Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1 Maximum Movie Mode
The final forty minutes or so, then.
It's a pretty good track when it's actually sharing info, and sometimes the flow of information is quite constant, but there's the odd long stretch which you feel could have been filled. Surely someone involved had an anecdote or production snippet to slot into all the dead time? This is particularly annoying when the track offers you the option to leave the film to watch Focus Points -- short featurettes, only a couple of minutes each, on specific elements of the production. Invariably the MMM track itself offers nothing else for several minutes after the offer, so why not just play the full featurette PiP instead of a bitesize 'trailer' and forcing you to exit to watch it?
Also, the MMM is often used to fill in backstory or impart trivia, reminding us of events in previous films and extra detail from the books. It's nice, but also a shame: there's plenty of room for more behind the scenes information, be it director's/writer's/actors' intentions or how-they-made-thats or anything else along those lines. Even stuff familiar from the countless making-ofs we've almost all seen in the DVD era would be more welcome than the silence (well, "just the film") that this track ends up reverting to; and I'm sure there's actually plenty of unique stuff that could be discussed, if they put their mind to it.
So the track starts well but gets thinner as it goes on. That said, a couple of the best bits emerge late on. For instance, there's a good selection on the making of the Three Brothers animated sequence, plus the reveal that the film's ending was originally placed earlier -- when Harry & co arrive at Malfoy Manor and Bellatrix sees his scar -- but was moved to capitalise on the emotion of Dobby's death. Smart move.
Tuesday, 19 July 2011
Articles
Potter postscript: 10 great, and 10 not-so-great, things about Harry Potter (Plus: The best scenes) by Genevieve Koski & Tasha Robinson
(from A.V. Club)
An interesting, agreeable list of the highs (and lows) of the Harry Potter series, both on the page and the screen.
(from A.V. Club)
An interesting, agreeable list of the highs (and lows) of the Harry Potter series, both on the page and the screen.
Monday, 18 July 2011
DVD Extras
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1 Maximum Movie Mode
Watched the first two hours (almost) of this (nearly) three-hour presentation. More comments on it tomorrow, when I finish it (probably).
(Apologies for the link, by-the-way -- I hate that site's reviews (mainly for their stupid section titles). I'd've linked to the relevant bit of the Blu-ray.com review, but because of their fancy schamncy layout coding you can't.)
Watched the first two hours (almost) of this (nearly) three-hour presentation. More comments on it tomorrow, when I finish it (probably).
(Apologies for the link, by-the-way -- I hate that site's reviews (mainly for their stupid section titles). I'd've linked to the relevant bit of the Blu-ray.com review, but because of their fancy schamncy layout coding you can't.)
Sunday, 17 July 2011
TV
Archer
2x11 Jeu Monegasque
Another fantastic episode! Go Archer!
[Watch it (again) on Demand 5.]
Grand Designs Australia
1x01 Bushfire House
Noticed More4 have started showing this just in time to catch the first episode on catch-up. Super.
[Watch it (again) on 4oD.]
Mock the Week
10x06 (14/7/11 edition) [mid-season finale]
The regular mid-series highlights/outtakes/bloopers episode. On the one hand I always feel cheated out of a new topical edition; on the other they delete some pretty good stuff from the rest of the series.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
MythBusters
5x24 Confederate Steam Gun
Happened across this on random TV browsing. Rather addictive good fun.
Single-Handed
2x01 The Lost Boys Part 1
As I hoped, it's back. Hurrah! And as good as ever, too, though this time we have to wait a whole week for the second half. Scheduled against both Torchwood and The (US) Killing, I fear slightly for its ratings, but perhaps it'll be different enough to succeed.
[Watch it (again) on ITV Player.]
2x11 Jeu Monegasque
Another fantastic episode! Go Archer!
[Watch it (again) on Demand 5.]
Grand Designs Australia
1x01 Bushfire House
Noticed More4 have started showing this just in time to catch the first episode on catch-up. Super.
[Watch it (again) on 4oD.]
Mock the Week
10x06 (14/7/11 edition) [mid-season finale]
The regular mid-series highlights/outtakes/bloopers episode. On the one hand I always feel cheated out of a new topical edition; on the other they delete some pretty good stuff from the rest of the series.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
MythBusters
5x24 Confederate Steam Gun
Happened across this on random TV browsing. Rather addictive good fun.
Single-Handed
2x01 The Lost Boys Part 1
As I hoped, it's back. Hurrah! And as good as ever, too, though this time we have to wait a whole week for the second half. Scheduled against both Torchwood and The (US) Killing, I fear slightly for its ratings, but perhaps it'll be different enough to succeed.
[Watch it (again) on ITV Player.]
Films
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1 (2010)
[#70 in 100 Films in a Year 2011]
Part 2 may be smashing (almost) every record going, but I'm just catching up with Part 1. It was good, but I expect I'll still wait for the second half on Blu-ray.
[#70 in 100 Films in a Year 2011]
Part 2 may be smashing (almost) every record going, but I'm just catching up with Part 1. It was good, but I expect I'll still wait for the second half on Blu-ray.
Articles
Weekend Report: Harry Makes History by Brandon Gray
(from Box Office Mojo)
Impressive... but can it overtake Avatar to become the highest grossing film of all time? I don't see it. Cameron's uber-blockbuster had the advantage of being Something New, rather than the 8th film in an (admittedly extremely popular) franchise, plus the big boost of being so promoted as The 3D Film that everyone flocked to see it in more-expensive 3D. HP7.2 is in 3D too, but the technology no longer has that "must see" factor.
Indeed, HP7.2 is the latest film in a trend that sees 3D pulling in a lower percentage of the gross than 2D -- despite 68% of its US screens showing it in 3D, and all those tickets being more expensive than 2D ones, 3D only accounted for 43% of its gross. Ouch. And that's likely to drop off even more as time goes on.
(from Box Office Mojo)
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2 soared into the record books with the highest-grossing opening weekend ever. The series finale drew an estimated $168.55 million... dethroning The Dark Knight's $158.4 million.
[It also achieved a new] opening day record of $92.1 million on Friday (buoyed by a record-shattering $43.5 million midnight launch) [and] the second biggest-grossing 3D opening yet, behind Alice in Wonderland's $81.3 million. In IMAX alone, Deathly Hallows Part 2 delivered the top-grossing start ever, generating $15.5 million versus Alice's second-place $12.2 million.
Impressive... but can it overtake Avatar to become the highest grossing film of all time? I don't see it. Cameron's uber-blockbuster had the advantage of being Something New, rather than the 8th film in an (admittedly extremely popular) franchise, plus the big boost of being so promoted as The 3D Film that everyone flocked to see it in more-expensive 3D. HP7.2 is in 3D too, but the technology no longer has that "must see" factor.
Indeed, HP7.2 is the latest film in a trend that sees 3D pulling in a lower percentage of the gross than 2D -- despite 68% of its US screens showing it in 3D, and all those tickets being more expensive than 2D ones, 3D only accounted for 43% of its gross. Ouch. And that's likely to drop off even more as time goes on.
this week on 100 Films
After nothing at all to report last week, there was just 1 new review posted to 100 Films in a Year in the past seven days. It was...
Easy Virtue (2008)
Hopefully, more next Sunday.
Easy Virtue (2008)
Director Stephan Elliott adds something extra to the wit with his choice of a wonderfully inventive soundtrack. Standards from the era are present and correct, but Cole Porter-styled reinterpretations of modern songs like Car Wash and Sex Bomb raise a smile whenever they turn up unexpectedly. It’s fabulously cheeky.
Hopefully, more next Sunday.
Saturday, 16 July 2011
TV
Pointless
4x30 (15/7/11 edition)
Crikey Pointless is hard to win! Today's final -- "directors who have won more than one Oscar" -- was as up my street as any have been, but I didn't come close to any of the nine winning answers. (A list of the 18 correct answers can be deduced from here.)
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
4x30 (15/7/11 edition)
Crikey Pointless is hard to win! Today's final -- "directors who have won more than one Oscar" -- was as up my street as any have been, but I didn't come close to any of the nine winning answers. (A list of the 18 correct answers can be deduced from here.)
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Music
Alpocalypse by "Weird Al" Yankovic
I don't recognise most of the parodies on Weird Al's latest (his first in half a decade), which either shows I'm out of touch or how lacklustre modern music is. Even this album's polka -- normally full of recognisable snippets from the biggest songs of the past few years -- is a wet affair of unfamiliar lyrics. Shame.
For me, then, this album is at its best when parodying a style rather than a specific modern song. Craigslist takes on the Doors, for instance; Ringtone is a riff on Queen; and, best of all, Stop Forwarding That Crap To Me emulates the work of Jim Steinman to marvellous effect.
Of the direct spoofs, only opener and single Perform This Way -- which lampoons everything about Lady Gaga via her recent hit Born This Way -- sounds familiar and, therefore, and more importantly, works.
I don't recognise most of the parodies on Weird Al's latest (his first in half a decade), which either shows I'm out of touch or how lacklustre modern music is. Even this album's polka -- normally full of recognisable snippets from the biggest songs of the past few years -- is a wet affair of unfamiliar lyrics. Shame.
For me, then, this album is at its best when parodying a style rather than a specific modern song. Craigslist takes on the Doors, for instance; Ringtone is a riff on Queen; and, best of all, Stop Forwarding That Crap To Me emulates the work of Jim Steinman to marvellous effect.
Of the direct spoofs, only opener and single Perform This Way -- which lampoons everything about Lady Gaga via her recent hit Born This Way -- sounds familiar and, therefore, and more importantly, works.
Friday, 15 July 2011
TV
Miranda
1x04 Holiday [2nd watch]
It doesn't happen very often, but if I ever stumble across any of Miranda for more than about 30 seconds, I can't help but watch the rest. I have to say, though, I do think the first series was, on the whole, better than the second. Fingers crossed for the third.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
No Ordinary Family
1x11 No Ordinary Friends
Oh, far too much coincidence in this plot! Ouch.
Pointless
4x29 (14/7/11 edition)
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
1x04 Holiday [2nd watch]
It doesn't happen very often, but if I ever stumble across any of Miranda for more than about 30 seconds, I can't help but watch the rest. I have to say, though, I do think the first series was, on the whole, better than the second. Fingers crossed for the third.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
No Ordinary Family
1x11 No Ordinary Friends
Oh, far too much coincidence in this plot! Ouch.
Pointless
4x29 (14/7/11 edition)
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Collection Count
Collection Count tracks my DVD/Blu-ray collection via a number of statistics every week.
I've been waiting well over a month for a parcel from Amazon.com. I've known for weeks it won't arrive, because they always arrive well before the final estimated date. Today is that date... but all Amazon say as advice is "give it a few more days". So I'll "give it a few more days", it won't turn up, and then I'll be able to contact them for a replacement. Which I do hope they'll send.
Number of titles in collection: 1,347 [up 2]
Of which DVDs: 1,127 [up 2]
Of which Blu-rays: 220 [no change]
Number of discs in collection: 3,339 [up 2]
Number of films in collection: 1,419 [no change]
Number of TV episodes in collection: 5,005 [up 5]
See you next week, faithful reader.
I've been waiting well over a month for a parcel from Amazon.com. I've known for weeks it won't arrive, because they always arrive well before the final estimated date. Today is that date... but all Amazon say as advice is "give it a few more days". So I'll "give it a few more days", it won't turn up, and then I'll be able to contact them for a replacement. Which I do hope they'll send.
Number of titles in collection: 1,347 [up 2]
Of which DVDs: 1,127 [up 2]
Of which Blu-rays: 220 [no change]
Number of discs in collection: 3,339 [up 2]
Number of films in collection: 1,419 [no change]
Number of TV episodes in collection: 5,005 [up 5]
See you next week, faithful reader.
Thursday, 14 July 2011
TV
Pointless
4x28 (13/7/11 edition)
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Torchwood: Miracle Day
4x01 The New World
Nearly a week behind the US, Canada and Australia, then, but at least our version is several minutes longer. Maybe that was why it felt surprisingly slow? And I miss the theme music. And what technical bod messed up and caused that nasty visual 'echo'?
A raft of other niggles niggled, too, so I can't be certain what I actually think of it yet. It got "Americanised" trending on twitter though, so I guess it didn't go down too well generally.
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
The Tudors
4x05 Bottom of the Pot
I don't know if it's just the fault of history, but this was awfully like the demise of Anne Boleyn. Even if essentially the same stuff happened, couldn't they have found a different angle on it for the sake of drama? Maybe that's why it was rattled through in a single episode.
4x28 (13/7/11 edition)
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Torchwood: Miracle Day
4x01 The New World
Nearly a week behind the US, Canada and Australia, then, but at least our version is several minutes longer. Maybe that was why it felt surprisingly slow? And I miss the theme music. And what technical bod messed up and caused that nasty visual 'echo'?
A raft of other niggles niggled, too, so I can't be certain what I actually think of it yet. It got "Americanised" trending on twitter though, so I guess it didn't go down too well generally.
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
The Tudors
4x05 Bottom of the Pot
I don't know if it's just the fault of history, but this was awfully like the demise of Anne Boleyn. Even if essentially the same stuff happened, couldn't they have found a different angle on it for the sake of drama? Maybe that's why it was rattled through in a single episode.
Wednesday, 13 July 2011
TV
No Ordinary Family
1x10 No Ordinary Sidekick
I'm not sure if this is getting a little bit better or if I'm just becoming a little immune...
Pointless
4x27 (12/7/11 edition)
Today's edition was my favourite kind of quiz show: one where I could have a reasonable go at most rounds. Got the best answer on the Wallace & Gromit one, but the most obscure Kevin Spacey films I could come up with wouldn't've been obscure enough.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
1x10 No Ordinary Sidekick
I'm not sure if this is getting a little bit better or if I'm just becoming a little immune...
Pointless
4x27 (12/7/11 edition)
Today's edition was my favourite kind of quiz show: one where I could have a reasonable go at most rounds. Got the best answer on the Wallace & Gromit one, but the most obscure Kevin Spacey films I could come up with wouldn't've been obscure enough.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
DVD Extras
Easter Egg on Doctor Who: The Dominators
The Scottish Falsetto Sock Puppet Theatre do a sketch related to Doctor Who serial production codes. Yes, it's as fan-only as it sounds -- that's why it's an easter egg, I should imagine. But I thought it was very funny, so there.
The Scottish Falsetto Sock Puppet Theatre do a sketch related to Doctor Who serial production codes. Yes, it's as fan-only as it sounds -- that's why it's an easter egg, I should imagine. But I thought it was very funny, so there.
Trailers
Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows Trailer
I loved the first Downey Jr/Ritchie Holmes film, this one looks... interesting. Lots of exciting stuff and funny stuff, but will it work as well as a Sherlock Holmes film as the first one did? Could be they've crammed the trailer full of all the film's action and the Holmesian stuff will occur in between it; could be they've gone too far down the blockbuster route. Only time will tell.
That said, maximum points for using the same awesome music as the first film's trailer.
I loved the first Downey Jr/Ritchie Holmes film, this one looks... interesting. Lots of exciting stuff and funny stuff, but will it work as well as a Sherlock Holmes film as the first one did? Could be they've crammed the trailer full of all the film's action and the Holmesian stuff will occur in between it; could be they've gone too far down the blockbuster route. Only time will tell.
That said, maximum points for using the same awesome music as the first film's trailer.
Fiction
Planetary by Warren Ellis & John Cassaday
#0 Nuclear Spring
My first (purchased) digital comic! The complete collection of acclaimed series Planetary is currently available for just £15/$25 from comics-app-of-choice comiXology -- but only until Friday -- and it includes this 8-page introductory tale, which I don't believe is available otherwise. (It doesn't include the three spin-off/tie-in one-shots though, which are available for £1.49/$1.99 each.)
One of the main criticisms of digital comics from Those In The Know is that they're currently sold exclusively in individual issue form -- great for day-and-date new releases, no use for classic stuff newbies might actually want to buy. For one high-profile example, search a comics app for one of the most praised Batman stories of all time, Year One, and you won't find it (see). It's not available as a collection titled Year One, only as Batman issues 404 to 407. Useless.
In this case, buying the omnibus gives you all 27 individual issues (the complete series), which is better than being given one single 633-page file! Buying the same number of issues in collected real-book form would be a lot more expensive, and these can be read online, on iOS devices (iPads, iPhones, etc), and even Android I believe, should you care for that. The one thing that really buys me is that you can't seem to get prices in anything other than dollars on the website. Why? They're in pounds on the iPhone app! But that seems to be temperamental and prone to crash while browsing, making searching to buy stuff on there a real pain.
If you're interested in how it all works in practice ("reading a book online?! what?!", etc), just check out comiXology for full details. They even have hundreds of free comics should you want to give it a go.
#0 Nuclear Spring
My first (purchased) digital comic! The complete collection of acclaimed series Planetary is currently available for just £15/$25 from comics-app-of-choice comiXology -- but only until Friday -- and it includes this 8-page introductory tale, which I don't believe is available otherwise. (It doesn't include the three spin-off/tie-in one-shots though, which are available for £1.49/$1.99 each.)
One of the main criticisms of digital comics from Those In The Know is that they're currently sold exclusively in individual issue form -- great for day-and-date new releases, no use for classic stuff newbies might actually want to buy. For one high-profile example, search a comics app for one of the most praised Batman stories of all time, Year One, and you won't find it (see). It's not available as a collection titled Year One, only as Batman issues 404 to 407. Useless.
In this case, buying the omnibus gives you all 27 individual issues (the complete series), which is better than being given one single 633-page file! Buying the same number of issues in collected real-book form would be a lot more expensive, and these can be read online, on iOS devices (iPads, iPhones, etc), and even Android I believe, should you care for that. The one thing that really buys me is that you can't seem to get prices in anything other than dollars on the website. Why? They're in pounds on the iPhone app! But that seems to be temperamental and prone to crash while browsing, making searching to buy stuff on there a real pain.
If you're interested in how it all works in practice ("reading a book online?! what?!", etc), just check out comiXology for full details. They even have hundreds of free comics should you want to give it a go.
Tuesday, 12 July 2011
TV
No Ordinary Family
1x09 No Ordinary Anniversary
This has to be one of the longest-feeling programmes I currently watch. And yet I stick with it. Even though there's more left to go than I've already sat through. Sometimes, I baffle even myself...
Pointless
4x26 (11/7/11 edition)
Seems I may have changed my mind. Oh, but it is good fun though.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
The Tudors
4x04 Natural Ally
Will they get rid of Wifey #5 soon? God I hope so. On the bright side, more Brandon is always good.
1x09 No Ordinary Anniversary
This has to be one of the longest-feeling programmes I currently watch. And yet I stick with it. Even though there's more left to go than I've already sat through. Sometimes, I baffle even myself...
Pointless
4x26 (11/7/11 edition)
Seems I may have changed my mind. Oh, but it is good fun though.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
The Tudors
4x04 Natural Ally
Will they get rid of Wifey #5 soon? God I hope so. On the bright side, more Brandon is always good.
Monday, 11 July 2011
TV
Me watching TV one day behind instead of one week behind? What is the world coming to?!
Law & Order: UK
5x01 The Wrong Man
⅓ of the lead cast are replaced with nary a mention. That's the L&O way.
[Watch it (again) on ITV Player.]
Top Gear
17x03 (10/7/11 edition)
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
Law & Order: UK
5x01 The Wrong Man
⅓ of the lead cast are replaced with nary a mention. That's the L&O way.
[Watch it (again) on ITV Player.]
Top Gear
17x03 (10/7/11 edition)
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
Sunday, 10 July 2011
TV
Friends
10x14 The One With Princess Consuela [goodness-knows-what-th watch]
10x15 The One Where Estelle Dies [goodness-knows-what-th watch]
I've not watched Friends for goodness knows how long, but I just happened to see these two episodes on E4 today. I think it's not so fashionable to like it any more, but boo, I've always liked it, so there. Really ought to watch it all again, actually.
Horrible Histories with Stephen Fry
1x04 Episode 4
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
Lee Mack's All Star Cast
1x04 (9/7/11 edition)
This is a pretty weak show anyway, and then you add Katie bloody Price... And then you reach the always-dreadful sketch, throw in a Dragon -- none of whom can read any kind of script convincingly, and neither can Price -- and... Oh, why do I subject myself to this? More fool me, I guess.
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
Mock the Week
10x05 (7/7/11 edition)
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Penn & Teller: Fool Us
1x04 Episode 4
A couple of good bits tonight, but next week's looks better. Look forward to that, then.
[Watch it (again) on ITV Player.]
The Shadow Line
Part 7 (of 7)
I suppose it was inevitable given the amount of pure stuff piled into this series, but this was a disappointing conclusion. An over-complex last-minute Explanation Of Everything; twists and reveals that were mostly twisted or revealed episodes ago; and a nihilistic desire to almost exclusively kill off anyone nice and leave standing the evil and/or irritating. Sure, some of them are Great Characters who we Love To Hate, but they still need their comeuppance in the end.
All in, it was at least an episode too long and should have ended differently. Shame.
10x14 The One With Princess Consuela [goodness-knows-what-th watch]
10x15 The One Where Estelle Dies [goodness-knows-what-th watch]
I've not watched Friends for goodness knows how long, but I just happened to see these two episodes on E4 today. I think it's not so fashionable to like it any more, but boo, I've always liked it, so there. Really ought to watch it all again, actually.
Horrible Histories with Stephen Fry
1x04 Episode 4
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
Lee Mack's All Star Cast
1x04 (9/7/11 edition)
This is a pretty weak show anyway, and then you add Katie bloody Price... And then you reach the always-dreadful sketch, throw in a Dragon -- none of whom can read any kind of script convincingly, and neither can Price -- and... Oh, why do I subject myself to this? More fool me, I guess.
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
Mock the Week
10x05 (7/7/11 edition)
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Penn & Teller: Fool Us
1x04 Episode 4
A couple of good bits tonight, but next week's looks better. Look forward to that, then.
[Watch it (again) on ITV Player.]
The Shadow Line
Part 7 (of 7)
I suppose it was inevitable given the amount of pure stuff piled into this series, but this was a disappointing conclusion. An over-complex last-minute Explanation Of Everything; twists and reveals that were mostly twisted or revealed episodes ago; and a nihilistic desire to almost exclusively kill off anyone nice and leave standing the evil and/or irritating. Sure, some of them are Great Characters who we Love To Hate, but they still need their comeuppance in the end.
All in, it was at least an episode too long and should have ended differently. Shame.
Saturday, 9 July 2011
TV
Castle
1x04 Hell Hath No Fury
[Watch it (again) on Demand 5.]
No Ordinary Family
1x08 No Ordinary Accident
I watched episode 6 in February, episode 7 in May, and now episode 8 in July. Originally I was hoping to watch this at more or less the pace of the UK airings. I imagine those finished months ago.
I'm intending to be more regular, though: lots of TV's shut up shop for the summer, so now it's catch up time (there are a couple of things like this on my books to get through now). OK, maybe I should just give up -- NOF isn't that good and it's already cancelled (unsurprisingly) -- but once I've started a series (and got a fair few episodes in) I feel like I've got to complete it.
Pointless Celebrities
Episode 4 (of 5)
Episode 5 (of 5)
[Watch episodes four and five (again) on iPlayer.]
The Shadow Line
Part 6 (of 7)
If I didn't know better, halfway through this episode I'd've been thinking it was the last one! But no, an hour of story still to go... hopefully with all the answers... and maybe the questions, too.
The Tudors
4x03 Something for You
Even worse than No Ordinary Family, I haven't watched any of this for five months. Not hard to pick back up on, though it'd be nice if it got a wriggle on -- especially as a UK viewer, we know where it's all going.
1x04 Hell Hath No Fury
[Watch it (again) on Demand 5.]
No Ordinary Family
1x08 No Ordinary Accident
I watched episode 6 in February, episode 7 in May, and now episode 8 in July. Originally I was hoping to watch this at more or less the pace of the UK airings. I imagine those finished months ago.
I'm intending to be more regular, though: lots of TV's shut up shop for the summer, so now it's catch up time (there are a couple of things like this on my books to get through now). OK, maybe I should just give up -- NOF isn't that good and it's already cancelled (unsurprisingly) -- but once I've started a series (and got a fair few episodes in) I feel like I've got to complete it.
Pointless Celebrities
Episode 4 (of 5)
Episode 5 (of 5)
[Watch episodes four and five (again) on iPlayer.]
The Shadow Line
Part 6 (of 7)
If I didn't know better, halfway through this episode I'd've been thinking it was the last one! But no, an hour of story still to go... hopefully with all the answers... and maybe the questions, too.
The Tudors
4x03 Something for You
Even worse than No Ordinary Family, I haven't watched any of this for five months. Not hard to pick back up on, though it'd be nice if it got a wriggle on -- especially as a UK viewer, we know where it's all going.
Films
Doom (2005)
[2nd watch]
This was #25 in 100 Films 2007 and I didn't give it a very good review. So why did I re-watch it? Not entirely sure, really. It was on TV, I was there, I let it play. I didn't pay attention to all of it, which probably helped. I do stand by my original review too, even if (as it's from the blog's first year) it's rather short.
[2nd watch]
This was #25 in 100 Films 2007 and I didn't give it a very good review. So why did I re-watch it? Not entirely sure, really. It was on TV, I was there, I let it play. I didn't pay attention to all of it, which probably helped. I do stand by my original review too, even if (as it's from the blog's first year) it's rather short.
Friday, 8 July 2011
TV
The Graham Norton Show
9x12 (1/7/11 edition) [season finale]
Only two guests, and the show worked much better because of it -- less crammed. Doubt that means they'll continue with it though.
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
Pointless Celebrities
Episode 1 (of 5)
Episode 2 (of 5)
Episode 3 (of 5)
Surprisingly fun daytime quiz show Pointless has moved to BBC One, and to mark that it began with a week of 'celebrity'-filled specials (a format tweak first seen last Christmas, I believe). I have no intention of wasting my life with the regular edition, however addictive it may be, but everything's more fun with 'celebrities' though, eh? TV ratings certainly seem to suggest so...
[Watch episodes one, two and three (again) on iPlayer.]
Shark Tank
1x01 Episode 1
The US version of Dragons' Den. And it's rubbish. The 'sharks' are all too annoying, most of the people looking for money just as irritating, no one as nice or intelligent as their UK counterparts. Damn them.
9x12 (1/7/11 edition) [season finale]
Only two guests, and the show worked much better because of it -- less crammed. Doubt that means they'll continue with it though.
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
Pointless Celebrities
Episode 1 (of 5)
Episode 2 (of 5)
Episode 3 (of 5)
Surprisingly fun daytime quiz show Pointless has moved to BBC One, and to mark that it began with a week of 'celebrity'-filled specials (a format tweak first seen last Christmas, I believe). I have no intention of wasting my life with the regular edition, however addictive it may be, but everything's more fun with 'celebrities' though, eh? TV ratings certainly seem to suggest so...
[Watch episodes one, two and three (again) on iPlayer.]
Shark Tank
1x01 Episode 1
The US version of Dragons' Den. And it's rubbish. The 'sharks' are all too annoying, most of the people looking for money just as irritating, no one as nice or intelligent as their UK counterparts. Damn them.
Collection Count
Collection Count tracks my DVD/Blu-ray collection via a number of statistics every week.
This week, TV episodes lands squarely on 5,000! Wow! Nice round number... nice big number too. Quite daunting, actually. Ought to get stuck in to a few more of those...
And, for the first time in I-don't-know-how-long, no Blu-rays!
Number of titles in collection: 1,345 [up 5]
Of which DVDs: 1,125 [up 5]
Of which Blu-rays: 220 [no change]
Number of discs in collection: 3,337 [up 8]
Number of films in collection: 1,419 [up 6]
Number of TV episodes in collection: 5,000 [up 8]
See you next week, faithful reader.
This week, TV episodes lands squarely on 5,000! Wow! Nice round number... nice big number too. Quite daunting, actually. Ought to get stuck in to a few more of those...
And, for the first time in I-don't-know-how-long, no Blu-rays!
Number of titles in collection: 1,345 [up 5]
Of which DVDs: 1,125 [up 5]
Of which Blu-rays: 220 [no change]
Number of discs in collection: 3,337 [up 8]
Number of films in collection: 1,419 [up 6]
Number of TV episodes in collection: 5,000 [up 8]
See you next week, faithful reader.
Thursday, 7 July 2011
TV
Six series today, five of them including the last of the series / last ever. Coincidencetastic!
How I Met Your Mother
6x19 Legendaddy
I know some have been critical of HIMYM in recent seasons, for not getting anywhere with its arc plot, or for not being as clever or funny as it used to be, but I think this season is really hitting new highs. Good for them.
[Watch it (again) on 4oD.]
James May's Things You Need to Know
1x03 The Weather [final episode]
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Luther
2x03 Episode 3
2x04 Episode 4 [season finale]
The second two-parter in Luther's truncated second series. A good idea in this one, well (and violently) executed, even if it did remind me of one of the Thorne stories. Most surprising, though, was the happy ending. How un-Luther-like. Don't know how this run went down or how it rated, but fingers crossed for a third.
[Watch episodes three and four (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
The Sex Researchers
Episode 3 (of 3)
[Watch it (again) on 4oD.]
$#*! My Dad Says
1x18 Who's Your Daddy? [series finale]
Bleep My Dad Says (as they insist on calling it) wasn't the greatest sitcom ever -- far from it, if we're going to be honest -- but it was decent-enough brain-off watch-once fare. Plus, the longer it went on the more it grew on me, so in those respects it's a shame it was cancelled.
[Watch it (again) on Demand 5.]
Spirit of Wimbledon
Part 4 Splendour on the Grass [final episode]
All-in, it was definitely much better than that other one. I may write to the Radio Times. Why? I dunno. Because.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
How I Met Your Mother
6x19 Legendaddy
I know some have been critical of HIMYM in recent seasons, for not getting anywhere with its arc plot, or for not being as clever or funny as it used to be, but I think this season is really hitting new highs. Good for them.
[Watch it (again) on 4oD.]
James May's Things You Need to Know
1x03 The Weather [final episode]
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Luther
2x03 Episode 3
2x04 Episode 4 [season finale]
The second two-parter in Luther's truncated second series. A good idea in this one, well (and violently) executed, even if it did remind me of one of the Thorne stories. Most surprising, though, was the happy ending. How un-Luther-like. Don't know how this run went down or how it rated, but fingers crossed for a third.
[Watch episodes three and four (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
The Sex Researchers
Episode 3 (of 3)
[Watch it (again) on 4oD.]
$#*! My Dad Says
1x18 Who's Your Daddy? [series finale]
Bleep My Dad Says (as they insist on calling it) wasn't the greatest sitcom ever -- far from it, if we're going to be honest -- but it was decent-enough brain-off watch-once fare. Plus, the longer it went on the more it grew on me, so in those respects it's a shame it was cancelled.
[Watch it (again) on Demand 5.]
Spirit of Wimbledon
Part 4 Splendour on the Grass [final episode]
All-in, it was definitely much better than that other one. I may write to the Radio Times. Why? I dunno. Because.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Magazines
2000 AD #1740
I haven't bought 2000 AD in a very, very long time, but word reached me this issue (last week's, as it happens) contained all-new stories and was the perfect jumping on point. Well, that struck me as an opportunity not to be missed, so here I am. Decision time on continuing must be quick though: 2000 AD is still a weekly anthology, meaning the issue after this is not only out now but also already 28.6% through the time it will be on shelves!
I haven't bought 2000 AD in a very, very long time, but word reached me this issue (last week's, as it happens) contained all-new stories and was the perfect jumping on point. Well, that struck me as an opportunity not to be missed, so here I am. Decision time on continuing must be quick though: 2000 AD is still a weekly anthology, meaning the issue after this is not only out now but also already 28.6% through the time it will be on shelves!
Wednesday, 6 July 2011
TV
Archer
2x10 El Secuestro
Archer seems to be going from strength to strength this season -- though, in fairness, it did in the first two. Indeed, this is currently sitting pretty as the best-rated episode ever at TV.com (see above link).
[Watch it (again) on Demand 5.]
Lead Balloon
4x06 End [series finale]
Jack Dee says this is the last episode ever. If so, I can see how that works as an ending. Despite the excruciating moments, I'll rather miss Lead Balloon. I think I joined it sometime in series two though, so I probably ought to go back and catch up on the beginning...
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
Penn & Teller: Fool Us
1x03 Episode 3
Some absolutely brilliant magic tonight... but Penn & Teller weren't fooled once. Damn they're good.
[Watch it (again) on ITV Player.]
The Shadow Line
Part 5 (of 7)
See yesterday's Luther. Bit of a longer gap on this one, though -- five weeks (to the very day!), to be precise.
[The Shadow Line is out on DVD and Blu-ray as of last Monday.]
Spirit of Wimbledon
Part 3 Grass Rivals
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
2x10 El Secuestro
Archer seems to be going from strength to strength this season -- though, in fairness, it did in the first two. Indeed, this is currently sitting pretty as the best-rated episode ever at TV.com (see above link).
[Watch it (again) on Demand 5.]
Lead Balloon
4x06 End [series finale]
Jack Dee says this is the last episode ever. If so, I can see how that works as an ending. Despite the excruciating moments, I'll rather miss Lead Balloon. I think I joined it sometime in series two though, so I probably ought to go back and catch up on the beginning...
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
Penn & Teller: Fool Us
1x03 Episode 3
Some absolutely brilliant magic tonight... but Penn & Teller weren't fooled once. Damn they're good.
[Watch it (again) on ITV Player.]
The Shadow Line
Part 5 (of 7)
See yesterday's Luther. Bit of a longer gap on this one, though -- five weeks (to the very day!), to be precise.
[The Shadow Line is out on DVD and Blu-ray as of last Monday.]
Spirit of Wimbledon
Part 3 Grass Rivals
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Tuesday, 5 July 2011
TV
Horrible Histories with Stephen Fry
1x03 Episode 3
Some (I believe on the Radio Times letter page) have complained that these re-edits slow the pace too much with the Stephen Fry interludes. But you can never have too much Stephen Fry!
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
Lee Mack's All Star Cast
1x03 (2/7/11 edition)
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
Luther
2x02 Episode 2
Catching up on dramas like this now that six weeks of tennis is over. I believe this series of Luther finishes tonight, so... yeah.
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
Scott & Bailey
1x06 Episode 6 [season finale]
Not quite what I was expecting from the final episode, which is often a good thing. It's been mostly enjoyable and pleasantly different to most cop shows -- second run please, ITV.
[Watch it (again) on ITV Player.]
Spirit of Wimbledon
Part 2 Pastures New
They've not bothered to put this on series link, so if you're interested you need to get on to it quick-sharp:
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Top Gear
17x02 (3/7/11 edition)
I'm not a Formula 1 fan any more, but even I appreciate how amazing it would be to drive round the Monaco circuit.
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
1x03 Episode 3
Some (I believe on the Radio Times letter page) have complained that these re-edits slow the pace too much with the Stephen Fry interludes. But you can never have too much Stephen Fry!
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
Lee Mack's All Star Cast
1x03 (2/7/11 edition)
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
Luther
2x02 Episode 2
Catching up on dramas like this now that six weeks of tennis is over. I believe this series of Luther finishes tonight, so... yeah.
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
Scott & Bailey
1x06 Episode 6 [season finale]
Not quite what I was expecting from the final episode, which is often a good thing. It's been mostly enjoyable and pleasantly different to most cop shows -- second run please, ITV.
[Watch it (again) on ITV Player.]
Spirit of Wimbledon
Part 2 Pastures New
They've not bothered to put this on series link, so if you're interested you need to get on to it quick-sharp:
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Top Gear
17x02 (3/7/11 edition)
I'm not a Formula 1 fan any more, but even I appreciate how amazing it would be to drive round the Monaco circuit.
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
Articles
Review of 100 Silent Films by Bryony Dixon by Pamela Hutchinson
(from Silent London)
I do enjoy some silent cinema, and this sounds like a great book on the subject.
(from Silent London)
I do enjoy some silent cinema, and this sounds like a great book on the subject.
Monday, 4 July 2011
TV
Castle
1x03 Hedge Fund Homeboys
[Watch it (again) on Demand 5.]
Lead Balloon
4x05 Blade
An excellent two-hander, with just Jack Dee and Robbie Coltrane, that seems to be bringing some of the series' themes to a head. Which as this week's is supposedly the last ever seems like a good idea.
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
Spirit of Wimbledon
Part 1 Grass Roots
Now this is what the big, primetime 125th anniversary documentary should've been like! Instead, we got that disorganised lightweight fluff scheduled prominently while this was buried at 10:30am on weekdays on BBC Two. Shame on you, BBC.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
1x03 Hedge Fund Homeboys
[Watch it (again) on Demand 5.]
Lead Balloon
4x05 Blade
An excellent two-hander, with just Jack Dee and Robbie Coltrane, that seems to be bringing some of the series' themes to a head. Which as this week's is supposedly the last ever seems like a good idea.
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
Spirit of Wimbledon
Part 1 Grass Roots
Now this is what the big, primetime 125th anniversary documentary should've been like! Instead, we got that disorganised lightweight fluff scheduled prominently while this was buried at 10:30am on weekdays on BBC Two. Shame on you, BBC.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Sunday, 3 July 2011
TV
Mock the Week
10x04 (30/6/11 edition)
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Top Gear
17x01 (26/6/11 edition)
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
Wimbledon 2011
And today was the gentlemen's final... and not much else, because that's all-important, and it's the last day anyway. Wasn't particularly supporting either, so I guess the best I can say is at least Nadal didn't get any closer to taking any of Federer's records.
[Watch the gentlemen's final, and many other matches, on iPlayer.]
10x04 (30/6/11 edition)
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Top Gear
17x01 (26/6/11 edition)
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
Wimbledon 2011
And today was the gentlemen's final... and not much else, because that's all-important, and it's the last day anyway. Wasn't particularly supporting either, so I guess the best I can say is at least Nadal didn't get any closer to taking any of Federer's records.
[Watch the gentlemen's final, and many other matches, on iPlayer.]
this week on 100 Films
4 new reviews were posted to 100 Films in a Year this week, as part of a sort-of-themed 'vengeance week'. They were...
Harry Brown (2009)
High Plains Drifter (1973)
Jonah Hex (2010)
Law Abiding Citizen: Director's Cut (2009)
Also this week, the monthly update covering June, the halfway point of the year. Are we there already?! Crikey.
More next Sunday.
Harry Brown (2009)
Michael Caine killing hoodies. How great does that sound? As a film premise, that’s awesome. If it doesn’t get you excited about seeing this movie, then what kind of film fan are you, eh? A mentally mature one, probably. But hush, don’t spoil our fun — those of us who may occasionally hanker for a morally simple form of voyeuristic vigilante justice want to see Sir Michael shooting yobs
High Plains Drifter (1973)
As the story progresses we get a gradual unveiling of a mystery in the town’s past, hinted at in flashbacks and dreams; who was responsible for it, what the others did about it — or didn’t do. It’s all revealed nicely across the course of the film, leading to a finely staged conclusion in a vision of Hell.
Jonah Hex (2010)
It’s difficult to know where to begin trying to praise Hex because, as I’ve implied, there isn’t much to praise. Unless you’re a 12-year-old boy, that is. Horses with Gatling guns! Giant cannons firing explosive balls! Corpses coming to life! Megan Fox’s corset-boosted cleavage! The undemanding pre-/early-teen is well catered for here. Possibly the undemanding child-minded adult too.
Law Abiding Citizen: Director's Cut (2009)
the setup makes it more interesting than your regular revenge movie... we’re presented with a situation where there are no clear-cut heroes and villains. Butler wants the killers of his family to suffer — normally, this vigilante is the hero. But... he’s a terrorist, normally the villain. Similar goes for Foxx — he’s the attorney, the good guy, he locks up criminals… but he’s part of a corrupt system that let a guilty man go free.
Also this week, the monthly update covering June, the halfway point of the year. Are we there already?! Crikey.
More next Sunday.
Saturday, 2 July 2011
TV
How I Met Your Mother
6x18 A Change of Heart
[Watch it (again) on 4oD.]
Scott & Bailey
1x05 Episode 5
Not the kind of stuff you expect from the penultimate episode. Which is probably why it's there -- more surprising. That said, I'd guessed the 'twist' right from the start.
[Watch it (again) on ITV Player.]
Wimbledon 2011
Ladies' final day... though more interesting (certainly more fun) was the senior doubles between Mansour Bahrami & Andrew Castle and Pat Cash & Mark Woodforde. They relegate that kind of thing to red button and don't put it on iPlayer though, sadly.
[Watch the ladies' final (again) on iPlayer.]
6x18 A Change of Heart
[Watch it (again) on 4oD.]
Scott & Bailey
1x05 Episode 5
Not the kind of stuff you expect from the penultimate episode. Which is probably why it's there -- more surprising. That said, I'd guessed the 'twist' right from the start.
[Watch it (again) on ITV Player.]
Wimbledon 2011
Ladies' final day... though more interesting (certainly more fun) was the senior doubles between Mansour Bahrami & Andrew Castle and Pat Cash & Mark Woodforde. They relegate that kind of thing to red button and don't put it on iPlayer though, sadly.
[Watch the ladies' final (again) on iPlayer.]
Films
The Locket (1946)
[#68 in 100 Films in a Year 2011]
Most of it, anyway, until BBC iPlayer Desktop started being a bastard with its eagerness to delete things. I'll finish it off as soon as I can... get hold of it again...
[#68 in 100 Films in a Year 2011]
Most of it, anyway, until BBC iPlayer Desktop started being a bastard with its eagerness to delete things. I'll finish it off as soon as I can... get hold of it again...
Fiction
Carte Blanche by Jeffery Deaver
Friday: Down to Gehenna, Chapters 53-72 [the end]
Deaver's plotting is quite good -- full of twists and reveals -- even if he has a tendency to describe events then in the next chapter reveal he'd left out a small detail that completely changes the situation. A neat trick, but one rather overused here. Plus his dialogue is too on the nose, especially the swathes of exposition.
And though his twists and reveals are clever, they're rather packed in and rushed through at the end. Perhaps they should've been spaced out and used more, rather than dispatched in a handful of chapters. Or even pared back entirely. By rushing through them it makes for too much of a change of pace, feels wasteful of decent ideas, and undermines the (apparent) villain. It'd probably work in another novel, but it doesn't fit Bond. Indeed, the whole novel becomes less Bondian as it goes on.
Also, this makes for two new Bonds in a row that have finished with slightly drawn-out after-the-apparent-climax conclusions. Odd.
The subplot about the death of Bond's parents is quite well-handled, though. It reveals enough that it's wrapped up within the novel, but also leaves enough threads hanging if it's decided to continue the Bond novels as direct sequels to this one. Neat.
Friday: Down to Gehenna, Chapters 53-72 [the end]
Deaver's plotting is quite good -- full of twists and reveals -- even if he has a tendency to describe events then in the next chapter reveal he'd left out a small detail that completely changes the situation. A neat trick, but one rather overused here. Plus his dialogue is too on the nose, especially the swathes of exposition.
And though his twists and reveals are clever, they're rather packed in and rushed through at the end. Perhaps they should've been spaced out and used more, rather than dispatched in a handful of chapters. Or even pared back entirely. By rushing through them it makes for too much of a change of pace, feels wasteful of decent ideas, and undermines the (apparent) villain. It'd probably work in another novel, but it doesn't fit Bond. Indeed, the whole novel becomes less Bondian as it goes on.
Also, this makes for two new Bonds in a row that have finished with slightly drawn-out after-the-apparent-climax conclusions. Odd.
The subplot about the death of Bond's parents is quite well-handled, though. It reveals enough that it's wrapped up within the novel, but also leaves enough threads hanging if it's decided to continue the Bond novels as direct sequels to this one. Neat.
Collection Count
Collection Count tracks my DVD/Blu-ray collection via a number of statistics every week.
A few late arrivals (quite a few, actually) have led me to bump this to Saturday again. I ought to just move it permanently, it's not as if anyone's going to object. This week's lot include a DVD-to-BD upgrade, except it's not an upgrade as I'm keeping both (the BD includes none of the extras sadly, but was part of a very attractively priced box set), and a pile of stuff from Masters of Cinema's recent bargain-packed sale.
Also, a nicely round set of numbers in this first block. Lovely.
Number of titles in collection: 1,340 [up 14]
Of which DVDs: 1,120 [up 8]
Of which Blu-rays: 220 [up 6]
Number of discs in collection: 3,329 [up 17]
Number of films in collection: 1,413 [up 15]
Number of TV episodes in collection: 4,992 [no change]
See you next week, faithful reader.
A few late arrivals (quite a few, actually) have led me to bump this to Saturday again. I ought to just move it permanently, it's not as if anyone's going to object. This week's lot include a DVD-to-BD upgrade, except it's not an upgrade as I'm keeping both (the BD includes none of the extras sadly, but was part of a very attractively priced box set), and a pile of stuff from Masters of Cinema's recent bargain-packed sale.
Also, a nicely round set of numbers in this first block. Lovely.
Number of titles in collection: 1,340 [up 14]
Of which DVDs: 1,120 [up 8]
Of which Blu-rays: 220 [up 6]
Number of discs in collection: 3,329 [up 17]
Number of films in collection: 1,413 [up 15]
Number of TV episodes in collection: 4,992 [no change]
See you next week, faithful reader.
Friday, 1 July 2011
TV
The Graham Norton Show
9x11 (24/6/11 edition)
One of the best sets of red chair people ever, but Kim Cattrall's constant obliviousness to the fact that Lee Mack wasn't being serious was painful to watch.
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
Wimbledon 2011
Gentlemen's semifinals day, which this year meant matches between Jo-Wilfried Tsonga & Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal & Andy Murray. First match didn't go my way (boo!), less sure how I feel about the second.
[Watch Tsonga v Djokovic and Nadal v Murray on iPlayer.]
9x11 (24/6/11 edition)
One of the best sets of red chair people ever, but Kim Cattrall's constant obliviousness to the fact that Lee Mack wasn't being serious was painful to watch.
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
Wimbledon 2011
Gentlemen's semifinals day, which this year meant matches between Jo-Wilfried Tsonga & Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal & Andy Murray. First match didn't go my way (boo!), less sure how I feel about the second.
[Watch Tsonga v Djokovic and Nadal v Murray on iPlayer.]
Articles
Peter Jackson: Doctor Who Fanboy by MacKenzie Wilson
(from The Whoniversity at BBC America)
Meant to mention this the other day; forgot. S'cool.
Rockets from Russia: great Eastern Bloc science-fiction films by Alex Cox
(from guardian.co.uk)
Many of these sound interesting, so it's a shame it's an article about a cinema season in London rather than a DVD release (or anything else more widely accessible).
(from The Whoniversity at BBC America)
Meant to mention this the other day; forgot. S'cool.
Rockets from Russia: great Eastern Bloc science-fiction films by Alex Cox
(from guardian.co.uk)
Many of these sound interesting, so it's a shame it's an article about a cinema season in London rather than a DVD release (or anything else more widely accessible).
Thursday, 30 June 2011
TV
$#*! My Dad Says
1x17 Lock and Load
[Watch it (again) on Demand 5.]
The South Bank Show
36x04 Disney.Pixar
I watched the final-ever South Bank Show back in May, but this is the last one I have knocking about to watch.
Broadcast in October 2009 (11/10/09, to be precise -- neat date) -- before Up was out, and while The Princess and the Frog was still at a stage where clips here are unfinished -- this edition both recounts the history of Pixar and examines its philosophy, and how this has gone on to influence how Disney is managed today. It doesn't shy away from the problematic history between Pixar and Disney either, which is good. In fact, it's a great demonstration of why The South Bank Show should never have been cancelled: it treats one of the most popular of popular culture things as serious art worthy of examination and documentation. Damn you, ITV.
Tim Vine: So I Said To This Bloke...
One of Vine's live shows, from 2008, shown on ITV4 for the first time recently. I like his style, but it gets a bit wearing over a whole hour.
[Watch it (again) on ITV Player.]
Wimbledon 2011
Ladies' semifinals day, which this year meant matches between Victoria Azarenka & Petra Kvitova and Maria Sharapova & Sabine Lisicki. Hurrah for Azarenka going out, but shame for Lisicki.
[Watch Azarenka v Kvitova and Sharapova v Lisicki on iPlayer.]
1x17 Lock and Load
[Watch it (again) on Demand 5.]
The South Bank Show
36x04 Disney.Pixar
I watched the final-ever South Bank Show back in May, but this is the last one I have knocking about to watch.
Broadcast in October 2009 (11/10/09, to be precise -- neat date) -- before Up was out, and while The Princess and the Frog was still at a stage where clips here are unfinished -- this edition both recounts the history of Pixar and examines its philosophy, and how this has gone on to influence how Disney is managed today. It doesn't shy away from the problematic history between Pixar and Disney either, which is good. In fact, it's a great demonstration of why The South Bank Show should never have been cancelled: it treats one of the most popular of popular culture things as serious art worthy of examination and documentation. Damn you, ITV.
Tim Vine: So I Said To This Bloke...
One of Vine's live shows, from 2008, shown on ITV4 for the first time recently. I like his style, but it gets a bit wearing over a whole hour.
[Watch it (again) on ITV Player.]
Wimbledon 2011
Ladies' semifinals day, which this year meant matches between Victoria Azarenka & Petra Kvitova and Maria Sharapova & Sabine Lisicki. Hurrah for Azarenka going out, but shame for Lisicki.
[Watch Azarenka v Kvitova and Sharapova v Lisicki on iPlayer.]
Articles
10 TV Shows We Wish Got Another Season by Eric Goldman & Matt Fowler
(from IGN TV)
Including shows I definitely agree about, like Firefly, Twin Peaks and Deadwood; shows I haven't got round to yet, like Flight of the Conchords and Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles; and almost half-a-dozen others too.
Marvel Studios to Start Producing Short Films? by Angie Han
(from /Film)
This seems like a good idea -- a way to test (or just flat out use) second-string characters on the big (or small) screen. The suggested Pixar model -- i.e. putting a short before every feature released -- seems like a very good one.
Wednesday Comics Review: CLiNT #9 Now With Added Jimmy Carr by Rich Johnston
(from Bleeding Cool)
Ironically, this is probably the first issue since the first to attract significant media attention (I've seen several articles about it floating around today, anyway), thanks to the presence of a strip "written" by Jimmy Carr (he's actually just provided the story).
(from IGN TV)
Including shows I definitely agree about, like Firefly, Twin Peaks and Deadwood; shows I haven't got round to yet, like Flight of the Conchords and Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles; and almost half-a-dozen others too.
Marvel Studios to Start Producing Short Films? by Angie Han
(from /Film)
This seems like a good idea -- a way to test (or just flat out use) second-string characters on the big (or small) screen. The suggested Pixar model -- i.e. putting a short before every feature released -- seems like a very good one.
Wednesday Comics Review: CLiNT #9 Now With Added Jimmy Carr by Rich Johnston
(from Bleeding Cool)
The biggest change to CLiNT #9, in UK shops tomorrow and US shops in a month, is the lack of articles.
CLiNT was always sold as a collection of comics and articles, with an eye on the newstand mainstream market, almost with comics snuck in there... And it was the articles that suffered the greatest criticism, seen as filler, bland irrelevance in many cases...
That’s all gone. And we’ve got 74 pages of comics [and just 4 pages of articles]. That’s a massive jump in terms of comics content. Titan reps have told me that while the magazine hasn’t succeeded as they’d have liked on the newsstand, it’s had a much bigger reception in comic stores, so it may well be that is reflected in the new mix.
Ironically, this is probably the first issue since the first to attract significant media attention (I've seen several articles about it floating around today, anyway), thanks to the presence of a strip "written" by Jimmy Carr (he's actually just provided the story).
Wednesday, 29 June 2011
TV
Archer
2x09 Placebo Effect
This episode should be called Terms of Enrampagement. That flaw aside, it was great; one of my favourite Archer episodes.
[Watch it (again) on Demand 5.]
Horrible Histories with Stephen Fry
1x02 Episode 2
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
Mock the Week
10x03 (23/6/11 edition)
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Wimbledon 2011
Including Federer's disappointing loss to Tsonga. I like Tsonga -- indeed, he's my favourite player left as we go into the semi-finals -- but I was hoping Federer would win it this year. Hey-ho.
[Watch Federer vs Tsonga (again) on iPlayer.]
2x09 Placebo Effect
This episode should be called Terms of Enrampagement. That flaw aside, it was great; one of my favourite Archer episodes.
[Watch it (again) on Demand 5.]
Horrible Histories with Stephen Fry
1x02 Episode 2
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
Mock the Week
10x03 (23/6/11 edition)
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Wimbledon 2011
Including Federer's disappointing loss to Tsonga. I like Tsonga -- indeed, he's my favourite player left as we go into the semi-finals -- but I was hoping Federer would win it this year. Hey-ho.
[Watch Federer vs Tsonga (again) on iPlayer.]
Tuesday, 28 June 2011
TV
James May's Things You Need to Know
1x02 The Universe
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Lee Mack's All Star Cast
1x02 (25/6/11 edition)
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
The Sex Researchers
Episode 2 (of 3)
[Watch it (again) on 4oD.]
1x02 The Universe
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Lee Mack's All Star Cast
1x02 (25/6/11 edition)
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
The Sex Researchers
Episode 2 (of 3)
[Watch it (again) on 4oD.]
Articles
300 spinoff Xerxes retitled Battle of Artemisia by Simon Reynolds
(from Digital Spy)
Or, 300 prequel given title Americans can pronounce.
DC Comics no longer 'writing for the trade' by Hugh Armitage
(from Digital Spy)
Friday from the Cheap Seats by Greg Hatcher
(from Comics Should Be Good! at Comic Book Resources)
Much has been written about DC's big September relaunch, but I don't think I've mentioned it here before. Here's a neat piece of analysis though, of which I think the (lengthy, I know) fifth thought is especially pertinent. The way the comics industry is run looks crazy to any reasonable outsider -- some of the biggest, most recognisable characters/properties in the world selling to and aiming themselves at a tiny hardcore fanbase. DC's #1s idea is a start, but I won't be surprised if a more fundamental overhaul of the whole industry occurs in the next decade. The fans won't like it... but, as always, they'll come along anyway.
Is Hollywood Over Its Love Affair With Geek Culture? by Graeme McMillan
(from Spinoff Online)
(from Digital Spy)
Or, 300 prequel given title Americans can pronounce.
DC Comics no longer 'writing for the trade' by Hugh Armitage
(from Digital Spy)
DC Comics will no longer be structuring its storylines to fit into graphic novel format... Writers have been told to write the story they want to write and not worry about the trade collectingWe'll see how long that lasts -- collected trade paperbacks are incredibly lucrative for comic publishers. That said, if they can turn it back to people buying individual issues it'll earn them even more money.
Friday from the Cheap Seats by Greg Hatcher
(from Comics Should Be Good! at Comic Book Resources)
Much has been written about DC's big September relaunch, but I don't think I've mentioned it here before. Here's a neat piece of analysis though, of which I think the (lengthy, I know) fifth thought is especially pertinent. The way the comics industry is run looks crazy to any reasonable outsider -- some of the biggest, most recognisable characters/properties in the world selling to and aiming themselves at a tiny hardcore fanbase. DC's #1s idea is a start, but I won't be surprised if a more fundamental overhaul of the whole industry occurs in the next decade. The fans won't like it... but, as always, they'll come along anyway.
Is Hollywood Over Its Love Affair With Geek Culture? by Graeme McMillan
(from Spinoff Online)
Reports that movie studios are abandoning this year’s San Diego Comic-Con have started to circulate... But it does raise one important question: Has Hollywood realized that San Diego was always a waste of their time? ... Why? Well, maybe because we’re just not useful enough.Insightful. It's also something I've been thinking for years, but studios and/or fans only now seem to be waking up to.
Monday, 27 June 2011
TV
How I Met Your Mother
6x17 Garbage Island
[Watch it (again) on 4oD.]
James May's Things You Need to Know
1x01 The Human Body
If more documentaries moved this fast, we'd learn a lot more. And they wouldn't need to be as long. That said, how much of it goes in at this speed is another matter. Interesting while it's on though.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
6x17 Garbage Island
[Watch it (again) on 4oD.]
James May's Things You Need to Know
1x01 The Human Body
If more documentaries moved this fast, we'd learn a lot more. And they wouldn't need to be as long. That said, how much of it goes in at this speed is another matter. Interesting while it's on though.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Sunday, 26 June 2011
TV
Middle Sunday at Wimbledon means no play, which means TV catch-up day for me...
125 Years of Wimbledon: You Cannot Be Serious
Odd documentary to commemorate the 125th championships at Wimbledon. Rather than telling the history of the tournament, as you might expect from such a documentary, it jumped back and forth to tell brief famous snippets. Such brevity and disconnectedness also meant some tales weren't very well told. Weird, and slightly disappointing because of it.
Case Histories
1x05 When Will There Be Good News? Part 1
1x06 When Will There Be Good News? Part 2 [season finale]
It's amazing how reliant on coincidences all three of these plots have been. In most writing it would be considered a shockingly huge weakness; in the world of Jackson Brodie and work of Kate Atkinson, I presume (or hope, at least) it's supposed to be A Thing.
Also, lead guest star this episode was Gwyneth Keyworth, who I've previously noticed in a Sarah Jane Adventures story and as the daughter in The Great Outdoors. She was on some list of young actors to watch out for, I believe, and I'd have to agree. One to watch.
[Watch parts one and two (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
Castle
1x02 Nanny McDead
[Watch it (again) on Demand 5.]
Horrible Histories with Stephen Fry
1x01 Episode 1
Kids' series Horrible Histories has proved remarkably popular and awards-winning, despite being 'buried' on CBBC. So, to capitalise on its consistent word-of-mouth, here the BBC edit together highlights from series one & two, with new links by Stephen Fry, and show them to a primetime Sunday audience. Good idea.
(Sadly they've not series linked it on iPlayer, so I can't direct you to it if you still missed it. Here's episode two, though.)
Lead Balloon
4x04 Off
That cliffhanger would've been a great shock... if the following episode hadn't been quite well promoted already.
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
Penn & Teller: Fool Us
1x02 Episode 2
As I watched two hours' worth of this only two days ago, I'd intended to save the new episode for a bit longer. But I couldn't resist. Darn it's good.
[Watch it (again) on ITV Player.]
Scott & Bailey
1x04 Episode 4
[Watch it (again) on ITV Player.]
125 Years of Wimbledon: You Cannot Be Serious
Odd documentary to commemorate the 125th championships at Wimbledon. Rather than telling the history of the tournament, as you might expect from such a documentary, it jumped back and forth to tell brief famous snippets. Such brevity and disconnectedness also meant some tales weren't very well told. Weird, and slightly disappointing because of it.
Case Histories
1x05 When Will There Be Good News? Part 1
1x06 When Will There Be Good News? Part 2 [season finale]
It's amazing how reliant on coincidences all three of these plots have been. In most writing it would be considered a shockingly huge weakness; in the world of Jackson Brodie and work of Kate Atkinson, I presume (or hope, at least) it's supposed to be A Thing.
Also, lead guest star this episode was Gwyneth Keyworth, who I've previously noticed in a Sarah Jane Adventures story and as the daughter in The Great Outdoors. She was on some list of young actors to watch out for, I believe, and I'd have to agree. One to watch.
[Watch parts one and two (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
Castle
1x02 Nanny McDead
[Watch it (again) on Demand 5.]
Horrible Histories with Stephen Fry
1x01 Episode 1
Kids' series Horrible Histories has proved remarkably popular and awards-winning, despite being 'buried' on CBBC. So, to capitalise on its consistent word-of-mouth, here the BBC edit together highlights from series one & two, with new links by Stephen Fry, and show them to a primetime Sunday audience. Good idea.
(Sadly they've not series linked it on iPlayer, so I can't direct you to it if you still missed it. Here's episode two, though.)
Lead Balloon
4x04 Off
That cliffhanger would've been a great shock... if the following episode hadn't been quite well promoted already.
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
Penn & Teller: Fool Us
1x02 Episode 2
As I watched two hours' worth of this only two days ago, I'd intended to save the new episode for a bit longer. But I couldn't resist. Darn it's good.
[Watch it (again) on ITV Player.]
Scott & Bailey
1x04 Episode 4
[Watch it (again) on ITV Player.]
this week on 100 Films
3 new reviews were posted to 100 Films in a Year this week, and they were...
Evangelion: 2.22 You Can (Not) Advance. (2009/2010)
Salt: Director's Cut (2010)
including a comparison to the Theatrical and Extended versions.
Unthinkable (2010)
More next Sunday.
Evangelion: 2.22 You Can (Not) Advance. (2009/2010)
The second new Evangelion film isn’t as straight-up enjoyable as the first. It starts incredibly well, but then it feels like its getting too bogged down in the politics of a world that hasn’t been properly established for us and in the intricacies of some thematic considerations — the latter is especially worrying as it was this that made the ending of the TV series so unsatisfactory
Salt: Director's Cut (2010)
including a comparison to the Theatrical and Extended versions.
Salt’s mystery is one of its strong points. The plot developments are well-paced throughout, shifting our expectations rather than stretching it all for a glut of final act reveals. In this regard... it has twists and follows storylines you wouldn’t expect in a Hollywood summer blockbuster.
Unthinkable (2010)
the vast majority of the action takes place in a deserted high school commandeered as a temporary military base, where Samuel L. Jackson conducts his interrogation in a sort of one-way-glassed torture tank placed in the gym. So there’s no 24-style thrills as people rush around the city/country hunting out bombs — Unthinkable is wholly reliant on the script and performances to draw us into its story, and its debate.
More next Sunday.
Saturday, 25 June 2011
TV
Lee Mack's All Star Cast
1x01 (18/6/11 edition)
That was... uh... Oh dear.
And yet I know I'll keep watching the series.
Mystery Science Theater 3000
3x21 Santa Claus Conquers the Martians
That was more accessible. Plus, a TARDIS reference! Yay!
The National Lottery: Who Dares Wins
4x08 (18/6/11 edition) [season finale]
1x01 (18/6/11 edition)
That was... uh... Oh dear.
And yet I know I'll keep watching the series.
Mystery Science Theater 3000
3x21 Santa Claus Conquers the Martians
That was more accessible. Plus, a TARDIS reference! Yay!
The National Lottery: Who Dares Wins
4x08 (18/6/11 edition) [season finale]
Fiction
Carte Blanche by Jeffery Deaver
Thursday: Disappearance Row, Chapters 49-52
That's the end of that section. The next -- funnily enough, called Friday -- is the last. Exciting stuff.
Thursday: Disappearance Row, Chapters 49-52
That's the end of that section. The next -- funnily enough, called Friday -- is the last. Exciting stuff.
Collection Count
Collection Count tracks my DVD/Blu-ray collection via a number of statistics every week.
This week, a DVD-to-BD upgrade, a new DVD and a BD-to-BD upgrade, which has the effect of making it look like I got a 16-episode 4-disc Blu-ray. Which I didn't. Oh, life!
Also, running time update. Exciting.
Number of titles in collection: 1,326 [up 1]
Of which DVDs: 1,112 [no change]
Of which Blu-rays: 214 [up 1]
Number of discs in collection: 3,312 [up 4]
Number of films in collection: 1,398 [no change]
Number of TV episodes in collection: 4,992 [up 16]
And the running time update...
Total running time of collection (approx.):
239 days, 17 hours, and 41 minutes.
(Up 5 days, 17 hours, and 10 minutes from last month.)
See you next week, faithful reader.
This week, a DVD-to-BD upgrade, a new DVD and a BD-to-BD upgrade, which has the effect of making it look like I got a 16-episode 4-disc Blu-ray. Which I didn't. Oh, life!
Also, running time update. Exciting.
Number of titles in collection: 1,326 [up 1]
Of which DVDs: 1,112 [no change]
Of which Blu-rays: 214 [up 1]
Number of discs in collection: 3,312 [up 4]
Number of films in collection: 1,398 [no change]
Number of TV episodes in collection: 4,992 [up 16]
And the running time update...
Total running time of collection (approx.):
239 days, 17 hours, and 41 minutes.
(Up 5 days, 17 hours, and 10 minutes from last month.)
See you next week, faithful reader.
Friday, 24 June 2011
TV
The Graham Norton Show
9x10 (17/6/11 edition)
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
Penn & Teller: Fool Us
1x00 Special
1x01 Episode 1
This magic series began as a one-off special shown back in January, which was obviously popular because a series of it started last Saturday. I've been meaning to watch the first since it aired (with my typical tardiness, obviously), so this is me catching up before starting the series... which I then went straight into because it's so addictive. Love me some magic.
[Watch episode one (again) on ITV Player.]
Wimbledon 2011
Including Laura Robson's second round loss against Maria Sharapova. No surprise at the result, but Robson made a stunningly good account of herself.
[Watch Robson v Sharapova (again) on iPlayer.]
9x10 (17/6/11 edition)
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
Penn & Teller: Fool Us
1x00 Special
1x01 Episode 1
This magic series began as a one-off special shown back in January, which was obviously popular because a series of it started last Saturday. I've been meaning to watch the first since it aired (with my typical tardiness, obviously), so this is me catching up before starting the series... which I then went straight into because it's so addictive. Love me some magic.
[Watch episode one (again) on ITV Player.]
Wimbledon 2011
Including Laura Robson's second round loss against Maria Sharapova. No surprise at the result, but Robson made a stunningly good account of herself.
[Watch Robson v Sharapova (again) on iPlayer.]
Fiction
Carte Blanche by Jeffery Deaver
Wednesday: Killing Fields, Chapters 39-43
Thursday: Disappearance Row, Chapters 44-48
Wednesday: Killing Fields, Chapters 39-43
Thursday: Disappearance Row, Chapters 44-48
Thursday, 23 June 2011
TV
Archer
2x08 Stage Two
[Watch it (again) on Demand 5.]
The Sex Researchers
Episode 1 (of 3)
[Watch it (again) on 4oD.]
$#*! My Dad Says
1x16 Well Suitored
[Watch it (again) on Demand 5.]
2x08 Stage Two
[Watch it (again) on Demand 5.]
The Sex Researchers
Episode 1 (of 3)
[Watch it (again) on 4oD.]
$#*! My Dad Says
1x16 Well Suitored
[Watch it (again) on Demand 5.]
Fiction
Carte Blanche by Jeffery Deaver
Wednesday: Killing Fields, Chapters 32-38
It's been 2½ weeks since I last read any of this. Oops. The end of Chapter 36 is the halfway point, as it goes.
Wednesday: Killing Fields, Chapters 32-38
It's been 2½ weeks since I last read any of this. Oops. The end of Chapter 36 is the halfway point, as it goes.
Articles
Torchwood: the UK wait continues by Chuck Foster
(from Doctor Who News Page)
(from Doctor Who News Page)
The BBC Press Office have now released details for 9-15 July... Torchwood: Miracle Day does not feature amongst the highlights listed for that week. ... it would currently seem that Torchwood won't begin on UK television until at least a week after its premiere in the United States [and Canada and Australia].This is getting silly now. And showing it in the UK 10+ days after the US isn't going to do it any favours -- sure, the fanbase who download will be much smaller than the potential BBC One audience, but they're also the ones that really generate word of mouth, online discussion, etc -- ever so important in keeping a series high-profile and popular these days -- and it massively increases the chances of spoilers, both fan-to-fan and in the press. Plus it's generally annoying and sort of disrespectful -- "it's still a British show"? Yeah, right.
Wednesday, 22 June 2011
TV
Mock the Week
10x02 (16/6/11 edition)
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Wimbledon 2011
Various bits of Wimbledon today, but mainly the brilliant three-setter between Venus Williams and Kimiko Date-Krumm and Laura Robson's first round victory over Angelique Kerber. Didn't watch Andy Murray.
[Watch Date-Krumm v Williams and Murray v Gimeno-Traver (no Laura Robson match) on iPlayer.]
10x02 (16/6/11 edition)
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Wimbledon 2011
Various bits of Wimbledon today, but mainly the brilliant three-setter between Venus Williams and Kimiko Date-Krumm and Laura Robson's first round victory over Angelique Kerber. Didn't watch Andy Murray.
[Watch Date-Krumm v Williams and Murray v Gimeno-Traver (no Laura Robson match) on iPlayer.]
Films
Saw 3D (2010)
[#67 in 100 Films in a Year 2011]
I watched it in 2D, but it's still called Saw 3D. Stupid.
[#67 in 100 Films in a Year 2011]
I watched it in 2D, but it's still called Saw 3D. Stupid.
Tuesday, 21 June 2011
TV
How I Met Your Mother
6x16 Desperation Day
[Watch it (again) on 4oD.]
Luther
2x01 Episode 1
I wasn't sure we'd see the return of Luther, but here it is, in rejigged form as two two-parters. Which would seem to lend itself to the Sunday/Monday broadcast recently afforded Case Histories, but for some reason they've scheduled it across four Tuesdays. Each to their own. Anyway, the rejig they've made so much of in the press running up to the series isn't very significant. Sure, characters are gone and new ones are here, and some of the relationships have changed, but the series still feels the same and functions in the same way. So it's still as awkward, weird, sick, but strangely likeable.
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
Mystery Science Theater 3000
4x24 "Manos" The Hands of Fate [season finale]
Having enjoyed the MST3k movie last year, I decided to start my viewing of the series with perhaps the most famous episode, in which the Satellite of Love gang riff off one of the worst movies of all time. And it truly is a dreadful movie... and, unfortunately, doesn't seem to give them much to work with. It has its moments as an episode, but there were too many long stretches without notable funnies. Though fans do say not to start newbies with this episode, so...
(Incidentally, MST3k follows Family Guy and Robot Chicken as my... I don't know what, really, but it's filling their void. Sure, they had 22-minute and 11-minute episodes respectively, while MST3k runs 90 minutes per episode, but I watched big chunks of the other two, so it kinda works out.)
6x16 Desperation Day
[Watch it (again) on 4oD.]
Luther
2x01 Episode 1
I wasn't sure we'd see the return of Luther, but here it is, in rejigged form as two two-parters. Which would seem to lend itself to the Sunday/Monday broadcast recently afforded Case Histories, but for some reason they've scheduled it across four Tuesdays. Each to their own. Anyway, the rejig they've made so much of in the press running up to the series isn't very significant. Sure, characters are gone and new ones are here, and some of the relationships have changed, but the series still feels the same and functions in the same way. So it's still as awkward, weird, sick, but strangely likeable.
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
Mystery Science Theater 3000
4x24 "Manos" The Hands of Fate [season finale]
Having enjoyed the MST3k movie last year, I decided to start my viewing of the series with perhaps the most famous episode, in which the Satellite of Love gang riff off one of the worst movies of all time. And it truly is a dreadful movie... and, unfortunately, doesn't seem to give them much to work with. It has its moments as an episode, but there were too many long stretches without notable funnies. Though fans do say not to start newbies with this episode, so...
(Incidentally, MST3k follows Family Guy and Robot Chicken as my... I don't know what, really, but it's filling their void. Sure, they had 22-minute and 11-minute episodes respectively, while MST3k runs 90 minutes per episode, but I watched big chunks of the other two, so it kinda works out.)
Monday, 20 June 2011
TV
Breaking the Magician's Code: Magic's Biggest Secrets Finally Revealed
Show Two (of 13)
As I probably mentioned during BBC One's The Magicians earlier this year, I enjoy magic, but I enjoy even more finding out how the tricks are done. Magicians like to claim this ruins the experience because the reveal is too mundane and never as fun as the trick. Maybe this is true for some, or even most, viewers, but personally, I'm too aware the trick isn't what it says it is (obviously) and find it more impressive how they make it seem to be that way. Anyway, that's a long-winded way of saying I love shows like this, which finally tell us how it's all done. And this was a particularly good edition, answering some things I'd been wondering about for a while.
Plus, it's an American show, so it has the bonus of a ridiculously OTT title and a marvellously cheesy voiceover. The narration is so omnipresent I swear it could be classed as an audio description track.
I stumbled across this particular edition on Virgin TV's catch-up; ITV Player online currently has four more (with more to come, I hope). I may have to watch those soon...
[Watch it (again) on ITV Player.]
Lead Balloon
4x03 Shoddy
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
Show Two (of 13)
As I probably mentioned during BBC One's The Magicians earlier this year, I enjoy magic, but I enjoy even more finding out how the tricks are done. Magicians like to claim this ruins the experience because the reveal is too mundane and never as fun as the trick. Maybe this is true for some, or even most, viewers, but personally, I'm too aware the trick isn't what it says it is (obviously) and find it more impressive how they make it seem to be that way. Anyway, that's a long-winded way of saying I love shows like this, which finally tell us how it's all done. And this was a particularly good edition, answering some things I'd been wondering about for a while.
Plus, it's an American show, so it has the bonus of a ridiculously OTT title and a marvellously cheesy voiceover. The narration is so omnipresent I swear it could be classed as an audio description track.
I stumbled across this particular edition on Virgin TV's catch-up; ITV Player online currently has four more (with more to come, I hope). I may have to watch those soon...
[Watch it (again) on ITV Player.]
Lead Balloon
4x03 Shoddy
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
Sunday, 19 June 2011
TV
Case Histories
1x03 One Good Turn Part 1
1x04 One Good Turn Part 2
Having pointlessly killed a dog in the first two-parter, they pointlessly kill a cat in this one. Place your bets for what perishes in the third...
[Watch parts one and two (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
Agatha Christie's Marple
4x04 Why Didn't They Ask Evans? [season finale]
Two years after it was first shown in America, 18 months since it was released on DVD, and after having already broadcast all of series five, ITV finally deign to let us see the final episode in Marple's fourth series. Weirdos.
[Watch it (again) on ITV Player.]
1x03 One Good Turn Part 1
1x04 One Good Turn Part 2
Having pointlessly killed a dog in the first two-parter, they pointlessly kill a cat in this one. Place your bets for what perishes in the third...
[Watch parts one and two (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
Agatha Christie's Marple
4x04 Why Didn't They Ask Evans? [season finale]
Two years after it was first shown in America, 18 months since it was released on DVD, and after having already broadcast all of series five, ITV finally deign to let us see the final episode in Marple's fourth series. Weirdos.
[Watch it (again) on ITV Player.]
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