Vworp Vworp! Vol.1
Excellent Doctor Who fanzine that sets its sights on Doctor Who Magazine and, by extension, Who comics. If your image of a fanzine is still an A5 black-and-white photocopy you might be in for a surprise -- full-size, perfect-bound and in glorious colour throughout, the design and content of Vworp Vworp! puts many professional magazines to shame. Torchwood's official mag, with it's consistently huge text and simple layouts, has nothing on this.
Features in this first issue are numerous, but include an interview with DWM's creator/first editor; a feature on the magazine's first comic strip (including an interview with its artist, the legendary Dave Gibbons); a behind-the-scenes look at the final Eighth Doctor strip, The Flood; a look at DWM's regular comedy illustrations/strips; plus three all-new adventures comic strip adventures for the Doctor, friends and foes; and several more features that I've entirely forgotten to mention. Plus, free transfers! No, really.
It's a brilliant magazine for anyone who's a fan of DWM or Who comics and, as I said, much better put-together than numerous pro mags you'll find on shelves in your local newsagent. Despite what might look like a high asking price for a magazine, all things considered -- from it design quality to its superlative content -- it's well worth every penny.
You can still order volume one from the fanzine's website. There's a second volume promised, and I for one can't wait.
Wednesday, 24 February 2010
Articles
Major SFX Doctor Who Exclusive by Dave Golder
(from SFX)
The next issue of SFX has a specially-shot 3D cover. Cool.
Serial Boxes by Jason Mittell
(from Just TV)
A rather academic (but very readable) essay about how the advent of DVD box sets has changed the way we perceive and consume television, as well as the way it's changed scholarly study of the medium. Very interesting, I thought, with lots of agreeable assertions.
(from SFX)
The next issue of SFX has a specially-shot 3D cover. Cool.
Serial Boxes by Jason Mittell
(from Just TV)
A rather academic (but very readable) essay about how the advent of DVD box sets has changed the way we perceive and consume television, as well as the way it's changed scholarly study of the medium. Very interesting, I thought, with lots of agreeable assertions.
Tuesday, 23 February 2010
TV
Mad Men
3x05 The Fog
[Watch it again in HD on iPlayer.]
Tinga Tinga Tales
1x05 Why Lizard Always Hides Under Rocks
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
3x05 The Fog
[Watch it again in HD on iPlayer.]
Tinga Tinga Tales
1x05 Why Lizard Always Hides Under Rocks
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Articles
Alice in Wonderland will not be shown in Odeon cinemas
(from BBC News)
Hurrah to Odeon for sticking to their guns and standing up to Disney (unlike the other major cinema chains). On the other hand, Disney's attempted new model (which has been in the offing for a while) may indeed be the first steps toward the future of film distribution. With piracy on the increase something clearly has to change, and a shorter cinema-to-home window is one way to do this -- when there's no legal way to see a film (that period when it's not in cinemas and not out on DVD), people still have an excuse for obtaining content illegally. You'll never get rid of people who want something for nothing regardless of whether they should pay, but the music industry has shown that by providing viable ways to access content (in their case, downloads; movies may still want to pay attention to DVD and Blu-ray) you can significantly change the culture of how people acquire their content.
iPhone developers angry as Apple purges adult apps
(from BBC News)
For all their amazing hardware and fully-integrated software, sometimes Apple really suck. It's not so much that they have removed the adult content as the way they've gone about it -- no warnings to companies that rely on the business; excluding some stuff because it's 'well known' (or bribed, perhaps?); and all while they could just implement parental controls, which they surely must have a system for already as they sell explicit-branded music and 12/15/18-rated (or R-, in the US) films?
Poor show, Apple.
Worm Hunter makes shortlist for oddest title award
(from BBC News)
The article also mentions that it "has not sold a single copy in the UK or US" -- bet that changes now!
(from BBC News)
Hurrah to Odeon for sticking to their guns and standing up to Disney (unlike the other major cinema chains). On the other hand, Disney's attempted new model (which has been in the offing for a while) may indeed be the first steps toward the future of film distribution. With piracy on the increase something clearly has to change, and a shorter cinema-to-home window is one way to do this -- when there's no legal way to see a film (that period when it's not in cinemas and not out on DVD), people still have an excuse for obtaining content illegally. You'll never get rid of people who want something for nothing regardless of whether they should pay, but the music industry has shown that by providing viable ways to access content (in their case, downloads; movies may still want to pay attention to DVD and Blu-ray) you can significantly change the culture of how people acquire their content.
iPhone developers angry as Apple purges adult apps
(from BBC News)
For all their amazing hardware and fully-integrated software, sometimes Apple really suck. It's not so much that they have removed the adult content as the way they've gone about it -- no warnings to companies that rely on the business; excluding some stuff because it's 'well known' (or bribed, perhaps?); and all while they could just implement parental controls, which they surely must have a system for already as they sell explicit-branded music and 12/15/18-rated (or R-, in the US) films?
Poor show, Apple.
Worm Hunter makes shortlist for oddest title award
(from BBC News)
Afterthoughts Of A Worm Hunter and Collectible Spoons of the Third Reich have been shortlisted for this year's oddest book title award.By its inclusion in the article title, ...Worm Hunter has clearly been deemed the oddest (at least by the press, and by extension their anticipated readers) and so should surely win.
The article also mentions that it "has not sold a single copy in the UK or US" -- bet that changes now!
new reviews at 100 Films
It's been an awfully long time since I last posted a notification of a new review at 100 Films to this blog. Mainly, it's a bit tiring posting a whole update here having done a whole review there, especially as I've been churning them out almost daily for weeks.
From now on, then, every Sunday will see a "this week on 100 Films"-style update. Yes, I know today's Tuesday -- starting next Sunday it'll be weekly, this is just everything since the last review.
So, since Avatar I've posted 24 reviews (24!), and they are...
Air Force One (1997)
An American in Paris (1951)
Anna Boleyn (1920)
Die Austernprinzessin (1919)
Die Bergkatze (1921)
Children of Heaven (1997)
Cinderella (1965)
Copycat (1995)
Culloden (1964)
Ernst Lubitsch in Berlin: From Schönhauser Allee to Hollywood (2006)
The Gruffalo (2009)
Hamlet (2009)
Hard Candy (2005)
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (2009)
Ich möchte kein Mann sein (1918)
Jumper (2008)
Murder on the Orient Express (1974)
Die Puppe (1919)
Rage (2009)
Slumdog Millionaire (2008)
Sumurun (1920)
Wallander: Mastermind (2005)
Wallander: The Secret (2006)
Where the Sidewalk Ends (1950)
As I said, more on Sunday...
From now on, then, every Sunday will see a "this week on 100 Films"-style update. Yes, I know today's Tuesday -- starting next Sunday it'll be weekly, this is just everything since the last review.
So, since Avatar I've posted 24 reviews (24!), and they are...
As I said, more on Sunday...
Monday, 22 February 2010
TV
How I Met Your Mother
4x19 Murtaugh
4x20 Mosbius Designs
[Watch it on 4oD from 15th & 22nd April (probably).
QI
7x13 Gothic (extended repeat)
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Survivors [2008]
2x05 Episode 5
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
4x19 Murtaugh
4x20 Mosbius Designs
[Watch it on 4oD from 15th & 22nd April (probably).
QI
7x13 Gothic (extended repeat)
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Survivors [2008]
2x05 Episode 5
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
Articles
Review of Beyond the Rave by Adrian Smith
(from Retro Ramblings)
After decades away, Hammer are back. Well, sort of. Based on this review, no one should be getting too excited... and yet, I feel strangely compelled to get hold of a copy. Doesn't bode well for their forthcoming remake of Let the Right One In though, does it?
(from Retro Ramblings)
After decades away, Hammer are back. Well, sort of. Based on this review, no one should be getting too excited... and yet, I feel strangely compelled to get hold of a copy. Doesn't bode well for their forthcoming remake of Let the Right One In though, does it?
Sunday, 21 February 2010
TV
The British Academy Film Awards 2010
Most of this year's awards went quite well -- very pleased for The Hurt Locker, Colin Firth, and in particular Carey Mulligan, as well as Avatar being justifiably overlooked. Shame, then, that the audience award became the Internet Fangirl Award For Rising Star. Blood Twilight.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Most of this year's awards went quite well -- very pleased for The Hurt Locker, Colin Firth, and in particular Carey Mulligan, as well as Avatar being justifiably overlooked. Shame, then, that the audience award became the Internet Fangirl Award For Rising Star. Blood Twilight.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Films
Deja Vu
[#24 in 100 Films in a Year 2010]
Despite the incessant insistence of my spellchecker, the film's not actually called Déjà Vu. (Except on posters and DVD covers and what have you. Oh, it's swings and roundabouts.)
Doctor Faustus (1967)
[final two-thirds; #23 in 100 Films in a Year 2010]
Yep, it's taken six weeks to get round to finishing this. (Six weeks?! Christ.) Not my fault, in fact; but still...
[#24 in 100 Films in a Year 2010]
Despite the incessant insistence of my spellchecker, the film's not actually called Déjà Vu. (Except on posters and DVD covers and what have you. Oh, it's swings and roundabouts.)
Doctor Faustus (1967)
[final two-thirds; #23 in 100 Films in a Year 2010]
Yep, it's taken six weeks to get round to finishing this. (Six weeks?! Christ.) Not my fault, in fact; but still...
Saturday, 20 February 2010
TV
Argumental
3x03 (16/2/10 edition)
The Bubble
1x01 (19/2/10 edition)
I had high hopes for this show... luckily, it lived up to them.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Doctor Who Series One/Five/31 Trailer
Looks to me like they got too obsessed with it being 3D in cinemas and forgot to produce something that was exciting in its own right. The clip-filled one from Christmas built anticipation better, if you ask me.
[Watch it (again) on the official site.]
How I Met Your Mother
4x18 Old King Clancy
[Watch it on 4oD from 8th April (probably).]
Let's Dance for Sport Relief
Episode 1 (of 4)
The chances of anyone beating Robert Webb's instant-comedy-classic dance from last year are slim, but... well, you never know...
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
The Mentalist
2x01 Redemption
It's been a whole six months since The Mentalist was last on British screens, so it's nice to finally have it back. Plus, they've found a way to make the Red John case last a bit longer and be a bit different: give it to another unit who have no interest in Jane. I just hope they don't drag this out too long...
[Watch it (again) on Demand Five.]
3x03 (16/2/10 edition)
The Bubble
1x01 (19/2/10 edition)
I had high hopes for this show... luckily, it lived up to them.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Doctor Who Series One/Five/31 Trailer
Looks to me like they got too obsessed with it being 3D in cinemas and forgot to produce something that was exciting in its own right. The clip-filled one from Christmas built anticipation better, if you ask me.
[Watch it (again) on the official site.]
How I Met Your Mother
4x18 Old King Clancy
[Watch it on 4oD from 8th April (probably).]
Let's Dance for Sport Relief
Episode 1 (of 4)
The chances of anyone beating Robert Webb's instant-comedy-classic dance from last year are slim, but... well, you never know...
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
The Mentalist
2x01 Redemption
It's been a whole six months since The Mentalist was last on British screens, so it's nice to finally have it back. Plus, they've found a way to make the Red John case last a bit longer and be a bit different: give it to another unit who have no interest in Jane. I just hope they don't drag this out too long...
[Watch it (again) on Demand Five.]
Films
Frankenstein, aka Dean Koontz's Frankenstein (2004)
[#22 in 100 Films in a Year 2010]
Speed Racer (2008)
[#21 in 100 Films in a Year 2010]
[#22 in 100 Films in a Year 2010]
Speed Racer (2008)
[#21 in 100 Films in a Year 2010]
Articles
Review of American VI: Ain't No Grave by Johnny Cash by Andy Gill
(from The Independent)
Positive review of Johnny Cash's final studio album (that's what they said last time, but it looks like they mean it now), out on Monday. It dropped through my letterbox yesterday but I've not had a chance to listen yet.
(from The Independent)
Positive review of Johnny Cash's final studio album (that's what they said last time, but it looks like they mean it now), out on Monday. It dropped through my letterbox yesterday but I've not had a chance to listen yet.
Friday, 19 February 2010
DVD Extras
"Bogdanovich, Kaiser, Koerber & Lang" audio commentary on M (aka "Commentary #2")
Second of two audio commentaries on the new Masters of Cinema edition of M, featuring comments from filmmaker/filmfan Peter Bogdanovich, restoration expert (and restorer of M) Martin Koerber, and comments from director Fritz Lang recorded in 1965, all introduced by Torsten Kaiser (who also offers the odd comment of his own). It's an informative listen, with a good mix between Lang's thoughts/memories and Koerber's restoration notes, with a couple of asides from Kaiser and Bogdanovich
Zum Beispiel: Fritz Lang (1968)
[#20a in 100 Films in a Year 2010]
Odd little short film/DVD extra that contains an interview (of sorts) with Lang. (Reviewed on 100 Films here.)
Second of two audio commentaries on the new Masters of Cinema edition of M, featuring comments from filmmaker/filmfan Peter Bogdanovich, restoration expert (and restorer of M) Martin Koerber, and comments from director Fritz Lang recorded in 1965, all introduced by Torsten Kaiser (who also offers the odd comment of his own). It's an informative listen, with a good mix between Lang's thoughts/memories and Koerber's restoration notes, with a couple of asides from Kaiser and Bogdanovich
Zum Beispiel: Fritz Lang (1968)
[#20a in 100 Films in a Year 2010]
Odd little short film/DVD extra that contains an interview (of sorts) with Lang. (Reviewed on 100 Films here.)
Collection Count
Collection Count tracks my DVD/Blu-ray collection via a number of statistics every week.
This week, just one purchase... but the discovery of a DVD I'd sold that was left in the list, plus an error on the number of episodes in one TV box set, and more-or-less everything holds still... or even goes down. Don't expect to see that happen too often in the future.
Number of titles in collection: 1,146 [no change]
Of which DVDs: 1,076 [down 1]
Of which Blu-rays: 70 [up 1]
Number of discs in collection: 2,798 [down 1]
Number of films in collection: 1,212 [no change]
Number of TV episodes in collection: 3,874 [down 8]
Statistic of the week:
With my Blu-ray collection hitting a nice round 70 this week (I wonder if it'll make 100 before I've had the thing a year. Probably; maybe I should wonder if it'll make 150?), I thought I'd echo the second half of the above statistics, but about BDs only. So...
Number of Blu-ray titles in collection: 70 (6.1% of the total)
Number of Blu-ray discs in collection: 137 (4.9% of the total)
Number of films on Blu-ray: 81 (6.7% of the total)
Number of TV episodes on Blu-ray: 129 (3.3% of the total)
This also includes a couple of films that are actually in SD, while excluding a couple of alternate versions of movies (such as the export cut of The Big Switch included on Man of Violence, or the British version of M). Nor does it include the odd episode of TV included as an extra (such as Doctor Who Confidential), which is true across the whole collection. And a couple of releases also include a DVD amongst their BDs, so that second number is technically inaccurate. Still, swings and roundabouts...
See you next week, faithful reader.
This week, just one purchase... but the discovery of a DVD I'd sold that was left in the list, plus an error on the number of episodes in one TV box set, and more-or-less everything holds still... or even goes down. Don't expect to see that happen too often in the future.
Number of titles in collection: 1,146 [no change]
Of which DVDs: 1,076 [down 1]
Of which Blu-rays: 70 [up 1]
Number of discs in collection: 2,798 [down 1]
Number of films in collection: 1,212 [no change]
Number of TV episodes in collection: 3,874 [down 8]
Statistic of the week:
With my Blu-ray collection hitting a nice round 70 this week (I wonder if it'll make 100 before I've had the thing a year. Probably; maybe I should wonder if it'll make 150?), I thought I'd echo the second half of the above statistics, but about BDs only. So...
Number of Blu-ray titles in collection: 70 (6.1% of the total)
Number of Blu-ray discs in collection: 137 (4.9% of the total)
Number of films on Blu-ray: 81 (6.7% of the total)
Number of TV episodes on Blu-ray: 129 (3.3% of the total)
This also includes a couple of films that are actually in SD, while excluding a couple of alternate versions of movies (such as the export cut of The Big Switch included on Man of Violence, or the British version of M). Nor does it include the odd episode of TV included as an extra (such as Doctor Who Confidential), which is true across the whole collection. And a couple of releases also include a DVD amongst their BDs, so that second number is technically inaccurate. Still, swings and roundabouts...
See you next week, faithful reader.
Thursday, 18 February 2010
Non-Fiction / DVD Extras
"M": The Masters of Cinema Blu-ray Series #9 (DVD booklet), edited by Jess Fulton & Andrew Utterson
A typically informative booklet from MoC, accompanying their new release of M on DVD and Blu-ray (out Monday).
Writings include Fritz Lang himself discussing the film, once in 1931 and looking back in an interview from 1963; details on a missing scene from early in the film (the most complete surviving version, restored from numerous prints, is seven minutes short of the original running time); and a discussion of the French and English versions of the film, which as well as dubbing include some re-shot scenes, including Peter Lorre's first performance in English.
I suppose one might argue the booklet's short on analysis, but when the disc includes two full-length audio commentaries that feature two film scholars, a restoration expert, an historian, and filmmaker (and commentator extraordinaire) Peter Bogdanovich -- not to mention excerpts from interviews with Lang -- it's hard to justifiably complain, I think.
A typically informative booklet from MoC, accompanying their new release of M on DVD and Blu-ray (out Monday).
Writings include Fritz Lang himself discussing the film, once in 1931 and looking back in an interview from 1963; details on a missing scene from early in the film (the most complete surviving version, restored from numerous prints, is seven minutes short of the original running time); and a discussion of the French and English versions of the film, which as well as dubbing include some re-shot scenes, including Peter Lorre's first performance in English.
I suppose one might argue the booklet's short on analysis, but when the disc includes two full-length audio commentaries that feature two film scholars, a restoration expert, an historian, and filmmaker (and commentator extraordinaire) Peter Bogdanovich -- not to mention excerpts from interviews with Lang -- it's hard to justifiably complain, I think.
Articles
We're Watching: Green Screen Shatter Our TV
(from current)
A showreel for a visual effects company might sound a little dull, but this is pretty impressive. OK, some shots are obviously visual effects, and others obviously have to be, but what they pull off in others is nothing short of incredible. Who'd've thought there was so much fakery just to do city streets, for example, particularly in Ugly Betty -- in particular, the shot that begins 30 seconds in. It might look like nothing, but that's what makes it so impressive when you see the greenscreen replay.
(from current)
A showreel for a visual effects company might sound a little dull, but this is pretty impressive. OK, some shots are obviously visual effects, and others obviously have to be, but what they pull off in others is nothing short of incredible. Who'd've thought there was so much fakery just to do city streets, for example, particularly in Ugly Betty -- in particular, the shot that begins 30 seconds in. It might look like nothing, but that's what makes it so impressive when you see the greenscreen replay.
Wednesday, 17 February 2010
TV
How I Met Your Mother
4x14 The Possimpible
4x15 The Stinsons
[Watch these episodes on 4oD from 11th & 18th March (probably).]
Law & Order: UK
2x06 Honour Bound [season finale]
As with the mid-season finale -- sorry, season one finale -- this goes down the "this time it's personal" route. Better, though, the good guys finally actually win a case! Who'd've thunk it?
[Watch it (again) on ITV Player.]
4x14 The Possimpible
4x15 The Stinsons
[Watch these episodes on 4oD from 11th & 18th March (probably).]
Law & Order: UK
2x06 Honour Bound [season finale]
As with the mid-season finale -- sorry, season one finale -- this goes down the "this time it's personal" route. Better, though, the good guys finally actually win a case! Who'd've thunk it?
[Watch it (again) on ITV Player.]
Articles
Time for a good laugh at Twilight...
Twilight trio "not close" to Dawn deals by Simon Reynolds
(from Digital Spy)
Ha ha ha ha ha.
Ha ha ha.
Ha ha ha ha ha ha.
And so on.
(Incidentally, apologies if anyone wanted those links to go to information on the actual things. And by "apologies" I mean "click on the links, I put some effort into making them mildly amusing".)
Twilight trio "not close" to Dawn deals by Simon Reynolds
(from Digital Spy)
studio Summit Entertainment hasn't secured the trio past a fourth feature and is planning to split the [fourth] book... into two 3D films. Should Breaking Dawn be released in two parts, Summit will have to renegotiate Pattinson, Stewart and Lautner's contracts at considerable cost.
Ha ha ha ha ha.
Ha ha ha.
Ha ha ha ha ha ha.
And so on.
(Incidentally, apologies if anyone wanted those links to go to information on the actual things. And by "apologies" I mean "click on the links, I put some effort into making them mildly amusing".)
Tuesday, 16 February 2010
TV
24
7x19 2:00AM - 3:00AM
QI
7x12 Gravity (extended repeat)
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Survivors [2008]
2x04 Episode 4
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
7x19 2:00AM - 3:00AM
QI
7x12 Gravity (extended repeat)
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Survivors [2008]
2x04 Episode 4
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
Monday, 15 February 2010
TV
24
7x18 1:00AM - 2:00AM
And so Main Plot #3 comes to an end -- after, what, five episodes? -- and it's time for Main Plot #4. One wonders how the first few seasons ever survived with just two or three -- and those were usually natural developments (like the progression of the virus in season three) rather than whole new Even Bigger Villain Behind The Last One restarts that the last few seasons have subsisted on.
Mock the Week
8x04 (11/2/10 edition)
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Tinga Tinga Tales
1x04 Why Owl's Head Turns All the Way Round
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
7x18 1:00AM - 2:00AM
And so Main Plot #3 comes to an end -- after, what, five episodes? -- and it's time for Main Plot #4. One wonders how the first few seasons ever survived with just two or three -- and those were usually natural developments (like the progression of the virus in season three) rather than whole new Even Bigger Villain Behind The Last One restarts that the last few seasons have subsisted on.
Mock the Week
8x04 (11/2/10 edition)
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Tinga Tinga Tales
1x04 Why Owl's Head Turns All the Way Round
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Films
Elektra (2005)
[#19 in 100 Films in a Year 2010]
Kung Fu Panda (2008)
[#18 in 100 Films in a Year 2010]
[#19 in 100 Films in a Year 2010]
Kung Fu Panda (2008)
[#18 in 100 Films in a Year 2010]
Articles
Southwest Bosses Apologise To Smith
(from WENN)
Since when did Kevin Smith have anything at all to do with Gigli?
(from WENN)
Since when did Kevin Smith have anything at all to do with Gigli?
Sunday, 14 February 2010
TV
From the Earth to the Moon
Part Twelve Le Voyage Dans La Lune [final episode]
Every episode of this series has had its own distinct identity, but this is nonetheless an odd closing instalment. The documentary-style voiceover jars, even if it fits with the faked modern interviews with aged-up actors; and then there's the flashbacks to Georges Méliès making Le Voyage dans la lune, just to cement the half-thought-out juxtapositional weirdness. Strange.
Part Twelve Le Voyage Dans La Lune [final episode]
Every episode of this series has had its own distinct identity, but this is nonetheless an odd closing instalment. The documentary-style voiceover jars, even if it fits with the faked modern interviews with aged-up actors; and then there's the flashbacks to Georges Méliès making Le Voyage dans la lune, just to cement the half-thought-out juxtapositional weirdness. Strange.
Saturday, 13 February 2010
TV
How I Met Your Mother
4x12 Benefits
4x13 Three Days of Snow
The second episode once again demonstrates HIMYM's skill at narrative subversion and cleverness, which is always fun.
[Watch these episodes on 4oD from 25th February and 4th March (probably).]
Mad Men
3x04 The Arrangements
And another exemplary episode of this series too.
[Watch it again in HD on iPlayer.]
4x12 Benefits
4x13 Three Days of Snow
The second episode once again demonstrates HIMYM's skill at narrative subversion and cleverness, which is always fun.
[Watch these episodes on 4oD from 25th February and 4th March (probably).]
Mad Men
3x04 The Arrangements
And another exemplary episode of this series too.
[Watch it again in HD on iPlayer.]
Articles
And The Hits Keep On Comin’…
(from Progress City, U.S.A.)
Disney seem to be cancelling every animated film they have on the go. Why?
(from Progress City, U.S.A.)
Disney seem to be cancelling every animated film they have on the go. Why?
Collection Count
Collection Count tracks my DVD/Blu-ray collection via a number of statistics every week.
After last week's tiny update, this one is rather more packed, including a load that arrived on Friday (hence the 24 hour delay. Again.) Most exciting this week are a few releases that aren't even out yet: Blu-rays of Up (out on Monday in a variety of editions), M (out February 22nd on Blu-ray and DVD), and City Girl (out February 22nd on Blu-ray only -- a first?) Always love getting things pre-release.
Number of titles in collection: 1,146 [up 10]
Of which DVDs: 1,077 [up 3]
Of which Blu-rays: 69 [up 7]
Number of discs in collection: 2,799 [up 15]
Number of films in collection: 1,212 [up 10]
Number of TV episodes in collection: 3,882 [up 6]
Statistic of the week:
Total running time of collection (approx.):
194 days, 4 hours, and 43 minutes.
(Up 3 days, 8 hours, and 55 minutes from last month.)
See you next week, faithful reader.
After last week's tiny update, this one is rather more packed, including a load that arrived on Friday (hence the 24 hour delay. Again.) Most exciting this week are a few releases that aren't even out yet: Blu-rays of Up (out on Monday in a variety of editions), M (out February 22nd on Blu-ray and DVD), and City Girl (out February 22nd on Blu-ray only -- a first?) Always love getting things pre-release.
Number of titles in collection: 1,146 [up 10]
Of which DVDs: 1,077 [up 3]
Of which Blu-rays: 69 [up 7]
Number of discs in collection: 2,799 [up 15]
Number of films in collection: 1,212 [up 10]
Number of TV episodes in collection: 3,882 [up 6]
Statistic of the week:
Total running time of collection (approx.):
194 days, 4 hours, and 43 minutes.
(Up 3 days, 8 hours, and 55 minutes from last month.)
See you next week, faithful reader.
Friday, 12 February 2010
TV
24
7x17 12:00AM - 1:00AM
Friday Night With Jonathan Ross
18x04 (5/2/10 edition)
I've never seen a Bollywood film, but My Name is Khan (trailered on this edition and which, it must be said, doesn't look in the least bit Bollywood-y) looks like it might be a good film full-stop. Jump to the trailer part of the show here. Of course, US attitudes to Asperger's syndrome (which the main character in the film has) is a pertinent issue at the moment.
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
7x17 12:00AM - 1:00AM
Friday Night With Jonathan Ross
18x04 (5/2/10 edition)
I've never seen a Bollywood film, but My Name is Khan (trailered on this edition and which, it must be said, doesn't look in the least bit Bollywood-y) looks like it might be a good film full-stop. Jump to the trailer part of the show here. Of course, US attitudes to Asperger's syndrome (which the main character in the film has) is a pertinent issue at the moment.
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
Articles
First Look: Roman Polanski's The Ghost by Simon Reynolds
(from Digital Spy)
More widely known as The Ghost Writer, UK distributors Optimum seem to have decided that, a) it would be better with a bland, generic, meaningless title, and b) it would be best promoted with a bland, generic, meaningless poster (see that, and the trailer, at the link). The original title is hardly revelatory, but it's certainly better than this, while the US one-sheet is evocative and quite stylish, unlike the UK's Stereotypical Thriller rehash (in fact, the French-language version of the one-sheet is even better).
UK cinemas plan Alice boycott by Simon Reynolds
(from Digital Spy)
(from Digital Spy)
More widely known as The Ghost Writer, UK distributors Optimum seem to have decided that, a) it would be better with a bland, generic, meaningless title, and b) it would be best promoted with a bland, generic, meaningless poster (see that, and the trailer, at the link). The original title is hardly revelatory, but it's certainly better than this, while the US one-sheet is evocative and quite stylish, unlike the UK's Stereotypical Thriller rehash (in fact, the French-language version of the one-sheet is even better).
UK cinemas plan Alice boycott by Simon Reynolds
(from Digital Spy)
UK cinema chains Odeon, Vue and Cineworld are planning to boycott Tim Burton's Alice In Wonderland due to its truncated theatrical run...Go cinemas! I sincerely hope they choose the "leave it" option and see what Disney make of that -- looks like they could do with reminding that film studios are nothing without cinemas willing to show their films.
the 3D film is in jeopardy because the leading exhibitors require a guaranteed four-month theatrical run to book a film. Disney announced earlier this week that the gap between the cinema and home release will be cut from the standard 17 weeks to 12...
According to The Guardian, the 12-week deal is said to be a "take it or leave it" offer.
Thursday, 11 February 2010
TV
Argumental
3x02 (9/2/10 edition)
From the Earth to the Moon
Part Eleven The Original Wives Club
Mad Men meets Desperate Housewives in what is, perhaps surprisingly, one of the series' best episodes. It's so well written, acted and directed, in fact, that the 50-minute running time doesn't do the subject justice -- one longs for it to be a full feature length (and shorn of the compulsory coverage of Apollo 16 that's been shoehorned in thanks to the episode's place in the series).
How I Met Your Mother
4x11 Little Minnesota
[Watch it on 4oD from 18th February (probably).]
Law & Order: UK
2x05 Love and Loss
[Watch it (again) on ITV Player.]
3x02 (9/2/10 edition)
From the Earth to the Moon
Part Eleven The Original Wives Club
Mad Men meets Desperate Housewives in what is, perhaps surprisingly, one of the series' best episodes. It's so well written, acted and directed, in fact, that the 50-minute running time doesn't do the subject justice -- one longs for it to be a full feature length (and shorn of the compulsory coverage of Apollo 16 that's been shoehorned in thanks to the episode's place in the series).
How I Met Your Mother
4x11 Little Minnesota
[Watch it on 4oD from 18th February (probably).]
Law & Order: UK
2x05 Love and Loss
[Watch it (again) on ITV Player.]
Wednesday, 10 February 2010
TV
24
7x16 11:00PM - 12:00AM
From the Earth to the Moon
Part Ten Galileo Was Right
How I Met Your Mother
4x10 The Fight
[Watch it from tomorrow evening on 4oD.]
Tinga Tinga Tales
1x03 Why Tortoise Has a Broken Shell
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
7x16 11:00PM - 12:00AM
From the Earth to the Moon
Part Ten Galileo Was Right
How I Met Your Mother
4x10 The Fight
[Watch it from tomorrow evening on 4oD.]
Tinga Tinga Tales
1x03 Why Tortoise Has a Broken Shell
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Tuesday, 9 February 2010
TV
From the Earth to the Moon
Part Nine For Miles and Miles
I was doing rather well getting through this miniseries back in August and September last year -- I got through the first eight parts in just two weeks. I only stalled because I'd reached the episode dealing with Apollo 13 and had been intending to watch the film, something which I clearly failed to find time for. So, five months later, I've decided to just soldier on with the series itself.
Mad Men
3x03 My Old Kentucky Home
[Watch it again in HD on iPlayer.]
QI
7x11 Gifts (extended repeat)
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
The Review Show
5/2/10 edition
Discussing this year's Oscar nominations, including some interesting critiquing of Avatar.
(Incidentally, completely missed this being rebranded from Newsnight Review (last month, apparently). You'd've thought they'd've used the opportunity to give it some promotion, otherwise what was the point?)
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Tinga Tinga Tales
1x02 Why Giraffe Has a Long Neck
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Part Nine For Miles and Miles
I was doing rather well getting through this miniseries back in August and September last year -- I got through the first eight parts in just two weeks. I only stalled because I'd reached the episode dealing with Apollo 13 and had been intending to watch the film, something which I clearly failed to find time for. So, five months later, I've decided to just soldier on with the series itself.
Mad Men
3x03 My Old Kentucky Home
[Watch it again in HD on iPlayer.]
QI
7x11 Gifts (extended repeat)
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
The Review Show
5/2/10 edition
Discussing this year's Oscar nominations, including some interesting critiquing of Avatar.
(Incidentally, completely missed this being rebranded from Newsnight Review (last month, apparently). You'd've thought they'd've used the opportunity to give it some promotion, otherwise what was the point?)
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Tinga Tinga Tales
1x02 Why Giraffe Has a Long Neck
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Articles
24 set to transfer to the big screen by Ben Child
(from guardian.co.uk)
Naturally this story has been all over the web, but I've picked The Guardian's version for this paragraph:
(from guardian.co.uk)
Naturally this story has been all over the web, but I've picked The Guardian's version for this paragraph:
Ironically, the only thing that looks to be standing in the way of 24: The Movie is the further success of 24 the TV show. Producers would be unlikely to green light a big-screen outing while new episodes are still being shot, due to the logistical issues of shooting a film concurrently. In effect, for the movie to live, 24 would first have to die in its current form.As for the news itself... Well, a movie has been in the offing for years, even to the point where the writing team had a story and/or screenplay for it. So though they've gone as far as hiring an established film writer, I'd still say this is a We'll See proposition for the time being.
Monday, 8 February 2010
TV
24
7x15 10:00PM - 11:00PM
Mock the Week
8x03 (4/2/10 edition)
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Survivors [2008]
2x03 Episode 3
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
Tinga Tinga Tales
1x01 Why Elephant Has a Trunk
Kids get all the best telly. Well, the most fun. And though it may be young-child-orientated (it's on CBeebies, not even CBBC), the commitment to African art and animation plus traditional stories is both commendable and entertaining.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
7x15 10:00PM - 11:00PM
Mock the Week
8x03 (4/2/10 edition)
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Survivors [2008]
2x03 Episode 3
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
Tinga Tinga Tales
1x01 Why Elephant Has a Trunk
Kids get all the best telly. Well, the most fun. And though it may be young-child-orientated (it's on CBeebies, not even CBBC), the commitment to African art and animation plus traditional stories is both commendable and entertaining.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Articles
Sky responds to Pacific airing criticisms by Simon Reynolds
(from Digital Spy)
Yep, Sky are as good at spinning out a load of BS same as everything else Murdoch owns. Do they think people are going to sign up to watch it? Or do they just not care? Or, most likely, whoever owns the DVD/Blu-ray rights is over the moon it'll be shown on a minority channel -- more sales to those of us who want to see it. Assuming we don't just all pirate it, of course.
(from Digital Spy)
Yep, Sky are as good at spinning out a load of BS same as everything else Murdoch owns. Do they think people are going to sign up to watch it? Or do they just not care? Or, most likely, whoever owns the DVD/Blu-ray rights is over the moon it'll be shown on a minority channel -- more sales to those of us who want to see it. Assuming we don't just all pirate it, of course.
Sunday, 7 February 2010
Helping Haiti
"Single £3.97 ... At least £1 goes to charity."
I'm sure it's not just Simon Cowell profiting from disaster. Sure it isn't.
But still -- why buy a single from a bunch of crap artists when just donating the money directly would give more to where it's needed, rather than to recording studios / CD duplicating facilities /Cowell's pockets / etc?
It's raised awareness, I'm sure; and it's probably getting money from those who can afford to give but wouldn't care enough to donate normally -- yes, despite what you think, you don't actually care if you're only giving because you get a high-profile single in return.
That's the long and the short of it: if you actually care about the charity, not Simon Cowell's latest money-making scheme, you'd donate £3.97 directly instead of buying the single.
I'm sure it's not just Simon Cowell profiting from disaster. Sure it isn't.
But still -- why buy a single from a bunch of crap artists when just donating the money directly would give more to where it's needed, rather than to recording studios / CD duplicating facilities /
It's raised awareness, I'm sure; and it's probably getting money from those who can afford to give but wouldn't care enough to donate normally -- yes, despite what you think, you don't actually care if you're only giving because you get a high-profile single in return.
That's the long and the short of it: if you actually care about the charity, not Simon Cowell's latest money-making scheme, you'd donate £3.97 directly instead of buying the single.
Saturday, 6 February 2010
TV
24
7x13 8:00PM - 9:00PM
Oh, that's Main Plot #2 over already. As it moves into Main Plot #3, one has to hope it'll last til the end of the season. Resolution is nice, but the show's history shows that two or three main plots are plenty.
How I Met Your Mother
4x09 The Naked Man
[Watch it (again) on 4oD.]
7x13 8:00PM - 9:00PM
Oh, that's Main Plot #2 over already. As it moves into Main Plot #3, one has to hope it'll last til the end of the season. Resolution is nice, but the show's history shows that two or three main plots are plenty.
How I Met Your Mother
4x09 The Naked Man
[Watch it (again) on 4oD.]
Collection Count
Collection Count tracks my DVD/Blu-ray collection via a number of statistics every week. It's a pretty light week, for whatever reason; so light I even delayed it til today in case anything turned up in the post (it didn't).
Probably for the best -- it's not like I don't own many. I mean, I have:
Number of titles in collection: 1,136 [up 3]
Of which DVDs: 1,074 [up 1]
Of which Blu-rays: 62 [up 2]
Number of discs in collection: 2,784 [up 3]
Number of films in collection: 1,202 [up 4]
Number of TV episodes in collection: 3,876 [no change]
Statistic of the week:
Near the start of this series, stat of the week was the number of titles I owned rated 18. So, in a sort of mirror image to that, this week we have...
Number of titles rated U:
36
(3.2% of the total)
A lot fewer, as it turns out.
See you next week, faithful reader.
Probably for the best -- it's not like I don't own many. I mean, I have:
Number of titles in collection: 1,136 [up 3]
Of which DVDs: 1,074 [up 1]
Of which Blu-rays: 62 [up 2]
Number of discs in collection: 2,784 [up 3]
Number of films in collection: 1,202 [up 4]
Number of TV episodes in collection: 3,876 [no change]
Statistic of the week:
Near the start of this series, stat of the week was the number of titles I owned rated 18. So, in a sort of mirror image to that, this week we have...
Number of titles rated U:
36
(3.2% of the total)
A lot fewer, as it turns out.
See you next week, faithful reader.
Friday, 5 February 2010
TV
24
7x12 7:00PM - 8:00PM
The problem with watching 24 a year late is that I know who's in the next series, removing the tension from some situations. Oh well. I suppose it's nice to have some surety in the world of 24, actually... other than all the plot points they recycle every season.
Friday Night With Jonathan Ross
18x03 (29/1/10 edition)
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
7x12 7:00PM - 8:00PM
The problem with watching 24 a year late is that I know who's in the next series, removing the tension from some situations. Oh well. I suppose it's nice to have some surety in the world of 24, actually... other than all the plot points they recycle every season.
Friday Night With Jonathan Ross
18x03 (29/1/10 edition)
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Thursday, 4 February 2010
TV
24
7x11 6:00PM - 7:00PM
Immediately, 24 launches too-quickly into a new plot. Ho hum. Something I believe I've forgotten to mention, however, is how well it's doing examining Jack's methods. He's been allowed free reign to torture and kill for six seasons and now, following criticism in the real-world press, the show's doing a good job of debating and discussing how right his methods may or may not be. A good case of life imitating art. Well, sort of.
Law & Order: UK
2x04 Sacrifice
A surprisingly un-grim episode of what's been a rather depressing series of late. Next week's looks like a return to that downbeat form though.
[Watch it (again) on ITV Player.]
QI
7x10 Greats (extended repeat)
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
7x11 6:00PM - 7:00PM
Immediately, 24 launches too-quickly into a new plot. Ho hum. Something I believe I've forgotten to mention, however, is how well it's doing examining Jack's methods. He's been allowed free reign to torture and kill for six seasons and now, following criticism in the real-world press, the show's doing a good job of debating and discussing how right his methods may or may not be. A good case of life imitating art. Well, sort of.
Law & Order: UK
2x04 Sacrifice
A surprisingly un-grim episode of what's been a rather depressing series of late. Next week's looks like a return to that downbeat form though.
[Watch it (again) on ITV Player.]
QI
7x10 Greats (extended repeat)
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Wednesday, 3 February 2010
TV
24
7x10 5:00PM - 6:00PM
And so Main Plot #1 draws to a close, a move that very much harks back to the earlier -- better -- seasons of the show. It's rather odd, actually, feeling very much like a season finale by the closing minutes. The first few seasons can very much be split into two or three major plot arcs (while the last few degenerated into a raft of shorter ones we were meant to believe were part of One Big Bad Thing), but they always had a slight bit of overlap. Here, it basically stops... and then has a clear signal that Main Plot #2 is about to begin. Still, better that than the other.
24 may not be quite back to its very best with season seven, but it's certainly closer than it's been for a good while. Fingers crossed it keeps (or, rather, kept, as I'm a year later on this) it up.
Argumental
3x01 (2/2/10 edition)
How I Met Your Mother
4x08 Woooo!
Lo and behold, I've caught up with E4. Woo! And now I'll surely overtake it...
[Watch it (again) on 4oD.]
Richard Dimbleby Lecture
34 Shaking Hands with Death
By Sir Terry Pratchett. Important and brilliant.
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
7x10 5:00PM - 6:00PM
And so Main Plot #1 draws to a close, a move that very much harks back to the earlier -- better -- seasons of the show. It's rather odd, actually, feeling very much like a season finale by the closing minutes. The first few seasons can very much be split into two or three major plot arcs (while the last few degenerated into a raft of shorter ones we were meant to believe were part of One Big Bad Thing), but they always had a slight bit of overlap. Here, it basically stops... and then has a clear signal that Main Plot #2 is about to begin. Still, better that than the other.
24 may not be quite back to its very best with season seven, but it's certainly closer than it's been for a good while. Fingers crossed it keeps (or, rather, kept, as I'm a year later on this) it up.
Argumental
3x01 (2/2/10 edition)
How I Met Your Mother
4x08 Woooo!
Lo and behold, I've caught up with E4. Woo! And now I'll surely overtake it...
[Watch it (again) on 4oD.]
Richard Dimbleby Lecture
34 Shaking Hands with Death
By Sir Terry Pratchett. Important and brilliant.
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
Articles
First Smith Doctor Who titles confirmed by Mayer Nissim
(from Digital Spy)
Spoilers at the above link, obviously, so rather than repeat them I'll just offer my opinion on each:
1) Nice. Not a great Who title per se, but a neat use of a common phrase.
2) Mediocre, though there have been worse.
3) Evocative, considering the setting of the episode. Interesting to see the titular, er, things turning up so early.
Royal premiere for Alice In Wonderland movie
(from BBC News)
It's been shot in 3D, so will it be screened in it? It amuses one to imagine the Queen having to don 3D specs.
(from Digital Spy)
Spoilers at the above link, obviously, so rather than repeat them I'll just offer my opinion on each:
1) Nice. Not a great Who title per se, but a neat use of a common phrase.
2) Mediocre, though there have been worse.
3) Evocative, considering the setting of the episode. Interesting to see the titular, er, things turning up so early.
Royal premiere for Alice In Wonderland movie
(from BBC News)
It's been shot in 3D, so will it be screened in it? It amuses one to imagine the Queen having to don 3D specs.
Tuesday, 2 February 2010
TV
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.]
4x07 Not a Father's Day
[Watch it (again) on 4oD.]
Survivors [2008]
2x02 Episode 2
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
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.
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