Never Mind the Buzzcocks
25x07 Episode 7
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Only Connect
Children in Need Special: Great Believers vs Free Speakers
Apparently they make this notoriously-difficult quiz slightly easier for the celebrity/special editions. Which probably explains how I did moderately well at it.
Pointless
3x41 (9/11/10 edition)
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Monday, 21 November 2011
Articles
Come together this Christmas with the BBC
(from BBC Media Centre)
All sorts of great stuff on the Beeb this Christmas. And a Jim'll Fix It special presented by Shane Richie. Seriously. Ugh.
Matt Smith On Doctor Who 50th Anniversary & Series Seven by Dave Golder
(from SFX)
I didn't mind this year's split season, and I don't mind them shifting the series to be broadcast in Autumn/Spring instead of this year's Spring/Autumn, but it would be a shame if we only got 14 episodes throughout 2012 and 2013 instead of the 28 we would normally have got. A 2012-13 season, anniversary special and 2013-14 season was more what I was hoping for; to put that another way, 8 episodes in 2012 (including Christmas), 15 in 2013 (including Christmas and an anniversary special) and then on into 2014. Maybe that was wishful thinking. Maybe 2014 will actually return us to the regular 13-episodes-in-Spring/Summer.
Time will tell.
(from BBC Media Centre)
All sorts of great stuff on the Beeb this Christmas. And a Jim'll Fix It special presented by Shane Richie. Seriously. Ugh.
Matt Smith On Doctor Who 50th Anniversary & Series Seven by Dave Golder
(from SFX)
Matt Smith told BBC Breakfast this morning that filming starts in February for 14 new episodes of Doctor Who, including a full series, a Christmas special and a 50th anniversary special, which will be a one-off.Unless he's done his maths wrong, sounds like we're only getting a regular compliment of episodes in 2012/13... and that months later than usual. But we'll see.
I didn't mind this year's split season, and I don't mind them shifting the series to be broadcast in Autumn/Spring instead of this year's Spring/Autumn, but it would be a shame if we only got 14 episodes throughout 2012 and 2013 instead of the 28 we would normally have got. A 2012-13 season, anniversary special and 2013-14 season was more what I was hoping for; to put that another way, 8 episodes in 2012 (including Christmas), 15 in 2013 (including Christmas and an anniversary special) and then on into 2014. Maybe that was wishful thinking. Maybe 2014 will actually return us to the regular 13-episodes-in-Spring/Summer.
Time will tell.
A daily dose of sci-fi - Day 8
Best robot/android
I had quite a long short list on the go for this one -- R2-D2, Kryten, WALL-E, the Terminator, Maria, and more -- but then I suddenly remembered...
Marvin is probably the best character in Hitchhiker's. As Wikipedia puts it, he "is afflicted with severe depression and boredom", which makes all of his very dry comments hilariously funny. It also makes him feel very identifiable, despite the fact he's a robot who's much more intelligent than you.
Bless 'im.
Read about a daily dose of sci-fi, with links to the rest of the series, here.
Sunday, 20 November 2011
TV
Downton Abbey
2x08 Episode 8 [season finale]
Cliffhangertastic! I wonder if we can look forward to a resolution in the Christmas special or if they'll make us wait until series three?
[Watch it (again) on ITV Player.]
Junior Bake Off
Episode 9 (of 13)
The first semi-final, and suddenly two kids get to go through. I guess we can look forward to a three-part final then? Odd.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
The Jury
2x05 Part 5 (of 5)
I can't say I buy everything that happened here -- the clunky political subplot, for instance; or how the yob and, actually, most of the jurors were ultimately convinced to vote "not guilty" (an 11-1 or even 10-2 split would've been more plausible). It's also interesting how many little things were similar to the first series, for instance how the jurors chose their foreman -- either there is actually some evidence of what goes on inside jury rooms and, by some weird coincidence, most behave the same way, or screenwriter Peter Morgan knows what he'd do and keeps applying it to other people.
Still, overall it was very good.
[Watch it (again) on ITV Player.]
Pointless
3x40 (8/11/10 edition)
The 100th edition! Oo-ooh.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
2x08 Episode 8 [season finale]
Cliffhangertastic! I wonder if we can look forward to a resolution in the Christmas special or if they'll make us wait until series three?
[Watch it (again) on ITV Player.]
Junior Bake Off
Episode 9 (of 13)
The first semi-final, and suddenly two kids get to go through. I guess we can look forward to a three-part final then? Odd.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
The Jury
2x05 Part 5 (of 5)
I can't say I buy everything that happened here -- the clunky political subplot, for instance; or how the yob and, actually, most of the jurors were ultimately convinced to vote "not guilty" (an 11-1 or even 10-2 split would've been more plausible). It's also interesting how many little things were similar to the first series, for instance how the jurors chose their foreman -- either there is actually some evidence of what goes on inside jury rooms and, by some weird coincidence, most behave the same way, or screenwriter Peter Morgan knows what he'd do and keeps applying it to other people.
Still, overall it was very good.
[Watch it (again) on ITV Player.]
Pointless
3x40 (8/11/10 edition)
The 100th edition! Oo-ooh.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Films
Cars (2006)
[#90 in 100 Films in a Year 2011]
This is renowned as Pixar's weakest film and, while I haven't quite seen all of them, I can certainly see why. It's distinctly average; when the rest of their output ranges from "very good" to "exceptional", that makes it seem especially poor.
[#90 in 100 Films in a Year 2011]
This is renowned as Pixar's weakest film and, while I haven't quite seen all of them, I can certainly see why. It's distinctly average; when the rest of their output ranges from "very good" to "exceptional", that makes it seem especially poor.
DVD Extras
The Inspiration for Cars
A short featurette (only around 7 minutes long) on the Cars DVD, in which director John Lasseter discusses the various things from his personal life that led to the film's creation. I think it gives some insight into why the finish project feels a little self-indulgent.
A short featurette (only around 7 minutes long) on the Cars DVD, in which director John Lasseter discusses the various things from his personal life that led to the film's creation. I think it gives some insight into why the finish project feels a little self-indulgent.
Articles
Doctor Who Series Six DVD REVIEW by Ian Berriman
(from SFX)
It's a REVIEW. A REVIEW!
Silly title capitalisation aside, this is a refreshingly balanced take on Who's past season. "Remember when watching Doctor Who was fun?" I did enjoy the season overall, but crikey I know what Berriman means.
Plus, criticism for the slightly lackadaisical treatment the new series DVD releases get these days; criticism with which I wholeheartedly agree.
(from SFX)
It's a REVIEW. A REVIEW!
Silly title capitalisation aside, this is a refreshingly balanced take on Who's past season. "Remember when watching Doctor Who was fun?" I did enjoy the season overall, but crikey I know what Berriman means.
Plus, criticism for the slightly lackadaisical treatment the new series DVD releases get these days; criticism with which I wholeheartedly agree.
A daily dose of sci-fi - Day 7
Best non-human character
As "best robot" is coming up tomorrow and "best villain" was yesterday, this is essentially "best alien character"; who could be a villain, I suppose, but isn't just a monster.
I could've had the Doctor again here, of course, but including him twice might be a bit much. Or I could have gone slightly less obvious and had Zaphod Beeblebrox from Hitchhiker's.
But the thing is, despite his obviousness, Yoda is brilliant. He's wise. He's funny. He's surprisingly handy with a lightsaber. He's just cool.
And everyone's tried to speak like Yoda -- you can say that about how many characters, hmm?
Read about a daily dose of sci-fi, with links to the rest of the series, here.
this week on 100 Films
2 new reviews were posted to 100 Films in a Year this week, and they were...
Clash of the Titans (2010)
Magicians (2007)
More next Sunday.
Clash of the Titans (2010)
It’s massively flawed in many areas, but good bits occasionally shine through. Unlike most blockbusters of the past few years, which tend to be bloated affairs in need of a good chop down, it would actual benefit from being a bit longer — some plot elements could do with greater clarity, most of the characters could do with some depth.
Magicians (2007)
If you like people saying rude words, particularly in relation to sexual activities, then you’ll find lots to laugh at here. If you don’t like that kind of thing, there’ll be lots to cringe at. If you don’t mind it… well, you won’t mind it. There are other funny bits, mind. None of it’s particularly big or clever, but it elicited laughs regularly enough to keep it entertaining.
More next Sunday.
Saturday, 19 November 2011
TV
Children in Need 2011
Being the post-midnight stuff, of course, which this year was back to being mostly repeats unfortunately. Great total though -- the highest ever by over £5 million!
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Family Guy
It's a Trap!
Family Guy complete their run through the original Star Wars trilogy with this spoof of Return of the Jedi, released on DVD & Blu-ray last December and later aired (in an edited form) as the end of season nine back in May.
And that's it, because they're not bothering with the prequels. Unless they change their minds, of course. Which I doubt.
House
8x05 The Confession
Some people have been really laying into this series of House, but I've liked it. However, I do agree that getting the old team back in this episode gives it a real boost.
The Jury
2x04 Part 4 (of 5)
[Watch it (again) on ITV Player.]
Merlin
4x08 Lamia
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
Pointless
3x39 (5/11/10 edition)
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Spy
1x04 Codename: Bookclub
I think this is the best comedy on TV right now. Love it.
In the unlikely event anyone is curious, I've now decided to give up on Wilfred. Having watched the first four episodes a while ago, I just don't care enough to spend another three-and-a-bit hours of my life watching the rest.
Being the post-midnight stuff, of course, which this year was back to being mostly repeats unfortunately. Great total though -- the highest ever by over £5 million!
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Family Guy
It's a Trap!
Family Guy complete their run through the original Star Wars trilogy with this spoof of Return of the Jedi, released on DVD & Blu-ray last December and later aired (in an edited form) as the end of season nine back in May.
And that's it, because they're not bothering with the prequels. Unless they change their minds, of course. Which I doubt.
House
8x05 The Confession
Some people have been really laying into this series of House, but I've liked it. However, I do agree that getting the old team back in this episode gives it a real boost.
The Jury
2x04 Part 4 (of 5)
[Watch it (again) on ITV Player.]
Merlin
4x08 Lamia
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
Pointless
3x39 (5/11/10 edition)
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Spy
1x04 Codename: Bookclub
I think this is the best comedy on TV right now. Love it.
In the unlikely event anyone is curious, I've now decided to give up on Wilfred. Having watched the first four episodes a while ago, I just don't care enough to spend another three-and-a-bit hours of my life watching the rest.
A daily dose of sci-fi - Day 6
Best sci-fi villain
Science fiction is one of those genres that finds itself full of moustache-twirling megalomaniacs. While it may be fun to watch the scenery-chewing antics of the likes of the Master or Agent Smith, the best villain is one who's a little more complicated.
Apologies, because if you haven't read or seen Watchmen I'm about to massively spoil it.
Despite the fact "comic book villain" would likely be used as an insult to name an obviously villainous villain, there are actually a couple of great ones in that medium. Take Magneto, for instance, the primary villain in much of X-Men: he's the former best friend of heroic leader Charles Xavier and does what he does because he thinks it's the best thing for his maligned, oppressed race. Not exactly a villain for the sake of it, is he?
Ozymandias goes even further, perhaps. He starts the film as one of the gang of heroes; indeed, as far as we know, he is one for most of the story. But behind the scenes he's being A Bit Naughty, murdering people and plotting to change the world. Like all the best villains, he has a genuine goal he thinks is the right thing to do.
Unlike most, he wins.
How many villains can you think of that win? And not just "win for a bit... until the heroes defeat them", but win-win; win so that a new status quo is set up in which they have won; win so that the heroes except it and move on, rather than constantly plotting to overthrow the villain. And win cleverly, too: he doesn't describe his plot to the heroes while they have a chance of stopping it -- it's enacted 35 minutes before they even arrive.
That's why Veidt wins this -- because he succeeds; or, to put it another; is the best at it.
Read about a daily dose of sci-fi, with links to the rest of the series, here.
Friday, 18 November 2011
TV
Children in Need 2011
More CiN tomorrow (because of the post-midnight stuff, obv.).
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Have I Got News For You
42x05 (11/11/11 edition; extended repeat)
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
QI
9x10 Inland Revenue (XL edition)
[Watch QI XL (again) on iPlayer.]
More CiN tomorrow (because of the post-midnight stuff, obv.).
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Have I Got News For You
42x05 (11/11/11 edition; extended repeat)
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
QI
9x10 Inland Revenue (XL edition)
[Watch QI XL (again) on iPlayer.]
Collection Count
Collection Count tracks my DVD/Blu-ray collection via a number of statistics every week.
Precisely no new titles again this week, but it is time for the always-exciting running time update, so at least there's that. There's a handful of DVDs and Blu-rays winging their way to me across the Atlantic, so maybe they'll be here for next time.
Number of titles in collection: 1,399 [no change]
Of which DVDs: 1,141 [no change]
Of which Blu-rays: 258 [no change]
Number of discs in collection: 3,476 [no change]
Number of films in collection: 1,488 [no change]
Number of TV episodes in collection: 5,270 [no change]
As I said, time for the running time update...
Total running time of collection (approx.):
251 days, 6 hours, and 36 minutes.
(Up 2 days, 8 hours, and 5 minutes from last month.)
See you next week, faithful reader.
Precisely no new titles again this week, but it is time for the always-exciting running time update, so at least there's that. There's a handful of DVDs and Blu-rays winging their way to me across the Atlantic, so maybe they'll be here for next time.
Number of titles in collection: 1,399 [no change]
Of which DVDs: 1,141 [no change]
Of which Blu-rays: 258 [no change]
Number of discs in collection: 3,476 [no change]
Number of films in collection: 1,488 [no change]
Number of TV episodes in collection: 5,270 [no change]
As I said, time for the running time update...
Total running time of collection (approx.):
251 days, 6 hours, and 36 minutes.
(Up 2 days, 8 hours, and 5 minutes from last month.)
See you next week, faithful reader.
A daily dose of sci-fi - Day 5
Best sci-fi hero
If I'm not careful this will become a catchphrase for this series, but... there are many great heroes in sci-fi (just insert topic of the day instead of "heroes"), but one stands out as the best choice...
I know, I said I'd try not to have too much Doctor Who, and that's 60% of answers so far, but hush, it's right.
The thing is, the Doctor's the most heroic of all heroes, because he doesn't need a weapon or an army or any of that palaver to win the day -- he just uses his brain. And often his mouth. He always fights for what's right, he's never selfish or cowardly, and he's prepared to lay down his life for his friends... or even people he barely knows. He's funny, too. Jokes are cool.
There are many great heroes in sci-fi, and at least a few that can boast most of the above traits... but I can't think of anyone else who has them all.
Read about a daily dose of sci-fi, with links to the rest of the series, here.
Thursday, 17 November 2011
TV
Argumental
4x02 Episode 2
Life's Too Short
1x01 Episode 1
This seems to have had quite a mixed reception. It wasn't great -- a bit too much "The Office + Extras" -- but it had its moments.
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
The Graham Norton Show
10x04 (11/11/11 edition)
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
Pointless
3x38 (4/11/10 edition)
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Rev.
2x01 Episode 1
Time flies: the first series of Rev. ended 15 months ago! There I was wondering if it had just been on earlier this year. Anyway, great to have it back.
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
4x02 Episode 2
Life's Too Short
1x01 Episode 1
This seems to have had quite a mixed reception. It wasn't great -- a bit too much "The Office + Extras" -- but it had its moments.
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
The Graham Norton Show
10x04 (11/11/11 edition)
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
Pointless
3x38 (4/11/10 edition)
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Rev.
2x01 Episode 1
Time flies: the first series of Rev. ended 15 months ago! There I was wondering if it had just been on earlier this year. Anyway, great to have it back.
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
Fiction
Wikihistory by Desmond Warzel
I'd never heard of this story before, but apparently it's "beloved" and "oft-quoted". It's only a short'un, which is nice, and takes the form of a series of message board postings for a group of time travellers, who have to keep fixing each other's mistakes. Neat.
I'd never heard of this story before, but apparently it's "beloved" and "oft-quoted". It's only a short'un, which is nice, and takes the form of a series of message board postings for a group of time travellers, who have to keep fixing each other's mistakes. Neat.
Articles
Bafta must recognise wordsmiths by James Moran
(from the pen is mightier than the spork)
They've just added an award for reality TV to the BAFTAs. Not necessarily surprising or bad in itself, but this is an awards ceremony that has (to quote the article) "six acting awards in total. Drama and comedy shows are rightly split into single drama, drama series, mini-series, continuing drama, comedy and situation comedy. Directing... gets three categories – factual, fiction and multi-camera. Sound and editing get two each." How many writing awards? One. It's not even split into Drama and Comedy. And that's ridiculous, as Moran outlines.
eBay to open UK high street store by Mark Langshaw
(from Digital Spy)
How good is the Friends pilot? by Andrew Ellard
(from Storify)
More on TV writing. Here, script editor Ellard demonstrates how the first episode of Friends is "so good that you know 4 characters after 7 LINES." That's some impressive writing.
(from the pen is mightier than the spork)
They've just added an award for reality TV to the BAFTAs. Not necessarily surprising or bad in itself, but this is an awards ceremony that has (to quote the article) "six acting awards in total. Drama and comedy shows are rightly split into single drama, drama series, mini-series, continuing drama, comedy and situation comedy. Directing... gets three categories – factual, fiction and multi-camera. Sound and editing get two each." How many writing awards? One. It's not even split into Drama and Comedy. And that's ridiculous, as Moran outlines.
eBay to open UK high street store by Mark Langshaw
(from Digital Spy)
The internet retailer will open its first brick and mortar shop on London's Dean Street as part of a five-day experiment during the Christmas period...Well, that's certainly... something that will be happening...
eBay's store will not have tills or any products that customers can take away with them. Display models of the website's 200 most popular items will be affixed with a QR code that shoppers can scan with a smartphone to gain access to eBay's online checkout. Eight table computers will be readily available on site for customers to browse the eBay website and purchase their goods online.
How good is the Friends pilot? by Andrew Ellard
(from Storify)
More on TV writing. Here, script editor Ellard demonstrates how the first episode of Friends is "so good that you know 4 characters after 7 LINES." That's some impressive writing.
A daily dose of sci-fi - Day 4
Best sci-fi heroine
I think this is the first day I've really struggled with, mainly because I kept thinking of fantasy heroines, for whatever reason. But sticking to a decidedly sci-fi universe, I'll choose...
She might not go round wielding huge weapons like a James Cameron or Joss Whedon heroine*, but -- much like the Doctor -- that's part of what makes Sarah Jane so amazing.
Over 30 years after her first appearance in a classic kids' TV series, she was given the starring role in her own kids' series, the lead hero. But she was a hero before that, too, being arguably the first sustainable modern female companion in Doctor Who (previous attempts at Independent Modern Women, like Liz Shaw, floundered and were dropped).
And that makes her an even better choice, because before she was the lead in her own series she wasn't just the Doctor's chum along for the ride, she was a hero in her own right.
Read about a daily dose of sci-fi, with links to the rest of the series, here.
* P.S. I apologise for dragging Whedon characters down to a Cameron level like that. It was wrong of me.
Wednesday, 16 November 2011
TV
It's Children in Need on Friday, which means there won't be time for me to catch up on last Friday's shows as I usually do; which means today and tomorrow will be filled with all their usual stuff, plus Friday's... hence this long list:
Ask Rhod Gilbert
2x08 Episode 8 [season finale]
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
Frozen Planet
Part 3 Summer
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
How I Met Your Mother
7x02 The Naked Truth
[Watch it (again) on 4oD.]
The Impressions Show with Culshaw and Stephenson
3x03 Episode 3
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Live at the Apollo
7x02 Episode 2
I am shocked to discover Lee Nelson can actually be funny. I mean, the character is still fundamentally annoying, but some of his material was quite good.
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
The Mentalist
4x01 Scarlet Ribbons
Well, that was fairly obviously what was going to happen. Shame in many ways, it would've been interesting for the show to move on beyond its never-ending Red John constraint. Ah well.
[Watch it (again) on Demand 5.]
Pointless
3x37 (3/11/10 edition)
I love it whenever I get a pointless answer, but particularly when I do it in the final, and I was particularly particularly pleased to do it in the final on a tricky Sherlock Holmes question. Yay for me.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Spy
1x03 Codename: Grades
This might be the best comedy on TV right now. And it's on Sky. What?
Ask Rhod Gilbert
2x08 Episode 8 [season finale]
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
Frozen Planet
Part 3 Summer
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
How I Met Your Mother
7x02 The Naked Truth
[Watch it (again) on 4oD.]
The Impressions Show with Culshaw and Stephenson
3x03 Episode 3
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Live at the Apollo
7x02 Episode 2
I am shocked to discover Lee Nelson can actually be funny. I mean, the character is still fundamentally annoying, but some of his material was quite good.
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
The Mentalist
4x01 Scarlet Ribbons
Well, that was fairly obviously what was going to happen. Shame in many ways, it would've been interesting for the show to move on beyond its never-ending Red John constraint. Ah well.
[Watch it (again) on Demand 5.]
Pointless
3x37 (3/11/10 edition)
I love it whenever I get a pointless answer, but particularly when I do it in the final, and I was particularly particularly pleased to do it in the final on a tricky Sherlock Holmes question. Yay for me.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Spy
1x03 Codename: Grades
This might be the best comedy on TV right now. And it's on Sky. What?
Articles
Is Rogue Trooper Heading to Hollywood? by Karl Keily
(from Comic Book Resources)
Looks like 2000 AD might be hitting the big screen big-style -- as well as next year's Dredd, they currently have two other movies in development/discussions. Exciting times.
The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 1 – review by Author
(from the Guardian)
I couldn't care less about The Twilight Saga, but this one-star review is rather amusing. The best bit is at the end:
(from Comic Book Resources)
Looks like 2000 AD might be hitting the big screen big-style -- as well as next year's Dredd, they currently have two other movies in development/discussions. Exciting times.
The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 1 – review by Author
(from the Guardian)
I couldn't care less about The Twilight Saga, but this one-star review is rather amusing. The best bit is at the end:
The vampire drama of Twilight is all about the romantic agony of eternity, and this franchise feels like it's going on for ever.
A daily dose of sci-fi - Day 3
Favourite sci-fi book/story
I don't read as much as I watch TV or films, certainly not these days, so this category is a bit tougher for me. A few different things spring to mind, especially once I started trying to think of a Proper Serious Book to nominate. But this is "favourite", so I went back round to my original thought...
It's a comedy sci-fi book, this is true, and so not as obviously Important as something like, say, The War of the Worlds or Dune (both of which I also loved). But as well as writing things that are really very funny indeed, Adams packs his text full of ideas and concepts, wittily explained. I mean, what is the titular guide if not an intergalactic Wikipedia on an iPad?
And this is from a novel (originally a radio series, true) written in 1979!
That's why, as well as for being really very funny indeed, Hitchhiker's deserves its place as a classic of the genre.
Read about a daily dose of sci-fi, with links to the rest of the series, here.
Tuesday, 15 November 2011
TV
Death in Paradise
1x03 Episode 3
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
Pointless
3x36 (2/11/10 edition)
I do wish some contestants didn't feel the need to give their life story before each answer.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Romanzo Criminale
1x01 Episode 1
Having just discovered I actually get both Sky Arts channels on my TV package now (I certainly didn't before -- I know, because I wanted them), I'm catching up on this vaunted Italian crime drama (described as "the Italian Killing" by Radio Times), which fortunately they repeated the first half of in two triple bills last weekend. It's quite grim and complex, but what else would you expect from a European drama about '70s Italian gangsters?
1x03 Episode 3
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
Pointless
3x36 (2/11/10 edition)
I do wish some contestants didn't feel the need to give their life story before each answer.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Romanzo Criminale
1x01 Episode 1
Having just discovered I actually get both Sky Arts channels on my TV package now (I certainly didn't before -- I know, because I wanted them), I'm catching up on this vaunted Italian crime drama (described as "the Italian Killing" by Radio Times), which fortunately they repeated the first half of in two triple bills last weekend. It's quite grim and complex, but what else would you expect from a European drama about '70s Italian gangsters?
Comics
Animal Man #3 by Jeff Lemire & Travel Foreman
Lemire's story continues to be excellent, balancing Buddy and his daughter inside The Red with a substantial storyline for his wife and son out in the 'real world'. This role for Buddy's family remains Animal Man's strongest point, in my opinion, and based on the plot I imagine it's going to stay that way -- there are certainly some interesting developments this issue.
Foreman's art I'm less sure of. It's disgusting -- I mean, it's meant to be, but wow those beasts and deformed people are horrid. I don't know much about the comics rating system but I'm surprised this passes for Teen+ -- surely there's a Mature category, and this belongs in it? Nonetheless, while it's not pleasant, it's at least meant to be; but as the issue goes on I get the sense the art's becoming hurried -- there are less detailed backgrounds, a much less clean style (one of the defining characteristics in the first issue, I'd say), a kind of grubbiness that suggests it's not been tidied up. Maybe it's deliberate, but the fact it seems to slide throughout the issue also makes me wonder if he's struggling with DC's newly strict deadlines.
Batman and Robin #3 by Peter J. Tomasi & Patrick Gleason
I found the first two issues of this to be middling, but I felt it hit its stride a bit more here. That might just be because, after two issues leaning on the crutch of backstory, this builds on that a little more. Still certainly not the best Batman book, but I enjoyed it.
Detective Comics #3 by Tony S. Daniel
Still going fairly strong, this one. Not as great as Batman is turning out to be, but a good tale nonetheless -- being "the second best Batman book" when there are four on the market isn't too bad.
Resurrection Man #3 by Dan Abnett, Andy Lanning & Fernando Dagnino
After the slight blip of the second issue, really enjoyed this one again -- putting its great core concept to inventive use. And an excellent cliffhanger, calling back to a throwaway line from issue 2. Wonderful.
Lemire's story continues to be excellent, balancing Buddy and his daughter inside The Red with a substantial storyline for his wife and son out in the 'real world'. This role for Buddy's family remains Animal Man's strongest point, in my opinion, and based on the plot I imagine it's going to stay that way -- there are certainly some interesting developments this issue.
Foreman's art I'm less sure of. It's disgusting -- I mean, it's meant to be, but wow those beasts and deformed people are horrid. I don't know much about the comics rating system but I'm surprised this passes for Teen+ -- surely there's a Mature category, and this belongs in it? Nonetheless, while it's not pleasant, it's at least meant to be; but as the issue goes on I get the sense the art's becoming hurried -- there are less detailed backgrounds, a much less clean style (one of the defining characteristics in the first issue, I'd say), a kind of grubbiness that suggests it's not been tidied up. Maybe it's deliberate, but the fact it seems to slide throughout the issue also makes me wonder if he's struggling with DC's newly strict deadlines.
Batman and Robin #3 by Peter J. Tomasi & Patrick Gleason
I found the first two issues of this to be middling, but I felt it hit its stride a bit more here. That might just be because, after two issues leaning on the crutch of backstory, this builds on that a little more. Still certainly not the best Batman book, but I enjoyed it.
Detective Comics #3 by Tony S. Daniel
Still going fairly strong, this one. Not as great as Batman is turning out to be, but a good tale nonetheless -- being "the second best Batman book" when there are four on the market isn't too bad.
Resurrection Man #3 by Dan Abnett, Andy Lanning & Fernando Dagnino
After the slight blip of the second issue, really enjoyed this one again -- putting its great core concept to inventive use. And an excellent cliffhanger, calling back to a throwaway line from issue 2. Wonderful.
A daily dose of sci-fi - Day 2
Favourite sci-fi TV series
Well, this one's easy...
There can be only one.
Well, 11. So far.
But in terms of TV series, it's Doctor Who. I'm British, it's practically the law. And nothing else can beat this series' inventiveness, excitement, humour, daftness, life-affirming-ness, or sheer brilliance-ness. There are many contenders for second place, of that I'm sure, but there is only one winner.
Read about a daily dose of sci-fi, with links to the rest of the series, here.
Monday, 14 November 2011
TV
Junior Bake Off
Episode 8 (of 13)
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
The Jury
2x03 Part 3 (of 5)
[Watch it (again) on ITV Player.]
Never Mind the Buzzcocks
25x06 Episode 6
So, when given a gun, the girl misses and the rapper shoots someone in the face. Nothing like reinforcing stereotypes.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Pointless
3x35 (1/11/10 edition)
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Episode 8 (of 13)
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
The Jury
2x03 Part 3 (of 5)
[Watch it (again) on ITV Player.]
Never Mind the Buzzcocks
25x06 Episode 6
So, when given a gun, the girl misses and the rapper shoots someone in the face. Nothing like reinforcing stereotypes.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Pointless
3x35 (1/11/10 edition)
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Comics
Wolverine and the X-Men #1 by Jason Aaron & Chris Bachalo
I've long been an X-Men fan but always struggled to get into the comics, but a post-Big Event relaunch -- including renumbering flagship title Uncanny X-Men for the first time -- seemed a good jumping on point.
But, leading out of such a Big Event, is it actually new-reader friendly (which, really, a #1 issue should always be, I think)?
Pretty much, yes. There are references to the past and it's building out of previous events, so there's some reading between the lines / online research / just accepting it for a new reader to do, but the fact it's such a Fresh New Start for the characters makes it more accessible.
As a story, it's an interesting one. It's essentially one long establishing sequence, introducing the new school, a raft of characters and their current relationships. Still, there's a new villain to contend with at the end. The artwork is very cartoony, which suits the narrative tone perfectly -- I guess we'll see how it fits with good ol' fashioned superheroics in future issues. CBR gave this issue 4.5 stars, which feels more or less right -- it doesn't really go anywhere, but it's a lot of fun.
Uncanny X-Men #1 by Kieron Gillen & Carlos Pacheco
Here's the other half of the new X-Men universe, then, featuring a team of Grown-Ups led by Cyclops (whereas Wolverine is headmaster of a school in the classic X-Men mould -- quite where Professor Xavier fits into all this I don't know. I'd assume he was dead or something, as that's The Kind Of Thing They Do In Comics, but he turns up in Wolverine and the X-Men so...)
This is more of a standard superhero book than Wolverine and the X-Men (unfortunately the existence of a solo Wolverine title, as well as a straight X-Men title, makes handy abbreviation impossible), with the group fighting a big battle against a big enemy with traditional realistic art. It may be less distinctive therefore, but it's more than solid -- this time CBR's review is 4 stars, which also feels right.
In conclusion, I'll be keeping both of these books on for the time being -- like I said, I like the X-Men and I want to see where this is going. The references to the past also intrigue me, so I'm considering digging into recent X history too. But knowing comics, the handful of references probably cover complex storylines stretching back over the last decade, so we'll see about that one.
I've long been an X-Men fan but always struggled to get into the comics, but a post-Big Event relaunch -- including renumbering flagship title Uncanny X-Men for the first time -- seemed a good jumping on point.
But, leading out of such a Big Event, is it actually new-reader friendly (which, really, a #1 issue should always be, I think)?
Pretty much, yes. There are references to the past and it's building out of previous events, so there's some reading between the lines / online research / just accepting it for a new reader to do, but the fact it's such a Fresh New Start for the characters makes it more accessible.
As a story, it's an interesting one. It's essentially one long establishing sequence, introducing the new school, a raft of characters and their current relationships. Still, there's a new villain to contend with at the end. The artwork is very cartoony, which suits the narrative tone perfectly -- I guess we'll see how it fits with good ol' fashioned superheroics in future issues. CBR gave this issue 4.5 stars, which feels more or less right -- it doesn't really go anywhere, but it's a lot of fun.
Uncanny X-Men #1 by Kieron Gillen & Carlos Pacheco
Here's the other half of the new X-Men universe, then, featuring a team of Grown-Ups led by Cyclops (whereas Wolverine is headmaster of a school in the classic X-Men mould -- quite where Professor Xavier fits into all this I don't know. I'd assume he was dead or something, as that's The Kind Of Thing They Do In Comics, but he turns up in Wolverine and the X-Men so...)
This is more of a standard superhero book than Wolverine and the X-Men (unfortunately the existence of a solo Wolverine title, as well as a straight X-Men title, makes handy abbreviation impossible), with the group fighting a big battle against a big enemy with traditional realistic art. It may be less distinctive therefore, but it's more than solid -- this time CBR's review is 4 stars, which also feels right.
In conclusion, I'll be keeping both of these books on for the time being -- like I said, I like the X-Men and I want to see where this is going. The references to the past also intrigue me, so I'm considering digging into recent X history too. But knowing comics, the handful of references probably cover complex storylines stretching back over the last decade, so we'll see about that one.
Articles
Doctor Who movie to be directed by Harry Potter's David Yates
by Paul Millar
(from Digital Spy)
Take your pick about where you'd like to read this news in full, as it seems to have made the world explode. Most of the reaction (on twitter anyway) has been negative: people either hate the idea of Yates being in charge, or they hate all the talk of it rejecting the TV series and "starting from scratch", or they hate both.
Most recently, official Who sources have taken to twitter to deny there's even any news in this: the film's been in development for years, since before the show's TV return in 2005, and nothing's significantly changed now.
First lab-grown hamburger will cost £200,000 by Duncan Geere
(from Wired.co.uk)
A bit "ew", but fascinating. This Is The Future 'n' all that.
Poirot to return for final series on ITV
and
Marple to return for three new films on ITV
by Morgan Jeffery (from Digital Spy)
Fantastic news for Poirot -- as they've been doing it for over 20 years, it would've been a real shame to stop with just five stories left. Plus we'll finally get a DVD box set titled The Complete Poirot that isn't a lie!
As for Marple... well, only one of these stories originally starred her! They normally do each series in blocks of four, but I've heard in the past that ITV essentially treats Poirot and Marple as the same series when budgeting, scheduling, etc, so clearly they've still commissioned eight episodes as usual, just distributed differently.
Secret documents reveal the flimsy case for Ofcom to give into BBC's public TV DRM demands by Cory Doctorow
(from boingboing)
This makes for slightly depressing reading. Essentially, the BBC and Ofcom ignored all the sensible advice they were getting about DRM and went ahead anyway, because that's what they wanted.
by Paul Millar
(from Digital Spy)
Take your pick about where you'd like to read this news in full, as it seems to have made the world explode. Most of the reaction (on twitter anyway) has been negative: people either hate the idea of Yates being in charge, or they hate all the talk of it rejecting the TV series and "starting from scratch", or they hate both.
Most recently, official Who sources have taken to twitter to deny there's even any news in this: the film's been in development for years, since before the show's TV return in 2005, and nothing's significantly changed now.
First lab-grown hamburger will cost £200,000 by Duncan Geere
(from Wired.co.uk)
A bit "ew", but fascinating. This Is The Future 'n' all that.
Poirot to return for final series on ITV
and
Marple to return for three new films on ITV
by Morgan Jeffery (from Digital Spy)
Fantastic news for Poirot -- as they've been doing it for over 20 years, it would've been a real shame to stop with just five stories left. Plus we'll finally get a DVD box set titled The Complete Poirot that isn't a lie!
As for Marple... well, only one of these stories originally starred her! They normally do each series in blocks of four, but I've heard in the past that ITV essentially treats Poirot and Marple as the same series when budgeting, scheduling, etc, so clearly they've still commissioned eight episodes as usual, just distributed differently.
Secret documents reveal the flimsy case for Ofcom to give into BBC's public TV DRM demands by Cory Doctorow
(from boingboing)
This makes for slightly depressing reading. Essentially, the BBC and Ofcom ignored all the sensible advice they were getting about DRM and went ahead anyway, because that's what they wanted.
A daily dose of sci-fi - Day 1
Favourite sci-fi movie
There are numerous contenders for second place on this list, I'm certain -- there are dozens, probably hundreds, of fantastic sci-fi films out there, and I imagine I've yet to see loads of them (I ought to make a list) -- but there can be only one winner.
It may not have the groundbreaking originality of Star Wars, or the huge budget of countless others, or the iconic appeal of others still, but it does have the cult following, and above all it takes what many did before it and polishes it until it's good and shiny.
It's bloody exciting, it's hilariously funny, it's gut-wrenchingly heartbreaking; it has endlessly loveable characters, amazing mannered dialogue, a well-realised 'verse; it has a theme that marries perfectly with the real-life story of the film, making it much richer than anything Lucas has churned out.
Serenity is completely brilliant. And if you don't think so, you're wrong.
(Do watch Firefly first though.)
Read about a daily dose of sci-fi, with links to the rest of the series, here.
A daily dose of sci-fi
I found this quite randomly on another blog. I've never come across such a thing (in this form) before, but apparently they're all over the place. Essentially, it's a list of topics/questions to help promote daily blogging. Not that I need to here, but it looked like fun nonetheless.
This one is, as you'll soon see, all to do with science fiction. The full list is below, and starting in, ooh, five minutes, I'll begin posting my answers... continuing one per day, obviously. (I'll update this with links as I go along.)
This is going to take us until the week before Christmas, so settle down for the long haul.
Day 1 Favourite sci-fi movie
Day 2 Favourite sci-fi TV series
Day 3 Favourite sci-fi book/story
Day 4 Best sci-fi heroine
Day 5 Best sci-fi hero
Day 6 Best sci-fi villain
Day 7 Best non-human character
Day 8 Best robot/android
Day 9 No.1 sci-fi hottie
Day 10 Which sci-fi universe/reality would you most like to live in?
Day 11 Favourite space film/series
Day 12 What's your "yeah I know it's rubbish but I love it" sci-fi film?
Day 13 What's your favourite flavour of Star Trek?
Day 14 An under-rated sci-fi gem
Day 15 Which spaceship would you most like to own/fly?
Day 16 A great quote!
Day 17 Best use of special effects on the big screen
Day 18 Best use of special effects on the small screen
Day 19 Empire or Rebel Alliance?
Day 20 What's the best adaptation of a sci-fi book/story?
Day 21 Favourite alien invasion movie/series
Day 22 Coolest alien race
Day 23 It's party-time! Which sci-fi character are you going to dress-up as?
Day 24 Who's the no.1 captain?
Day 25 Funniest sci-fi (intentional or otherwise)
Day 26 Best battle scene
Day 27 Who are the nastiest bad guys?
Day 28 A great sci-fi B-movie
Day 29 Best pre-1980s sci-fi
Day 30 To finish we need a great tune for the end credits - what's your favourite sci-fi theme?
I'll try not to make it all about Doctor Who...
This one is, as you'll soon see, all to do with science fiction. The full list is below, and starting in, ooh, five minutes, I'll begin posting my answers... continuing one per day, obviously. (I'll update this with links as I go along.)
This is going to take us until the week before Christmas, so settle down for the long haul.
Day 1 Favourite sci-fi movie
Day 2 Favourite sci-fi TV series
Day 3 Favourite sci-fi book/story
Day 4 Best sci-fi heroine
Day 5 Best sci-fi hero
Day 6 Best sci-fi villain
Day 7 Best non-human character
Day 8 Best robot/android
Day 9 No.1 sci-fi hottie
Day 10 Which sci-fi universe/reality would you most like to live in?
Day 11 Favourite space film/series
Day 12 What's your "yeah I know it's rubbish but I love it" sci-fi film?
Day 13 What's your favourite flavour of Star Trek?
Day 14 An under-rated sci-fi gem
Day 15 Which spaceship would you most like to own/fly?
Day 16 A great quote!
Day 17 Best use of special effects on the big screen
Day 18 Best use of special effects on the small screen
Day 19 Empire or Rebel Alliance?
Day 20 What's the best adaptation of a sci-fi book/story?
Day 21 Favourite alien invasion movie/series
Day 22 Coolest alien race
Day 23 It's party-time! Which sci-fi character are you going to dress-up as?
Day 24 Who's the no.1 captain?
Day 25 Funniest sci-fi (intentional or otherwise)
Day 26 Best battle scene
Day 27 Who are the nastiest bad guys?
Day 28 A great sci-fi B-movie
Day 29 Best pre-1980s sci-fi
Day 30 To finish we need a great tune for the end credits - what's your favourite sci-fi theme?
I'll try not to make it all about Doctor Who...
Sunday, 13 November 2011
TV
Have I Got News For You
42x04 (4/11/11 edition; extended repeat)
House
8x04 Risky Business
Junior Bake Off
Episode 7 (of 13)
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
The Jury
2x01 Part 1 (of 5)
2x02 Part 2 (of 5)
Nine years after the first series (which, as you may remember, I watched last month, if you fancy a read of my thoughts), the second run of The Jury (shown in its entirety last week on ITV1) naturally features an all-new jury, all-new barristers and an all-new case. Same theme music though, which slightly surprised me. Once again we're not only following the trial but also the lives the jurors, which I suppose helps make it more than just "yet another crime drama, but dressed differently".
[Watch parts one and two (again) on ITV Player.]
42x04 (4/11/11 edition; extended repeat)
House
8x04 Risky Business
Junior Bake Off
Episode 7 (of 13)
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
The Jury
2x01 Part 1 (of 5)
2x02 Part 2 (of 5)
Nine years after the first series (which, as you may remember, I watched last month, if you fancy a read of my thoughts), the second run of The Jury (shown in its entirety last week on ITV1) naturally features an all-new jury, all-new barristers and an all-new case. Same theme music though, which slightly surprised me. Once again we're not only following the trial but also the lives the jurors, which I suppose helps make it more than just "yet another crime drama, but dressed differently".
[Watch parts one and two (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...
Bringing Up Baby (1938)
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1 (2010)
Young Guns (1988)
More next Sunday.
Bringing Up Baby (1938)
it’s a little awkward to start with while one warms to Hepburn’s anarchic character, and it drags its heels a little through the middle, but by the time we reach the final act — when an array of characters and situations collide in a manic run-about too intricate to describe here — it all pays off marvellously.
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1 (2010)
the well-established Potter team have created one of the series’ best instalments here. Long gone is the cartoonish frivolity of Chris Colombus’ opening pair of Children’s Films — this is Potter at his darkest... a grim, oppressive world, where our trio of heroes are completely removed from the safety of school and on the run as fugitives.
Young Guns (1988)
Considering this is ‘the Brat Pack Western’, one might well expect a modernised, sanitised West; something rated PG-13. Instead the film seems to have begun life as a serious attempt at a Billy the Kid biography, right down to bloody violence that earns it an 18. This intention seems to survive — bar a music-video-styled opening, a couple of lines of dialogue and the wailing ’80s guitar score — but how successful it was is another matter.
More next Sunday.
Saturday, 12 November 2011
TV
Argumental
4x01 Episode 1
Uncancelled... but with a new set, new host, new team captains, new audience interactivity thing... I was prepared to hate the all-new Argumental, but actually the format hasn't changed at all (not even a little bit -- even the link script is identical) and it was saved by Robert Webb and his guest teammate, Jimmy Carr. Sean Lock wasn't that bad -- he's no John Sergeant but, held back by being host, at least he can't stick his oar in too much. That said, the other team -- new captain Seann Walsh with guest Russell Kane -- were at least twice as irritating as they always are separately.
Derren Brown: The Experiments
1x04 The Secret of Luck [season finale]
While the conclusions about a positive and open attitude are surely sound, I think that a) the car experiment wasn't completely fair (if that woman hadn't known someone who could fix a tyre, surely she'd've pointed them to the garage too?), and b) they must've rigged that final dice roll -- how?
[Watch it (again) on 4oD.]
Downton Abbey
2x07 Episode 7
Hurrah, Thomas gets some comeuppance! I do hope there's more to come.
[Watch it (again) on ITV Player.]
Merlin
4x07 The Secret Sharer
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
Pointless
3x34 (29/10/10 edition)
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
4x01 Episode 1
Uncancelled... but with a new set, new host, new team captains, new audience interactivity thing... I was prepared to hate the all-new Argumental, but actually the format hasn't changed at all (not even a little bit -- even the link script is identical) and it was saved by Robert Webb and his guest teammate, Jimmy Carr. Sean Lock wasn't that bad -- he's no John Sergeant but, held back by being host, at least he can't stick his oar in too much. That said, the other team -- new captain Seann Walsh with guest Russell Kane -- were at least twice as irritating as they always are separately.
Derren Brown: The Experiments
1x04 The Secret of Luck [season finale]
While the conclusions about a positive and open attitude are surely sound, I think that a) the car experiment wasn't completely fair (if that woman hadn't known someone who could fix a tyre, surely she'd've pointed them to the garage too?), and b) they must've rigged that final dice roll -- how?
[Watch it (again) on 4oD.]
Downton Abbey
2x07 Episode 7
Hurrah, Thomas gets some comeuppance! I do hope there's more to come.
[Watch it (again) on ITV Player.]
Merlin
4x07 The Secret Sharer
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
Pointless
3x34 (29/10/10 edition)
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Comics
Action Comics #3 by Grant Morrison, Rags Morales & Gene Ha
I liked the first two issues of Action, which surprised me a little as I'm not a great Superman fan, but this isn't so hot. It has a good idea at its core -- "humans turn on alien Superman" -- but despite being on the cover, and a good idea, that's actually underplayed in favour of lengthy scenes of blah. Especially when read in such close proximity to excellent books like Daredevil and Aquaman (see below), this doesn't quite cut it. Still, everyone's allowed a blip -- I'll see how it continues.
Aquaman #1 by Geoff Johns & Ivan Reis
[2nd print]
My final in-print re-read. My thoughts from before are here. Then it's straight on to...
Aquaman #2 by Geoff Johns & Ivan Reis
A much quicker issue than the first, which has its pros and cons. It's not as obviously fun as the first issue, made up essentially of two big action sequences, but then you can't have people slagging off Aquaman every issue. The villains remain intriguing, and the cliffhanger promises something interesting next time. More standard superhero-y stuff than issue one, then, but a solid continuation of the story. Great art, too.
I liked the first two issues of Action, which surprised me a little as I'm not a great Superman fan, but this isn't so hot. It has a good idea at its core -- "humans turn on alien Superman" -- but despite being on the cover, and a good idea, that's actually underplayed in favour of lengthy scenes of blah. Especially when read in such close proximity to excellent books like Daredevil and Aquaman (see below), this doesn't quite cut it. Still, everyone's allowed a blip -- I'll see how it continues.
Aquaman #1 by Geoff Johns & Ivan Reis
[2nd print]
My final in-print re-read. My thoughts from before are here. Then it's straight on to...
Aquaman #2 by Geoff Johns & Ivan Reis
A much quicker issue than the first, which has its pros and cons. It's not as obviously fun as the first issue, made up essentially of two big action sequences, but then you can't have people slagging off Aquaman every issue. The villains remain intriguing, and the cliffhanger promises something interesting next time. More standard superhero-y stuff than issue one, then, but a solid continuation of the story. Great art, too.
Friday, 11 November 2011
TV
Derren Brown: The Experiments
1x03 The Guilt Trip
It's probably for the best that the extreme lengths Derren had to go to in order to get an innocent man to confess to a murder aren't easily imitable in real life!
[Watch it (again) on 4oD.]
The Graham Norton Show
10x03 (4/11/11 edition)
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
Junior Bake Off
Episode 5 (of 13)
Episode 6 (of 13)
[Watch episodes five and six (again) on iPlayer.]
Live at the Apollo
7x01 Episode 1
Three stand-ups I don't really like doing routines that either went on too long or I'd heard chunks of before? Great return, Live at the Apollo. And the next one features the despised Lee Nelson and overrated Sean Lock? Wonderful.
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
QI
9x09 Illness (XL edition)
One of the best -- arguably, important -- bits was cut from the regular version this week. Tut tut.
[Watch QI XL (again) on iPlayer.]
Woody Allen on Ingmar Bergman
Filmed and first shown in 2002, and aired repeatedly this past summer during Film4's latest Bergman season, here Woody Allen spends the best part of 20 minutes telling Mark Kermode why he loves the Swedish director's work.
[Watch it (again) on Film4.com.]
1x03 The Guilt Trip
It's probably for the best that the extreme lengths Derren had to go to in order to get an innocent man to confess to a murder aren't easily imitable in real life!
[Watch it (again) on 4oD.]
The Graham Norton Show
10x03 (4/11/11 edition)
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
Junior Bake Off
Episode 5 (of 13)
Episode 6 (of 13)
[Watch episodes five and six (again) on iPlayer.]
Live at the Apollo
7x01 Episode 1
Three stand-ups I don't really like doing routines that either went on too long or I'd heard chunks of before? Great return, Live at the Apollo. And the next one features the despised Lee Nelson and overrated Sean Lock? Wonderful.
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
QI
9x09 Illness (XL edition)
One of the best -- arguably, important -- bits was cut from the regular version this week. Tut tut.
[Watch QI XL (again) on iPlayer.]
Woody Allen on Ingmar Bergman
Filmed and first shown in 2002, and aired repeatedly this past summer during Film4's latest Bergman season, here Woody Allen spends the best part of 20 minutes telling Mark Kermode why he loves the Swedish director's work.
[Watch it (again) on Film4.com.]
Comics
Daredevil #5 by Mark Waid & Marcos MartÃn
While I felt the first arc tailed off, this one is keeping the quality up -- really great stuff.
While I felt the first arc tailed off, this one is keeping the quality up -- really great stuff.
Collection Count
Collection Count tracks my DVD/Blu-ray collection via a number of statistics every week.
This week's arrivals include Masters of Cinema's new releases of Silent Running and Touch of Evil, the latter of which includes five different versions of the film -- crikey!
Number of titles in collection: 1,399 [up 4]
Of which DVDs: 1,141 [no change]
Of which Blu-rays: 258 [up 4]
Number of discs in collection: 3,476 [up 7]
Number of films in collection: 1,488 [up 6]
Number of TV episodes in collection: 5,270 [no change]
See you next week, faithful reader, when I might exceed 1,400 titles! Or I might not...
This week's arrivals include Masters of Cinema's new releases of Silent Running and Touch of Evil, the latter of which includes five different versions of the film -- crikey!
Number of titles in collection: 1,399 [up 4]
Of which DVDs: 1,141 [no change]
Of which Blu-rays: 258 [up 4]
Number of discs in collection: 3,476 [up 7]
Number of films in collection: 1,488 [up 6]
Number of TV episodes in collection: 5,270 [no change]
See you next week, faithful reader, when I might exceed 1,400 titles! Or I might not...
11:11 11/11/11
It's the eleventh minute of the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month of the eleventh year (of the 21st century)!
...yep, this post was pretty pointless.
...yep, this post was pretty pointless.
Thursday, 10 November 2011
TV
The Case
Part 5 (of 5)
Interesting choice for a last-minute twist. Not sure if I approve of the surprise or think it was a pointless addition.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
How I Met Your Mother
7x01 The Best Man
[Watch it (again) on 4oD.]
Junior Bake Off
Episode 4 (of 13)
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Joanna Lumley's Greek Odyssey
Episode 4 (of 4)
[Watch it (again) on ITV Player.]
Part 5 (of 5)
Interesting choice for a last-minute twist. Not sure if I approve of the surprise or think it was a pointless addition.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
How I Met Your Mother
7x01 The Best Man
[Watch it (again) on 4oD.]
Junior Bake Off
Episode 4 (of 13)
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Joanna Lumley's Greek Odyssey
Episode 4 (of 4)
[Watch it (again) on ITV Player.]
Wednesday, 9 November 2011
TV
The Case
Part 4 (of 5)
A twist-y cliffhanger! Except it's not really a twist if the thing your main/hero character thought to be true turns out to be true, is it?
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Frozen Planet
Part 2 Spring
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
Junior Bake Off
Episode 2 (of 13)
Episode 3 (of 13)
This is tougher than the adult version: there, each week there were three challenges in which to impress the judges, with one person (sometimes two) kicked off; here, there's just two challenges in which to do well, with three people being sent home. Poor kiddies.
[Watch episodes two and three (again) on iPlayer.]
Part 4 (of 5)
A twist-y cliffhanger! Except it's not really a twist if the thing your main/hero character thought to be true turns out to be true, is it?
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Frozen Planet
Part 2 Spring
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
Junior Bake Off
Episode 2 (of 13)
Episode 3 (of 13)
This is tougher than the adult version: there, each week there were three challenges in which to impress the judges, with one person (sometimes two) kicked off; here, there's just two challenges in which to do well, with three people being sent home. Poor kiddies.
[Watch episodes two and three (again) on iPlayer.]
Comics
Batwoman #1 by J.H. Williams III & W. Haden Blackman
[2nd read]
Batwoman #3 is out today... but I won't be getting that until at least Saturday, so, as with Animal Man (and soon Aquaman), I'm having an in-print re-read of the issue I previously read digitally, and...
Batwoman #2 by J.H. Williams III & W. Haden Blackman
...catching up issue 2, too. And it's not as if I don't have enough other DC stuff to tide me over until this week's releases finally arrive.
Anyway, the art in this series is exceptional. Williams's art is beautifully detailed, the inks making everything unusually crisp and accentuated, sometimes inverting the style to make characters different (e.g. the DEO agent), and that's not to mention his varied and interesting layouts; while Dave Stewart's colours are thoughtfully applied -- look at the opening four pages, for instance, where Batwoman herself is very painterly, the location and Plebe have modern comic colouring, and the nameless gang of stock robbers are rendered in the blocky simple colours of old comics. This kind of thing goes on throughout. Brilliant stuff.
[2nd read]
Batwoman #3 is out today... but I won't be getting that until at least Saturday, so, as with Animal Man (and soon Aquaman), I'm having an in-print re-read of the issue I previously read digitally, and...
Batwoman #2 by J.H. Williams III & W. Haden Blackman
...catching up issue 2, too. And it's not as if I don't have enough other DC stuff to tide me over until this week's releases finally arrive.
Anyway, the art in this series is exceptional. Williams's art is beautifully detailed, the inks making everything unusually crisp and accentuated, sometimes inverting the style to make characters different (e.g. the DEO agent), and that's not to mention his varied and interesting layouts; while Dave Stewart's colours are thoughtfully applied -- look at the opening four pages, for instance, where Batwoman herself is very painterly, the location and Plebe have modern comic colouring, and the nameless gang of stock robbers are rendered in the blocky simple colours of old comics. This kind of thing goes on throughout. Brilliant stuff.
Articles
Treasury to close loophole that allows VAT-free DVDs
(from BBC News)
That would be the loophole exploited by the likes of Play.com to offer their low prices -- it's how they started out, and various other companies have copied it since, including Amazon for some of their orders.
It'll be interesting to see how this change effects things, mainly in terms of if prices for consumers shoot up. Supposedly this is to help smaller UK-based businesses be able to compete, but I can imagine bigger companies like Amazon keeping their lower prices and swallowing the cost of VAT in order to price out the competition. Or they might not bother. Fingers crossed things don't get jacked up too much...
(from BBC News)
That would be the loophole exploited by the likes of Play.com to offer their low prices -- it's how they started out, and various other companies have copied it since, including Amazon for some of their orders.
It'll be interesting to see how this change effects things, mainly in terms of if prices for consumers shoot up. Supposedly this is to help smaller UK-based businesses be able to compete, but I can imagine bigger companies like Amazon keeping their lower prices and swallowing the cost of VAT in order to price out the competition. Or they might not bother. Fingers crossed things don't get jacked up too much...
Tuesday, 8 November 2011
TV
Ask Rhod Gilbert
2x07 Episode 7
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
Death in Paradise
1x02 Episode 2
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
Junior Bake Off
Episode 1 (of 13)
Having enjoyed the adult version -- or "the grown-up version", if you want it to sound less porn-y -- the kids' one seemed worth a go. Largely similar, but with a much more annoying presenter.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Pointless
3x33 (28/10/10 edition)
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
2x07 Episode 7
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
Death in Paradise
1x02 Episode 2
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
Junior Bake Off
Episode 1 (of 13)
Having enjoyed the adult version -- or "the grown-up version", if you want it to sound less porn-y -- the kids' one seemed worth a go. Largely similar, but with a much more annoying presenter.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Pointless
3x33 (28/10/10 edition)
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Articles
'No evidence' for extraterrestrials, says White House
(from BBC News)
As da kidz say, "lol".
(from BBC News)
The US government has formally denied that it has any knowledge of contact with extraterrestrial life. The announcement came as a response to submissions to the We The People website, which promises to address any petition that gains 5,000 signatories...
More than 17,000 citizens joined the two petitions, and the White House has since amended the requirements for response to a minimum of 25,000 signatories.
As da kidz say, "lol".
Monday, 7 November 2011
TV
The Case
Part 3 (of 5)
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Misfits
2x05 Episode 5
2x06 Episode 6
Way back when it started, I nearly didn't watch Misfits, but I was glad I did because it turned out to be brilliant. It's always nice to have been on to something before everyone else jumped on the bandwagon (the second series had over double the first's viewing figures). But however much I liked the first series, this second one has been better in every respect.
It feels grander in scale, without seriously stepping outside the bounds of our five protagonists and their community service. It's more ambitious in its arc plots, both in terms of characters and genre-y elements, and that's made for an even better series all round.
And now I'm almost caught up (Episode 6 is, really, the season finale, though it was followed by a Christmas Special a few days later) so I can join everyone else in enjoying the currently-airing third run (it's second episode went out last night)... hopefully before I get it seriously spoiled.
[Watch episodes five and six (again) on 4oD.]
Pointless
3x32 (27/10/10 edition)
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Top Gear USA
1x03 Episode 3
Tonight's challenge was the closest they've yet come to real Top Gear. Still a pale imitation of the British version overall, of course.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Part 3 (of 5)
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Misfits
2x05 Episode 5
2x06 Episode 6
Way back when it started, I nearly didn't watch Misfits, but I was glad I did because it turned out to be brilliant. It's always nice to have been on to something before everyone else jumped on the bandwagon (the second series had over double the first's viewing figures). But however much I liked the first series, this second one has been better in every respect.
It feels grander in scale, without seriously stepping outside the bounds of our five protagonists and their community service. It's more ambitious in its arc plots, both in terms of characters and genre-y elements, and that's made for an even better series all round.
And now I'm almost caught up (Episode 6 is, really, the season finale, though it was followed by a Christmas Special a few days later) so I can join everyone else in enjoying the currently-airing third run (it's second episode went out last night)... hopefully before I get it seriously spoiled.
[Watch episodes five and six (again) on 4oD.]
Pointless
3x32 (27/10/10 edition)
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Top Gear USA
1x03 Episode 3
Tonight's challenge was the closest they've yet come to real Top Gear. Still a pale imitation of the British version overall, of course.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Sunday, 6 November 2011
TV
The Case
Part 2 (of 5)
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Have I Got News For You
42x03 (28/10/11 edition; extended repeat)
The Impressions Show with Culshaw and Stephenson
3x02 Episode 2
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Never Mind the Buzzcocks
25x05 Episode 5
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Part 2 (of 5)
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Have I Got News For You
42x03 (28/10/11 edition; extended repeat)
The Impressions Show with Culshaw and Stephenson
3x02 Episode 2
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Never Mind the Buzzcocks
25x05 Episode 5
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Articles
There's little sign of intelligent life on Twitter, never mind over Los Angeles by David Mitchell
(from The Observer)
Why a surprising amount of twitter users are surprisingly less intelligent than, of all people, Victoria Beckham. It's most amusing, but the real killer comes in the penultimate paragraph. As many a twitter user would say, "#fail".
(from The Observer)
Why a surprising amount of twitter users are surprisingly less intelligent than, of all people, Victoria Beckham. It's most amusing, but the real killer comes in the penultimate paragraph. As many a twitter user would say, "#fail".
this week on 100 Films
2 new reviews were posted to 100 Films in a Year this week, and they were...
Saw 3D (2D) (2010)
True Grit (1969)
More next Sunday.
Saw 3D (2D) (2010)
the support group for Jigsaw survivors is a nice idea, but they don’t find anywhere to go with it. At least the notion of a fake Jigsaw survivor making a mint out of selling his fake story is an idea that has legs... Accompanying this is, of course, the arc plot that has stretched across the series. As the final film it’s time to wrap that up… Sadly, it isn’t particularly satisfactory.
True Grit (1969)
Mattie Ross is a great character — plain speaking, knows her own mind, ready & prepared for anything… and isn’t ever shown up either, instead besting everyone’s low expectations of her. Actress Kim Darby was 21 at the time but is completely convincing not only as a 14-year-old but as a 14-year-old who’s wise beyond her years.
More next Sunday.
Saturday, 5 November 2011
TV
Downton Abbey
2x06 Episode 6
So, the war is over, and the house, staff and patients mark it with a big silence at 11am on 11th November... Shame ITV couldn't've scheduled this series better so as to land this episode closer to / on Remembrance Sunday, really.
[Watch it (again) on ITV Player.]
Merlin
4x06 A Servant of Two Masters
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
Misfits
2x04 Episode 4
With series three now underway, I really should get more of a wriggle on with this. But it's so good it feels wrong to rush it. This episode, yet more speedily-arrived big twists. Writer/creator Howard Overman certainly doesn't let his ideas come close to outstaying their welcome.
[Watch it (again) on 4oD.]
2x06 Episode 6
So, the war is over, and the house, staff and patients mark it with a big silence at 11am on 11th November... Shame ITV couldn't've scheduled this series better so as to land this episode closer to / on Remembrance Sunday, really.
[Watch it (again) on ITV Player.]
Merlin
4x06 A Servant of Two Masters
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
Misfits
2x04 Episode 4
With series three now underway, I really should get more of a wriggle on with this. But it's so good it feels wrong to rush it. This episode, yet more speedily-arrived big twists. Writer/creator Howard Overman certainly doesn't let his ideas come close to outstaying their welcome.
[Watch it (again) on 4oD.]
Comics
2000 AD #1754
This Prog's ECBT 2000AD reviews:
visual review
Judge Dredd Day of Chaos: Elusive Part 02
Ampney Crucis Investigates... The English Assassin Part Five
Future Shocks Hacked
Angel Zero Part 04
Low Life The Deal Part 5 The uber-meta Future Shock is awesome, and about a gazillion times better than bloody Indigo Prime which it replaces (but only for a couple of Progs -- boo!) The script by Simon Spurrier is cleverly self-refential, while Jon Davis-Hunt's detailed art is every bit how I like comics to look. Apparently he drew a Dredd strip in a Megazine I've yet to read, so I look forward to that.
Mind you, Rob Williams' hilarious ("by all things legally binding!") and inventive (Dirty Frank's use of his kaiju) script, plus D'Israeli's gorgeous black-white-grey art, mean Low Life runs it close for best Thrill of the Prog.
This Prog's ECBT 2000AD reviews:
Mind you, Rob Williams' hilarious ("by all things legally binding!") and inventive (Dirty Frank's use of his kaiju) script, plus D'Israeli's gorgeous black-white-grey art, mean Low Life runs it close for best Thrill of the Prog.
Friday, 4 November 2011
TV
Derren Brown: The Experiments
1x02 The Gameshow
Not quite as fascinating as last week, because the results never seemed in doubt to me... but then, I didn't necessarily expect them to be baying for his TV to be smashed up, or calling out all those things to be done in/to his flat. And did anyone watching on TV (as opposed to in the studio audience) really believe the final accident wasn't a pre-arranged stunt? If Derren fooled you that easily... well, you need to watch more of his programmes.
[Watch it (again) on 4oD.]
The Graham Norton Show
10x02 (28/10/11 edition)
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
Pointless
3x31 (26/10/10 edition)
I had some good ideas for the final Marilyn Monroe answer, but as the couple won we didn't get to see all the other pointlesses! Boo!
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
QI
9x08 Inequality (XL edition)
Loads of great stuff in the XL version again! (I'm going to keep mentioning that until they just don't even bother with the 30 minute edition.)
[Watch QI XL (again) on iPlayer.]
Would I Lie To You?
5x08 Episode 8
1x02 The Gameshow
Not quite as fascinating as last week, because the results never seemed in doubt to me... but then, I didn't necessarily expect them to be baying for his TV to be smashed up, or calling out all those things to be done in/to his flat. And did anyone watching on TV (as opposed to in the studio audience) really believe the final accident wasn't a pre-arranged stunt? If Derren fooled you that easily... well, you need to watch more of his programmes.
[Watch it (again) on 4oD.]
The Graham Norton Show
10x02 (28/10/11 edition)
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
Pointless
3x31 (26/10/10 edition)
I had some good ideas for the final Marilyn Monroe answer, but as the couple won we didn't get to see all the other pointlesses! Boo!
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
QI
9x08 Inequality (XL edition)
Loads of great stuff in the XL version again! (I'm going to keep mentioning that until they just don't even bother with the 30 minute edition.)
[Watch QI XL (again) on iPlayer.]
Would I Lie To You?
5x08 Episode 8
Articles
Cowboys & Aliens slammed as Universal boss admits to "s***ty movies" by Tara Fowler
(from Digital Spy)
To quote said boss, "One of the worst movies we ever made was Wolfman... Cowboys & Aliens was a mediocre movie... Land of the Lost was just crap." Well crikey. On the other hand, he did acknowledge that box office flop Scott Pilgrim was "good".
DS is, of course, just the news -- for a bit of analysis of this funny-but-maybe-not-a-good-idea story, see here.
The return of The Killing by Vicky Frost
(from the Guardian)
An interesting interview with the creator, Søren Sveistrup, ahead of the series' return to BBC Four later this month. Also worth a look for fans is this blog post (linked to in that article) which reels off all the unanswered questions/plot threads from the first series. It doesn't make it any less good, but it does point out a lot of gaps.
(from Digital Spy)
To quote said boss, "One of the worst movies we ever made was Wolfman... Cowboys & Aliens was a mediocre movie... Land of the Lost was just crap." Well crikey. On the other hand, he did acknowledge that box office flop Scott Pilgrim was "good".
DS is, of course, just the news -- for a bit of analysis of this funny-but-maybe-not-a-good-idea story, see here.
The return of The Killing by Vicky Frost
(from the Guardian)
An interesting interview with the creator, Søren Sveistrup, ahead of the series' return to BBC Four later this month. Also worth a look for fans is this blog post (linked to in that article) which reels off all the unanswered questions/plot threads from the first series. It doesn't make it any less good, but it does point out a lot of gaps.
Collection Count
Collection Count tracks my DVD/Blu-ray collection via a number of statistics every week.
Absolutely nothing to report this week. Oh well. Next week maybe, but it depends on how quickly various places get pre-orders to me...
Number of titles in collection: 1,395 [no change]
Of which DVDs: 1,141 [no change]
Of which Blu-rays: 254 [no change]
Number of discs in collection: 3,469 [no change]
Number of films in collection: 1,482 [no change]
Number of TV episodes in collection: 5,270 [no change]
See you next week, faithful reader.
Absolutely nothing to report this week. Oh well. Next week maybe, but it depends on how quickly various places get pre-orders to me...
Number of titles in collection: 1,395 [no change]
Of which DVDs: 1,141 [no change]
Of which Blu-rays: 254 [no change]
Number of discs in collection: 3,469 [no change]
Number of films in collection: 1,482 [no change]
Number of TV episodes in collection: 5,270 [no change]
See you next week, faithful reader.
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