streets and in a collapsing hospital -- very impressive effects work there as well. Next week also looks heavy on arc plot -- maybe Survivors is shifting from a largely "encounter of the week"-based format into a more serialised one? Ideally, I hope they can strike a better balance between the two.
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
Articles
Winstone: 'Money problems killed Sweeney' by Simon Reynolds and Stella Papamichael
(from Digital Spy)
It was literally about to start filming when the money pulled out, donchaknow, and was apparently going to be brilliant. Shame.
(from Digital Spy)
It was literally about to start filming when the money pulled out, donchaknow, and was apparently going to be brilliant. Shame.
Wednesday, 13 January 2010
TV
Law & Order: UK
2x01 Samaritan
L&O:UK season one returns, sneakily now being branded as season two by ITV (and whoever it is releasing them on DVD).
Lesson of this week's episode: you can't trust the Police. True that.
[Watch it (again) on ITV Player.]
QI
7x07 Girls and Boys (extended repeat)
According to iPlayer, this week's edition sees "Stephen Fry gallantly grapple with girls and boys". Oh my!
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
2x01 Samaritan
L&O:UK season one returns, sneakily now being branded as season two by ITV (and whoever it is releasing them on DVD).
Lesson of this week's episode: you can't trust the Police. True that.
[Watch it (again) on ITV Player.]
QI
7x07 Girls and Boys (extended repeat)
According to iPlayer, this week's edition sees "Stephen Fry gallantly grapple with girls and boys". Oh my!
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Magazines
Sight & Sound Vol.20 #1
So, I basically read the whole thing, from cover to cover (though not in that order). First time I've read a Sight & Sound; it was more or less what I expected, though not quite as depressingly academic, so that's a good thing.
So, I basically read the whole thing, from cover to cover (though not in that order). First time I've read a Sight & Sound; it was more or less what I expected, though not quite as depressingly academic, so that's a good thing.
Tuesday, 12 January 2010
TV
How I Met Your Mother
3x18 Rebound Bro
3x19 Everything Must Go
Oh, nearly at the end of season three! I guess I better, er, get hold of season four...
Wallander [Swedish]
1x10 Luftslottet (aka The Castle Ruins)
I think I missed what relevance the title had...
3x18 Rebound Bro
3x19 Everything Must Go
Oh, nearly at the end of season three! I guess I better, er, get hold of season four...
Wallander [Swedish]
1x10 Luftslottet (aka The Castle Ruins)
I think I missed what relevance the title had...
Articles
First A-Team Teaser Trailer Arrives by Owen Williams
(from Empire)
This looks utterly ridiculous... and utterly cool because of it. Wonderful use of the series' opening monologue as all of the trailer's narration, making it sound like that's exactly what it was written for.
Sony reboots Spider-Man film franchise by Mike Moody
(from Digital Spy)
Well I never. After managing to secure Raimi and co and properly entering development, I didn't see this one coming.
It'll be interesting to see how easy that is to sell to a general public not as familiar with random reboots and changes as a geek fanbase are. That said, it'll have been so long since Spidey 3 by the time this hits that half the core audience -- i.e. kids -- might be more than happy to see the franchise start from scratch.
And following that...
10 Directors Who Could Take Over Spider-Man by James White
and
10 Actors Who Could Take Over Spider-Man by Helen O'Hara
(from Empire)
Do what they say on the tin.
(As in they do, not you have to.)
(from Empire)
This looks utterly ridiculous... and utterly cool because of it. Wonderful use of the series' opening monologue as all of the trailer's narration, making it sound like that's exactly what it was written for.
Sony reboots Spider-Man film franchise by Mike Moody
(from Digital Spy)
Well I never. After managing to secure Raimi and co and properly entering development, I didn't see this one coming.
It'll be interesting to see how easy that is to sell to a general public not as familiar with random reboots and changes as a geek fanbase are. That said, it'll have been so long since Spidey 3 by the time this hits that half the core audience -- i.e. kids -- might be more than happy to see the franchise start from scratch.
And following that...
10 Directors Who Could Take Over Spider-Man by James White
and
10 Actors Who Could Take Over Spider-Man by Helen O'Hara
(from Empire)
Do what they say on the tin.
(As in they do, not you have to.)
Monday, 11 January 2010
TV
The Force
Episode 3 (of 3)
How I Met Your Mother
3x16 Sandcastles in the Sand
3x17 The Goat
Wallander [Swedish]
1x09 Täckmanteln (aka The Container Lorry)
Episode 3 (of 3)
How I Met Your Mother
3x16 Sandcastles in the Sand
3x17 The Goat
Wallander [Swedish]
1x09 Täckmanteln (aka The Container Lorry)
Films
Doctor Faustus (1967)
[first third; part of 100 Films in a Year 2010]
Elizabethan tragedy is hard going, even when it's made to feel like a Hammer production! Aiming to watch the rest tomorrow (when I finish it'll be assigned a number).
[first third; part of 100 Films in a Year 2010]
Elizabethan tragedy is hard going, even when it's made to feel like a Hammer production! Aiming to watch the rest tomorrow (when I finish it'll be assigned a number).
Articles
20 Things We Learnt from The Writer’s Tale: The Final Chapter by Ian Berriman
(from SFX)
SFX reviews/previews/ruins the forthcoming extended reprint of Russell T Davies' inconceivably brilliant Writer's Tale. Spoilers ahoy!
(from SFX)
SFX reviews/previews/ruins the forthcoming extended reprint of Russell T Davies' inconceivably brilliant Writer's Tale. Spoilers ahoy!
Sunday, 10 January 2010
TV
How I Met Your Mother
3x15 The Chain of Screaming
Wallander [British]
2x01 Faceless Killers
It's a little weird going back to 'our' Wallander having seen so many of the Swedish ones -- so much more stylised, moodier, trying to be in some way unique. I guess Sweden don't have the proliferation of police procedurals filling their TV schedules that we do. Both versions are very good, however, just in slightly different ways.
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
We Need Answers
2x06 The Sun
Once again I'm left wondering about BBC's policy to series links on the iPlayer, as I've missed two episodes of this due to the assumption it had one (I swear I saw it on episode one...)
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
3x15 The Chain of Screaming
Wallander [British]
2x01 Faceless Killers
It's a little weird going back to 'our' Wallander having seen so many of the Swedish ones -- so much more stylised, moodier, trying to be in some way unique. I guess Sweden don't have the proliferation of police procedurals filling their TV schedules that we do. Both versions are very good, however, just in slightly different ways.
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
We Need Answers
2x06 The Sun
Once again I'm left wondering about BBC's policy to series links on the iPlayer, as I've missed two episodes of this due to the assumption it had one (I swear I saw it on episode one...)
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Films
His Girl Friday (1940)
[#2 in 100 Films in a Year 2010]
Suspiria DVD trailer
More of a featurette extract than a trailer (in fairness, it says this relatively early on). So interesting it's convinced me (along with the DVD Times review) to take a punt on the new Blu-ray.
[#2 in 100 Films in a Year 2010]
Suspiria DVD trailer
More of a featurette extract than a trailer (in fairness, it says this relatively early on). So interesting it's convinced me (along with the DVD Times review) to take a punt on the new Blu-ray.
Articles
Moulin Rouge named best film of decade by Marcell Minaya
(from Digital Spy)
I think Moulin Rouge is brilliant, and very underrated in some circles, but this is a huge surprise.
(from Digital Spy)
I think Moulin Rouge is brilliant, and very underrated in some circles, but this is a huge surprise.
Saturday, 9 January 2010
TV
The Greatest TV Shows of the Noughties
The Top 20, as voted for by viewers.
Good: Doctor Who in the top three; Life On Mars in the top ten; no Big Brother anywhere; astonishingly, QI trumps The X Factor (and dozens of others)!
Bad: Doctor Who only at number three; The Apprentice at number two; dearth of US shows (great to celebrate what we've done here, but there are numerous outstanding American shows that have just been ignored); Britain's Got (no) Talent trumps QI (and dozens of others)!
And the winner... well, who saw that coming? Though it was worth it for all the commentators' reactions, particularly the editor of Heat. What a cock.
[Watch it (again) on 4oD.]
The Top 20, as voted for by viewers.
Good: Doctor Who in the top three; Life On Mars in the top ten; no Big Brother anywhere; astonishingly, QI trumps The X Factor (and dozens of others)!
Bad: Doctor Who only at number three; The Apprentice at number two; dearth of US shows (great to celebrate what we've done here, but there are numerous outstanding American shows that have just been ignored); Britain's Got (no) Talent trumps QI (and dozens of others)!
And the winner... well, who saw that coming? Though it was worth it for all the commentators' reactions, particularly the editor of Heat. What a cock.
[Watch it (again) on 4oD.]
Friday, 8 January 2010
TV
10 Minute Tales
Episode 3 Ding Dong
Episode 4 Let It Snow
Episode 2 The Walkers
Episode 6 Dog Alone
Ohhh, they're all Christmassy themed! And all about a man & a woman in some way!
(Note the ridiculous typo in the URL for Dog Alone, which makes its episode page impossible to find without searching Google.)
FlashForward
1x09 Believe
FlashForward is, on the whole, still A Bit Rubbish, but this episode's main plot is actually quite good and sweet. Just a shame we have to suffer the on-going stories in the middle of it.
[Watch it (again) on Demand Five.]
Episode 3 Ding Dong
Episode 4 Let It Snow
Episode 2 The Walkers
Episode 6 Dog Alone
Ohhh, they're all Christmassy themed! And all about a man & a woman in some way!
(Note the ridiculous typo in the URL for Dog Alone, which makes its episode page impossible to find without searching Google.)
FlashForward
1x09 Believe
FlashForward is, on the whole, still A Bit Rubbish, but this episode's main plot is actually quite good and sweet. Just a shame we have to suffer the on-going stories in the middle of it.
[Watch it (again) on Demand Five.]
Articles
3D TV is being billed as possible industry saviour by Maggie Shiels
(from BBC News)
They'll be lucky.
Frozen Britain seen from above
(from BBC News)
Oo-ooh!
Media Demand New Words For 'Snow'
(from the Daily Mash)
Russell Tovey to join Torchwood team? by Dan French
(from Digital Spy)
I wonder... if John Barrowman mentioned that someone like Heath Ledger was a good actor, would Digital Spy run a "Heath Ledger to join Torchwood team?" headline? I wouldn't be surprised.
(from BBC News)
They'll be lucky.
Frozen Britain seen from above
(from BBC News)
Oo-ooh!
Media Demand New Words For 'Snow'
(from the Daily Mash)
The National Union of Journalists last night demanded at least 12 new words for snow. The NUJ has lobbied the Oxford English Dictionary to approve a range of synonyms including 'squibble', 'floatynice' and 'roadf****r'... Wayne Hayes, The Sun's assistant editor (snow), said... "I want to write 'Droppyice covers Britain or 'Boffins warn of further clouds****y'. But those gayboy Oxford eggheads won't let me."
Russell Tovey to join Torchwood team? by Dan French
(from Digital Spy)
I wonder... if John Barrowman mentioned that someone like Heath Ledger was a good actor, would Digital Spy run a "Heath Ledger to join Torchwood team?" headline? I wouldn't be surprised.
Collection Count
Collection Count tracks my DVD/Blu-ray collection via a number of statistics every week... except over Christmas. Which I think was fair enough.
As this is the first post-Xmas update it covers, essentially, What I Got For Christmas. (Well, What DVDs And Blu-rays I Got For Christmas -- I did get other stuff too. For a change.) Anything in the days since will be added from next week's update (not that there's much. Yet.) This slightly skews the normal way of things, I know, but I'm sure no one cares that much. Or at all.
Number of titles in collection: 1,111 [up 9]
Of which DVDs: 1,057 [up 4]
Of which Blu-rays: 54 [up 5]
Number of discs in collection: 2,739 [up 33]
Number of films in collection: 1,157 [up 9]
Number of TV episodes in collection: 3,864 [up 84]
Statistic of the week will return next time. See you then, faithful reader.
As this is the first post-Xmas update it covers, essentially, What I Got For Christmas. (Well, What DVDs And Blu-rays I Got For Christmas -- I did get other stuff too. For a change.) Anything in the days since will be added from next week's update (not that there's much. Yet.) This slightly skews the normal way of things, I know, but I'm sure no one cares that much. Or at all.
Number of titles in collection: 1,111 [up 9]
Of which DVDs: 1,057 [up 4]
Of which Blu-rays: 54 [up 5]
Number of discs in collection: 2,739 [up 33]
Number of films in collection: 1,157 [up 9]
Number of TV episodes in collection: 3,864 [up 84]
Statistic of the week will return next time. See you then, faithful reader.
Thursday, 7 January 2010
TV
10 Minute Tales
Episode 1 Deep & Crisp & Even
Episode 5 Statuesque
A series of eleven dialogue-free short films, most with famous stars (and/or crew) that Sky1 aired over the Christmas period. As one might expect from a concept that sounds quite arty, they can be a bit ambiguous and not always wholly satisfactory; but the constraints also allow imagination to flourish -- Deep & Crisp & Even, for example, has several lovely ideas that are beautifully realised through well-applied special effects.
(I set this on my V+ box while I was away. Unfortunately it mucked up and I've missed one. Shame.)
Click to enlarge.
How I Met Your Mother
3x13 Ten Sessions
3x14 The Bracket
Ten Sessions is an exceptionally good episode, particularly it's single-shot climax. (Not that The Bracket is bad, that is.)
Wallander [Swedish]
1x08 Fotografen (aka The Photographer)
Episode 1 Deep & Crisp & Even
Episode 5 Statuesque
A series of eleven dialogue-free short films, most with famous stars (and/or crew) that Sky1 aired over the Christmas period. As one might expect from a concept that sounds quite arty, they can be a bit ambiguous and not always wholly satisfactory; but the constraints also allow imagination to flourish -- Deep & Crisp & Even, for example, has several lovely ideas that are beautifully realised through well-applied special effects.
(I set this on my V+ box while I was away. Unfortunately it mucked up and I've missed one. Shame.)
Click to enlarge.
How I Met Your Mother
3x13 Ten Sessions
3x14 The Bracket
Ten Sessions is an exceptionally good episode, particularly it's single-shot climax. (Not that The Bracket is bad, that is.)
Wallander [Swedish]
1x08 Fotografen (aka The Photographer)
Wednesday, 6 January 2010
TV
Ad of the Decade
"X of the Noughties/Decade" lists are everywhere at the minute, but this is quite a fun one: a viewer-voted Top 20 of the best TV adverts from the last decade. Naturally there's a bias towards more recent ads (I honestly don't believe the Compare the Meerkat "simples", which placed 3rd, will be remembered in a decade, unlike the "wassup?" Bud ads from 2000, which placed 20th), but some genuinely impressive and deserved ones are here.
[Watch it (again) on ITV Player.]
Doctor Who Confidential
4x19 Allons-y! [season finale]
And so, it ends. The great thing about this Confidential is that, while still doing the usual behind-the-scenes thing, it still compliments the episode and highlights how great it was, particularly the performances of David Tennant and Bernard Cribbins.
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
How I Met Your Mother
3x12 No Tomorrow
"X of the Noughties/Decade" lists are everywhere at the minute, but this is quite a fun one: a viewer-voted Top 20 of the best TV adverts from the last decade. Naturally there's a bias towards more recent ads (I honestly don't believe the Compare the Meerkat "simples", which placed 3rd, will be remembered in a decade, unlike the "wassup?" Bud ads from 2000, which placed 20th), but some genuinely impressive and deserved ones are here.
[Watch it (again) on ITV Player.]
Doctor Who Confidential
4x19 Allons-y! [season finale]
And so, it ends. The great thing about this Confidential is that, while still doing the usual behind-the-scenes thing, it still compliments the episode and highlights how great it was, particularly the performances of David Tennant and Bernard Cribbins.
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
How I Met Your Mother
3x12 No Tomorrow
Tuesday, 5 January 2010
TV
How I Met Your Mother
3x10 The Yips
3x11 The Platinum Rule
Picking this back up after a break over Christmas. E4 are now well into season 4, so there's certainly some catching up to do.
Poirot
12x01 Three Act Tragedy
[Watch it (again) on ITV Player.]
3x10 The Yips
3x11 The Platinum Rule
Picking this back up after a break over Christmas. E4 are now well into season 4, so there's certainly some catching up to do.
Poirot
12x01 Three Act Tragedy
[Watch it (again) on ITV Player.]
Articles
Out of Time by Michael Beek
(from Music from the Movies)
Long interview with incumbent Doctor Who composer Murray Gold about his work on the final specials, some of his initial thoughts for the next series, and his future plans in general.
(from Music from the Movies)
Long interview with incumbent Doctor Who composer Murray Gold about his work on the final specials, some of his initial thoughts for the next series, and his future plans in general.
Monday, 4 January 2010
TV
2009 Unwrapped extra [2nd watch]
The Graham Norton Show
6x13 New Year's Eve Special [season finale]
Feels slightly odd watching a specifically New Year's Eve-y special several days later, but then it was filmed far in advance anyhow so what does it matter? Still, this is a much preferable choice to the dross BBC One have been offering up on New Year's Eve for the past few years, so I hope it was a success.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
House
6x10 Wilson
An exceptional episode of the show, which (as the title may suggest) centres on Wilson rather than House, as the latter's usual activities continue in the background -- always a nice comedic touch (see Buffy episode The Zeppo for a similar thing). Even more unusual is how unChristmassy it is -- House is usually very full of the festive season for several episodes each year.
Spooks
8x08 Episode 8 [season finale]
Cliffhanger-tastic.
Top Gear
14x07 Episode 7 [season finale]
"How short can a one-hour programme be?" Jeremy Clarkson wonders towards the end of this episode. It's ironic, not that he realises it, because Top Gear almost always overruns by 5 to 10 minutes, which is a right bugger if you're intending to watch something on the other side. And, indeed, it's almost exactly 60 minutes into this episode that he actually muses that, before continuing to go on for a couple more. Clearly they need much, much better timing.
Still, fun episode, even if it was supposedly made with no money and -- here's a real surprise -- was actually full of car reviews.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
The Graham Norton Show
6x13 New Year's Eve Special [season finale]
Feels slightly odd watching a specifically New Year's Eve-y special several days later, but then it was filmed far in advance anyhow so what does it matter? Still, this is a much preferable choice to the dross BBC One have been offering up on New Year's Eve for the past few years, so I hope it was a success.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
House
6x10 Wilson
An exceptional episode of the show, which (as the title may suggest) centres on Wilson rather than House, as the latter's usual activities continue in the background -- always a nice comedic touch (see Buffy episode The Zeppo for a similar thing). Even more unusual is how unChristmassy it is -- House is usually very full of the festive season for several episodes each year.
Spooks
8x08 Episode 8 [season finale]
Cliffhanger-tastic.
Top Gear
14x07 Episode 7 [season finale]
"How short can a one-hour programme be?" Jeremy Clarkson wonders towards the end of this episode. It's ironic, not that he realises it, because Top Gear almost always overruns by 5 to 10 minutes, which is a right bugger if you're intending to watch something on the other side. And, indeed, it's almost exactly 60 minutes into this episode that he actually muses that, before continuing to go on for a couple more. Clearly they need much, much better timing.
Still, fun episode, even if it was supposedly made with no money and -- here's a real surprise -- was actually full of car reviews.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Articles
Producer: 'Bond 23 is up in the air' by Simon Reynolds
(from Digital Spy)
Oh dear.
Sherlock Holmes 2 plans in jeopardy? by Oli Simpson
(from Digital Spy)
An over-dramatic headline if ever there was one (which is probably why they added the question mark). The story boils down to if the filmmakers decided to pursue a suggested thematic strand, which they probably won't, then the copyright holders would probably tell them not to, in which case they'd surely just do something else instead anyway.
Digital Spy: always good at telling us what people aren't and won't be doing.
(from Digital Spy)
Oh dear.
Sherlock Holmes 2 plans in jeopardy? by Oli Simpson
(from Digital Spy)
An over-dramatic headline if ever there was one (which is probably why they added the question mark). The story boils down to if the filmmakers decided to pursue a suggested thematic strand, which they probably won't, then the copyright holders would probably tell them not to, in which case they'd surely just do something else instead anyway.
Digital Spy: always good at telling us what people aren't and won't be doing.
Sunday, 3 January 2010
TV
The Big Fat Quiz of the Year 2009
A particularly funny year for what has now become something of an annual tradition on C4 (this is its fifth year). Nice to see Russell Brand and Jonathan Ross both back and on one team too, though my personal favourite contestant was the ever-excellent Rob Brydon.
[Watch it (again) on 4oD.]
Doctor Who [new]
4x18 The End of Time Part Two [2nd watch]
Caught the final 20 minutes of this by accident. Still brilliant -- what a send-off.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Gavin & Stacey
3x06 Episode 6 [series finale]
A fitting conclusion to what has consistently been an excellent series (even through the occasionally awkward second season). In keeping with the overall tone: not too sentimental, not too neat, but far from depressing. Nice job.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Gavin and Stacey: The Out-takes
Outtakes can be a mixed bag, and often reek of "it must've been funny if you were there". Thankfully, this bunch are mostly pretty good, even sustaining a full half-hour, aided by commentary from Ruth and James.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Live at the Apollo
5x06 (1/1/10 edition) [season finale]
Love Reginald D. Hunter, there wasn't enough of him. Not that the other two weren't good as well.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
QI
7x06 Genius (extended repeat)
A particularly funny edition, I felt. I imagine much of the silly riffing was cut the for the half-hour version, so it's a shame that's the only one available on iPlayer.
[Watch the shorter version (again) on iPlayer.]
A particularly funny year for what has now become something of an annual tradition on C4 (this is its fifth year). Nice to see Russell Brand and Jonathan Ross both back and on one team too, though my personal favourite contestant was the ever-excellent Rob Brydon.
[Watch it (again) on 4oD.]
Doctor Who [new]
4x18 The End of Time Part Two [2nd watch]
Caught the final 20 minutes of this by accident. Still brilliant -- what a send-off.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Gavin & Stacey
3x06 Episode 6 [series finale]
A fitting conclusion to what has consistently been an excellent series (even through the occasionally awkward second season). In keeping with the overall tone: not too sentimental, not too neat, but far from depressing. Nice job.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Gavin and Stacey: The Out-takes
Outtakes can be a mixed bag, and often reek of "it must've been funny if you were there". Thankfully, this bunch are mostly pretty good, even sustaining a full half-hour, aided by commentary from Ruth and James.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Live at the Apollo
5x06 (1/1/10 edition) [season finale]
Love Reginald D. Hunter, there wasn't enough of him. Not that the other two weren't good as well.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
QI
7x06 Genius (extended repeat)
A particularly funny edition, I felt. I imagine much of the silly riffing was cut the for the half-hour version, so it's a shame that's the only one available on iPlayer.
[Watch the shorter version (again) on iPlayer.]
Saturday, 2 January 2010
TV
2009 Unwrapped extra
Red Button off-cuts from the excellent 2009 Unwrapped. These are mostly just as good, so one can only presume they were cut for time. They could've replaced some of Alone in the Shed in my opinion.
It's a shame Red Button content doesn't last long and is only sporadically available online, because these deserve to be more accessible. Two of the best are available online however: Hole in the Wall with Nick Griffin, and the pandemic compilation CD advert.
Doctor Who 2010 Trailer
Ooh, that looks exciting. So much to see...
Top Gear
14x06 Bolivia Special
Mad.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Victoria Wood: What Larks!
Behind the scenes of Victoria Wood's new Christmas special, which turns out to be an entertaining bit of comedy in its own right.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Red Button off-cuts from the excellent 2009 Unwrapped. These are mostly just as good, so one can only presume they were cut for time. They could've replaced some of Alone in the Shed in my opinion.
It's a shame Red Button content doesn't last long and is only sporadically available online, because these deserve to be more accessible. Two of the best are available online however: Hole in the Wall with Nick Griffin, and the pandemic compilation CD advert.
Doctor Who 2010 Trailer
Ooh, that looks exciting. So much to see...
Top Gear
14x06 Bolivia Special
Mad.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Victoria Wood: What Larks!
Behind the scenes of Victoria Wood's new Christmas special, which turns out to be an entertaining bit of comedy in its own right.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Friday, 1 January 2010
TV
Doctor Who [new]
4x18 The End of Time Part Two [New Year special]
After being a little disappointed by Part One, I thought that was excellent. A little indulgent at the end, maybe, but when you have such a beloved lead leaving it's OK to be a little indulgent within the show itself -- after all, it's not made for those who don't care that he's going, is it?
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
James May's Toy Stories
1x06 Hornby [season finale]
Marple
4x03 They Do It With Mirrors
A pretty good one, til the over-done ending that didn't fit. Oh well. I guessed the solution also, but I like to think that's more me being clever than a fault with the programme.
4x18 The End of Time Part Two [New Year special]
After being a little disappointed by Part One, I thought that was excellent. A little indulgent at the end, maybe, but when you have such a beloved lead leaving it's OK to be a little indulgent within the show itself -- after all, it's not made for those who don't care that he's going, is it?
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
James May's Toy Stories
1x06 Hornby [season finale]
Marple
4x03 They Do It With Mirrors
A pretty good one, til the over-done ending that didn't fit. Oh well. I guessed the solution also, but I like to think that's more me being clever than a fault with the programme.
Articles
Tennant's last interview before leaving Doctor Who by Lizo Mzimba
(from BBC News)
Is it? Is it really? I doubt it. But still, in this brief video he has a few things to say of passing interest. Likely there'll be much more interesting stuff to say once the post-broadcast interviews appear in Doctor Who Magazine and what have you.
Entertainment review of the decade by Mark Savage
(from BBC News)
BBC News look back over the decade in entertainment, taking in Top Ten lists across awards, ratings and sales for cinema, music, literature and TV. I like a good list or twenty.
(from BBC News)
Is it? Is it really? I doubt it. But still, in this brief video he has a few things to say of passing interest. Likely there'll be much more interesting stuff to say once the post-broadcast interviews appear in Doctor Who Magazine and what have you.
Entertainment review of the decade by Mark Savage
(from BBC News)
BBC News look back over the decade in entertainment, taking in Top Ten lists across awards, ratings and sales for cinema, music, literature and TV. I like a good list or twenty.
Thursday, 31 December 2009
TV
2009 Unwrapped with Miranda Hart
A look back over the year's big news stories and entertainment events... except none of them are real. A triumph for comedy and (admittedly, basic these days) special effects, it's particularly enjoyable on New Year's Eve.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Film 2009 with Jonathan Ross
Episode 28 Films of the Year
Despite the title, they don't seem to bother with the reader-voted Best Films of the Year list any more. Which is a shame, because surely that's what such shows should be about? There's the UK Box Office Top 5 -- commented on by the staff of the UK's best independent cinema (and, clearly, it wasn't their intelligence that won them that accolade) -- but that's not a real assessment of quality, is it, cos the masses flock to crap -- Transformers 2 is in there, for one.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
New Year Live
I like that the BBC have cut this down to just half an hour -- and half of that the fireworks display -- rather than the over-long content-free indulgence it used to be.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
A look back over the year's big news stories and entertainment events... except none of them are real. A triumph for comedy and (admittedly, basic these days) special effects, it's particularly enjoyable on New Year's Eve.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Film 2009 with Jonathan Ross
Episode 28 Films of the Year
Despite the title, they don't seem to bother with the reader-voted Best Films of the Year list any more. Which is a shame, because surely that's what such shows should be about? There's the UK Box Office Top 5 -- commented on by the staff of the UK's best independent cinema (and, clearly, it wasn't their intelligence that won them that accolade) -- but that's not a real assessment of quality, is it, cos the masses flock to crap -- Transformers 2 is in there, for one.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
New Year Live
I like that the BBC have cut this down to just half an hour -- and half of that the fireworks display -- rather than the over-long content-free indulgence it used to be.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Films
Murder on the Orient Express (1974)
[#94 in 100 Films in a Year 2009]
And that's the end of that. And I didn't make it, for the first year ever (of three). Better luck next year...
[#94 in 100 Films in a Year 2009]
And that's the end of that. And I didn't make it, for the first year ever (of three). Better luck next year...
Wednesday, 30 December 2009
TV
Bill Bailey's Remarkable Guide to the Orchestra
What a brilliant show this is -- informative, educational, funny and entertaining at the same time. Highly recommended. (It was shown by the BBC back in May, though at only 60 minutes -- on the DVD it's a full 49 longer, and worth it.)
QI
7x05 Groovy (extended repeat) [Christmas special]
[Watch the shorter version (again) on iPlayer.]
What a brilliant show this is -- informative, educational, funny and entertaining at the same time. Highly recommended. (It was shown by the BBC back in May, though at only 60 minutes -- on the DVD it's a full 49 longer, and worth it.)
QI
7x05 Groovy (extended repeat) [Christmas special]
[Watch the shorter version (again) on iPlayer.]
Articles
'Hellish' Celebrity Big Brother house unveiled by Neil Smith
(from BBC News)
It looks gorgeous. I'm almost tempted to watch just for the set. But I won't.
Ramis preppingGhostbusters 3 for 2011 by Mike Moody
(from Digital Spy)
Fingers crossed they can pull it off...
Thriller, Muppets selected for film archive by Simon Reynolds
(from Digital Spy)
Along with 23 others -- some definitely worthy, others I've never heard of.
(from BBC News)
It looks gorgeous. I'm almost tempted to watch just for the set. But I won't.
Ramis preppingGhostbusters 3 for 2011 by Mike Moody
(from Digital Spy)
Fingers crossed they can pull it off...
Thriller, Muppets selected for film archive by Simon Reynolds
(from Digital Spy)
Along with 23 others -- some definitely worthy, others I've never heard of.
Tuesday, 29 December 2009
Articles
Blunt album is decade's biggest seller by Oli Simpson
(from Digital Spy)
Well, that's just going to annoy some people. (Read the article for the full top five. It's not any more heartening, though at least there's no Coldplay.)
Sutherland 'wants 24 film set in Europe' by Catriona Wightman
(from Digital Spy)
I wish they'd get on with it then -- it's a great idea, for all the reasons (well, reason) Sutherland says.
(from Digital Spy)
Well, that's just going to annoy some people. (Read the article for the full top five. It's not any more heartening, though at least there's no Coldplay.)
Sutherland 'wants 24 film set in Europe' by Catriona Wightman
(from Digital Spy)
I wish they'd get on with it then -- it's a great idea, for all the reasons (well, reason) Sutherland says.
Monday, 28 December 2009
TV
Cranford
2x02 Part Two: October 1844 [final episode]
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Cranford: Under the Bonnet
Not your usual behind-the-scenes, exploring the history of the books and world the series is set in rather than how they filmed it and how everyone gets on famously.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
2x02 Part Two: October 1844 [final episode]
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Cranford: Under the Bonnet
Not your usual behind-the-scenes, exploring the history of the books and world the series is set in rather than how they filmed it and how everyone gets on famously.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Films
Cinderella (1965)
[#91 in 100 Films in a Year 2009]
Three days to watch nine more films, amongst other Christmassy duties? Not to mention Christmas TV. Nope, doesn't look good...
[#91 in 100 Films in a Year 2009]
Three days to watch nine more films, amongst other Christmassy duties? Not to mention Christmas TV. Nope, doesn't look good...
Sunday, 27 December 2009
TV
Doctor Who Confidential
4x18 Lords and Masters
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
Outnumbered
3x00 Christmas Special
As utterly brilliant as ever. Hurrah for Outnumbered.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Ruth Jones' Christmas Cracker
The Gavin & Stacey star/writer hosts a festive chat/variety special, shown only on BBC Wales -- which of course means it's rather Welsh. Good fun though, particularly Ness interviewing Russell T Davies and Katherine Jenkins.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
4x18 Lords and Masters
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
Outnumbered
3x00 Christmas Special
As utterly brilliant as ever. Hurrah for Outnumbered.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Ruth Jones' Christmas Cracker
The Gavin & Stacey star/writer hosts a festive chat/variety special, shown only on BBC Wales -- which of course means it's rather Welsh. Good fun though, particularly Ness interviewing Russell T Davies and Katherine Jenkins.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Saturday, 26 December 2009
TV
Gavin & Stacey
3x05 Episode 5 [2nd watch]
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
The Gruffalo
[#89a in 100 Films in a Year 2009]
[Watch it in HD (again) on iPlayer.]
Hamlet
[#90 in 100 Films in a Year 2009]
The RSC's award-winning version starring David Tennant and Patrick Stewart, here converted to a film as a Christmassy treat.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer, and in HD from tomorrow evening.]
Poirot
11x04 Appointment With Death [season finale]
It's over a year since ITV last bothered to air a Poirot -- here, finally, is the last episode in the eleventh series. There's not only more already filmed (with one airing in just over a week), but more still currently filming.
[Watch it (again) on ITV Player.]
Victoria Wood With All the Trimmings [2nd watch]
Her 2000 Christmas special. The cultural references are technically a little dated, but it's amazing to remember the state of things a decade a go... including how little's changed.
3x05 Episode 5 [2nd watch]
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
The Gruffalo
[#89a in 100 Films in a Year 2009]
[Watch it in HD (again) on iPlayer.]
Hamlet
[#90 in 100 Films in a Year 2009]
The RSC's award-winning version starring David Tennant and Patrick Stewart, here converted to a film as a Christmassy treat.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer, and in HD from tomorrow evening.]
Poirot
11x04 Appointment With Death [season finale]
It's over a year since ITV last bothered to air a Poirot -- here, finally, is the last episode in the eleventh series. There's not only more already filmed (with one airing in just over a week), but more still currently filming.
[Watch it (again) on ITV Player.]
Victoria Wood With All the Trimmings [2nd watch]
Her 2000 Christmas special. The cultural references are technically a little dated, but it's amazing to remember the state of things a decade a go... including how little's changed.
Friday, 25 December 2009
TV
Doctor Who [new]
4x17 The End of Time Part One [Christmas special]
Well, that was a little disappointing. For every moment of brilliance -- the Doctor/Wilf scene in the cafe, the Master in numerous humourous outfits at the climax -- there were several of utterly fan-centric public-excluding science-fiction/fantasy-overloaded groaningness -- the Master's technobabble-stuffed resurrection, the unusually slow pace, the po-faced narration.
It was an episode of two halves, then... just two halves that occurred concurrently, flicking back and forth between the two. Fingers crossed Part Two can pull off a better goodbye for the Tenth Doctor.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Gavin & Stacey
3x05 Episode 5
Here's a new way to create a Christmas special: just show an ordinary episode of the series. It's a very good one mind.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Live at the Apollo
5x05 (24/12/09 edition)
Gina Yashere's been living and working in the States... and you can tell. It's her pacing, repetition, the way she addresses the audiences -- stylistically it feels slightly more American stand-up than British stand-up. At least she was quite funny, though I preferred Ed Byrne's and Adam Hills' routines.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
QI
7x04 Geography (extended repeat)
Why have they suddenly reintroduced QI XL halfway through this series? Not that I'm complaining really, but it is a tad odd. Though, once again, they're not bothering to put it on iPlayer. Sometimes the BBC really let themselves down.
[Watch the shorter version (again) on iPlayer.]
Strictly Come Dancing
Christmas Special 2009
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
4x17 The End of Time Part One [Christmas special]
Well, that was a little disappointing. For every moment of brilliance -- the Doctor/Wilf scene in the cafe, the Master in numerous humourous outfits at the climax -- there were several of utterly fan-centric public-excluding science-fiction/fantasy-overloaded groaningness -- the Master's technobabble-stuffed resurrection, the unusually slow pace, the po-faced narration.
It was an episode of two halves, then... just two halves that occurred concurrently, flicking back and forth between the two. Fingers crossed Part Two can pull off a better goodbye for the Tenth Doctor.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Gavin & Stacey
3x05 Episode 5
Here's a new way to create a Christmas special: just show an ordinary episode of the series. It's a very good one mind.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Live at the Apollo
5x05 (24/12/09 edition)
Gina Yashere's been living and working in the States... and you can tell. It's her pacing, repetition, the way she addresses the audiences -- stylistically it feels slightly more American stand-up than British stand-up. At least she was quite funny, though I preferred Ed Byrne's and Adam Hills' routines.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
QI
7x04 Geography (extended repeat)
Why have they suddenly reintroduced QI XL halfway through this series? Not that I'm complaining really, but it is a tad odd. Though, once again, they're not bothering to put it on iPlayer. Sometimes the BBC really let themselves down.
[Watch the shorter version (again) on iPlayer.]
Strictly Come Dancing
Christmas Special 2009
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Articles
TV REVIEW Doctor Who "The End Of Time" Part One by Dave Golder
(from SFX)
Like most reviews around the web this afternoon, it's packed with praise... though does note some of the flaws, if not all the ones I regarded as such.
(from SFX)
Like most reviews around the web this afternoon, it's packed with praise... though does note some of the flaws, if not all the ones I regarded as such.
Thursday, 24 December 2009
TV
Is anything not a special or finale?
Have I Got News For You
38x09 (18/12/09 edition; uncut repeat) [season finale]
Also, Christmas special.
[Watch the short edition (again) on iPlayer.]
The Impressions Show with Culshaw and Stephenson
1x07 Best Of [season finale]
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Never Mind the Buzzcocks
23x13 Where Are They Now? [season finale]
Very little new material, but the best bits of this series were good, and outtakes are always nice. Well, these ones were.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Not Going Out
3x08 Absent Father Christmas [Christmas special]
Goodbye, Not Going Out. At least it went with a funny episode.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Victoria Wood's Midlife Christmas
Apt title, which is nice. Very funny also. And, unlike most comedy shows, every last word was written by Victoria Wood herself. Super.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Victoria Wood: Seen On TV
Feature-length documentary shown earlier this week as part of Victoria Wood Night on BBC Two. Interesting and, courtesy of lots of classic clips, very funny.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
...No.
Have I Got News For You
38x09 (18/12/09 edition; uncut repeat) [season finale]
Also, Christmas special.
[Watch the short edition (again) on iPlayer.]
The Impressions Show with Culshaw and Stephenson
1x07 Best Of [season finale]
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Never Mind the Buzzcocks
23x13 Where Are They Now? [season finale]
Very little new material, but the best bits of this series were good, and outtakes are always nice. Well, these ones were.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Not Going Out
3x08 Absent Father Christmas [Christmas special]
Goodbye, Not Going Out. At least it went with a funny episode.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Victoria Wood's Midlife Christmas
Apt title, which is nice. Very funny also. And, unlike most comedy shows, every last word was written by Victoria Wood herself. Super.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Victoria Wood: Seen On TV
Feature-length documentary shown earlier this week as part of Victoria Wood Night on BBC Two. Interesting and, courtesy of lots of classic clips, very funny.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
...No.
Articles
Press Notes by Marcus
(from Doctor Who News Page)
(from Doctor Who News Page)
[Russell T] Davies has caused controversy by voicing his concerns about the future of the BBC, should The Conservative Party win the 2010 General Election. Davies told The Mirror he fears the BBC will be dismantled by the Tories and is convinced that a move to freeze the licence fee by the Conservatives will be the beginning of the end for the corporation. "They'll dismantle it slowly. It'll get smaller and smaller until it just supports Radio 4 and some news. I'll come back and fight them at the barricades. I feel a bit like Alan Bennett, who said his favourite things about Britain were the BBC and the NHS." Davies's remarks were picked up by many UK papers, but not it seems in Conservative Central office. When journalist Ian Dale rang their press office for a statement he was told they wouldn't comment on it, because "Mr Davies is a backbench MP and, as such, his opinion isn't necessarily party policy".
Wednesday, 23 December 2009
Articles
Swedish Christmas straw goat burnt
(from BBC News)
"A giant straw goat - the traditional Scandinavian yuletide symbol - erected each Christmas in a Swedish town has been burned to the ground yet again."
(from BBC News)
"A giant straw goat - the traditional Scandinavian yuletide symbol - erected each Christmas in a Swedish town has been burned to the ground yet again."
Tuesday, 22 December 2009
TV
The Funny Side of...
Episode 6 Christmas
'Funny' in quite a loose way, unfortunately.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
James May's Toy Stories
1x05 Lego
1x04 Scalextric
Welcome daily repeat run for this series (bookended by new episodes) as I missed it first time round. Why they're repeating it so thoroughly out of order, though, is anyone's guess.
[Watch Lego and Scalextric (again) on iPlayer.]
Merlin
2x12 The Fires of Idirsholas
2x13 The Last Dragonlord [season finale]
[Watch The Fires of Idirsholas and The Last Dragonlord (again) on iPlayer.]
Mock the Week
7x13 Christmas [special]
Said so.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Never Mind the Buzzcocks
22x04 (23/10/08 edition) [2nd watch]
22x01 (2/10/08 edition) [2nd watch]
Today's Christmas-present-wrapping repeat-viewing provided by Dave.
Episode 6 Christmas
'Funny' in quite a loose way, unfortunately.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
James May's Toy Stories
1x05 Lego
1x04 Scalextric
Welcome daily repeat run for this series (bookended by new episodes) as I missed it first time round. Why they're repeating it so thoroughly out of order, though, is anyone's guess.
[Watch Lego and Scalextric (again) on iPlayer.]
Merlin
2x12 The Fires of Idirsholas
2x13 The Last Dragonlord [season finale]
[Watch The Fires of Idirsholas and The Last Dragonlord (again) on iPlayer.]
Mock the Week
7x13 Christmas [special]
Said so.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Never Mind the Buzzcocks
22x04 (23/10/08 edition) [2nd watch]
22x01 (2/10/08 edition) [2nd watch]
Today's Christmas-present-wrapping repeat-viewing provided by Dave.
Articles
The Joke’s On Who 2 by Dave Golder
(from SFX)
"By some systems of counting Planet Of The Dead could be considered Doctor Who’s 200th story (if you count Shada, for example, and The Trial Of A Time Lord as four separate stories)"
Well this is a thorough "oops" moment for a sci-fi mag -- the exact opposite is true (you have to not count it & count them as one to make it #200). Interesting list otherwise though. (Part 1 is here, incidentally.)
(from SFX)
"By some systems of counting Planet Of The Dead could be considered Doctor Who’s 200th story (if you count Shada, for example, and The Trial Of A Time Lord as four separate stories)"
Well this is a thorough "oops" moment for a sci-fi mag -- the exact opposite is true (you have to not count it & count them as one to make it #200). Interesting list otherwise though. (Part 1 is here, incidentally.)
Monday, 21 December 2009
TV
Friday Night with Jonathan Ross
17x15 (18/12/09 edition) [season finale; 1st half]
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Gavin & Stacey
3x04 Episode 4
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Live at the Apollo
5x03 (18/12/09 edition)
5x04 (19/12/09 edition)
[Watch episode 3 and episode 4 (again) on iPlayer.]
Merlin
2x11 The Witch's Quickening
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Spooks
8x07 Episode 7
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
17x15 (18/12/09 edition) [season finale; 1st half]
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Gavin & Stacey
3x04 Episode 4
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Live at the Apollo
5x03 (18/12/09 edition)
5x04 (19/12/09 edition)
[Watch episode 3 and episode 4 (again) on iPlayer.]
Merlin
2x11 The Witch's Quickening
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Spooks
8x07 Episode 7
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Articles
Cameron 'has story for Avatar sequels' by Simon Reynolds
and
Cameron: 'Avatar follow-up not prequel' by Hugh Armitage
(from Digital Spy)
"I have a trilogy-scaled arc of story right now"
Oh.
and
Cameron: 'Avatar follow-up not prequel' by Hugh Armitage
(from Digital Spy)
"I have a trilogy-scaled arc of story right now"
Oh.
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