Law & Order: UK
6x07 Fault Lines [season finale]
After a series that has mostly been very good, I thought that was a rather weak episode. Shame.
[Watch it (again) on ITV Player.]
The Mad Bad Ad Show
1x01 Episode 1
Well, that was moderately entertaining.
(Note how the programme guide URL for Episode 1 says "episode-2". What?)
[Watch it (again) on 4oD.]
Pointless
6x05 (17/2/12 edition)
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Monday, 20 February 2012
Articles
Kick-Ass 2 to shoot this summer, says Mark Millar
by Mark Langshaw (from Digital Spy)
Funny: earlier today I was wondering if we'd ever see Kick-Ass 2 now, and then later read this news! Sounds a bit implausible -- shooting this summer, with no director or screenwriter announced? -- but you never know: it's an indie film, they may've developed it in secret. Time will tell.
The Most Expensive Starbucks Drink Ever: $23.60 Plus Tip
by Piper Weiss (from Shine from Yahoo!)
by Mark Langshaw (from Digital Spy)
Funny: earlier today I was wondering if we'd ever see Kick-Ass 2 now, and then later read this news! Sounds a bit implausible -- shooting this summer, with no director or screenwriter announced? -- but you never know: it's an indie film, they may've developed it in secret. Time will tell.
The Most Expensive Starbucks Drink Ever: $23.60 Plus Tip
by Piper Weiss (from Shine from Yahoo!)
Sunday, 19 February 2012
Films
102 Dalmatians (2000)
[#18 in 100 Films in a Year 2012]
Unstoppable (2010)
[#17 in 100 Films in a Year 2012]
Really cracking on with film viewing at the minute... massively behind with review writing, though...
[#18 in 100 Films in a Year 2012]
Unstoppable (2010)
[#17 in 100 Films in a Year 2012]
Really cracking on with film viewing at the minute... massively behind with review writing, though...
Saturday, 18 February 2012
TV
The Magicians
2x06 Episode 6 [season finale]
A spectacular end to a series full of fantastic magic. And, if you think back over it, including all guest acts and forfeits, there were a total of 84 tricks performed across the series. 84!
The Mentalist
4x12 My Bloody Valentine
[Watch it on Demand 5 from Friday 9th March. Probably.]
Pointless
6x04 (16/2/12 edition)
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Stella
1x05 Episode 5
1x06 Episode 6
Just as I was commenting (to myself, at least) about how well constructed Stella's plots actually were, it goes and does a standard groom-to-be-looks-like-he's-having-an-affair-but-is-actually-getting-secret-dance-lessons-for-the-wedding plot. But at least it does it as amusingly as ever.
2x06 Episode 6 [season finale]
A spectacular end to a series full of fantastic magic. And, if you think back over it, including all guest acts and forfeits, there were a total of 84 tricks performed across the series. 84!
The Mentalist
4x12 My Bloody Valentine
[Watch it on Demand 5 from Friday 9th March. Probably.]
Pointless
6x04 (16/2/12 edition)
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Stella
1x05 Episode 5
1x06 Episode 6
Just as I was commenting (to myself, at least) about how well constructed Stella's plots actually were, it goes and does a standard groom-to-be-looks-like-he's-having-an-affair-but-is-actually-getting-secret-dance-lessons-for-the-wedding plot. But at least it does it as amusingly as ever.
Articles
Beyond Dark Knight: What if Wes Anderson made Batman reboot?
and
After Dark Knight: Are you ready for Batman, the musical?
and
After Dark Knight: How about Robert Downey Jr as the Joker?
and
After Dark Knight: Could Arkham City work as a movie?
and
After Dark Knight: What if Tim Burton took back Gotham?
by Geoff Boucher & Sean Hartter (from Hero Complex at the Los Angeles Times)
Five-part series suggesting (with tongue firmly in cheek) 15 possible futures for the Batman film series.
and
After Dark Knight: Are you ready for Batman, the musical?
and
After Dark Knight: How about Robert Downey Jr as the Joker?
and
After Dark Knight: Could Arkham City work as a movie?
and
After Dark Knight: What if Tim Burton took back Gotham?
by Geoff Boucher & Sean Hartter (from Hero Complex at the Los Angeles Times)
when the credits roll on The Dark Knight Rises this July, it will mark the end of Christopher Nolan’s Batman trilogy... Warner Bros. executives have made it clear they won’t leave the iconic property sitting on a shelf, however, and a new director and star tandem could be inhabiting Wayne Manor by 2014. But how on earth will any filmmaker follow the work of Nolan and company?
Five-part series suggesting (with tongue firmly in cheek) 15 possible futures for the Batman film series.
Friday, 17 February 2012
TV
The Graham Norton Show
10x14 (3/2/12 edition)
Pointless
6x03 (15/2/12 edition)
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Roger & Val Have Just Got In
2x02 The Woman in the Attic
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
10x14 (3/2/12 edition)
Pointless
6x03 (15/2/12 edition)
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Roger & Val Have Just Got In
2x02 The Woman in the Attic
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
Articles
The Best New Action Classics, Volume 1
by Scott Weinberg (from Movies.com)
Now here's a list that merits some reading, watching and ticking-off-of-the-list-what-I've-watched...
James Bond Movie Poster Mashups
(from Empire)
Fun fun fun.
by Scott Weinberg (from Movies.com)
I was tweeting in highly opinionated fashion about how "foreign" films are presently kicking Hollywood's ass, as far as quality action films are concerned. Then I got a response from Duncan Jones, director of Moon and Source Code, asking me to write a piece about the best recent action movies I've seen from around the planet. And when the guy who debuted with one of the best sci-fi films in 20 years asks for a favor, you do it.
Now here's a list that merits some reading, watching and ticking-off-of-the-list-what-I've-watched...
James Bond Movie Poster Mashups
(from Empire)
Fun fun fun.
Collection Count
Collection Count tracks my DVD/Blu-ray collection via a number of statistics every week.
Finally, 300 Blu-rays! And my collection was nicely balanced on round numbers (1450/1150/300) until Master of Cinema's Repo Man went and turned up early. On the other hand, its Steelbook looks beautiful, I'm excited to watch it, and it turned up early. Yay!
Number of titles in collection: 1,451 [up 3]
Of which DVDs: 1,150 [up 1]
Of which Blu-rays: 301 [up 2]
Number of discs in collection: 3,595 [up 3]
Number of films in collection: 1,541 [up 3]
Number of TV episodes in collection: 5,417 [no change]
See you next week, faithful reader.
Finally, 300 Blu-rays! And my collection was nicely balanced on round numbers (1450/1150/300) until Master of Cinema's Repo Man went and turned up early. On the other hand, its Steelbook looks beautiful, I'm excited to watch it, and it turned up early. Yay!
Number of titles in collection: 1,451 [up 3]
Of which DVDs: 1,150 [up 1]
Of which Blu-rays: 301 [up 2]
Number of discs in collection: 3,595 [up 3]
Number of films in collection: 1,541 [up 3]
Number of TV episodes in collection: 5,417 [no change]
See you next week, faithful reader.
Thursday, 16 February 2012
Films
Priest (2011)
[#15 in 100 Films in a Year 2012]
So far this year I've watched eight films from 2011, plus two from 2010, meaning the two years of the 2010s make up two-thirds of my viewing to date. Bit unbalanced, that.
(For the sake of completeness, the remainder included one from the '80s, one from the '90s, and three from the '00s.)
[#15 in 100 Films in a Year 2012]
So far this year I've watched eight films from 2011, plus two from 2010, meaning the two years of the 2010s make up two-thirds of my viewing to date. Bit unbalanced, that.
(For the sake of completeness, the remainder included one from the '80s, one from the '90s, and three from the '00s.)
Articles
Sherlock exec comments on Johnny Lee Miller Elementary casting
by Morgan Jeffery (from Digital Spy)
The controversial US series setting Sherlock Holmes in the modern day, Elementary, has cast Jonny Lee Miller as its lead. Miller appeared alongside Benedict Cumberbatch, star of the acclaimed British series setting Sherlock Holmes in the modern day, last year in Danny Boyle's production of Frankenstein. Producer of Sherlock Sue Vertue pithily comments, "let's hope their pilot script has stayed further away from our Sherlock than their casting choice."
by Morgan Jeffery (from Digital Spy)
The controversial US series setting Sherlock Holmes in the modern day, Elementary, has cast Jonny Lee Miller as its lead. Miller appeared alongside Benedict Cumberbatch, star of the acclaimed British series setting Sherlock Holmes in the modern day, last year in Danny Boyle's production of Frankenstein. Producer of Sherlock Sue Vertue pithily comments, "let's hope their pilot script has stayed further away from our Sherlock than their casting choice."
Wednesday, 15 February 2012
TV
10 O'Clock Live
2x01 (8/2/12 edition)
It's back! (Has it really been almost a year? And over a year since it began? Crikey. Time flies.) I'm still watching it a week late! (I said time flies.) And if they have tweaked or changed the format you'd never know. It felt shorter, but they still made more mistakes than it's common to see on a live show. So it's still sort-of-quite-good, but still commendable for looking at the news in a slightly more accessible (read: funny) way than most programming.
[Watch it (again) on 4oD.]
Pointless
6x02 (14/2/12 edition)
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Room 101: Extra Storage
12x04 Episode 4
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
2x01 (8/2/12 edition)
It's back! (Has it really been almost a year? And over a year since it began? Crikey. Time flies.) I'm still watching it a week late! (I said time flies.) And if they have tweaked or changed the format you'd never know. It felt shorter, but they still made more mistakes than it's common to see on a live show. So it's still sort-of-quite-good, but still commendable for looking at the news in a slightly more accessible (read: funny) way than most programming.
[Watch it (again) on 4oD.]
Pointless
6x02 (14/2/12 edition)
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Room 101: Extra Storage
12x04 Episode 4
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Tuesday, 14 February 2012
TV
Alexander Armstrong's Big Ask
1x02 Episode 2
Pointless
6x01 (13/2/12 edition)
There were 30 episodes in series one and two of Pointless... 50 episodes in series three... 60 episodes in series four and five... and now this one has 70! I guess that shows its continued widening success. And apparently the next celebrity specials will be on Saturday night BBC One, so that's nice for them.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
1x02 Episode 2
Pointless
6x01 (13/2/12 edition)
There were 30 episodes in series one and two of Pointless... 50 episodes in series three... 60 episodes in series four and five... and now this one has 70! I guess that shows its continued widening success. And apparently the next celebrity specials will be on Saturday night BBC One, so that's nice for them.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Articles
IDW announce Doctor Who/Star Trek crossover
by Chuck Foster (from Doctor Who News)
That would be US comics publisher IDW Publishing, and this would be a new comic (presumably a miniseries) in which Matt Smith's Doctor meets the Star Trek: The Next Generation crew. It's called Assimilation², is rumoured to feature the Borg and the Cybermen, and begins in May. Chances of being able to pick it up over here: slim (apparently there's some contractual thing stopping IDW's Who comics being sold in the UK).
by Chuck Foster (from Doctor Who News)
That would be US comics publisher IDW Publishing, and this would be a new comic (presumably a miniseries) in which Matt Smith's Doctor meets the Star Trek: The Next Generation crew. It's called Assimilation², is rumoured to feature the Borg and the Cybermen, and begins in May. Chances of being able to pick it up over here: slim (apparently there's some contractual thing stopping IDW's Who comics being sold in the UK).
Monday, 13 February 2012
TV
The Jonathan Ross Show
2x02 (14/1/12 edition)
Lots of catching up to do...
[Watch it (again) on ITV Player.]
Law & Order: UK
6x06 Dawn Till Dusk
[Watch it (again) on ITV Player.]
The National Lottery: Who Dares Wins
5x05 (11/2/12 edition)
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Onion News Network
1x10 American Dream [season finale]
I was wondering why ONN had suddenly developed end credits. Answer (as I suspected): season finale.
2x02 (14/1/12 edition)
Lots of catching up to do...
[Watch it (again) on ITV Player.]
Law & Order: UK
6x06 Dawn Till Dusk
[Watch it (again) on ITV Player.]
The National Lottery: Who Dares Wins
5x05 (11/2/12 edition)
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Onion News Network
1x10 American Dream [season finale]
I was wondering why ONN had suddenly developed end credits. Answer (as I suspected): season finale.
Comics
All Star Western #5 by Justin Gray, Jimmy Palmiotti & Moritat
Last issue I comment that "some of these 20-page comics feel brief, lightweight and not worth their cover price, while others pack so much in I'm counting the pages to check it's not a bumper-length edition." This is another example of that. The speed of storytelling, humour and strong plotting make this a great action/adventure/detective comic. Nice work all.
Back-up strip The Barbary Ghost continues too, again with solid art by Phil Winslade, though Gray and Palmiotti provide more clunky dialogue and a tale heavy on exposition, setting up next issue's (final?) part. I don't know if they're overworked or going for a different pulpier style, but I don't think these secondary stories work as well as the main Hex-starring one.
Animal Man #6 by Jeff Lemire, John Paul Leon & Travel Foreman
Remember how issue 1 mentioned Buddy Baker (aka Animal Man) had recently acted in a movie about a washed-up superhero? Well, here we get to see it... or the opening chunk of it anyway, before a clever conceit kicks in. It's a filler issue, certainly -- presumably needing to sync up with Swamp Thing or something -- but as filler issues go it's an excellent idea.
Wolverine and the X-Men #5 by Jason Aaron & Nick Bradshaw
This continues to be exactly the kind of X-Men comic I want to be reading: fun, accessible, not reliant on plot points from other books that I don't read, and with a darker edge at times. The slightly cartoony art sets the tone perfectly, actually. This isn't a kiddy book -- the T+ rating seems bang on -- but it is for people who like their comics to be enjoyable, rather than mired in decades of continuity and po-faced seriousness.
Articles
BitTorrent doesn't hurt US box-office, delayed international releases drive downloading
by Cory Doctorow (from boingboing)
Title says it all, really. Or, to expand a little:
by Cory Doctorow (from boingboing)
Title says it all, really. Or, to expand a little:
There's only one Internet, networked culture doesn't respect national boundaries. A particularly effective marketing campaign for a new release in America will stimulate demand in other countries, and if there's no legitimate way to fulfill demand, then some portion of viewers will choose illegitimate routes... the delayed release makes downloading easier and more attractive.
Sunday, 12 February 2012
TV
The British Academy Film Awards 2012
As I think was expected, The Artist swept the board with seven awards, including Best Film, Director, Actor and Original Screenplay. Really looking forward to catching that when it comes to Blu-ray.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
The Mentalist
4x11 Always Bet on Red
[Watch it on Demand 5 from Friday 2nd March. Probably.]
As I think was expected, The Artist swept the board with seven awards, including Best Film, Director, Actor and Original Screenplay. Really looking forward to catching that when it comes to Blu-ray.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
The Mentalist
4x11 Always Bet on Red
[Watch it on Demand 5 from Friday 2nd March. Probably.]
Films
Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy (2011)
[#13 in 100 Films in a Year 2012]
Unknown (2011)
[#12 in 100 Films in a Year 2012]
[#13 in 100 Films in a Year 2012]
Unknown (2011)
[#12 in 100 Films in a Year 2012]
DVD Extras
Unknown: The Story
Just an EPK featurette, which might be expected but is disappointing considering how much things change in the final act -- would've been interesting to hear the cast and crew discuss that, but naturally they're not giving it away in this promotional puff piece.
Just an EPK featurette, which might be expected but is disappointing considering how much things change in the final act -- would've been interesting to hear the cast and crew discuss that, but naturally they're not giving it away in this promotional puff piece.
this week on 100 Films
Just 1 new review was posted to 100 Films in a Year this week...
Glorious 39 (2009)
More next Sunday.
Glorious 39 (2009)
it creates a mood of creeping terror and dread; of an oppressive conspiracy that our hero, who’s just a fairly ordinary girl, has no chance of overturning — if it’s even real, and if she can find details about it if it is... you can never be sure where it’s going to go; never be sure who’s on the side of the angels and who of the devils; of who is reliable and what is really happening; of who will survive. What’s better in a thriller than not actually knowing what will come?Read more on my new blog or my classic blog.
More next Sunday.
Saturday, 11 February 2012
TV
House
8x09 Better Half
Don't think this has started up again over here yet (if it has, I missed it), but they're three or four episodes into it Stateside so I thought I'd get going anyway.
The Magicians
2x05 Episode 5
The Singing Detective
Part 1 Skin
Dennis Potter's seminal 1986 drama, currently being repeated on BBC Four... but only on iPlayer for a week at a time, so I'm afraid I can't link to this one any more.
Top Gear
18x02 (5/2/12 edition)
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
8x09 Better Half
Don't think this has started up again over here yet (if it has, I missed it), but they're three or four episodes into it Stateside so I thought I'd get going anyway.
The Magicians
2x05 Episode 5
The Singing Detective
Part 1 Skin
Dennis Potter's seminal 1986 drama, currently being repeated on BBC Four... but only on iPlayer for a week at a time, so I'm afraid I can't link to this one any more.
Top Gear
18x02 (5/2/12 edition)
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
Friday, 10 February 2012
TV
The Graham Norton Show
10x13 (27/1/12 edition)
Help! My Supply Teacher is Magic
1x04 Episode 4
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Pointless
5x59 (3/2/12 edition)
5x60 (6/2/12 edition) [season finale]
And that's me caught up! Series 6 begins on Monday.
[Watch the 6/2/12 edition (again) on iPlayer.]
Stella
1x04 Episode 4
Stella was recommissioned this week, which is nice because it's good fun.
10x13 (27/1/12 edition)
Help! My Supply Teacher is Magic
1x04 Episode 4
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Pointless
5x59 (3/2/12 edition)
5x60 (6/2/12 edition) [season finale]
And that's me caught up! Series 6 begins on Monday.
[Watch the 6/2/12 edition (again) on iPlayer.]
Stella
1x04 Episode 4
Stella was recommissioned this week, which is nice because it's good fun.
Collection Count
Collection Count tracks my DVD/Blu-ray collection via a number of statistics every week.
A couple of new things this week, but still not quite at 300 for Blu-rays. Next week... maybe... (It'll probably land on 301 now, which looks less pretty.)
Number of titles in collection: 1,448 [up 2]
Of which DVDs: 1,149 [up 1]
Of which Blu-rays: 299 [up 1]
Number of discs in collection: 3,592 [up 3]
Number of films in collection: 1,538 [up 1]
Number of TV episodes in collection: 5,417 [up 3]
See you next week, faithful reader.
A couple of new things this week, but still not quite at 300 for Blu-rays. Next week... maybe... (It'll probably land on 301 now, which looks less pretty.)
Number of titles in collection: 1,448 [up 2]
Of which DVDs: 1,149 [up 1]
Of which Blu-rays: 299 [up 1]
Number of discs in collection: 3,592 [up 3]
Number of films in collection: 1,538 [up 1]
Number of TV episodes in collection: 5,417 [up 3]
See you next week, faithful reader.
Thursday, 9 February 2012
TV
Help! My Supply Teacher is Magic
1x02 Episode 2
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Law & Order: UK
6x05 Line Up
[Watch it (again) on ITV Player.]
Pointless
5x58 (2/2/12 edition)
Roger & Val Have Just Got In
2x01 A Shock
I hadn't expected to see this quiet but excellent comedy-drama back, but I'm very glad it is. As mundane but brilliant as ever, with an intriguing new plot thread to guess at too -- what was outside the window? What's in the note?
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
Room 101
12x03 Episode 3
No extended version this week thanks to the Super Bowl. Bloody Yanks.
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
1x02 Episode 2
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Law & Order: UK
6x05 Line Up
[Watch it (again) on ITV Player.]
Pointless
5x58 (2/2/12 edition)
Roger & Val Have Just Got In
2x01 A Shock
I hadn't expected to see this quiet but excellent comedy-drama back, but I'm very glad it is. As mundane but brilliant as ever, with an intriguing new plot thread to guess at too -- what was outside the window? What's in the note?
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
Room 101
12x03 Episode 3
No extended version this week thanks to the Super Bowl. Bloody Yanks.
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
Wednesday, 8 February 2012
TV
Alexander Armstrong's Big Ask
1x01 Episode 1
Missed the pilot of this last year (was it really on in May?!). Shame, because it's fun.
The Mentalist
4x10 Fugue in Red
Just forging on ahead now.
[Watch it on Demand 5 from Friday 24th February. Probably.]
Pointless
5x57 (1/2/12 edition)
1x01 Episode 1
Missed the pilot of this last year (was it really on in May?!). Shame, because it's fun.
The Mentalist
4x10 Fugue in Red
Just forging on ahead now.
[Watch it on Demand 5 from Friday 24th February. Probably.]
Pointless
5x57 (1/2/12 edition)
Comics
Animal Man
#4 by Jeff Lemire & Travel Foreman
#5 by Jeff Lemire, Travel Foreman & Steve Pugh
Dark as sin, with some of the most (deliberately) disgusting art I've ever seen, but brilliant stuff. Really can't believe it's only rated Teen+ though -- surely this is much tougher stuff than that implies?
Anyway, they're off to meet Swamp Thing next... or not. Quick Google search revealed that their much-discussed crossover is coming in the 12th issues, this summer. And there's also an annual about it. Christ, it does feel like you need to read the news to keep up with these things! It'd be nice if it was clear in advance in the comic itself how much crossover there'll be with Swamp Thing, because not every reader will read both (I'm not) and not everyone will have as much forethought as me to Google it.
That said, based on some of the stuff in this interview with Swamp Thing writer Scott Snyder, maybe I should double back and catch up... even though he specifically says, "We don't want you to feel like you have to read both books, at all. It's not that kind of thing."
Detective Comics #6 by Tony Salvador Daniel
That was a lot better -- a decent story, for one thing, even if the Penguin has nothing to do other than call other supervillains by their name so we know who they are; and if at times it felt like it was calling back to past stories/characters that it assumes the reader will know. That's the annoying thing about comics, and something I've always thought newcomers must have when watching something like Doctor Who: when there's a reference to a previous adventure, or the reveal of a villain, there's an element of "am I meant to know what that means?" And sometimes yes, they expect you to; and other times no, it's new to all viewers. Who is almost always the latter -- very little essential is based on fannish knowledge, and certainly not if it's something from the classic series. With comics... you never can be sure.
Most blatant was a reference to the current story in I, Vampire, which guest stars Batman. I'd been thinking about reading it anyway -- it's got Batman; I've thought I, Vampire sounds interesting -- but when it goes being so obviously called up... But there's no need to read it; it's not essential to this story. Which makes it the most pointless kind of reference, in a way; it plays like an uncomfortably obvious advert for another comic, because they've shoehorned it in for the sake of shoehorning it in. Oh well.
#4 by Jeff Lemire & Travel Foreman
#5 by Jeff Lemire, Travel Foreman & Steve Pugh
Dark as sin, with some of the most (deliberately) disgusting art I've ever seen, but brilliant stuff. Really can't believe it's only rated Teen+ though -- surely this is much tougher stuff than that implies?
Anyway, they're off to meet Swamp Thing next... or not. Quick Google search revealed that their much-discussed crossover is coming in the 12th issues, this summer. And there's also an annual about it. Christ, it does feel like you need to read the news to keep up with these things! It'd be nice if it was clear in advance in the comic itself how much crossover there'll be with Swamp Thing, because not every reader will read both (I'm not) and not everyone will have as much forethought as me to Google it.
That said, based on some of the stuff in this interview with Swamp Thing writer Scott Snyder, maybe I should double back and catch up... even though he specifically says, "We don't want you to feel like you have to read both books, at all. It's not that kind of thing."
Detective Comics #6 by Tony Salvador Daniel
That was a lot better -- a decent story, for one thing, even if the Penguin has nothing to do other than call other supervillains by their name so we know who they are; and if at times it felt like it was calling back to past stories/characters that it assumes the reader will know. That's the annoying thing about comics, and something I've always thought newcomers must have when watching something like Doctor Who: when there's a reference to a previous adventure, or the reveal of a villain, there's an element of "am I meant to know what that means?" And sometimes yes, they expect you to; and other times no, it's new to all viewers. Who is almost always the latter -- very little essential is based on fannish knowledge, and certainly not if it's something from the classic series. With comics... you never can be sure.
Most blatant was a reference to the current story in I, Vampire, which guest stars Batman. I'd been thinking about reading it anyway -- it's got Batman; I've thought I, Vampire sounds interesting -- but when it goes being so obviously called up... But there's no need to read it; it's not essential to this story. Which makes it the most pointless kind of reference, in a way; it plays like an uncomfortably obvious advert for another comic, because they've shoehorned it in for the sake of shoehorning it in. Oh well.
Articles
House Ends In May With The Conclusion Of Its Eighth Season – Official Statement
by Brendon Connelly (from Bleeding Cool)
They were taking so long over this I'd begun to assume it'd be recommissioned after all. Ah well. Goodbye, House -- you weren't always great, but you were always entertaining.
by Brendon Connelly (from Bleeding Cool)
They were taking so long over this I'd begun to assume it'd be recommissioned after all. Ah well. Goodbye, House -- you weren't always great, but you were always entertaining.
Tuesday, 7 February 2012
TV
The Mentalist
4x09 The Redshirt
From being increasingly far behind Five -- sorry, Channel 5 --, to being ahead of them. That's what happens when you take too long bringing a US show back from its Christmassy break, British network. Not that they care. Or I, really. Just fancied watching it.
[Watch it on Demand 5 from Friday 17th February.]
Pointless
5x56 (31/1/12 edition)
4x09 The Redshirt
From being increasingly far behind Five -- sorry, Channel 5 --, to being ahead of them. That's what happens when you take too long bringing a US show back from its Christmassy break, British network. Not that they care. Or I, really. Just fancied watching it.
[Watch it on Demand 5 from Friday 17th February.]
Pointless
5x56 (31/1/12 edition)
Comics
Justice League #5 by Geoff Johns & Jim Lee
Considering the pace this is moving at, I really don't see how they're going to wrap it all up next issue. Hope it doesn't feel too rushed, or too inconclusive. Still, some good stuff in here; though one senses Jim Lee is finding the monthly deadlines a bit much -- his pencils are looking quite a lot sketchier, I think. No wonder he's taking a multi-issue break after this arc.
Considering the pace this is moving at, I really don't see how they're going to wrap it all up next issue. Hope it doesn't feel too rushed, or too inconclusive. Still, some good stuff in here; though one senses Jim Lee is finding the monthly deadlines a bit much -- his pencils are looking quite a lot sketchier, I think. No wonder he's taking a multi-issue break after this arc.
Monday, 6 February 2012
TV
Franklin & Bash
1x05 You Can't Take it With You
Needed something to watch fairly late at night; this seemed to be the last offensive thing on; turned out I quite liked it. Lightweight sure, but kinda fun.
Onion News Network
1x09 Real America
Particularly strong episode, I thought.
Pointless
5x55 (30/1/12 edition)
1x05 You Can't Take it With You
Needed something to watch fairly late at night; this seemed to be the last offensive thing on; turned out I quite liked it. Lightweight sure, but kinda fun.
Onion News Network
1x09 Real America
Particularly strong episode, I thought.
Pointless
5x55 (30/1/12 edition)
Comics
Aquaman #5 by Geoff Johns & Ivan Reis
Poor Aquaman: saving the world one issue, still getting the piss taken out of him the next. Intriguing new story launching out of the old one though.
Poor Aquaman: saving the world one issue, still getting the piss taken out of him the next. Intriguing new story launching out of the old one though.
Sunday, 5 February 2012
TV
Help! My Supply Teacher is Magic
1x01 Episode 1
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Pointless
5x54 (27/1/12 edition)
Stella
1x03 Episode 3
Somehow they managed to broadcast the first half-hour of this without any sound... and then out of nowhere cut to The Simpsons. Good thing Virgin have added Sky Anytime this month.
1x01 Episode 1
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Pointless
5x54 (27/1/12 edition)
Stella
1x03 Episode 3
Somehow they managed to broadcast the first half-hour of this without any sound... and then out of nowhere cut to The Simpsons. Good thing Virgin have added Sky Anytime this month.
Articles
If 2012's Oscar-nominated movie posters told the truth
by Ali (from The Shiznit)
Hilarity.
Revisiting Alan Moore's Official Watchmen Prequel
by Timothy Callahan (from Comic Book Resources)
Amongst all the fuss around Before Watchmen, someone linked to this article from September 2008 looking back at the official Watchmen role-playing game, which was created with the help of Moore and Dave Gibbons while they were creating the very series on which it's based. Sounds fascinating, and a shame it's long out of print. Surely someone must have rights to re-print it?
by Ali (from The Shiznit)
Hilarity.
Revisiting Alan Moore's Official Watchmen Prequel
by Timothy Callahan (from Comic Book Resources)
Amongst all the fuss around Before Watchmen, someone linked to this article from September 2008 looking back at the official Watchmen role-playing game, which was created with the help of Moore and Dave Gibbons while they were creating the very series on which it's based. Sounds fascinating, and a shame it's long out of print. Surely someone must have rights to re-print it?
this week on 100 Films
Just one new review was posted to 100 Films in a Year this week...
2000 AD (2000)
We're now in February, as you may have noticed, so here's the monthly update for January.
And, as I linked to it on twitter, why not have a look at that on the new-look work-in-progress version of 100 Films. Feel free to have a look around there and let me know if you have any thoughts. Naturally the 2000 AD review is there too, as well as several others.
Yes, I know it's missing everything from before 2012 (for now). Aren't those chunky banner images -- different on every page -- awesome, though?
More next Sunday.
2000 AD (2000)
The centrepiece fist/foot fight takes place on the 32nd storey of a building. They really filmed it up there too. I learnt that from the DVD special features. It’s a shame, because you definitely get more of a feel for how dangerous and on the edge — literally — the fight was in some of the B-roll footage and interviews than you do from the movie itself: it’s covered almost entirely through low-angle shots, meaning it could just as well have been recreated on a ground-level mock-up as the actual rooftop.
We're now in February, as you may have noticed, so here's the monthly update for January.
And, as I linked to it on twitter, why not have a look at that on the new-look work-in-progress version of 100 Films. Feel free to have a look around there and let me know if you have any thoughts. Naturally the 2000 AD review is there too, as well as several others.
Yes, I know it's missing everything from before 2012 (for now). Aren't those chunky banner images -- different on every page -- awesome, though?
More next Sunday.
Saturday, 4 February 2012
Comics
Batman and Robin #4 & #5 by Peter J. Tomasi & Patrick Gleason
Well, I never: Batman and Robin has moved (as I recently thought it might) from being a middling-to-weak Bat book that I was aiming to drop at the end of the story (gotta finish a story) to my second-favourite current Batman book (Batman is fairly unassailable as one of my favourites fullstop right now).
After the newbie-bothering past-looking setup of the first two issues, it's built into a new and engrossing story. It's not faultless -- Tomasi allows some scenes to toddle on too long, with Gleason's art not always intricate enough to justify some of the needless splash pages -- but, overall, it's an entertaining read.
And Alfred rescuing the titular duo with a remote-controlled Batplane? Win.
Batman: The Dark Knight #5 by David Finch & Paul Jenkins
That was... actually not as bad as it has been. Still fundamentally flawed, mind: it's far, far too short, shamelessly padded with splash pages, double-page splashes, and whole pages given over to a series of large panels conveying something that would have worked just as well in a single regular panel. So all this issue has is a Scarecrow-Batman fight followed by a Batman-Superman fight, albeit with a slight twist... but that's still all it is. And while much of Finch's art is good, I still hate his rendering of human faces.
This book was still on my ditch pile, hoping to reduce my comics spend, but just as that day begins to approach (#9 ends this story) they've gone and announced a new writer will take over after the current story: Gregg Hurwitz, who's just penned the highly-praised Penguin: Pain and Prejudice miniseries (which I now intend to catch up on). So I guess I'll keep it on a bit longer. Well played, DC.
Well, I never: Batman and Robin has moved (as I recently thought it might) from being a middling-to-weak Bat book that I was aiming to drop at the end of the story (gotta finish a story) to my second-favourite current Batman book (Batman is fairly unassailable as one of my favourites fullstop right now).
After the newbie-bothering past-looking setup of the first two issues, it's built into a new and engrossing story. It's not faultless -- Tomasi allows some scenes to toddle on too long, with Gleason's art not always intricate enough to justify some of the needless splash pages -- but, overall, it's an entertaining read.
And Alfred rescuing the titular duo with a remote-controlled Batplane? Win.
Batman: The Dark Knight #5 by David Finch & Paul Jenkins
That was... actually not as bad as it has been. Still fundamentally flawed, mind: it's far, far too short, shamelessly padded with splash pages, double-page splashes, and whole pages given over to a series of large panels conveying something that would have worked just as well in a single regular panel. So all this issue has is a Scarecrow-Batman fight followed by a Batman-Superman fight, albeit with a slight twist... but that's still all it is. And while much of Finch's art is good, I still hate his rendering of human faces.
This book was still on my ditch pile, hoping to reduce my comics spend, but just as that day begins to approach (#9 ends this story) they've gone and announced a new writer will take over after the current story: Gregg Hurwitz, who's just penned the highly-praised Penguin: Pain and Prejudice miniseries (which I now intend to catch up on). So I guess I'll keep it on a bit longer. Well played, DC.
Friday, 3 February 2012
TV
The Graham Norton Show
10x12 (20/1/12 edition)
This feels so much shorter when it has a good array of guests on, and this was such an episode. The Madonna one, conversely, felt rather long.
Law & Order: UK
6x04 Trial
Ironically, a rare episode to not feature a proper trial. But it's named that for a different reason, so it is.
[Watch it (again) on ITV Player.]
Pointless
5x52 (25/1/12 edition)
Room 101: Extra Storage
12x02 Episode 2
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
10x12 (20/1/12 edition)
This feels so much shorter when it has a good array of guests on, and this was such an episode. The Madonna one, conversely, felt rather long.
Law & Order: UK
6x04 Trial
Ironically, a rare episode to not feature a proper trial. But it's named that for a different reason, so it is.
[Watch it (again) on ITV Player.]
Pointless
5x52 (25/1/12 edition)
Room 101: Extra Storage
12x02 Episode 2
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Comics
Resurrection Man
#4 by Dan Abnett, Andy Lanning & Fernando Dagnino
#5 by Dan Abnett, Andy Lanning & Fernando Blanco
I don't think this has quite lived up to the promise of its first issue so far, but (a #2 slump aside) it's pretty good. #5 is certainly different: mostly a big long flashback to when the hero was a bit of a bastard (too long, actually -- it could've been trimmed to far fewer pages), with lots of bits tying in to the current story, and then a rather fine cliffhanger to boot. Looking forward to the next one.
Uncanny X-Men #5 by Kieron Gillen & Greg Land
I was considering giving up on this after the last issue, but, though this is equally dependent on past events from other books, I actually quite enjoyed it and found it intriguing. So it's back to "wait and see".
#4 by Dan Abnett, Andy Lanning & Fernando Dagnino
#5 by Dan Abnett, Andy Lanning & Fernando Blanco
I don't think this has quite lived up to the promise of its first issue so far, but (a #2 slump aside) it's pretty good. #5 is certainly different: mostly a big long flashback to when the hero was a bit of a bastard (too long, actually -- it could've been trimmed to far fewer pages), with lots of bits tying in to the current story, and then a rather fine cliffhanger to boot. Looking forward to the next one.
Uncanny X-Men #5 by Kieron Gillen & Greg Land
I was considering giving up on this after the last issue, but, though this is equally dependent on past events from other books, I actually quite enjoyed it and found it intriguing. So it's back to "wait and see".
Articles
Right-wingers are less intelligent than left wingers, says study
by Rob Waugh (from Mail Online)
by Rob Waugh (from Mail Online)
Right-wingers tend to be less intelligent than left-wingers, and people with low childhood intelligence tend to grow up to have racist and anti-gay views... Conservative politics work almost as a 'gateway' into prejudice against others...Well, obviously.
people with low intelligence gravitate towards right-wing views because they make them feel safe.
Collection Count
Collection Count tracks my DVD/Blu-ray collection via a number of statistics every week.
This week, those retailers didn't get their act together. Shame on you, TheHut and ChoicesUK. Goodness knows when -- if ever -- the stuff I'm expecting from them will turn up. But some stuff from some others did, so while I don't make it to 300 Blu-rays (I'd've been bang on if those sites had managed the expected), I'm close... so close...
Number of titles in collection: 1,446 [up 3]
Of which DVDs: 1,148 [no change]
Of which Blu-rays: 298 [up 3]
Number of discs in collection: 3,589 [up 3]
Number of films in collection: 1,537 [up 2]
Number of TV episodes in collection: 5,414 [up 3]
See you next week, faithful reader.
This week, those retailers didn't get their act together. Shame on you, TheHut and ChoicesUK. Goodness knows when -- if ever -- the stuff I'm expecting from them will turn up. But some stuff from some others did, so while I don't make it to 300 Blu-rays (I'd've been bang on if those sites had managed the expected), I'm close... so close...
Number of titles in collection: 1,446 [up 3]
Of which DVDs: 1,148 [no change]
Of which Blu-rays: 298 [up 3]
Number of discs in collection: 3,589 [up 3]
Number of films in collection: 1,537 [up 2]
Number of TV episodes in collection: 5,414 [up 3]
See you next week, faithful reader.
Thursday, 2 February 2012
TV
Help! My Supply Teacher is Magic
1x03 Episode 3
A magic show for kids... but just because some of the tricks are do-at-home simple, it doesn't mean there isn't some great magic in here too. Even if the constant replays are a bit repetitive. (I didn't mean to watch episode three first -- blame the oddities of Virgin Media catch-up.)
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Pointless
5x51 (24/1/12 edition)
Top Gear
18x01 (29/1/12 edition)
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
1x03 Episode 3
A magic show for kids... but just because some of the tricks are do-at-home simple, it doesn't mean there isn't some great magic in here too. Even if the constant replays are a bit repetitive. (I didn't mean to watch episode three first -- blame the oddities of Virgin Media catch-up.)
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Pointless
5x51 (24/1/12 edition)
Top Gear
18x01 (29/1/12 edition)
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
DVD Extras
Interviews with Andrew Lin and Gordon Chan on 2000 AD
Relatively lengthy and interesting chats with the villain and director (respectively) of 2000 AD. The director repeats some of what he had to say in the commentary, but it seems to me that's fairly inevitable.
Relatively lengthy and interesting chats with the villain and director (respectively) of 2000 AD. The director repeats some of what he had to say in the commentary, but it seems to me that's fairly inevitable.
Comics
Action Comics #4 by Grant Morrison & Rags Morales
Solid story from Morrison and Morales' art is generally very good, apart from the part of the story where he causes much confusion (in me, anyway) by drawing two characters to look identical. All the more 'impressive' considering one's white and one's black.
Nice use of the backup strip this issue: titled Hearts of Steel, written by Sholly Fisch and excitingly drawn by Brad Walker, with beautiful colouring by Jay David Ramos, it expands on a part of the main story there wasn't room to tell in the primary strip itself.
Also, shame I hadn't got to this issue before my nearly-three-month break in reading -- the story now takes a break until #7, so that's another couple of months gap for me.
Solid story from Morrison and Morales' art is generally very good, apart from the part of the story where he causes much confusion (in me, anyway) by drawing two characters to look identical. All the more 'impressive' considering one's white and one's black.
Nice use of the backup strip this issue: titled Hearts of Steel, written by Sholly Fisch and excitingly drawn by Brad Walker, with beautiful colouring by Jay David Ramos, it expands on a part of the main story there wasn't room to tell in the primary strip itself.
Also, shame I hadn't got to this issue before my nearly-three-month break in reading -- the story now takes a break until #7, so that's another couple of months gap for me.
Wednesday, 1 February 2012
Articles
DC Entertainment Officially Announces Before Watchmen
by David Hyde (from The Source at DC Comics)
A series of prequel series to Alan Moore & Dave Gibbons' seminal '80s comic. There's been a lot of reporting on this today and I haven't had a chance to read most of it, so maybe I'll share more links tomorrow.
by David Hyde (from The Source at DC Comics)
A series of prequel series to Alan Moore & Dave Gibbons' seminal '80s comic. There's been a lot of reporting on this today and I haven't had a chance to read most of it, so maybe I'll share more links tomorrow.
Tuesday, 31 January 2012
TV
Law & Order: UK
6x03 Haunted
[Watch it (again) on ITV Player.]
Onion News Network
1x07 The Real Obama
Pointless
5x48 (19/1/12 edition)
5x49 (20/1/12 edition)
6x03 Haunted
[Watch it (again) on ITV Player.]
Onion News Network
1x07 The Real Obama
Pointless
5x48 (19/1/12 edition)
5x49 (20/1/12 edition)
DVD Extras
Audio commentary by Bey Logan and Gordon Chan on 2000 AD
Second half.
The Making of 2000 AD
The making of the above, which was rather lightweight and promotional, but hey-ho.
Second half.
The Making of 2000 AD
The making of the above, which was rather lightweight and promotional, but hey-ho.
Comics
Detective Comics
#4 by Tony S. Daniel
#5 by Tony S. Daniel & Szymon Kudranski
#4 seems decent enough… until you realise that's supposed to be the end of the story, at which point it doesn't so much leave the odd thread hanging for the future as not resolve anything, which just highlights the bits that don't quite make sense.
And as for #5… Two half-length stories don't help matters. The main one (by dint of it featuring Batman and sort-of continuing the on-going thread, written & drawn (as usual) by Daniel) is a mix of catch-up and set-up rather than a full tale, has dubious satire/criticism of the Occupy movement (and if it wasn't meant to be critical of it then it fails by being critical), leaden dialogue, and a reveal that's thoroughly useless because a) that villain's on the cover, and b) last issue Batman said he'd be going after him… not that he is going after him -- he's after some small-time gangster types, and the Penguin gets brought into it through an entirely different route. Nice art, particularly Penguin's new casino, but damn if the story it tells isn't weak.
The nominal back-up strip, Russian Roulette (written by Daniel with art by Kudranski), is well-drawn -- in an appropriately grubby kind of way -- but seems like even more of a scene-setting prequel than the main story, and doesn't necessarily make a whole lot of sense. What does Eli add to Catwoman's plan, other than mucking things up and needing her to save him?
Quite a tumble for the former second-best Bat book, all told. If Batman and Robin has continued to pull its socks up in issues 4&5 (which I haven't read yet) then it'll move up a notch in my affections.
#4 by Tony S. Daniel
#5 by Tony S. Daniel & Szymon Kudranski
#4 seems decent enough… until you realise that's supposed to be the end of the story, at which point it doesn't so much leave the odd thread hanging for the future as not resolve anything, which just highlights the bits that don't quite make sense.
And as for #5… Two half-length stories don't help matters. The main one (by dint of it featuring Batman and sort-of continuing the on-going thread, written & drawn (as usual) by Daniel) is a mix of catch-up and set-up rather than a full tale, has dubious satire/criticism of the Occupy movement (and if it wasn't meant to be critical of it then it fails by being critical), leaden dialogue, and a reveal that's thoroughly useless because a) that villain's on the cover, and b) last issue Batman said he'd be going after him… not that he is going after him -- he's after some small-time gangster types, and the Penguin gets brought into it through an entirely different route. Nice art, particularly Penguin's new casino, but damn if the story it tells isn't weak.
The nominal back-up strip, Russian Roulette (written by Daniel with art by Kudranski), is well-drawn -- in an appropriately grubby kind of way -- but seems like even more of a scene-setting prequel than the main story, and doesn't necessarily make a whole lot of sense. What does Eli add to Catwoman's plan, other than mucking things up and needing her to save him?
Quite a tumble for the former second-best Bat book, all told. If Batman and Robin has continued to pull its socks up in issues 4&5 (which I haven't read yet) then it'll move up a notch in my affections.
Monday, 30 January 2012
TV
Pointless
5x46 (17/1/12 edition)
5x47 (18/1/12 edition)
Went away, got two weeks behind. The Pointless catch-up starts here!
5x46 (17/1/12 edition)
5x47 (18/1/12 edition)
Went away, got two weeks behind. The Pointless catch-up starts here!
DVD Extras
Breaking the Rules: Making Animation History
The Stage is Set
Now We Ride
A pair of really interesting making-of featurettes from the Rango Blu-ray, taking almost 50 minutes total to detail the unusual process behind the making of the movie.
The Stage is Set
Now We Ride
A pair of really interesting making-of featurettes from the Rango Blu-ray, taking almost 50 minutes total to detail the unusual process behind the making of the movie.
Comics
All Star Western #4 by Justin Gray, Jimmy Palmiotti & Moritat
Well back on form this issue, kicking off a new story proper. It's funny how some of these 20-page comics feel brief, lightweight and not worth their cover price, while others pack so much in I'm counting the pages to check it's not a bumper-length edition. All Star Western slots into the latter more often than most, which is probably thanks to Gray & Palmiotti doing nothing but one-and-dones on their pre-New 52 Hex series.
Also this issue, the first part of a new back-up strip, The Barbary Ghost, with art by Phil Winslade. It's got more potential than the last one, though the on-the-nose dialogue script could have done with some work.
Aquaman #3 & #4 by Geoff Johns & Ivan Reis
Part three somewhat exemplifies what I was just talking about, ending when I still thought it had a bit to go. Good stuff though; hopefully the time it spent on backstory is setting up stuff for the future. The concluding part, however, was incident-packed and left the four-parter as a well-structured whole. Aquaman may not be many people's favourite superhero, but he's surely gaining lots of fans here.
Sunday, 29 January 2012
DVD Extras
Audio commentary by Bey Logan and Gordon Chan on 2000 AD
Logan is an incredibly prolific commentator -- according to Wikipedia, he's recorded 123 to date! -- and I can rather see why even from just this, the first half of a single commentary. He's amiable and knowledgeable, and quite good at drawing out more information from his co-commentator, the film's director. Makes me appreciate/understand more about a film I didn't hugely enjoy.
Logan is an incredibly prolific commentator -- according to Wikipedia, he's recorded 123 to date! -- and I can rather see why even from just this, the first half of a single commentary. He's amiable and knowledgeable, and quite good at drawing out more information from his co-commentator, the film's director. Makes me appreciate/understand more about a film I didn't hugely enjoy.
Comics
Six issues read today...
All Star Western #3 by Justin Gray, Jimmy Palmiotti & Moritat
Funny issue, this one: the story from the first two is wrapped up quickly, but with bits apparently left hanging, then it picks up a new thing... which isn't new because it was in the beginning of #1 (I think, because I don't really remember it). Moritat's apparently scratchy, chunky, basic art is surprisingly detailed, which is wonderful, especially in action scenes. Plus it really suits the grimy, gritty tone of the book. But overall, it feels like it needs to get going on a proper meaty story, like the first issue seemed to promise, and if/when it does I'll enjoy it even more.
Elsewhere, the Gray/Palmiotti-penned Jordi Bernet-drawn back-up strip El Diablo comes to a conclusion even limper than its opening. Ho hum. Many they need to look to 2000 AD for a lesson in storytelling in 6-8 page chunks.
Batman: The Dark Knight #3 & #4 by David Finch & Paul Jenkins
Still by far the worst Batman book going. Finch & Jenkins seem to tell a well-paced story... until it stops suddenly with the end of the issue. The plot (by both creators) seems to be constructed around shoehorning in cameos at every turn, as if someone's tried to craft the ultimate Batman story and failed miserably by doing far, far too much. Jenkins (writing) attempts to add some emotional depth to proceedings in #4, but he doesn't seem to have the chops to pull it off. Finch's art is fine, occasionally great, when depicting superhero antics, but his human faces range from not-great to nasty.
So I'm sticking it out to the end of this arc, but I'm quite looking forward to dropping it. Sadly, based on the schedule for collected editions, that won't be until #9! And I doubt DC will follow me in ditching it -- the fact there are currently four Batman-starring books suggests they like having one every week. Though with Batman Incorporated returning in a few months, maybe they'll ditch this at the next round of changes.
Batwoman #3, #4 & #5 by J.H. Williams III & W. Haden Blackman
The absolutely stunning artwork alone would make this worth reading, but it's also backed up by an engrossing story featuring detailed and plausible characters. Surely one of the best books of the New 52, probably current mainstream comics full stop. It's technically the end of the current arc here, but there's a lot of story to go forward. It's changing artist next issue for some reason, so I hope that doesn't effect it too badly.
Definitely considering getting the collected edition of this story, especially if it's oversized, just to see the art again and appreciate it even more fully. Plus that collection will include #0, which I missed. It's out in June (in the US at least).
All Star Western #3 by Justin Gray, Jimmy Palmiotti & Moritat
Funny issue, this one: the story from the first two is wrapped up quickly, but with bits apparently left hanging, then it picks up a new thing... which isn't new because it was in the beginning of #1 (I think, because I don't really remember it). Moritat's apparently scratchy, chunky, basic art is surprisingly detailed, which is wonderful, especially in action scenes. Plus it really suits the grimy, gritty tone of the book. But overall, it feels like it needs to get going on a proper meaty story, like the first issue seemed to promise, and if/when it does I'll enjoy it even more.
Elsewhere, the Gray/Palmiotti-penned Jordi Bernet-drawn back-up strip El Diablo comes to a conclusion even limper than its opening. Ho hum. Many they need to look to 2000 AD for a lesson in storytelling in 6-8 page chunks.
Batman: The Dark Knight #3 & #4 by David Finch & Paul Jenkins
Still by far the worst Batman book going. Finch & Jenkins seem to tell a well-paced story... until it stops suddenly with the end of the issue. The plot (by both creators) seems to be constructed around shoehorning in cameos at every turn, as if someone's tried to craft the ultimate Batman story and failed miserably by doing far, far too much. Jenkins (writing) attempts to add some emotional depth to proceedings in #4, but he doesn't seem to have the chops to pull it off. Finch's art is fine, occasionally great, when depicting superhero antics, but his human faces range from not-great to nasty.
So I'm sticking it out to the end of this arc, but I'm quite looking forward to dropping it. Sadly, based on the schedule for collected editions, that won't be until #9! And I doubt DC will follow me in ditching it -- the fact there are currently four Batman-starring books suggests they like having one every week. Though with Batman Incorporated returning in a few months, maybe they'll ditch this at the next round of changes.
Batwoman #3, #4 & #5 by J.H. Williams III & W. Haden Blackman
The absolutely stunning artwork alone would make this worth reading, but it's also backed up by an engrossing story featuring detailed and plausible characters. Surely one of the best books of the New 52, probably current mainstream comics full stop. It's technically the end of the current arc here, but there's a lot of story to go forward. It's changing artist next issue for some reason, so I hope that doesn't effect it too badly.
Definitely considering getting the collected edition of this story, especially if it's oversized, just to see the art again and appreciate it even more fully. Plus that collection will include #0, which I missed. It's out in June (in the US at least).
this week on 100 Films
2 new reviews were posted to 100 Films in a Year this week, and they were...
Battle Los Angeles (2011)
Ironclad (2011)
More next Sunday.
Battle Los Angeles (2011)
There is an even better film tucked away inside Battle Los Angeles. One brief dialogue scene discusses the similarities between the human soldiers and alien grunts, but the intriguing idea that they’re intelligent beings following orders just like us is sadly not built upon. There are obvious parallels with the invasions of Afghanistan and Iraq, but aside from the audience spotting shots that are reminiscent of news footage, the threads aren’t drawn out or commented on.
Ironclad (2011)
There are stretches some may find dull — there’s little new to be done with the whole Recruiting The Team bit, and once John gets the castle under siege and everyone’s twiddling thumbs and eating horses some viewers will be doing one of the two as well — but there are regular bursts of sword-swinging violence that achieve the film’s primary aims of creating a Hollywood-esque historical action movie on British soil
More next Sunday.
Saturday, 28 January 2012
TV
How I Met Your Mother
7x12 Symphony of Illumination
[Watch it (again) on 4oD.]
Live at the Apollo
7x08 Episode 8 [season finale]
The Magicians
2x03 Episode 3
I enjoy the tricks and illusions on The Magicians -- the world-exclusive walking-on-fountains was particularly nice this week -- but the show itself feels like it's being put together by the work experience kids at times. This is prime time Saturday night BBC One for crying out loud, there shouldn't be mistakes like playing the Next Time trailer 10 minutes early in episode one, never mind by episode three!
The Mentalist
4x06 Where in the World is Carmine O'Brien?
Room 101: Extra Storage
12x01 Episode 1
Hurrah for the return of Room 101! I've seen some be quite critical of its new format, but I thought it worked well. And Fern Britton's silly sci-fi comments were suitably rebutted.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
7x12 Symphony of Illumination
[Watch it (again) on 4oD.]
Live at the Apollo
7x08 Episode 8 [season finale]
The Magicians
2x03 Episode 3
I enjoy the tricks and illusions on The Magicians -- the world-exclusive walking-on-fountains was particularly nice this week -- but the show itself feels like it's being put together by the work experience kids at times. This is prime time Saturday night BBC One for crying out loud, there shouldn't be mistakes like playing the Next Time trailer 10 minutes early in episode one, never mind by episode three!
The Mentalist
4x06 Where in the World is Carmine O'Brien?
Room 101: Extra Storage
12x01 Episode 1
Hurrah for the return of Room 101! I've seen some be quite critical of its new format, but I thought it worked well. And Fern Britton's silly sci-fi comments were suitably rebutted.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Comics
Nightwing
#3 by Kyle Higgins, Eddy Barrows & Eduardo Pansica
#4 by Kyle Higgins & Trevor McCarthy
#5 by Kyle Higgins & Eddy Barrows
The regular artist and on-going story takes a break (mostly) in issue 4 for a fairly fun one-and-done with Batgirl... then returns for another one-and-done. I like those, they make a change from modern comic's general long-form storytelling (even if these two take a fantastical aside from the general real-world feel of the current Bat-books), but there's an element of "get on with it" when you don't wrap a story up. Arcs are one thing, something left hanging is another. Good cliffhanger to #5 though.
#3 by Kyle Higgins, Eddy Barrows & Eduardo Pansica
#4 by Kyle Higgins & Trevor McCarthy
#5 by Kyle Higgins & Eddy Barrows
The regular artist and on-going story takes a break (mostly) in issue 4 for a fairly fun one-and-done with Batgirl... then returns for another one-and-done. I like those, they make a change from modern comic's general long-form storytelling (even if these two take a fantastical aside from the general real-world feel of the current Bat-books), but there's an element of "get on with it" when you don't wrap a story up. Arcs are one thing, something left hanging is another. Good cliffhanger to #5 though.
Friday, 27 January 2012
Collection Count
Collection Count tracks my DVD/Blu-ray collection via a number of statistics every week.
This week, my Blu-rays have almost made it to 300. I've a few more on order -- most of which should have arrived, but TheHut Group companies aren't as efficient as Amazon or HMV, or even Play.com -- so next week might see it tip over. If the aforementioned retailers get their act together.
Also this week, the first running time update of the new year! How many days/hours/minutes of entertainment have I bought since Christmas?
Number of titles in collection: 1,443 [up 5]
Of which DVDs: 1,148 [no change]
Of which Blu-rays: 295 [up 5]
Number of discs in collection: 3,586 [up 7]
Number of films in collection: 1,535 [up 4]
Number of TV episodes in collection: 5,411 [up 2]
And as I said, it's time for a running time update...
Total running time of collection (approx.):
258 days, 10 hours, and 17 minutes.
(Up 2 days, 7 hours, and 51 minutes from last month.)
That's the result of 29 new titles, by-the-by. All that since Christmas?! I'm mad.
Still, see you next week for even more, faithful reader.
This week, my Blu-rays have almost made it to 300. I've a few more on order -- most of which should have arrived, but TheHut Group companies aren't as efficient as Amazon or HMV, or even Play.com -- so next week might see it tip over. If the aforementioned retailers get their act together.
Also this week, the first running time update of the new year! How many days/hours/minutes of entertainment have I bought since Christmas?
Number of titles in collection: 1,443 [up 5]
Of which DVDs: 1,148 [no change]
Of which Blu-rays: 295 [up 5]
Number of discs in collection: 3,586 [up 7]
Number of films in collection: 1,535 [up 4]
Number of TV episodes in collection: 5,411 [up 2]
And as I said, it's time for a running time update...
Total running time of collection (approx.):
258 days, 10 hours, and 17 minutes.
(Up 2 days, 7 hours, and 51 minutes from last month.)
That's the result of 29 new titles, by-the-by. All that since Christmas?! I'm mad.
Still, see you next week for even more, faithful reader.
Thursday, 26 January 2012
Articles
Oscar Index: The Beginning of the End
by S.T. Vanairsdale (from Movieline)
Movieline's weekly Oscar roundup has its first post-nominations-announcement look at how things are going and expected to go. It's full of graphs charting candidates' chances, and most interesting are the acting and directing categories -- look at all the previously-high lines that plummet out when they surprisingly don't get a nomination! Also, look how much War Horse has dropped in the Best Picture stakes!
Rufus Hound interview: 'Censorship will cause death of civilisation'
by Alex Fletcher (from Digital Spy)
Starts off about his recent Windows ad campaign, but then he goes on to make some good points about the ludicrous sense of entitlement among internet forum commenters.
by S.T. Vanairsdale (from Movieline)
Movieline's weekly Oscar roundup has its first post-nominations-announcement look at how things are going and expected to go. It's full of graphs charting candidates' chances, and most interesting are the acting and directing categories -- look at all the previously-high lines that plummet out when they surprisingly don't get a nomination! Also, look how much War Horse has dropped in the Best Picture stakes!
Rufus Hound interview: 'Censorship will cause death of civilisation'
by Alex Fletcher (from Digital Spy)
Starts off about his recent Windows ad campaign, but then he goes on to make some good points about the ludicrous sense of entitlement among internet forum commenters.
Wednesday, 25 January 2012
Articles
Bad Rep – The War Against 35mm
by David Jenkins (from Little White Lies)
Or, why the future is grim for obscure old films.
by David Jenkins (from Little White Lies)
Or, why the future is grim for obscure old films.
Tuesday, 24 January 2012
Articles
Masters Of Cinema Monthly February 2012 – Announcements, Le Silence De La Mer, Punishment Park, The Future Of DVD And An Interview With Monte Hellman
by Craig Skinner (from Bleeding Cool)
Mainly including this for the full coverage of MoC's April/May/June titles, which were announced on twitter today. Here, BC have cover art and initial extras lists for all of them. Lots of very exciting stuff there... indeed, I think all of it is of interest to me, much of it as soon as it's released.
They also announced that they've acquired the rights to silent classic, and 20th greatest and 206th most popular film of all time, La Passion de Jeanne d'Arc (The Passion of Joan of Arc). That's due out sometime in 2013 though. Long time to go, but I'm sure it'll be worth the wait.
by Craig Skinner (from Bleeding Cool)
Mainly including this for the full coverage of MoC's April/May/June titles, which were announced on twitter today. Here, BC have cover art and initial extras lists for all of them. Lots of very exciting stuff there... indeed, I think all of it is of interest to me, much of it as soon as it's released.
They also announced that they've acquired the rights to silent classic, and 20th greatest and 206th most popular film of all time, La Passion de Jeanne d'Arc (The Passion of Joan of Arc). That's due out sometime in 2013 though. Long time to go, but I'm sure it'll be worth the wait.
Monday, 23 January 2012
Comics
In my quest to get caught up, I'm generally starting with series where I'm three or more issues behind.
Batgirl #3 by Gail Simone & Ardian Syaf
I last read Batgirl nearly 14 weeks ago. A lot of people seem to be loving this book but I wasn't sold (only enough to commit myself to at least finish the current story arc), and this issue does little to change my mind. Nice cliffhanger-resolving action with a twist at the start, but followed with too much business with Nightwing told in an overlong fashion. I thought this would be the end to said arc, but it's an aside. Next time... maybe...
Batgirl #4 by Gail Simone & Ardian Syaf
..."yes", here it is. Much better, this one. Mirror's a great idea for a villain and he's well dealt with in their final battle. And despite saying I'd be leaving the book here, Simone pulls out a cliffhanger too intriguing to leave hanging. Guess Batgirl has me for at least a little longer... and so...
Batgirl #5 by Gail Simone, Ardian Syaf & Vicente Cifuentes
...I would've just listed these together if I hadn't written comments on each one when I wasn't expecting to read them all. As for this one, I find the stuff with Barbara's mum -- sorry, mom -- a bit unconvincing. After, what, a decade away, through Barbara's teens and young adulthood, she just turns up on her doorstep and they just pop out for a coffee? Don't buy it. Meanwhile, there's another intriguing superhero-y plot kicking off.
So my conclusion about Simone's writing, after five issues: don't buy her character/drama stuff, but the superheroics are pretty good.
Batman #3, #4 & #5 by Scott Snyder & Greg Capullo
This is easily the best comic covered in this post... or quite a lot of other posts, to be honest. It feels like reading a classic in the making. CBR gave #5 the full five stars last week; personally I enjoyed the build up to it more -- lots of tension and revelations and action -- but it's all excellent.
Justice League #3 & #4 by Geoff Johns & Jim Lee
The more you read, the more you can see why comic fans complain about decompressed storytelling in modern books -- even reading two issues back to back, it doesn't feel like things have moved on a great deal. That doesn't mean there's not good stuff in here, but it can take its time actually moving the plot forward, and when there's only about 20-22 pages an issue, for the prices they charge, that can feel a bit frustrating.
Uncanny X-Men #4 by Kieron Gillen & Brandon Peterson
Why would you relaunch a series only to keep telling stories reliant on events from the past? Other than as a cynical sales tactic, of course.
Wolverine and the X-Men #4 by Jason Aaron & Nick Bradshaw
Some intriguing stories being set up, once you decipher them from the mass of references to other books and past storylines. And American comics creators wonder why their sales are dropping! Old fans get fed up with the number of books they're expected to buy at increasingly high prices, new fans find it all too dense and self-referential to get on board with... plus the number of books they might need to buy at increasingly high prices. But it explained enough for me to follow in the end, and the first three issues were strong enough that I'll stick with it for now. Not so sure about Uncanny's long-term future in my reading...
Batgirl #3 by Gail Simone & Ardian Syaf
I last read Batgirl nearly 14 weeks ago. A lot of people seem to be loving this book but I wasn't sold (only enough to commit myself to at least finish the current story arc), and this issue does little to change my mind. Nice cliffhanger-resolving action with a twist at the start, but followed with too much business with Nightwing told in an overlong fashion. I thought this would be the end to said arc, but it's an aside. Next time... maybe...
Batgirl #4 by Gail Simone & Ardian Syaf
..."yes", here it is. Much better, this one. Mirror's a great idea for a villain and he's well dealt with in their final battle. And despite saying I'd be leaving the book here, Simone pulls out a cliffhanger too intriguing to leave hanging. Guess Batgirl has me for at least a little longer... and so...
Batgirl #5 by Gail Simone, Ardian Syaf & Vicente Cifuentes
...I would've just listed these together if I hadn't written comments on each one when I wasn't expecting to read them all. As for this one, I find the stuff with Barbara's mum -- sorry, mom -- a bit unconvincing. After, what, a decade away, through Barbara's teens and young adulthood, she just turns up on her doorstep and they just pop out for a coffee? Don't buy it. Meanwhile, there's another intriguing superhero-y plot kicking off.
So my conclusion about Simone's writing, after five issues: don't buy her character/drama stuff, but the superheroics are pretty good.
Batman #3, #4 & #5 by Scott Snyder & Greg Capullo
This is easily the best comic covered in this post... or quite a lot of other posts, to be honest. It feels like reading a classic in the making. CBR gave #5 the full five stars last week; personally I enjoyed the build up to it more -- lots of tension and revelations and action -- but it's all excellent.
Justice League #3 & #4 by Geoff Johns & Jim Lee
The more you read, the more you can see why comic fans complain about decompressed storytelling in modern books -- even reading two issues back to back, it doesn't feel like things have moved on a great deal. That doesn't mean there's not good stuff in here, but it can take its time actually moving the plot forward, and when there's only about 20-22 pages an issue, for the prices they charge, that can feel a bit frustrating.
Uncanny X-Men #4 by Kieron Gillen & Brandon Peterson
Why would you relaunch a series only to keep telling stories reliant on events from the past? Other than as a cynical sales tactic, of course.
Wolverine and the X-Men #4 by Jason Aaron & Nick Bradshaw
Some intriguing stories being set up, once you decipher them from the mass of references to other books and past storylines. And American comics creators wonder why their sales are dropping! Old fans get fed up with the number of books they're expected to buy at increasingly high prices, new fans find it all too dense and self-referential to get on board with... plus the number of books they might need to buy at increasingly high prices. But it explained enough for me to follow in the end, and the first three issues were strong enough that I'll stick with it for now. Not so sure about Uncanny's long-term future in my reading...
Articles
Russell T Davies creates new children’s BBC drama
by Jack Seale (from Radio Times)
Co-created with Sarah Jane Adventures' head writer Phil Ford, it's called Aliens vs Wizards. Sounds cool.
by Jack Seale (from Radio Times)
Co-created with Sarah Jane Adventures' head writer Phil Ford, it's called Aliens vs Wizards. Sounds cool.
Sunday, 22 January 2012
Films
Ironclad (2011)
[#8 in 100 Films in a Year 2012]
Eight is the number I need to see in January to stay on perfect target, so that's a solid opening to the year. With nine days to spare, there's still time for it to turn in to a great one. We'll see.
[#8 in 100 Films in a Year 2012]
Eight is the number I need to see in January to stay on perfect target, so that's a solid opening to the year. With nine days to spare, there's still time for it to turn in to a great one. We'll see.
Comics
And that catching up continues apace...
Daredevil #7 by Mark Waid & Paolo Rivera
Christmassy one-and-done in which Daredevil has to save a bunch of blind kids after their school bus crashes in snowy mountains, killing the driver… except they end up rescuing him. How heartwarming. Didn't much care for it myself.
Uncanny X-Men #2 by Kieron Gillen, Rodney Buchemi, Jorge Molina & Carlos Pacheco
A bit twiddly-thumbs-y middle-part-y. Some beautifully drawn pages -- no idea which of the three pencilers, four inkers and four colourists are responsible for those ones, but they do look good -- but the story almost treads water for most of the issue.
Uncanny X-Men #3 by Kieron Gillen, Rodney Buchemi, Paco Diaz & Carlos Pacheco
That was better -- a conclusion to the current threat, but leaving other things open for the future. And relatively subtly laying things in for this summer's big X-Men event.
Wolverine and the X-Men
#2 by Jason Aaron & Chris Bachalo
#3 by Jason Aaron, Chris Bachalo, Duncan Rouleau & Matteo Scalera
This book, however, is just bags of cartoony fun -- and utterly fantastic because of it. Enjoying it immensely.
X-Men: Regenesis by Kieron Gillen & Billy Tan
A one-shot prequel/bridging book for all the newly-relaunched X-Men series. Having read the first issues of the two main books, I thought it might be worth a look. It's a neat way of telling a story that could just be a list of people saying "I choose A" or "I choose B", but a great deal of it doesn't make sense to a newbie reader -- need a little list of backstory explanations to go alongside it.
Daredevil #7 by Mark Waid & Paolo Rivera
Christmassy one-and-done in which Daredevil has to save a bunch of blind kids after their school bus crashes in snowy mountains, killing the driver… except they end up rescuing him. How heartwarming. Didn't much care for it myself.
Uncanny X-Men #2 by Kieron Gillen, Rodney Buchemi, Jorge Molina & Carlos Pacheco
A bit twiddly-thumbs-y middle-part-y. Some beautifully drawn pages -- no idea which of the three pencilers, four inkers and four colourists are responsible for those ones, but they do look good -- but the story almost treads water for most of the issue.
Uncanny X-Men #3 by Kieron Gillen, Rodney Buchemi, Paco Diaz & Carlos Pacheco
That was better -- a conclusion to the current threat, but leaving other things open for the future. And relatively subtly laying things in for this summer's big X-Men event.
Wolverine and the X-Men
#2 by Jason Aaron & Chris Bachalo
#3 by Jason Aaron, Chris Bachalo, Duncan Rouleau & Matteo Scalera
This book, however, is just bags of cartoony fun -- and utterly fantastic because of it. Enjoying it immensely.
X-Men: Regenesis by Kieron Gillen & Billy Tan
A one-shot prequel/bridging book for all the newly-relaunched X-Men series. Having read the first issues of the two main books, I thought it might be worth a look. It's a neat way of telling a story that could just be a list of people saying "I choose A" or "I choose B", but a great deal of it doesn't make sense to a newbie reader -- need a little list of backstory explanations to go alongside it.
this week on 100 Films
This week I forgot I'd snuck The Spider Woman in on Sunday, so not as many reviews as I'd intended. That said, there were still 2 new reviews posted to 100 Films in a Year this week, and they were...
Hotel for Dogs (2009)
Underworld: Rise of the Lycans (2009)
More next Sunday.
Hotel for Dogs (2009)
Judged as simply a movie, on its story and its characters and all that regular palaver, I can see why Hotel for Dogs attracts so many poor scores. But as a kids' film I think it works well enough, and as a delivery system for cute dogs I loved it. I don’t think I’ve ever “aww”ed so much in a single film. Yep, I’ve gone all soft.
Underworld: Rise of the Lycans (2009)
this entry jumps back in time several hundred years for an origin of sorts, fleshing out flashbacks and backstory from the first two films. Unfortunately, we learnt pretty much all we needed to know in those flashbacks, and so in terms of both story and world-building Rise of the Lycans has little to add to the Underworld franchise.
More next Sunday.
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