Horrible Histories Big Prom Party
This was, as you'd expect, brilliant fun. Shame they gutted the classical pieces to make it an hour long and super kid-friendly, but that's what you expect I guess.
The full programme for this Prom can be read here.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Pointless
5x15 (16/9/11 edition)
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
QI
9x02 International (XL edition)
Finally, an explanation of the QI scoring system! ...well, sort of.
(Incidentally, the British Comedy Guide episode guides I've started linking to for the main episode title are really rather good, not only listing the contents of the episode in full but also detailing them major differences between the regular and XL editions. In case you might be interested.)
[Watch QI XL (again) on iPlayer.]
Thursday, 22 September 2011
Articles
The DC Comics New Reader Litmus Test: The New 52
and
The DC Comics New Reader Litmus Test: Week 2
by Josie Campbell (from Comic Book Resources)
The whole point of The New 52 was to offer up a slate of #1 issues to attract new/lapsed readers to/back to the DCU. So what better way to test that than by showing all the issues to new readers, unfamiliar with comics. And what it shows is... a bit of a failure. One of the things DC was keen not to do was tell origin stories, feeling too often a re-launch meant telling the origin yet again. This survey seems to suggest they were right for well-known characters like Batman and Superman, but for all the rest (who are largely or completely unknown in popular culture), the move hasn't worked, with several newbies expressing that an origin would be better. DC's existing-reader-friendly idea of a "soft reboot" may work for current fans, but it's going to turn off newbies.
Still, in some respects one might argue this sample was flawed: it sounds like it picked on people who weren't necessarily interested in reading comics. (The second week improved the methodology, mind.) Now, that may not be true, but the people who are actually going to walk into a store and purchase these -- or, rather, DC are hoping they can attract into a store to purchase these -- are people who have an interest in reading comics, even if they've never actually read one. Would they be more susceptible to the books' charms than this lot? Or would the lack of background on unfamiliar characters still turn them off?
Either way, DC's sales have been strong, and so long as that keeps up I'm sure they're happy.
And in other comics-y articles...
New 52 Pickup | Week 4 by Steve Sunu
(from Robot 6 at Comic Book Resources)
Finally, a book I'm definitely getting that Sunu loves! (See below for more.)
Review of Batman #1 by Doug Zawisza
(from Comic Book Resources)
Five stars (out of five). Definitely looking forward to getting this one, then.
and
The DC Comics New Reader Litmus Test: Week 2
by Josie Campbell (from Comic Book Resources)
The whole point of The New 52 was to offer up a slate of #1 issues to attract new/lapsed readers to/back to the DCU. So what better way to test that than by showing all the issues to new readers, unfamiliar with comics. And what it shows is... a bit of a failure. One of the things DC was keen not to do was tell origin stories, feeling too often a re-launch meant telling the origin yet again. This survey seems to suggest they were right for well-known characters like Batman and Superman, but for all the rest (who are largely or completely unknown in popular culture), the move hasn't worked, with several newbies expressing that an origin would be better. DC's existing-reader-friendly idea of a "soft reboot" may work for current fans, but it's going to turn off newbies.
Still, in some respects one might argue this sample was flawed: it sounds like it picked on people who weren't necessarily interested in reading comics. (The second week improved the methodology, mind.) Now, that may not be true, but the people who are actually going to walk into a store and purchase these -- or, rather, DC are hoping they can attract into a store to purchase these -- are people who have an interest in reading comics, even if they've never actually read one. Would they be more susceptible to the books' charms than this lot? Or would the lack of background on unfamiliar characters still turn them off?
Either way, DC's sales have been strong, and so long as that keeps up I'm sure they're happy.
And in other comics-y articles...
New 52 Pickup | Week 4 by Steve Sunu
(from Robot 6 at Comic Book Resources)
Finally, a book I'm definitely getting that Sunu loves! (See below for more.)
Review of Batman #1 by Doug Zawisza
(from Comic Book Resources)
Five stars (out of five). Definitely looking forward to getting this one, then.
Wednesday, 21 September 2011
TV
Billy Connolly's Route 66
Episode 1 (of 4)
To be completely honest, this was much better than I was expecting it to be! Most entertaining and informative.
[Watch it (again) on ITV Player.]
Pointless
5x14 (15/9/11 edition)
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Would I Lie To You?
5x02 Episode 2
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Episode 1 (of 4)
To be completely honest, this was much better than I was expecting it to be! Most entertaining and informative.
[Watch it (again) on ITV Player.]
Pointless
5x14 (15/9/11 edition)
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Would I Lie To You?
5x02 Episode 2
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Comics
Batman and Robin #1 by Peter J. Tomasi & Patrick Gleason
Week 3 of DC's New 52 is out today, so while I await mine in the post it's about time I read what I picked up last week. Yes, all one of, er, it. Though with Forbidden Planet (.com) adding second printings to their orderable titles, I've decided to belatedly grab a few more well-reviewed books from the first two weeks.
Week 3 of DC's New 52 is out today, so while I await mine in the post it's about time I read what I picked up last week. Yes, all one of, er, it. Though with Forbidden Planet (.com) adding second printings to their orderable titles, I've decided to belatedly grab a few more well-reviewed books from the first two weeks.
Articles
Has Doctor Who got too complicated? by Dan Martin
(from TV & Radio Blog at guardian.co.uk)
Conclusion: no, and if you think it has you're just not paying enough attention. Despite my summarising this is still worth a read as it's bolstered by a few wonderful quotes.
As usual, Douglas Adams was bang on the money: "it was Douglas Adams who said, as a script editor in 1979, that the challenge of Doctor Who was to make it simple enough for adults and complicated enough for children."
(from TV & Radio Blog at guardian.co.uk)
Conclusion: no, and if you think it has you're just not paying enough attention. Despite my summarising this is still worth a read as it's bolstered by a few wonderful quotes.
As usual, Douglas Adams was bang on the money: "it was Douglas Adams who said, as a script editor in 1979, that the challenge of Doctor Who was to make it simple enough for adults and complicated enough for children."
Tuesday, 20 September 2011
TV
The A to Z of Crime
Episode 3 HIJKL (of 6)
I'm amused by the super-reverence shown to Lynda La Plante, while effectively saying "she invented Law & Order... seven years after someone else already did".
[Watch it (again) on ITV Player.]
Mock the Week
10x08 (15/9/11 edition)
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Pointless
5x13 (14/9/11 edition)
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Episode 3 HIJKL (of 6)
I'm amused by the super-reverence shown to Lynda La Plante, while effectively saying "she invented Law & Order... seven years after someone else already did".
[Watch it (again) on ITV Player.]
Mock the Week
10x08 (15/9/11 edition)
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Pointless
5x13 (14/9/11 edition)
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Articles
Doctor Who: The Wedding of River Song preview by Patrick Mulkern
(from Radio Times)
Be warned that this has spoilers for the opening few minutes, which sound absolutely bonkers and absolutely brilliant -- so good you might not want them spoiled. But no spoilers for the revelations and major plot points that follow... which sound incredibly intriguing. I wasn't convinced by the first half of this season, but I've been enjoying the second and I can't wait for this.
New 52 Pickup | Week 3 by Steve Sunu
(from Robot 6 at Comic Book Resources)
Ahead of new comics tomorrow (not that mine will turn up for a little while), I'm catching up on what Sunu had to say about last week's second batch of 13 new #1s. All things considered, they seem to be shaping up rather well... though he keeps putting the books I've chosen to buy "on the fence". Oops.
The Ten Things That the Forthcoming Star Wars Blu-rays Should Include. Revisited by Marcus Doidge
(from dvdactive)
Or: why, despite what some people claim now they have it (probably to justify to themselves shelling out £60/$80), this release is still a disappointment.
(from Radio Times)
Be warned that this has spoilers for the opening few minutes, which sound absolutely bonkers and absolutely brilliant -- so good you might not want them spoiled. But no spoilers for the revelations and major plot points that follow... which sound incredibly intriguing. I wasn't convinced by the first half of this season, but I've been enjoying the second and I can't wait for this.
New 52 Pickup | Week 3 by Steve Sunu
(from Robot 6 at Comic Book Resources)
Ahead of new comics tomorrow (not that mine will turn up for a little while), I'm catching up on what Sunu had to say about last week's second batch of 13 new #1s. All things considered, they seem to be shaping up rather well... though he keeps putting the books I've chosen to buy "on the fence". Oops.
The Ten Things That the Forthcoming Star Wars Blu-rays Should Include. Revisited by Marcus Doidge
(from dvdactive)
Or: why, despite what some people claim now they have it (probably to justify to themselves shelling out £60/$80), this release is still a disappointment.
Monday, 19 September 2011
TV
Dragons' Den
9x07 Episode 7
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
Pointless
5x11 (12/9/11 edition)
5x12 (13/9/11 edition)
[Watch the 13/9/11 edition (again) on iPlayer.]
9x07 Episode 7
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
Pointless
5x11 (12/9/11 edition)
5x12 (13/9/11 edition)
[Watch the 13/9/11 edition (again) on iPlayer.]
Articles
Doctor Who Magazine's Editor Interviewed! by Jason Arnopp
(from How to Be a Journalist)
I found this very interesting. If you're not at all curious about how magazines are put together, however, I imagine there's little of interest here. Though one quote is telling about the mindset of some Who fans:
(from How to Be a Journalist)
I found this very interesting. If you're not at all curious about how magazines are put together, however, I imagine there's little of interest here. Though one quote is telling about the mindset of some Who fans:
We also liaise with Steven Moffat - generally about our interviews, but never for reviews or opinion piecesYou just know some people claim he controls reviews.
Collection Count
Collection Count tracks my DVD/Blu-ray collection via a number of statistics every week.
An absolute tonne of stuff this week, almost all of it Star Wars related, including the new Blu-rays of course. This delayed the update until today... not because of the post, for once (though it was later than it should have been), but because I was away for a few days and needed the time to account for it all once I got back. (This still only goes up to Saturday's post, however.)
Number of titles in collection: 1,384 [up 8]
Of which DVDs: 1,139 [up 4]
Of which Blu-rays: 245 [up 4]
Number of discs in collection: 3,429 [up 23]
Number of films in collection: 1,465 [up 12]
Number of TV episodes in collection: 5,175 [up 63]
The real accounting difficulty lies down here: it's time again for a running time update. Yay! So...
Total running time of collection (approx.):
247 days, 20 hours, and 29 minutes.
(Up 5 days, 8 hours, and 3 minutes from last month.)
That's a pretty big jump -- the third biggest ever, after the one covering last Christmas (the largest by almost 3½ days) and the one three months ago. Lovely. I might check later to see how it ranks in terms of other jumps (and update this, of course).
See you next week, faithful reader.
An absolute tonne of stuff this week, almost all of it Star Wars related, including the new Blu-rays of course. This delayed the update until today... not because of the post, for once (though it was later than it should have been), but because I was away for a few days and needed the time to account for it all once I got back. (This still only goes up to Saturday's post, however.)
Number of titles in collection: 1,384 [up 8]
Of which DVDs: 1,139 [up 4]
Of which Blu-rays: 245 [up 4]
Number of discs in collection: 3,429 [up 23]
Number of films in collection: 1,465 [up 12]
Number of TV episodes in collection: 5,175 [up 63]
The real accounting difficulty lies down here: it's time again for a running time update. Yay! So...
Total running time of collection (approx.):
247 days, 20 hours, and 29 minutes.
(Up 5 days, 8 hours, and 3 minutes from last month.)
That's a pretty big jump -- the third biggest ever, after the one covering last Christmas (the largest by almost 3½ days) and the one three months ago. Lovely. I might check later to see how it ranks in terms of other jumps (and update this, of course).
See you next week, faithful reader.
Sunday, 18 September 2011
TV
The Great British Bake Off
2x05 Episode 5
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Torchwood: Miracle Day
4x10 The Blood Line [season finale]
Much to my surprise, I actually really enjoyed that. Except for Jilly Kitzinger surviving -- what a missed opportunity for a reference to Danes' infamous "she should've run faster" -- and the mention of the families having a Plan B. Who wants them back, really? If Torchwood does get a fifth series (and, based on reaction to this one, it would be fairly lucky if it did), the less said about this one the better. We certainly don't want a sequel.
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
2x05 Episode 5
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Torchwood: Miracle Day
4x10 The Blood Line [season finale]
Much to my surprise, I actually really enjoyed that. Except for Jilly Kitzinger surviving -- what a missed opportunity for a reference to Danes' infamous "she should've run faster" -- and the mention of the families having a Plan B. Who wants them back, really? If Torchwood does get a fifth series (and, based on reaction to this one, it would be fairly lucky if it did), the less said about this one the better. We certainly don't want a sequel.
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
Comics
Detective Comics #1 by Tony S. Daniel
The first-ever relaunch for one of DC's two flagship titles (the other, Action Comics, also became one of The New 52 this month).
It was released almost two weeks ago, but for once this isn't my tardiness: it's taken this long for my mail-ordered copy to arrive. And now I await delivery of my comics from earlier this week -- I sense a pattern emerging...
The first-ever relaunch for one of DC's two flagship titles (the other, Action Comics, also became one of The New 52 this month).
It was released almost two weeks ago, but for once this isn't my tardiness: it's taken this long for my mail-ordered copy to arrive. And now I await delivery of my comics from earlier this week -- I sense a pattern emerging...
Articles
Weekend Report: Lion King Reclaims Box Office Crown by Ray Subers
(from Box Office Mojo)
Bad weekend for new releases, but it shows how phenomenally popular The Lion King is. And rightly so.
(from Box Office Mojo)
All three genuinely new releases combined to make less than the 3D re-release of The Lion King this weekend, reaffirming the Disney animated classic's continued popularity a whole 17 years after its initial run...
The first re-release to debut on top of the charts since Star Wars: Episode VI - Return of the Jedi back in March 1997, The Lion King earned an estimated $29.3 million from 2,330 locations, which is the fifth-highest September opening ever.
Bad weekend for new releases, but it shows how phenomenally popular The Lion King is. And rightly so.
this week on 100 Films
2 new reviews were posted to 100 Films in a Year this week, and they were...
A Bunch of Amateurs (2008)
The Day of the Locust (1975)
More next Sunday.
A Bunch of Amateurs (2008)
It’s thoroughly predictable — most viewers could probably map out the plot before the film even begins, so it’s certainly easy to guess what’s coming next as it trots along — but there’s also something reassuring about that predictability — it’s exactly the sort of Quaint British Movie you expect it to be. Some will find that insufferable; I’m sure there are some who find it absolutely lovely and it’s the only kind of film they ever want to watch.
The Day of the Locust (1975)
The magnificent riot at the end is a tour de force of cinema that single-handedly almost justifies that whole theme — it’s what happens when their frustrations at dreams not being realised overflows. It could be argued it makes an easy juxtaposition — of fans baying for stars at a premiere with a revenge-fuelled mob baying for blood — but it’s still a just one. It’s capped off by the way one turns into the other, and how that turns into a kind of apocalypse.
More next Sunday.
Saturday, 17 September 2011
TV
Doctor Who
32x11 The God Complex
I don't know if it's just my imagination, but the Moffat era seems to be marked by a lot more experimental episodes. It's not Invasion Of The Week or other familiar formats every episode; there's a lot more Different kind of stories. And that's a good thing, for a show with a format that famously can do anything. As for this particular one, I loved it. Well done on them keeping the ending a secret too.
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
Doctor Who Confidential
6x11 Heartbreak Hotel
Much, much better than the last episode. A good Doctor Who week all round then!
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
Outnumbered
4x03 Episode 3
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
Perfect Couples
1x02 Pilot
American sitcom-y shows often like to have witty formula episode titles -- see Scrubs, No Ordinary Family, etc. I don't know if we have Friends' The One With… to blame for that, or if it pre-dates even that. Anyway, Perfect Couples is no exception: they're all Perfect something. Sadly, it seems no one had the wit or forethought to call this a Perfect Pilot. Or maybe they just didn't want to seem cocky, I dunno.
[Watch it (again) on 4oD.]
32x11 The God Complex
I don't know if it's just my imagination, but the Moffat era seems to be marked by a lot more experimental episodes. It's not Invasion Of The Week or other familiar formats every episode; there's a lot more Different kind of stories. And that's a good thing, for a show with a format that famously can do anything. As for this particular one, I loved it. Well done on them keeping the ending a secret too.
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
Doctor Who Confidential
6x11 Heartbreak Hotel
Much, much better than the last episode. A good Doctor Who week all round then!
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
Outnumbered
4x03 Episode 3
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
Perfect Couples
1x02 Pilot
American sitcom-y shows often like to have witty formula episode titles -- see Scrubs, No Ordinary Family, etc. I don't know if we have Friends' The One With… to blame for that, or if it pre-dates even that. Anyway, Perfect Couples is no exception: they're all Perfect something. Sadly, it seems no one had the wit or forethought to call this a Perfect Pilot. Or maybe they just didn't want to seem cocky, I dunno.
[Watch it (again) on 4oD.]
Articles
Is 3D dead? This chart may hold the answer
(from Live for Films)
Clearly it's not dead yet -- the industry has too much invested into it in too long term a way to let it die off almost immediately -- but those numbers aren't looking healthy. If they don't start revising their strategies, and fast, it's going to become an irrelevant niche at best.
(from Live for Films)
Clearly it's not dead yet -- the industry has too much invested into it in too long term a way to let it die off almost immediately -- but those numbers aren't looking healthy. If they don't start revising their strategies, and fast, it's going to become an irrelevant niche at best.
Friday, 16 September 2011
TV
The Jonathan Ross Show
1x02 (10/9/11 edition)
[Watch it (again) on ITV Player.]
QI
9x01 I-Spy (XL edition)
[Watch QI XL (again) on iPlayer.]
Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy
Part Six Smiley Sets a Trap
Part Seven Flushing Out the Mole [final episode]
I won't spoil the ending for anyone who's still not seen it or is waiting for the film (out today), but I guessed the mole correctly. Go me. Also, interesting -- and very like this intelligent, slow-paced series -- that the mole was revealed near the start of the final episode, with the rest dealing with the aftermath. Most series, both lesser and equal, would have pushed the Big Twist Revelation to the end and rushed through any after effects, but that's not in Tinker Tailor's style. Brilliant.
1x02 (10/9/11 edition)
[Watch it (again) on ITV Player.]
QI
9x01 I-Spy (XL edition)
[Watch QI XL (again) on iPlayer.]
Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy
Part Six Smiley Sets a Trap
Part Seven Flushing Out the Mole [final episode]
I won't spoil the ending for anyone who's still not seen it or is waiting for the film (out today), but I guessed the mole correctly. Go me. Also, interesting -- and very like this intelligent, slow-paced series -- that the mole was revealed near the start of the final episode, with the rest dealing with the aftermath. Most series, both lesser and equal, would have pushed the Big Twist Revelation to the end and rushed through any after effects, but that's not in Tinker Tailor's style. Brilliant.
Thursday, 15 September 2011
Articles
Columbia showcases impressive extended teaser for David Fincher's Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Chris Eggertsen
(from HitFix)
As the tweet I saw promoting the article put it, "Extended Girl with the Dragon Tattoo teaser wows reporters, audiences". And it sounds brilliant too.
(from HitFix)
As the tweet I saw promoting the article put it, "Extended Girl with the Dragon Tattoo teaser wows reporters, audiences". And it sounds brilliant too.
Wednesday, 14 September 2011
TV
Pointless
5x10 (9/9/11 edition)
A round on Star Wars, just before the Blu-rays came out! Coincidencetastic.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy
Part Four How It All Fits Together
Part Five Tinker Tailor
When I first started watching this, I commented (to myself, at least) that they don't make them like this any more. And while that's true to an extent, I think some dramas have actually become more like this. Not mainstream shows, which are of course more flash-bang than ever, but a good portion of American cable dramas and even some British shows. They might not feel so slow-paced, but the way they gradually meter out information and extend the arc plot over multiple episodes (often 12 or 13, not the mere 7 of Tinker Tailor) is closer to this feel. And, in much the same way, Tinker Tailor can be more satisfying viewed in several-episode chunks. It's very good, you know.
5x10 (9/9/11 edition)
A round on Star Wars, just before the Blu-rays came out! Coincidencetastic.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy
Part Four How It All Fits Together
Part Five Tinker Tailor
When I first started watching this, I commented (to myself, at least) that they don't make them like this any more. And while that's true to an extent, I think some dramas have actually become more like this. Not mainstream shows, which are of course more flash-bang than ever, but a good portion of American cable dramas and even some British shows. They might not feel so slow-paced, but the way they gradually meter out information and extend the arc plot over multiple episodes (often 12 or 13, not the mere 7 of Tinker Tailor) is closer to this feel. And, in much the same way, Tinker Tailor can be more satisfying viewed in several-episode chunks. It's very good, you know.
Articles
Doctor Who and the Shada Man by J.R. Southall
(from Starburst Magazine)
Lenthy, a bit rambling, and with sometimes terrible punctuation (especially considering this is meant to be a professional publication), but nonetheless interesting look at the newly-completed Shada that we still might never get to see.
In the Shadow of Saturn
(from Astronomy Picture of the Day)
This is a photograph of Saturn. A photograph! Incredible.
(from Starburst Magazine)
Lenthy, a bit rambling, and with sometimes terrible punctuation (especially considering this is meant to be a professional publication), but nonetheless interesting look at the newly-completed Shada that we still might never get to see.
In the Shadow of Saturn
(from Astronomy Picture of the Day)
This is a photograph of Saturn. A photograph! Incredible.
Tuesday, 13 September 2011
TV
The A to Z of Crime
Episode 2 EFG (of 6)
[Watch it (again) on ITV Player.]
Mock the Week
10x07 (8/9/11 edition)
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Pointless
5x08 (7/9/11 edition)
5x09 (8/9/11 edition)
[Watch the 7/9/11 and 8/9/11 editions (again) on iPlayer.]
Episode 2 EFG (of 6)
[Watch it (again) on ITV Player.]
Mock the Week
10x07 (8/9/11 edition)
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Pointless
5x08 (7/9/11 edition)
5x09 (8/9/11 edition)
[Watch the 7/9/11 and 8/9/11 editions (again) on iPlayer.]
Monday, 12 September 2011
TV
Pointless
5x07 (6/9/11 edition)
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy
Part Three Smiley Tracks the Mole
5x07 (6/9/11 edition)
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy
Part Three Smiley Tracks the Mole
Sunday, 11 September 2011
TV
Pointless
5x06 (5/9/11 edition)
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy
Part One Return to the Circus [2nd watch]
Part Two Tarr Tells His Story [2nd watch]
I was feeling a bit dozy when I watched this the first time, so as it's so complex a second go seemed appropriate. It's really very good y'know.
5x06 (5/9/11 edition)
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy
Part One Return to the Circus [2nd watch]
Part Two Tarr Tells His Story [2nd watch]
I was feeling a bit dozy when I watched this the first time, so as it's so complex a second go seemed appropriate. It's really very good y'know.
this week on 100 Films
Just 1 new review was posted to 100 Films in a Year this week, and it was...
Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides (3D) (2011)
More next Sunday.
Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides (3D) (2011)
I have no idea if this was a 3D post-conversion or shot for real, but it doesn’t matter — it’s dull. Either things are too dark to matter, or it just doesn’t pop in the way you’d like. A couple of sweeping scenery shots aside, it offers no benefit. 3D is a gimmick and all about spectacle, but it’s a gimmick On Stranger Tides doesn’t engage with, in the process showing it lacks spectacle.
More next Sunday.
Saturday, 10 September 2011
TV
Doctor Who
32x10 The Girl Who Waited
An excellent episode, I thought. Technically this season's Doctor Lite one, and presumably quite low-budget too, but it never really showed in either case. Surprisingly good performance from Miss Gillen as older Amy, though for my money Arthur Darvill is still the absolute star of current Who.
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
Doctor Who Confidential
6x10 What Dreams May Come
Confidential is beginning to get a bit samey now, I think. Every episode is on set/location, covering more or less the same stuff. Yes, a behind the scenes series will always have that problem, but there's an awful lot of stuff they don't cover that they could. What about pre-production? More on the writing process, the design process, etc. Or post-production? There must be a tonne of interesting working in CGI, sound design, editing, etc. Of course the series has covered most or all of these things in the past, but it's also covered what it's like on set in the past -- every episode, in fact. Variety would be welcome.
And proper making-of variety, not the silly asides where we get to see one cast member learn to drive and another swim with sharks. What a waste of time.
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
Proms 2011
Prom 59 Hooray for Hollywood
Left this too late to point you in the direction of it on iPlayer, I'm afraid, but the programme can still be read here.
32x10 The Girl Who Waited
An excellent episode, I thought. Technically this season's Doctor Lite one, and presumably quite low-budget too, but it never really showed in either case. Surprisingly good performance from Miss Gillen as older Amy, though for my money Arthur Darvill is still the absolute star of current Who.
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
Doctor Who Confidential
6x10 What Dreams May Come
Confidential is beginning to get a bit samey now, I think. Every episode is on set/location, covering more or less the same stuff. Yes, a behind the scenes series will always have that problem, but there's an awful lot of stuff they don't cover that they could. What about pre-production? More on the writing process, the design process, etc. Or post-production? There must be a tonne of interesting working in CGI, sound design, editing, etc. Of course the series has covered most or all of these things in the past, but it's also covered what it's like on set in the past -- every episode, in fact. Variety would be welcome.
And proper making-of variety, not the silly asides where we get to see one cast member learn to drive and another swim with sharks. What a waste of time.
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
Proms 2011
Prom 59 Hooray for Hollywood
Left this too late to point you in the direction of it on iPlayer, I'm afraid, but the programme can still be read here.
Articles
New 52 Pickup | Week 2 by Steve Sunu
(from Robot 6 at Comic Book Resources)
The first full week of The New 52 sees 13 titles released, and here's reviews of every last one. Not necessarily definitive (I've seen Batwing and Detective Comics highly praised elsewhere), but still an interesting project.
(from Robot 6 at Comic Book Resources)
The first full week of The New 52 sees 13 titles released, and here's reviews of every last one. Not necessarily definitive (I've seen Batwing and Detective Comics highly praised elsewhere), but still an interesting project.
Friday, 9 September 2011
TV
Dragons' Den
9x06 Episode 6
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
The Jonathan Ross Show
1x01 (3/9/11 edition)
Some have apparently criticised this for being the same as his previous series. Really? What did you expect? I'm glad not too much has changed, as I'm sure are the rest of his numerous fans. Feels like it needs to bed in a little on ITV, but then maybe that was just the quality of the guests.
[Watch it (again) on ITV Player.]
Outnumbered
4x02 Episode 2
Karen vs. a chugger? Brilliant.
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
Perfect Couples
1x01 Perfect Tens
New sitcom from the US... or, at least, new to E4 -- considering how late they began How I Met Your Mother this could be years old for all I know. Decent first episode (very oddly, the pilot airs as episode two), looks promising... though I see it's been cancelled already. Ah well.
[Watch it (again) on 4oD.]
Would I Lie To You?
5x01 Episode 1
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
9x06 Episode 6
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
The Jonathan Ross Show
1x01 (3/9/11 edition)
Some have apparently criticised this for being the same as his previous series. Really? What did you expect? I'm glad not too much has changed, as I'm sure are the rest of his numerous fans. Feels like it needs to bed in a little on ITV, but then maybe that was just the quality of the guests.
[Watch it (again) on ITV Player.]
Outnumbered
4x02 Episode 2
Karen vs. a chugger? Brilliant.
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
Perfect Couples
1x01 Perfect Tens
New sitcom from the US... or, at least, new to E4 -- considering how late they began How I Met Your Mother this could be years old for all I know. Decent first episode (very oddly, the pilot airs as episode two), looks promising... though I see it's been cancelled already. Ah well.
[Watch it (again) on 4oD.]
Would I Lie To You?
5x01 Episode 1
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Articles
Doctor Who – Shada Completed by J.R. Southall
(from Starburst Magazine)
Ian Levine may be a controversial figure in Who fandom, but this is potentially great news. If only 2|entertain see sense and buy it for the inevitable DVD release.
Is it time for George Lucas to find a new force? by Alistair Harkness
(from living.scotsman.com)
On how Lucas' constant tinkering means fans have become the 'caretakers' of the original Star Wars trilogy, and other things like that.
(from Starburst Magazine)
Ian Levine may be a controversial figure in Who fandom, but this is potentially great news. If only 2|entertain see sense and buy it for the inevitable DVD release.
Is it time for George Lucas to find a new force? by Alistair Harkness
(from living.scotsman.com)
On how Lucas' constant tinkering means fans have become the 'caretakers' of the original Star Wars trilogy, and other things like that.
Collection Count
Collection Count tracks my DVD/Blu-ray collection via a number of statistics every week.
Just one new addition this week (it's Kung Fu Panda, which I managed to pick up for under £5, if you're curious). Always feels like a measly change not worth mentioning... but hey-ho, here it is anyway.
Number of titles in collection: 1,376 [up 1]
Of which DVDs: 1,135 [no change]
Of which Blu-rays: 241 [up 1]
Number of discs in collection: 3,406 [up 1]
Number of films in collection: 1,453 [up 1]
Number of TV episodes in collection: 5,112 [no change]
See you next week, faithful reader.
Just one new addition this week (it's Kung Fu Panda, which I managed to pick up for under £5, if you're curious). Always feels like a measly change not worth mentioning... but hey-ho, here it is anyway.
Number of titles in collection: 1,376 [up 1]
Of which DVDs: 1,135 [no change]
Of which Blu-rays: 241 [up 1]
Number of discs in collection: 3,406 [up 1]
Number of films in collection: 1,453 [up 1]
Number of TV episodes in collection: 5,112 [no change]
See you next week, faithful reader.
Thursday, 8 September 2011
TV
The Great British Bake Off
2x04 Episode 4
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Torchwood: Miracle Day
4x09 The Gathering
A little increase in quality this week, I thought. Which is good, because next it's The End. Be nice if it somehow included some revenge on that ratty little government man too. Though, as this A.V. Club review reminds us, it's still not all that good.
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
2x04 Episode 4
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Torchwood: Miracle Day
4x09 The Gathering
A little increase in quality this week, I thought. Which is good, because next it's The End. Be nice if it somehow included some revenge on that ratty little government man too. Though, as this A.V. Club review reminds us, it's still not all that good.
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
Wednesday, 7 September 2011
TV
The A to Z of Crime
Episode 1 ABCD (of 6)
Or The A-Z of Crime with Specsavers, as the title card would have it.
[Watch it (again) on ITV Player.]
Pointless
5x05 (2/9/11 edition)
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Episode 1 ABCD (of 6)
Or The A-Z of Crime with Specsavers, as the title card would have it.
[Watch it (again) on ITV Player.]
Pointless
5x05 (2/9/11 edition)
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Tuesday, 6 September 2011
TV
Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy
Part One (of 7)
Part Two (of 7)
With the film imminent, finally got round to starting the much-acclaimed 1979 miniseries starring Alec Guinness. Very good it is too; very different to your ordinary TV drama, I think, even of its period.
Part One (of 7)
Part Two (of 7)
With the film imminent, finally got round to starting the much-acclaimed 1979 miniseries starring Alec Guinness. Very good it is too; very different to your ordinary TV drama, I think, even of its period.
Articles
Face/Off poster for Picturehouse Stratford by Sam Gilbey
(from Sam Gilbey illustrates)
Title pretty much covers it. Good poster, though. In fact, here it is:
Click to enlarge.
It must be great having a 'passion' for sport. Which is why I'm going to develop one by Charlie Brooker
(from Comment is free at guardian.co.uk)
Brooker on, essentially, why BBC Four is better than sport. Obviously he's right.
(from Sam Gilbey illustrates)
Title pretty much covers it. Good poster, though. In fact, here it is:
Click to enlarge.
It must be great having a 'passion' for sport. Which is why I'm going to develop one by Charlie Brooker
(from Comment is free at guardian.co.uk)
Brooker on, essentially, why BBC Four is better than sport. Obviously he's right.
Monday, 5 September 2011
TV
Pointless
5x04 (1/9/11 edition)
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Yep, that's it for today. Where'd the day go? No idea.
5x04 (1/9/11 edition)
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Yep, that's it for today. Where'd the day go? No idea.
Sunday, 4 September 2011
TV
Grand Designs Australia
1x08 Cottage Point House
As I post this I notice the bastards decided to end the series with a double bill, meaning the final episode will have been deleted from Virgin Media catch up now. Grr. Guess I'll have to suffer the quality of it on 4oD online...
[Watch episode 8 (again) on 4oD.]
Ocean Giants
Part 3 Voices of the Sea (of 3)
Pointless
5x03 (31/8/11 edition)
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Ruth Jones' Summer Holiday
After her previous seasonal specials (I don't remember her Easter one, so I must have either missed it or have it sat around recorded somewhere), now she gets a 'summer' one, which is the weakest excuse yet. It'll be a full-blown series next at this rate -- no bad thing.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
1x08 Cottage Point House
As I post this I notice the bastards decided to end the series with a double bill, meaning the final episode will have been deleted from Virgin Media catch up now. Grr. Guess I'll have to suffer the quality of it on 4oD online...
[Watch episode 8 (again) on 4oD.]
Ocean Giants
Part 3 Voices of the Sea (of 3)
Pointless
5x03 (31/8/11 edition)
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Ruth Jones' Summer Holiday
After her previous seasonal specials (I don't remember her Easter one, so I must have either missed it or have it sat around recorded somewhere), now she gets a 'summer' one, which is the weakest excuse yet. It'll be a full-blown series next at this rate -- no bad thing.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Comics
2000 AD #1747—#1749
Judge Dredd: Day of Chaos - Nadia, Parts 5-8 by John Wagner & Ben Willsher
Normally I of course read Progs the sensible way, but what with events in Dredd being so monumental at the minute (and, as a subscriber, having the post-monumental-events Prog land on my doormat yesterday), I decided to skip ahead by reading just the Dredd strips from the relevant issues. (Naturally I'll return to the rest later.) Shame to race through the story like this (as you can see, it's half of it in the period of time I previously spent on an eighth), but hey-ho.
So, the end of Part 7 was indeed suitably dramatic... though perhaps lessened by the fact it's wrapped up later in the same Prog, and in the way I imagine everyone guessed it would be (or I did, anyway). Still, nice try, especially with an additional twist in Part 8.
Judge Dredd: Day of Chaos - Nadia, Parts 5-8 by John Wagner & Ben Willsher
Normally I of course read Progs the sensible way, but what with events in Dredd being so monumental at the minute (and, as a subscriber, having the post-monumental-events Prog land on my doormat yesterday), I decided to skip ahead by reading just the Dredd strips from the relevant issues. (Naturally I'll return to the rest later.) Shame to race through the story like this (as you can see, it's half of it in the period of time I previously spent on an eighth), but hey-ho.
So, the end of Part 7 was indeed suitably dramatic... though perhaps lessened by the fact it's wrapped up later in the same Prog, and in the way I imagine everyone guessed it would be (or I did, anyway). Still, nice try, especially with an additional twist in Part 8.
Articles
Day 3875: Torchwood: Molecule Day: Frying Tonight! by Millennium Dome
(from The Very Fluffy Diary of Millennium Dome, Elephant)
A lengthy but very accurate assessment of Torchwood: Miracle Day at the halfway point (ish).
(from The Very Fluffy Diary of Millennium Dome, Elephant)
A lengthy but very accurate assessment of Torchwood: Miracle Day at the halfway point (ish).
this week on 100 Films
2 new reviews were posted to 100 Films in a Year this week, and they were...
The Locket (1946)
Nirvana (1997)
Also this week, the monthly update for August. You've missed your chance to buy the thing it's selling, but hey-ho.
More next Sunday.
The Locket (1946)
The story is, largely, a passable melodrama. We’re presented with plenty of evidence that Nancy is definitely a tricksy operator, but then is the man telling the tale an unreliable narrator? I don’t know if the filmmakers were even aware of such a concept. Maybe that’s unkind; maybe they just didn’t want him to be one; but the ending we do get is very pat, and I’m not sure it quite makes sense.
Nirvana (1997)
The most obvious point of reference is Blade Runner... Writer/director Salvatores introduces themes of what it means to be human and a lead character one might like to decide isn’t after all, and sets it in a perma-night, dystopian, multi-cultural future... running us through locations named after Marrakech and Bombay City, which may or may not be part of the same sprawling metropolis, and which all exhibit appropriately specific cultural stylings. These aren’t just pretty backgrounds, but in some ways reflect the film’s use of video games as a metaphor for reincarnation.
Also this week, the monthly update for August. You've missed your chance to buy the thing it's selling, but hey-ho.
More next Sunday.
Saturday, 3 September 2011
TV
Doctor Who
32x09 Night Terrors
Gatiss' best episode since his first, I'd say. Brilliantly creepy, with a bit of a classic Who feel despite it being undoubtedly nuWho. Beautifully directed by Richard Clark, too. I'd say who knew a glum tower block could look so good, but I think Let the Right One In sort of got there first in a similar way. But hey, if you're going to take inspiration from anywhere, take it from the best.
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
Doctor Who Confidential
6x09 About a Boy
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
Pointless
5x02 (30/8/11 edition)
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
32x09 Night Terrors
Gatiss' best episode since his first, I'd say. Brilliantly creepy, with a bit of a classic Who feel despite it being undoubtedly nuWho. Beautifully directed by Richard Clark, too. I'd say who knew a glum tower block could look so good, but I think Let the Right One In sort of got there first in a similar way. But hey, if you're going to take inspiration from anywhere, take it from the best.
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
Doctor Who Confidential
6x09 About a Boy
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
Pointless
5x02 (30/8/11 edition)
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Fiction
Torchwood: Long Time Dead by Sarah Pinborough
Chapters 12-14
People are investigating things... problem is, we know what they're investigating. Oh, there are still mysteries -- what can't Cutler remember; what exactly is in Suzie, what does it want and how can it be stopped? -- but, for the minute, Suzie's up to something-and-nothing and Cutler's trying to find out stuff we already know.
Chapters 12-14
People are investigating things... problem is, we know what they're investigating. Oh, there are still mysteries -- what can't Cutler remember; what exactly is in Suzie, what does it want and how can it be stopped? -- but, for the minute, Suzie's up to something-and-nothing and Cutler's trying to find out stuff we already know.
Comics
Justice League #1 by Geoff Johns & Jim Lee
DC's New 52 starts here. It's come in for a lot of criticism in the fanboy reviews, but personally I enjoyed it. Could it have moved faster? Probably, in places, but crucially you don't notice while reading. Maybe it's a personal preference, but I'd rather have a story told in the time it needs, with space for characterisation, humour and action, than have it rushed through so everyone can feel they got a done-in-one starring all their favourite characters.
I think it strikes the right level for newbies, too, starting with the ever-popular Batman, in a world where these heroes have yet to meet each other (perfect for newcomers), featuring plenty of action and humour to keep it engrossing, and getting some plot in there too. I don't think it moves any slower than people would expect from TV or films these days either. It certainly left me wanting to read the next issue, and for a serialised comic that's surely the aim.
So maybe it isn't the greatest comic ever published, but it's an entertaining start to a new order.
DC's New 52 starts here. It's come in for a lot of criticism in the fanboy reviews, but personally I enjoyed it. Could it have moved faster? Probably, in places, but crucially you don't notice while reading. Maybe it's a personal preference, but I'd rather have a story told in the time it needs, with space for characterisation, humour and action, than have it rushed through so everyone can feel they got a done-in-one starring all their favourite characters.
I think it strikes the right level for newbies, too, starting with the ever-popular Batman, in a world where these heroes have yet to meet each other (perfect for newcomers), featuring plenty of action and humour to keep it engrossing, and getting some plot in there too. I don't think it moves any slower than people would expect from TV or films these days either. It certainly left me wanting to read the next issue, and for a serialised comic that's surely the aim.
So maybe it isn't the greatest comic ever published, but it's an entertaining start to a new order.
Doctor Who theme... with lyrics
Started out thinking this was stupid and ridiculous... then, a little way in, I realised it's actually completely awesome.
Friday, 2 September 2011
TV
Miranda
2x05 Just Act Normal [2nd watch]
One of Miranda's best episodes, I think. Must be odd for Mark Heap to be playing the most normal person in the room...
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Outnumbered
4x01 Episode 1
The Radio Times are wondering if this is beginning to get tired. On the evidence of this episode, not quite yet.
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
Pointless
5x01 (29/8/11 edition)
It's a new series! So new, you'd never know if the episode guide didn't say it was. Quite why it is I have no idea. Well, it's presumably a production thing (note how Richard now says "up to the start of April 2011" whereas previously it was "to the start of January 2011", but... yeah...)
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
The Rob Brydon Show
2x06 Episode 6
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
2x05 Just Act Normal [2nd watch]
One of Miranda's best episodes, I think. Must be odd for Mark Heap to be playing the most normal person in the room...
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Outnumbered
4x01 Episode 1
The Radio Times are wondering if this is beginning to get tired. On the evidence of this episode, not quite yet.
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
Pointless
5x01 (29/8/11 edition)
It's a new series! So new, you'd never know if the episode guide didn't say it was. Quite why it is I have no idea. Well, it's presumably a production thing (note how Richard now says "up to the start of April 2011" whereas previously it was "to the start of January 2011", but... yeah...)
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
The Rob Brydon Show
2x06 Episode 6
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Fiction
Torchwood: Long Time Dead by Sarah Pinborough
Chapters 10-11
I read the first of these Torchwood tie-ins in just under a fortnight; this second one's taken me two weeks already and I'm only a third of the way through. Oops.
Chapters 10-11
I read the first of these Torchwood tie-ins in just under a fortnight; this second one's taken me two weeks already and I'm only a third of the way through. Oops.
Comics
2000 AD #1746
At least being behind on this means I can read the ECBT 2000AD reviews as soon as I'm done with the issue, rather than a couple of weeks later when they post them. This issue's lot can be read here, here, here, here and here. I disagree with their summaries, though -- didn't enjoy quite a lot of this Prog, even the stuff I normally like. Ho hum.
At least being behind on this means I can read the ECBT 2000AD reviews as soon as I'm done with the issue, rather than a couple of weeks later when they post them. This issue's lot can be read here, here, here, here and here. I disagree with their summaries, though -- didn't enjoy quite a lot of this Prog, even the stuff I normally like. Ho hum.
Collection Count
Collection Count tracks my DVD/Blu-ray collection via a number of statistics every week.
A last-minute pile of post (literally, a few minutes ago) gives a decent boost to this week's numbers. Might get quieter for a bit now... but then, Star Wars is out soon...
Number of titles in collection: 1,375 [up 5]
Of which DVDs: 1,135 [up 3]
Of which Blu-rays: 240 [up 2]
Number of discs in collection: 3,405 [up 13]
Number of films in collection: 1,452 [up 8]
Number of TV episodes in collection: 5,112 [up 12]
See you next week, faithful reader.
A last-minute pile of post (literally, a few minutes ago) gives a decent boost to this week's numbers. Might get quieter for a bit now... but then, Star Wars is out soon...
Number of titles in collection: 1,375 [up 5]
Of which DVDs: 1,135 [up 3]
Of which Blu-rays: 240 [up 2]
Number of discs in collection: 3,405 [up 13]
Number of films in collection: 1,452 [up 8]
Number of TV episodes in collection: 5,112 [up 12]
See you next week, faithful reader.
Thursday, 1 September 2011
TV
Doctor Who Confidential
6x08 River Runs Wild
Very nicely done "previously on Doctor Who" bit... but surely something like that would've made more sense on the episode itself?
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
Epic Win
1x02 Episode 2
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
Pointless
4x60 (26/8/11 edition) [season finale]
I say season finale -- tad arbitrary, as the next one started the day after.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Torchwood: Miracle Day
4x08 End of the Road
Are we really supposed to believe a mother who's had her children taken away because she's incapable of looking after them, and is being monitored in a special facility because of this, would be allowed access to the internet to sign herself and those already-taken-away kids up for, effectively, an assisted suicide programme? Even in Torchwood's pessimistic new world that's ridiculously implausible.
Still, only two more episodes to go. There better be a good finale.
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
6x08 River Runs Wild
Very nicely done "previously on Doctor Who" bit... but surely something like that would've made more sense on the episode itself?
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
Epic Win
1x02 Episode 2
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
Pointless
4x60 (26/8/11 edition) [season finale]
I say season finale -- tad arbitrary, as the next one started the day after.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Torchwood: Miracle Day
4x08 End of the Road
Are we really supposed to believe a mother who's had her children taken away because she's incapable of looking after them, and is being monitored in a special facility because of this, would be allowed access to the internet to sign herself and those already-taken-away kids up for, effectively, an assisted suicide programme? Even in Torchwood's pessimistic new world that's ridiculously implausible.
Still, only two more episodes to go. There better be a good finale.
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
Articles
New 52 Pickup | And so it begins! by Steve Sunu
(from Robot 6 at Comic Book Resources)
Unsurprisingly the net's been flooded with reviews of Justice League #1, the first title in DC's New 52, but this is most interesting because it's the first in a series that intends to review every last one of the New 52 first issues and whittle them down to the best books over the coming months. One to keep looking out for, then.
(from Robot 6 at Comic Book Resources)
Unsurprisingly the net's been flooded with reviews of Justice League #1, the first title in DC's New 52, but this is most interesting because it's the first in a series that intends to review every last one of the New 52 first issues and whittle them down to the best books over the coming months. One to keep looking out for, then.
Wednesday, 31 August 2011
TV
The Great British Bake Off
2x03 Episode 3
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
My Favourite Joke
Episode 5 (of 6)
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Penn & Teller: Fool Us
1x08 Episode 8 [season finale]
For some reason shown three weeks after the last episode, it's nice to have an extra burst of this super show. And apparently there's a Christmas special too. Grand.
And, in a case so rare it may break the whole internet, the review I've linked to above is dreadful but the comment section (OK, the only comment there) is rather good. That's not right at all.
[Watch it (again) on ITV Player.]
Pointless
4x59 (25/8/11 edition)
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
2x03 Episode 3
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
My Favourite Joke
Episode 5 (of 6)
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Penn & Teller: Fool Us
1x08 Episode 8 [season finale]
For some reason shown three weeks after the last episode, it's nice to have an extra burst of this super show. And apparently there's a Christmas special too. Grand.
And, in a case so rare it may break the whole internet, the review I've linked to above is dreadful but the comment section (OK, the only comment there) is rather good. That's not right at all.
[Watch it (again) on ITV Player.]
Pointless
4x59 (25/8/11 edition)
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Articles
8 awesome sci-fi movie skins that mess with your MacBook Apple by Scott Edelman
(from blastr)
Does what it says on the tin. Most are film inspired, of course.
The IT Crowd creator: 'Twitter put TV back in the crowd' by Andrew Laughlin
(from Digital Spy)
The headline makes it sound like a quick quote spun out into a news article, but it's actually a slightly longer piece on the relevance and usefulness of twitter.
(from blastr)
Does what it says on the tin. Most are film inspired, of course.
The IT Crowd creator: 'Twitter put TV back in the crowd' by Andrew Laughlin
(from Digital Spy)
The headline makes it sound like a quick quote spun out into a news article, but it's actually a slightly longer piece on the relevance and usefulness of twitter.
Tuesday, 30 August 2011
TV
Dragons' Den
9x05 Episode 5
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
Pointless
4x58 (24/8/11 edition)
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
9x05 Episode 5
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
Pointless
4x58 (24/8/11 edition)
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Films
Browncoats: Redemption (2010)
[#77 in 100 Films in a Year 2011]
Charity-benefitting fan film set in the Firefly/Serenity 'verse. One for forgiving die hard fans only. Available to buy on DVD or Blu-ray for another 29 hours only from the official website.
[#77 in 100 Films in a Year 2011]
Charity-benefitting fan film set in the Firefly/Serenity 'verse. One for forgiving die hard fans only. Available to buy on DVD or Blu-ray for another 29 hours only from the official website.
Monday, 29 August 2011
Sunday, 28 August 2011
TV
Epic Win
1x01 Episode 1
Thoroughly daft... but what did you expect? Good fun for it.
Grand Designs Australia
1x07 Fish Creek Church House
[Watch it (again) on 4oD.]
Ocean Giants
Part 2 Deep Thinkers (of 3)
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
Proms 2011
Prom 40 Comedy Prom
Another excellent Prom, and this one a first too. Can't say I ever expected to see Tim Minchin in a Prince Charles mask playing the Doctor Who theme on a keytar in the Royal Albert Hall... but now I have, I'm ever so glad. (You can see it too.)
The programme for this Prom, such as it is, can be read here.
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
1x01 Episode 1
Thoroughly daft... but what did you expect? Good fun for it.
Grand Designs Australia
1x07 Fish Creek Church House
[Watch it (again) on 4oD.]
Ocean Giants
Part 2 Deep Thinkers (of 3)
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
Proms 2011
Prom 40 Comedy Prom
Another excellent Prom, and this one a first too. Can't say I ever expected to see Tim Minchin in a Prince Charles mask playing the Doctor Who theme on a keytar in the Royal Albert Hall... but now I have, I'm ever so glad. (You can see it too.)
The programme for this Prom, such as it is, can be read here.
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
Comics
2000 AD #1745
I really ought to make an even bigger effort to catch up: apparently the Dredd story in prog 1749 (out Wednesday in shops, with subscribers (including me) since yesterday) has a big surprise at the end... and big surprises mean not wanting it spoiled and wanting to keep up with The Conversation, as it were, so... yeah...
Also, apparently prog 1750 will be another all-number-1s jumping-on prog. That didn't turn out so well last time, with a collection of stories that still felt halfway through even if they were technically first parts... but it got me started, so clearly it wasn't a total failure. Still, perhaps they've made a greater effort for the round-number-ness of 1750?
Finally, the ECBT 2000AD reviews for this prog can be found here, here, here, here and here.
I really ought to make an even bigger effort to catch up: apparently the Dredd story in prog 1749 (out Wednesday in shops, with subscribers (including me) since yesterday) has a big surprise at the end... and big surprises mean not wanting it spoiled and wanting to keep up with The Conversation, as it were, so... yeah...
Also, apparently prog 1750 will be another all-number-1s jumping-on prog. That didn't turn out so well last time, with a collection of stories that still felt halfway through even if they were technically first parts... but it got me started, so clearly it wasn't a total failure. Still, perhaps they've made a greater effort for the round-number-ness of 1750?
Finally, the ECBT 2000AD reviews for this prog can be found here, here, here, here and here.
this week on 100 Films
No new reviews on 100 Films in a Year this week, but I did mark reaching #75 by creating a list of 25 films I own that I really should have seen.
Saturday, 27 August 2011
TV
Doctor Who
32x08 Let's Kill Hitler
Well, I thoroughly enjoyed that. I'm concerned that in retrospect it might look more like four people stood around in a series of rooms explaining things to each other, but at least they ran around a bit between the rooms and it was quite funny. And Rory was as brilliant as ever.
And the title was worth it for the twitter trend #letskillhitler, half fed by people exclaiming that he's already dead. Idiots. (I mean, obviously he is dead, but look at the bloody trend and see why it's bloody trending. Idiots.)
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
Proms 2011
Prom 39 Spaghetti Western Orchestra
This was incredible, I thought -- so much fun, and brilliant music to boot. It's on iPlayer for the rest of the week, I urge you to check it out. Plus, the full programme can be read here.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
32x08 Let's Kill Hitler
Well, I thoroughly enjoyed that. I'm concerned that in retrospect it might look more like four people stood around in a series of rooms explaining things to each other, but at least they ran around a bit between the rooms and it was quite funny. And Rory was as brilliant as ever.
And the title was worth it for the twitter trend #letskillhitler, half fed by people exclaiming that he's already dead. Idiots. (I mean, obviously he is dead, but look at the bloody trend and see why it's bloody trending. Idiots.)
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
Proms 2011
Prom 39 Spaghetti Western Orchestra
This was incredible, I thought -- so much fun, and brilliant music to boot. It's on iPlayer for the rest of the week, I urge you to check it out. Plus, the full programme can be read here.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Films
Nirvana (1997)
[#75 in 100 Films in a Year 2011]
The Radio Times described this as "one of the best science-fiction films ever made. Yet few people outside Italy have seen it." So when it was on BBC Two last night, it felt like a must-see -- it's not available on DVD over here, never even been classified by the BBFC.
It's an Italian film (you may have guessed), but the version shown by the Beeb was the US one: acquired by Miramax, they did their usual foreign film hatchet job, chopping out over quarter of an hour and dubbing it into English. I don't know what difference the cuts made (have to research that before writing my review, I suppose), but the dubbing doesn't help, oscillating between awkward accents with broken English (Christopher Lambert dubs himself) and regular stereotypically bad voice acting.
It's an interesting film, with some interesting ideas, but some plot threads seem unfocused -- possibly they're too thematically-minded and I missed a little of what they were aiming at. In this bastardised form, at least, I'd be loathe to call it one of the best sci-fi flicks ever.
I'm tempted to get the uncut, original language, and apparently very good quality, Italian DVD... but I'd also point out that, if you're interested, the English-language version is available on iPlayer for the next week.
[#75 in 100 Films in a Year 2011]
The Radio Times described this as "one of the best science-fiction films ever made. Yet few people outside Italy have seen it." So when it was on BBC Two last night, it felt like a must-see -- it's not available on DVD over here, never even been classified by the BBFC.
It's an Italian film (you may have guessed), but the version shown by the Beeb was the US one: acquired by Miramax, they did their usual foreign film hatchet job, chopping out over quarter of an hour and dubbing it into English. I don't know what difference the cuts made (have to research that before writing my review, I suppose), but the dubbing doesn't help, oscillating between awkward accents with broken English (Christopher Lambert dubs himself) and regular stereotypically bad voice acting.
It's an interesting film, with some interesting ideas, but some plot threads seem unfocused -- possibly they're too thematically-minded and I missed a little of what they were aiming at. In this bastardised form, at least, I'd be loathe to call it one of the best sci-fi flicks ever.
I'm tempted to get the uncut, original language, and apparently very good quality, Italian DVD... but I'd also point out that, if you're interested, the English-language version is available on iPlayer for the next week.
Friday, 26 August 2011
TV
Natural World
Heligan: Secrets of the Lost Gardens
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
The Rob Brydon Show
2x05 Episode 5
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Heligan: Secrets of the Lost Gardens
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
The Rob Brydon Show
2x05 Episode 5
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Fiction
Torchwood: Long Time Dead by Sarah Pinborough
Chapters 8-9
Two things: one, Pinborough seems to have an obsession with ageing geeky men who've never had relationships at all/of significance -- why? Two, how come everyone Suzie meets has met Torchwood in some way and now wants to kill themselves? Is this going somewhere -- everyone in Cardiff has been touched by Torchwood, that kind of thing -- or are we only seeing the ones who have and that's making it feel awkwardly coincidental that she keeps passing them? Fingers crossed these things have a reason or some sense to them, otherwise they'll just keep niggling...
Chapters 8-9
Two things: one, Pinborough seems to have an obsession with ageing geeky men who've never had relationships at all/of significance -- why? Two, how come everyone Suzie meets has met Torchwood in some way and now wants to kill themselves? Is this going somewhere -- everyone in Cardiff has been touched by Torchwood, that kind of thing -- or are we only seeing the ones who have and that's making it feel awkwardly coincidental that she keeps passing them? Fingers crossed these things have a reason or some sense to them, otherwise they'll just keep niggling...
Articles
Lots of exciting news today...
Charlie Brooker detective spoof Touch of Cloth arrives on Sky1 by Alex Fletcher
(from Digital Spy)
Shame about the channel but, otherwise, this sounds like it's worth looking forward to. The headline pretty much encapsulates why.
Daredevil #1 Audio Edition
(from Marvel)
This is rather appropriate (considering the titular character is blind): the first issue of the acclaimed relaunch of Daredevil is now available as an audio edition for the visually impaired. It's all been done in-house at Marvel -- the writer describes the panels, various editors do the voices -- making it seem more like a pet project they've let out than a fully-commissioned idea, but hey, it's still good for those who can't see well/at all.
The Hour renewed for second series by Catriona Wightman
(from Digital Spy)
Didn't expect that, but it's welcome -- despite an iffy start, I thought it had got rather good by the end. And BBC Two's first recommissioned original British drama in over a decade?! Crikey!
Rock Version of Silent Film Classic Metropolis to Hit Theatres This Fall by Borys Kit
(from The Hollywood Reporter)
Never mind theatres, it's also coming out on DVD and Blu-ray in November! This is great news. Some consider the shortened, colourised, rock-scored version of Metropolis to be a horrible bastardisation, and they have a point, but considering we now have the most-complete-available version of the original film released in fantastic DVD and Blu-ray editions, it's nice to have a chance to see this '80s oddity as well -- and in full HD too, not to mention with a couple of worthwhile special features (a restoration documentary, Moroder introduction, original trailer and photo gallery).
No idea if there's going to be a UK release, quite possibly not, so I'll definitely be pre-ordering the US BD when I can.
Charlie Brooker detective spoof Touch of Cloth arrives on Sky1 by Alex Fletcher
(from Digital Spy)
Shame about the channel but, otherwise, this sounds like it's worth looking forward to. The headline pretty much encapsulates why.
Daredevil #1 Audio Edition
(from Marvel)
This is rather appropriate (considering the titular character is blind): the first issue of the acclaimed relaunch of Daredevil is now available as an audio edition for the visually impaired. It's all been done in-house at Marvel -- the writer describes the panels, various editors do the voices -- making it seem more like a pet project they've let out than a fully-commissioned idea, but hey, it's still good for those who can't see well/at all.
The Hour renewed for second series by Catriona Wightman
(from Digital Spy)
Didn't expect that, but it's welcome -- despite an iffy start, I thought it had got rather good by the end. And BBC Two's first recommissioned original British drama in over a decade?! Crikey!
Rock Version of Silent Film Classic Metropolis to Hit Theatres This Fall by Borys Kit
(from The Hollywood Reporter)
Never mind theatres, it's also coming out on DVD and Blu-ray in November! This is great news. Some consider the shortened, colourised, rock-scored version of Metropolis to be a horrible bastardisation, and they have a point, but considering we now have the most-complete-available version of the original film released in fantastic DVD and Blu-ray editions, it's nice to have a chance to see this '80s oddity as well -- and in full HD too, not to mention with a couple of worthwhile special features (a restoration documentary, Moroder introduction, original trailer and photo gallery).
No idea if there's going to be a UK release, quite possibly not, so I'll definitely be pre-ordering the US BD when I can.
Collection Count
Collection Count tracks my DVD/Blu-ray collection via a number of statistics every week.
This week, the complete Due South gives a nice boost to the totals of discs and TV episodes -- and means I can finally watch the 14 episodes the BBC didn't bother to show during their repeat run! Hurrah!
And a package full of Blu-rays from America that I wasn't expecting until next week at least (bonus!) is largely responsible for the boost to films and, again, discs. Hurrah!
Plus, the Sin City saga finally comes to an end as bee.com manage to provide me with a copy that has the full compliment of correct discs! Hurrah! (This shouldn't need to be such a celebration, eh.)
There's a couple of other things in there, too -- a big week all round, then, but I think it'll be a little quieter for a little while now. Probably for the best.
Number of titles in collection: 1,370 [up 11]
Of which DVDs: 1,132 [up 3]
Of which Blu-rays: 238 [up 8]
Number of discs in collection: 3,392 [up 31]
Number of films in collection: 1,444 [up 12]
Number of TV episodes in collection: 5,100 [up 73]
See you next week, faithful reader.
This week, the complete Due South gives a nice boost to the totals of discs and TV episodes -- and means I can finally watch the 14 episodes the BBC didn't bother to show during their repeat run! Hurrah!
And a package full of Blu-rays from America that I wasn't expecting until next week at least (bonus!) is largely responsible for the boost to films and, again, discs. Hurrah!
Plus, the Sin City saga finally comes to an end as bee.com manage to provide me with a copy that has the full compliment of correct discs! Hurrah! (This shouldn't need to be such a celebration, eh.)
There's a couple of other things in there, too -- a big week all round, then, but I think it'll be a little quieter for a little while now. Probably for the best.
Number of titles in collection: 1,370 [up 11]
Of which DVDs: 1,132 [up 3]
Of which Blu-rays: 238 [up 8]
Number of discs in collection: 3,392 [up 31]
Number of films in collection: 1,444 [up 12]
Number of TV episodes in collection: 5,100 [up 73]
See you next week, faithful reader.
Thursday, 25 August 2011
TV
Torchwood: Miracle Day
4x07 Immortal Sins
A change of pace is always good, as is learning more about what Jack got up to in the past. But did my ears deceive me, or did Jack mention "the tracer brigade" in a context that seemed like it should have been a reference to the Trickster's Brigade from Sarah Jane? Maybe I misheard...
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
Wilfred
1x01 Happiness
1x02 Trust
BBC Three's latest acquisition: a US remake of an Australian sitcom in which a man sees his neighbour's dog as an Aussie bloke in a dog suit. It's at least as barmy as it sounds, and very adult-orientated. Which means vulgarity. But despite that, it's also often very funny.
4x07 Immortal Sins
A change of pace is always good, as is learning more about what Jack got up to in the past. But did my ears deceive me, or did Jack mention "the tracer brigade" in a context that seemed like it should have been a reference to the Trickster's Brigade from Sarah Jane? Maybe I misheard...
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
Wilfred
1x01 Happiness
1x02 Trust
BBC Three's latest acquisition: a US remake of an Australian sitcom in which a man sees his neighbour's dog as an Aussie bloke in a dog suit. It's at least as barmy as it sounds, and very adult-orientated. Which means vulgarity. But despite that, it's also often very funny.
Articles
Nick Helm's password joke is Edinburgh Fringe funniest
(from BBC News)
The top ten funniest jokes from this year's Fringe, as voted for by the public. All ten are at the link, naturally (as is the joke voted worst of the festival), but the winner goes thusly:
(from BBC News)
The top ten funniest jokes from this year's Fringe, as voted for by the public. All ten are at the link, naturally (as is the joke voted worst of the festival), but the winner goes thusly:
I needed a password eight characters long so I picked Snow White and the Seven Dwarves.
Wednesday, 24 August 2011
TV
The Great British Bake Off
2x02 Episode 2
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Pointless
4x56 (22/8/11 edition)
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Single-Handed
2x06 A Cold Heaven Part 2 [season finale]
Excellent finale. Seems like a real turning point for Driscoll too, moving from slavishly following the law and what's Right to just doing the right thing. That makes it either a good ending to the series, or the next run could have a slightly different flavour. Hopefully there'll be more, though, because it's quietly brilliant.
[Watch it (again) on ITV Player.]
2x02 Episode 2
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Pointless
4x56 (22/8/11 edition)
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Single-Handed
2x06 A Cold Heaven Part 2 [season finale]
Excellent finale. Seems like a real turning point for Driscoll too, moving from slavishly following the law and what's Right to just doing the right thing. That makes it either a good ending to the series, or the next run could have a slightly different flavour. Hopefully there'll be more, though, because it's quietly brilliant.
[Watch it (again) on ITV Player.]
Articles
Conan The Barbarian Scripter Answers: “What’s It Like To Flop At The Box Office?” by Nikki Finke & Sean Hood
(from Deadline)
Conan was just one of several movies to flop at the US box office this past weekend. Here, one of its screenwriters explains what it feels like to be on the bad side of a big movie not being big.
Doctor Who's Global Takeover by Jace Lacob
(from The Daily Beast)
A pretty interesting interview -- not entirely filled with the usual completely-repetitive hype-led interviews you see pre-series (which tend to offer the same information in different configurations with one or two new tidbits at best) -- with Doctor Who showrunner Steven Moffat.
(Incidentally, the author/interviewer sounds like he's got the first letters of his names the wrong way round...)
(from Deadline)
Conan was just one of several movies to flop at the US box office this past weekend. Here, one of its screenwriters explains what it feels like to be on the bad side of a big movie not being big.
Doctor Who's Global Takeover by Jace Lacob
(from The Daily Beast)
A pretty interesting interview -- not entirely filled with the usual completely-repetitive hype-led interviews you see pre-series (which tend to offer the same information in different configurations with one or two new tidbits at best) -- with Doctor Who showrunner Steven Moffat.
(Incidentally, the author/interviewer sounds like he's got the first letters of his names the wrong way round...)
Tuesday, 23 August 2011
TV
The Hour
1x05 Episode 5
1x06 Episode 6 [season finale]
A rather good final pair of episodes, I thought -- normally I'd've waited a week-ish before catching the finale, but the penultimate episode and its Next Time trailer led me to watch the last one live. A particularly tense closing episode, I thought, even if the thriller element was ultimately a little too complex for its own good, perhaps, or maybe inadequately explained.
Still, I enjoyed it overall, and another run would be welcome. Mixed critical reception and falling ratings may have seen to that, though.
[Watch episodes five and six (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
Pointless
4x55 (19/8/11 edition)
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
1x05 Episode 5
1x06 Episode 6 [season finale]
A rather good final pair of episodes, I thought -- normally I'd've waited a week-ish before catching the finale, but the penultimate episode and its Next Time trailer led me to watch the last one live. A particularly tense closing episode, I thought, even if the thriller element was ultimately a little too complex for its own good, perhaps, or maybe inadequately explained.
Still, I enjoyed it overall, and another run would be welcome. Mixed critical reception and falling ratings may have seen to that, though.
[Watch episodes five and six (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
Pointless
4x55 (19/8/11 edition)
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Comics
2000 AD #1744
Catch-up is not progressing as one might have hoped. Must try harder still.
Incidentally, for added value, check out the strip-by-strip reviews of every prog posted at Everything Comes Back to 2000AD. The five for this issue can be found here, here, here, here and here... though sadly they've replaced one of their three regulars with someone who seems perpetually grumpy at every strip being halfway through, despite the fact he chose not to catch up on the previous parts.
Catch-up is not progressing as one might have hoped. Must try harder still.
Incidentally, for added value, check out the strip-by-strip reviews of every prog posted at Everything Comes Back to 2000AD. The five for this issue can be found here, here, here, here and here... though sadly they've replaced one of their three regulars with someone who seems perpetually grumpy at every strip being halfway through, despite the fact he chose not to catch up on the previous parts.
Monday, 22 August 2011
TV
Dragons' Den
9x04 Episode 4
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
Pointless
4x54 (18/8/11 edition)
Not entirely sure what went wrong with my listing of Pointless viewing, but I definitely watched this episode today (not Saturday, as previously listed). Maybe I included it on autopilot. (Not that it matters, or that anyone would've noticed. It would've bugged me if I hadn't corrected it, though.)
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
9x04 Episode 4
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
Pointless
4x54 (18/8/11 edition)
Not entirely sure what went wrong with my listing of Pointless viewing, but I definitely watched this episode today (not Saturday, as previously listed). Maybe I included it on autopilot. (Not that it matters, or that anyone would've noticed. It would've bugged me if I hadn't corrected it, though.)
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Articles
The DCnU LOGOS - 'ALL NEW' 52 of 'Em
(from Newsarama)
I like logos. No, I do -- I've actually been looking forward to this inevitable big reveal. Just me? Maybe. But I like it. So ner.
Eileen Atkins pulls out of Upstairs Downstairs by Paul Jones
(from Radio Times)
According to the article she "was unconvinced by the direction of the latest scripts". Ouch. That's some bitingly honest criticism -- you'd expect no comment, or something blandly generic. Hope this doesn't bode badly as I liked the first run at New Year.
Grant Morrison on the Death of Comics by Brian Hiatt
(from Rolling Stone)
Morrison clearly has lots of Opinions, and he's not at all afraid to share them, which makes for a grandly interesting interview.
(from Newsarama)
I like logos. No, I do -- I've actually been looking forward to this inevitable big reveal. Just me? Maybe. But I like it. So ner.
Eileen Atkins pulls out of Upstairs Downstairs by Paul Jones
(from Radio Times)
According to the article she "was unconvinced by the direction of the latest scripts". Ouch. That's some bitingly honest criticism -- you'd expect no comment, or something blandly generic. Hope this doesn't bode badly as I liked the first run at New Year.
Grant Morrison on the Death of Comics by Brian Hiatt
(from Rolling Stone)
Morrison clearly has lots of Opinions, and he's not at all afraid to share them, which makes for a grandly interesting interview.
Sunday, 21 August 2011
TV
Grand Designs Australia
1x06 Hamptons House
[Watch it (again) on 4oD.]
Ocean Giants
Part 1 Giant Lives (of 3)
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
1x06 Hamptons House
[Watch it (again) on 4oD.]
Ocean Giants
Part 1 Giant Lives (of 3)
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
Films
Glorious 39 (2009)
[#74 in 100 Films in a Year 2011]
I've owned this on DVD since it came out, but chose to watch it on iPlayer because it was available in HD. And it was worth it, I felt. There's no UK Blu-ray release for goodness knows what reason, but there is an American one.
[#74 in 100 Films in a Year 2011]
I've owned this on DVD since it came out, but chose to watch it on iPlayer because it was available in HD. And it was worth it, I felt. There's no UK Blu-ray release for goodness knows what reason, but there is an American one.
Fiction
Torchwood: Long Time Dead by Sarah Pinborough
Chapters 5-7
Ooh, ok, some wonderfully nasty/creepy twists here, and there may be more to Cutler's (apparent) Retconning than met the eye. I take it back, for now, and reserve my judgement.
Chapters 5-7
Ooh, ok, some wonderfully nasty/creepy twists here, and there may be more to Cutler's (apparent) Retconning than met the eye. I take it back, for now, and reserve my judgement.
Articles
Weekend Report: The Help Reigns Over Gutless Conan, Fright Night by Brandon Gray
(from Box Office Mojo)
Ouch.
(from Box Office Mojo)
It was a box-office bloodbath for Conan the Barbarian and Fright Night among others over the weekend.
...The top-grossing new release, Spy Kids: All the Time in the World, mustered just $12 million... It's the worst-performing Spy Kids movie by far, grossing a little over a third of the last one, Spy Kids 3D: Game Over... It even fell short of Cats & Dogs: The Revenge of Kitty Galore from last summer.
...Conan the Barbarian went the way of past August fantasy/ancient action movies and flopped hard... Fright Night was even less attractive [with a gross] which was low even by the modest standards of unromantic vampire movies.
Ouch.
this week on 100 Films
2 new reviews were posted to 100 Films in a Year this week, and they were...
My Neighbour Totoro (1988)
Source Code (2011)
More next Sunday.
My Neighbour Totoro (1988)
a charming story, where very little of significance seems to happen, yet is never dull or overly stately. It works to build a lot of character and affection, so that by the climax, when something definitely does happen, all the work that’s gone into the characters really pays off. It doesn’t whack you round the head with its impressiveness, but instead sneaks up on you with the realisation that it’s a beautiful work.
Source Code (2011)
Duncan Jones is clearly a good director, constructing a credible mid-scale thriller here (the same could be said about the work of screenwriter Ben Ripley, or the performances of any and all members of the cast) with a few flashier elements that stand out (in a good way), but I presume his previous effort showed more promise, because Source Code is hardly groundbreaking. It's certainly a solid, dual-pronged, science-fiction mystery, but not an especially deep or complex work.
More next Sunday.
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