Dexter
8x09 Make Your Own Kind of Music
Man, this season is packed with Plot!
Doctor Who
10x04 The Three Doctors Episode Four [2nd watch]
The Third Doctor phase of #bbbDW50 comes to an end today, with this final episode of the 10th anniversary special. Overall I enjoyed the story more this time round, with the antics between the Doctors being particularly fun, but it still has more than its fair share of silliness -- the waddling "om-nom-nom"ing Gel Guards, for instance, or the bizarre fight at the end of episode three. As anniversary celebrations go, The Five Doctors nailed it better. Hopefully The Day of the Doctor can do the same.
Friends
2x03 The One Where Heckles Dies [4th or so watch]
2x04 The One with Phoebe's Husband [4th or so watch]
QI
11x02 Kit and Kaboodle (XL edition)
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Friday, 20 September 2013
DVD Extras
Commentary on The Green Death Episode Six and Death of the Doctor by Russell T Davies & Katy Manning
Two big, well-matched personalities have a glorious natter over 79 minutes of Doctor Who-related material. Wonderful.
Two big, well-matched personalities have a glorious natter over 79 minutes of Doctor Who-related material. Wonderful.
Thursday, 19 September 2013
TV
Dexter
8x08 Are We There Yet?
Loved the 'dysfunctional family' bits of this episode. But the way things are going, feels like next time is more the finale than only the start of the final third! What strange and exciting new twists are left in store for us?
Friends
2x01 The One with Ross's New Girlfriend [4th or so watch]
2x02 The One with the Breast Milk [4th or so watch]
I know I've seen season one a good deal more than some of the middle years, but this is all still very familiar -- and very funny. So we'll go with "4th watch", because it's a bit less unwieldy.
8x08 Are We There Yet?
Loved the 'dysfunctional family' bits of this episode. But the way things are going, feels like next time is more the finale than only the start of the final third! What strange and exciting new twists are left in store for us?
Friends
2x01 The One with Ross's New Girlfriend [4th or so watch]
2x02 The One with the Breast Milk [4th or so watch]
I know I've seen season one a good deal more than some of the middle years, but this is all still very familiar -- and very funny. So we'll go with "4th watch", because it's a bit less unwieldy.
Comics
A Redtail's Dream by Minna Sundberg
Chapter 1
Some of the dialogue is a little clunky (it's obvious English isn't the author's first language), and the word balloon layout could also use some work at times... but other than speech-related issues, the art is lovely, the characters are mostly likeable, and the story is intriguing. Not yet convinced about spending such a large amount on the hardback, but I'm almost there.
Chapter 1
Some of the dialogue is a little clunky (it's obvious English isn't the author's first language), and the word balloon layout could also use some work at times... but other than speech-related issues, the art is lovely, the characters are mostly likeable, and the story is intriguing. Not yet convinced about spending such a large amount on the hardback, but I'm almost there.
Wednesday, 18 September 2013
TV
Doctor Who
10x03 The Three Doctors Episode Three [2nd watch]
In which the Third Doctor slow-mo wrestles with a pig-nosed bat-eared avatar of Omega in a black-void dreamspace. Not at all weird.
In other news, I'm beginning to remember why I didn't really like this first time round... though I don't dislike it quite so much.
Friends
1x24 The One Where Rachel Finds Out [season finale; goodness-knows-what-th watch]
The Last Leg
3x07 (11/9/13 edition)
[Watch it (again) on 4oD.]
Suburgatory
2x09 Junior Secretary's Day
[Watch it (again) on 4oD.]
10x03 The Three Doctors Episode Three [2nd watch]
In which the Third Doctor slow-mo wrestles with a pig-nosed bat-eared avatar of Omega in a black-void dreamspace. Not at all weird.
In other news, I'm beginning to remember why I didn't really like this first time round... though I don't dislike it quite so much.
Friends
1x24 The One Where Rachel Finds Out [season finale; goodness-knows-what-th watch]
The Last Leg
3x07 (11/9/13 edition)
[Watch it (again) on 4oD.]
Suburgatory
2x09 Junior Secretary's Day
[Watch it (again) on 4oD.]
Tuesday, 17 September 2013
TV
Dexter
8x07 Dress Code
Rastamouse!
Friends
1x23 The One with the Birth [goodness-knows-what-th watch]
The Newsroom
2x03 Willie Pete
Sometimes the writing is ever so fast and clever and all that, and other times it sinks to utterly implausible soap opera theatrics. It always seemed to work in The West Wing, but even this far in I'm not sure how well it does here.
8x07 Dress Code
Rastamouse!
Friends
1x23 The One with the Birth [goodness-knows-what-th watch]
The Newsroom
2x03 Willie Pete
Sometimes the writing is ever so fast and clever and all that, and other times it sinks to utterly implausible soap opera theatrics. It always seemed to work in The West Wing, but even this far in I'm not sure how well it does here.
Monday, 16 September 2013
TV
Dexter
8x06 A Little Reflection
An apprentice; a returning face; Dexter struggling with romantic relationships... Feels like the series is on a 'greatest hits' tour for its final season!
Doctor Who
10x02 The Three Doctors Episode Two [2nd watch]
A quarry! It really is a proper anniversary special.
Friends
1x22 The One with the Ick Factor [goodness-knows-what-th watch]
Mock the Week
12x08 (12/9/13 edition)
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
8x06 A Little Reflection
An apprentice; a returning face; Dexter struggling with romantic relationships... Feels like the series is on a 'greatest hits' tour for its final season!
Doctor Who
10x02 The Three Doctors Episode Two [2nd watch]
A quarry! It really is a proper anniversary special.
Friends
1x22 The One with the Ick Factor [goodness-knows-what-th watch]
Mock the Week
12x08 (12/9/13 edition)
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
Comics
Batman '66 #3 by Jeff Parker & Jonathan Case
End of the first story. My previous comments still stand, in a good way -- I shall continue reading. Probably at my usual daftly-slow rate, but I shall.
End of the first story. My previous comments still stand, in a good way -- I shall continue reading. Probably at my usual daftly-slow rate, but I shall.
Sunday, 15 September 2013
TV
Friends
1x21 The One with the Fake Monica [goodness-knows-what-th watch]
Vera
3x03 Young Gods
[Watch it (again) on ITV Player.]
1x21 The One with the Fake Monica [goodness-knows-what-th watch]
Vera
3x03 Young Gods
[Watch it (again) on ITV Player.]
Comics
A Redtail's Dream by Minna Sundberg
Prologue
This was brought to my attention by an Indiegogo email, because it's currently running an (incredibly successful) campaign to publish a print edition. But because it's a webcomic, you can still read the full thing online for free here, which is certainly handy when it comes to decision-making about backing the project -- especially at the prices involved: although you can get a PDF version for as little as $15 (~£9.50), the fact the book will be over 600 pages long in a lavish hardback with a small print run (because hey, it's free online, so if you're gonna pay for a print edition you wanna go all-out) means prices start at $90 (~£57)!
The comic itself, then, is "about a young Finnish lad named Hannu Viitanen and his shapeshifting, talking dog Ville, who are on a journey to bring back the souls of their fellow villagers from the realm of dreams. Much of the story is inspired by Finnish mythology, and it is quite child friendly and lighthearted." The artwork is lovely, a painterly fairy-tale storybook style that would seem to suit a mythology-based family-friendly tale like a glove.
The story itself, in this prologue, is harder to gauge. There's a long preamble with some foxes chatting about their love of buns. It's Quirky and therefore kinda sickly. It's also thick with dialogue and an occasionally unclear arrangement of speech bubbles. Sundberg is working in a second (or third? She's Finnish-Swedish) language here, so some of that is understandable -- indeed, the vast majority of the time you'd never know, as these overly-wordy pages are the kind of thing you could see in any young person's (she started it in her second year of uni) first dabble in the medium.
At the minute I'm a little torn: I really like the art and it sounds like the hardback will be glorious, and show the artwork off beautifully; but I'm not sold on the writing/storytelling style in the prologue. The plot summary intrigues me though, and perhaps things settle down as Sundberg gets more experienced? The campaign doesn't end for another 2½ weeks, so maybe I'll just get stuck into reading it in the meantime.
Prologue
This was brought to my attention by an Indiegogo email, because it's currently running an (incredibly successful) campaign to publish a print edition. But because it's a webcomic, you can still read the full thing online for free here, which is certainly handy when it comes to decision-making about backing the project -- especially at the prices involved: although you can get a PDF version for as little as $15 (~£9.50), the fact the book will be over 600 pages long in a lavish hardback with a small print run (because hey, it's free online, so if you're gonna pay for a print edition you wanna go all-out) means prices start at $90 (~£57)!
The comic itself, then, is "about a young Finnish lad named Hannu Viitanen and his shapeshifting, talking dog Ville, who are on a journey to bring back the souls of their fellow villagers from the realm of dreams. Much of the story is inspired by Finnish mythology, and it is quite child friendly and lighthearted." The artwork is lovely, a painterly fairy-tale storybook style that would seem to suit a mythology-based family-friendly tale like a glove.
The story itself, in this prologue, is harder to gauge. There's a long preamble with some foxes chatting about their love of buns. It's Quirky and therefore kinda sickly. It's also thick with dialogue and an occasionally unclear arrangement of speech bubbles. Sundberg is working in a second (or third? She's Finnish-Swedish) language here, so some of that is understandable -- indeed, the vast majority of the time you'd never know, as these overly-wordy pages are the kind of thing you could see in any young person's (she started it in her second year of uni) first dabble in the medium.
At the minute I'm a little torn: I really like the art and it sounds like the hardback will be glorious, and show the artwork off beautifully; but I'm not sold on the writing/storytelling style in the prologue. The plot summary intrigues me though, and perhaps things settle down as Sundberg gets more experienced? The campaign doesn't end for another 2½ weeks, so maybe I'll just get stuck into reading it in the meantime.
this week on 100 Films
Three new reviews were published to 100 Films in a Year this week, and they were...
Anonymous (2011)
Iron Man 3 (2013)
The Naked Gun 33⅓: The Final Insult (1994)
And new to the new blog...
United 93 (2006)
More next Sunday.
Anonymous (2011)
this film by any other name would smell just as shit.Read more here.
Iron Man 3 (2013)
Some have described Iron Man Three as “the best Iron Man yet”, even better than the exalted first movie. Others have described it as “at least better than Iron Man 2”, the derided first sequel. I thought the first one was a tad overrated and the second notably underrated, so where does this trilogy-forming instalment fall on my personal scale? Well, that depends what you want from an Iron Man film…Read more here.
The Naked Gun 33⅓: The Final Insult (1994)
Normally I’m a stickler for watching film series in order, even when it doesn’t matter, so skipping 31 sequels really isn’t my style… but this was on telly one night in July and I was in just the right mood, so the second will have to wait for its turn another day.Read more here.
And new to the new blog...
United 93 (2006)
it is hard to imagine a more competent and respectful film being made about 9/11... Perhaps most importantly of all, the families want you to see it.Read more here.
More next Sunday.
Saturday, 14 September 2013
TV
8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown
4x05 (13/9/13 edition) [season finale]
[Watch it (again) on 4oD.]
Friends
1x20 The One with the Evil Orthodontist [goodness-knows-what-th watch]
The Great British Bake Off
4x04 Pies and Tarts
Paul Hollywood seemed on particularly mean form this week, though Ali-who-wouldn't-taste-his-fruit probably deserved to go.
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
4x05 (13/9/13 edition) [season finale]
[Watch it (again) on 4oD.]
Friends
1x20 The One with the Evil Orthodontist [goodness-knows-what-th watch]
The Great British Bake Off
4x04 Pies and Tarts
Paul Hollywood seemed on particularly mean form this week, though Ali-who-wouldn't-taste-his-fruit probably deserved to go.
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
DVD Extras
Carry On Screaming
and
Interweb of Fear
The two main new documentaries on the Scream of the Shalka DVD (out Monday).
The first concerns the making of the serial itself, with some insights into the original plans (a 12-episode series of three four-parters!), the difficulties getting it made, and also the wonder how well it came together on so little time, money and expertise. It also includes the revelation that, were it not for Shalka, the revived TV series might never have happened: it was the research done into the rights situation so they could produce Shalka that meant that when BBC One controller Lorraine Heggessey was saying they couldn't put Who on TV because of rights, the BBC website team were able to put her right. Architects of their own destruction, maybe, but it worked out well for all of us!
The second is about the aforementioned site, and the BBC's web presence more generally, including some of the groundbreaking and experimental things it was able to get away with... before the higher-ups shut things down, in spite of their popularity. It also doesn't shy away from some of the bad ideas, either.
One thing I got from both documentaries is what an ungrateful, hateful bunch Doctor Who fans can be. You can get that impression just by going on most dedicated forums for a few minutes, but you may assume it's isolated. However, stories of Who fans' nasty behaviour and negative attitude crops up in both these pieces. It's sad, really.
and
Interweb of Fear
The two main new documentaries on the Scream of the Shalka DVD (out Monday).
The first concerns the making of the serial itself, with some insights into the original plans (a 12-episode series of three four-parters!), the difficulties getting it made, and also the wonder how well it came together on so little time, money and expertise. It also includes the revelation that, were it not for Shalka, the revived TV series might never have happened: it was the research done into the rights situation so they could produce Shalka that meant that when BBC One controller Lorraine Heggessey was saying they couldn't put Who on TV because of rights, the BBC website team were able to put her right. Architects of their own destruction, maybe, but it worked out well for all of us!
The second is about the aforementioned site, and the BBC's web presence more generally, including some of the groundbreaking and experimental things it was able to get away with... before the higher-ups shut things down, in spite of their popularity. It also doesn't shy away from some of the bad ideas, either.
One thing I got from both documentaries is what an ungrateful, hateful bunch Doctor Who fans can be. You can get that impression just by going on most dedicated forums for a few minutes, but you may assume it's isolated. However, stories of Who fans' nasty behaviour and negative attitude crops up in both these pieces. It's sad, really.
Comics
Dredd Underbelly: Part One by Arthur Wyatt & Henry Flint
(from Judge Dredd Megazine #340)
While the campaign continues to get a Dredd sequel made, here's the official comic book sequel to last year's movie.
It's a bit hard to get a handle on it in this first instalment -- these feel very much like the first 10 pages of a graphic novel-length tale, rather than a self-contained chunk of action. That said, it manages to give Anderson a nice re-introduction, an action sequence for Dredd, and then establish the storyline. It also expands the world of the film, introducing Cursed Earth mutants. Thankfully, Flint's design for the muties is less comic-book and more how they might look in the film's universe.
There's definite promise here, but I suspect it will read better in collected form than in short monthly parts.
Nonetheless, Megazine #340 is in shops from next Wednesday.
(from Judge Dredd Megazine #340)
While the campaign continues to get a Dredd sequel made, here's the official comic book sequel to last year's movie.
It's a bit hard to get a handle on it in this first instalment -- these feel very much like the first 10 pages of a graphic novel-length tale, rather than a self-contained chunk of action. That said, it manages to give Anderson a nice re-introduction, an action sequence for Dredd, and then establish the storyline. It also expands the world of the film, introducing Cursed Earth mutants. Thankfully, Flint's design for the muties is less comic-book and more how they might look in the film's universe.
There's definite promise here, but I suspect it will read better in collected form than in short monthly parts.
Nonetheless, Megazine #340 is in shops from next Wednesday.
Collection Count
Collection Count tracks my DVD/Blu-ray collection via a number of statistics every week.
I believe I've had Blu-rays as part of my collection since before I started this weekly round-up, so this may be a first ever: a week with lots of new additions that is entirely DVD-only. It's not long 'til my next expected BD (a week Monday, to be precise), but still: this week, it's all good ol' Digital Video Disc.
That includes four bargain-priced Doctor Who DVDs (my collection edges ever nearer to completion), one new Doctor Who DVD that arrived a few days early, a box set I've waited so long to get I had to buy it used, and an upgrade of a US series from its barebones US edition to special-feature-packed UK release (weird, eh).
Number of titles in collection: 1,609 [up 6]
Of which DVDs: 1,181 [up 6]
Of which Blu-rays: 428 [no change]
Number of discs in collection: 4,014 [up 14]
Number of films in collection: 1,716 [up 6]
Number of TV episodes in collection: 5,946 [up 25]
Number of short films in collection: 392 [no change]
See you next week, faithful reader.
I believe I've had Blu-rays as part of my collection since before I started this weekly round-up, so this may be a first ever: a week with lots of new additions that is entirely DVD-only. It's not long 'til my next expected BD (a week Monday, to be precise), but still: this week, it's all good ol' Digital Video Disc.
That includes four bargain-priced Doctor Who DVDs (my collection edges ever nearer to completion), one new Doctor Who DVD that arrived a few days early, a box set I've waited so long to get I had to buy it used, and an upgrade of a US series from its barebones US edition to special-feature-packed UK release (weird, eh).
Number of titles in collection: 1,609 [up 6]
Of which DVDs: 1,181 [up 6]
Of which Blu-rays: 428 [no change]
Number of discs in collection: 4,014 [up 14]
Number of films in collection: 1,716 [up 6]
Number of TV episodes in collection: 5,946 [up 25]
Number of short films in collection: 392 [no change]
See you next week, faithful reader.
Friday, 13 September 2013
TV
Dexter
8x05 This Little Piggy
I haven't always been convinced in previous episodes, but between this one and the trailer for next time, I think this might turn out to be a cracking final season.
Doctor Who
10x01 The Three Doctors Episode One [2nd watch]
A break from the Doctor-by-Doctor approach now for, appropriately enough, the series' 10th anniversary serial. It also features the first appearance of evil Time Lord Omega, who some rumours suggest will turn up for the 50th. Even if he doesn't, it's another iconic (ish) villain to add to the list.
I can't remember when I first watched The Three Doctors -- after its DVD release, but before this blog's existence, so clearly a number of years ago. I didn't care for it then, for whatever reason, but I rather enjoyed this first episode. Hopefully the rest of the serial will keep it up.
Friends
1x19 The One Where the Monkey Gets Away [goodness-knows-what-th watch]
8x05 This Little Piggy
I haven't always been convinced in previous episodes, but between this one and the trailer for next time, I think this might turn out to be a cracking final season.
Doctor Who
10x01 The Three Doctors Episode One [2nd watch]
A break from the Doctor-by-Doctor approach now for, appropriately enough, the series' 10th anniversary serial. It also features the first appearance of evil Time Lord Omega, who some rumours suggest will turn up for the 50th. Even if he doesn't, it's another iconic (ish) villain to add to the list.
I can't remember when I first watched The Three Doctors -- after its DVD release, but before this blog's existence, so clearly a number of years ago. I didn't care for it then, for whatever reason, but I rather enjoyed this first episode. Hopefully the rest of the serial will keep it up.
Friends
1x19 The One Where the Monkey Gets Away [goodness-knows-what-th watch]
Films
Marvel One-Shot: Agent Carter (2013)
[#75b in 100 Films in a Year 2013]
Marvel One-Shot: Item 47 (2012)
[#75a in 100 Films in a Year 2013]
The two most recent Marvel short films, the latter included on the Blu-ray of Avengers Assemble this time last year, the former on the released-this-week Blu-ray of Iron Man 3.
Both are entertaining, though Agent Carter is definitely the winner -- a 'sequel' to 2011's Captain America, in just 15 minutes it manages to entirely better it.
[#75b in 100 Films in a Year 2013]
Marvel One-Shot: Item 47 (2012)
[#75a in 100 Films in a Year 2013]
The two most recent Marvel short films, the latter included on the Blu-ray of Avengers Assemble this time last year, the former on the released-this-week Blu-ray of Iron Man 3.
Both are entertaining, though Agent Carter is definitely the winner -- a 'sequel' to 2011's Captain America, in just 15 minutes it manages to entirely better it.
Articles
DVD Preview: Scream of the Shalka
by Christopher Allen (from Doctor Who 50th Anniversary: Official BBC Worldwide Site)
After a near-decade of waiting, Shalka finally makes it to DVD next Monday. Here, the BBC's official 50th anniversary site previews the release, mounting a mini-defence of the serial and nothing that the disc features "a fascinating interview with Ben Lavender, creator of the BBC iPlayer and the 82 presentations he had to make to get iPlayer in front of the Director-General!"
Relatedly:
Doctor Who: The Simon Clark Story That Never Was
by Ian Berriman (from SFX)
The Shalka sequel that was half-written and fully outlined sounds great. Someone somewhere make it happen somehow, please!
by Christopher Allen (from Doctor Who 50th Anniversary: Official BBC Worldwide Site)
After a near-decade of waiting, Shalka finally makes it to DVD next Monday. Here, the BBC's official 50th anniversary site previews the release, mounting a mini-defence of the serial and nothing that the disc features "a fascinating interview with Ben Lavender, creator of the BBC iPlayer and the 82 presentations he had to make to get iPlayer in front of the Director-General!"
Relatedly:
Doctor Who: The Simon Clark Story That Never Was
by Ian Berriman (from SFX)
The Shalka sequel that was half-written and fully outlined sounds great. Someone somewhere make it happen somehow, please!
Wednesday, 11 September 2013
TV
Dexter
8x03 What's Eating Dexter Morgan?
Doctor Who
8x04 Terror of the Autons Episode Four
Despite the title, I think it's fair to say this is definitely a Master story with the Autons re-employed as his drones. Which is fair enough, what with this being his introductory adventure 'n' all. Whether it was a wise idea to include him in every single story of season 8 or not is another matter... one I won't be finding out about, because of course we're toddling on to something else.
Three best things in this story:
1) The UNIT family, feeling properly established. Yes, season 7 had a version of it, but I don't think it clicked as well as this.
2) The Master. Delgado really hits the ground running.
3) The Autons are better served overall by Spearhead from Space, but some moments here -- the suffocating chair, the freaky troll-doll, the policemen who take the Doctor and Jo at the end of episode two, etc -- are some of their most effective of all.
Marred only by some dodgy direction, over-reliance on blue screen, and those Auton voices -- and, actually, some rush-resolved subplots, like that poor susceptible manager of the plastics factory -- Terror is a good story overall.
Friends
1x16 The One with Two Parts Part 1 [goodness-knows-what-th watch]
1x17 The One with Two Parts Part 2 [goodness-knows-what-th watch]
Suburgatory
2x08 Black Thai
[Watch it (again) on 4oD.]
8x03 What's Eating Dexter Morgan?
Doctor Who
8x04 Terror of the Autons Episode Four
Despite the title, I think it's fair to say this is definitely a Master story with the Autons re-employed as his drones. Which is fair enough, what with this being his introductory adventure 'n' all. Whether it was a wise idea to include him in every single story of season 8 or not is another matter... one I won't be finding out about, because of course we're toddling on to something else.
Three best things in this story:
1) The UNIT family, feeling properly established. Yes, season 7 had a version of it, but I don't think it clicked as well as this.
2) The Master. Delgado really hits the ground running.
3) The Autons are better served overall by Spearhead from Space, but some moments here -- the suffocating chair, the freaky troll-doll, the policemen who take the Doctor and Jo at the end of episode two, etc -- are some of their most effective of all.
Marred only by some dodgy direction, over-reliance on blue screen, and those Auton voices -- and, actually, some rush-resolved subplots, like that poor susceptible manager of the plastics factory -- Terror is a good story overall.
Friends
1x16 The One with Two Parts Part 1 [goodness-knows-what-th watch]
1x17 The One with Two Parts Part 2 [goodness-knows-what-th watch]
Suburgatory
2x08 Black Thai
[Watch it (again) on 4oD.]
Tuesday, 10 September 2013
TV
Dexter
8x02 Every Silver Lining...
Friends
1x15 The One with the Stoned Guy [goodness-knows-what-th watch]
It strikes me how often Friends episodes don't name themselves after the most memorable element. This one, for example, is The One Where Ross Talks Dirty, or The One with the WENUS.
The Last Leg
3x06 (4/9/13 edition)
[Watch it (again) on 4oD.]
8x02 Every Silver Lining...
Friends
1x15 The One with the Stoned Guy [goodness-knows-what-th watch]
It strikes me how often Friends episodes don't name themselves after the most memorable element. This one, for example, is The One Where Ross Talks Dirty, or The One with the WENUS.
The Last Leg
3x06 (4/9/13 edition)
[Watch it (again) on 4oD.]
Monday, 9 September 2013
TV
Dexter
8x01 A Beautiful Day
So Dexter's final season begins, two months to the date since I finished series 7 -- and, more importantly, carefully timed so that I can watch it at my usual rate (an episode every day or two) right up to the finale (more or less), which is a fortnight today.
Doctor Who
8x03 Terror of the Autons Episode Three
And my carefully-timed Who season is officially back on track today, too. Nifty. More thoughts on the story itself with its final episode on Wednesday.
Friends
1x14 The One with the Candy Hearts [goodness-knows-what-th watch]
QI
11x01 Knees & Knockers (XL edition)
Here we go again: another year of desperately trying to find all the XL repeats once the BBC start titting about with them, and to see all the episodes once the BBC start bunging the last few around as 'specials'.
But, uh, the show itself is good as well.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
8x01 A Beautiful Day
So Dexter's final season begins, two months to the date since I finished series 7 -- and, more importantly, carefully timed so that I can watch it at my usual rate (an episode every day or two) right up to the finale (more or less), which is a fortnight today.
Doctor Who
8x03 Terror of the Autons Episode Three
And my carefully-timed Who season is officially back on track today, too. Nifty. More thoughts on the story itself with its final episode on Wednesday.
Friends
1x14 The One with the Candy Hearts [goodness-knows-what-th watch]
QI
11x01 Knees & Knockers (XL edition)
Here we go again: another year of desperately trying to find all the XL repeats once the BBC start titting about with them, and to see all the episodes once the BBC start bunging the last few around as 'specials'.
But, uh, the show itself is good as well.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Sunday, 8 September 2013
TV
Doctor Who
8x02 Terror of the Autons Episode Two
Some well-known scenes of Auton violence in this episode (the man-eating plastic chair, the living doll). What most amused me was that both were greeted with expressions of "why would anyone buy that?!" from the regular folk they were about to kill, whereas nowadays inflatable plastic chairs and ugly dolls are readily available and (apparently) desired left, right and centre. Some of the special effects in these sequences are actually pretty good, especially for the era, though whoever felt it was necessary to use bluescreen to create such fantastical locations as a phone box and a domestic kitchen was off their rocker (or just over-obsessed with the technology).
The Great British Bake Off
4x03 Desserts
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
Would I Lie To You?
7x09 The Unseen Bits [season finale]
Why they always broadcast these clip shows in a random slot months after the regular series, I'll never know.
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
8x02 Terror of the Autons Episode Two
Some well-known scenes of Auton violence in this episode (the man-eating plastic chair, the living doll). What most amused me was that both were greeted with expressions of "why would anyone buy that?!" from the regular folk they were about to kill, whereas nowadays inflatable plastic chairs and ugly dolls are readily available and (apparently) desired left, right and centre. Some of the special effects in these sequences are actually pretty good, especially for the era, though whoever felt it was necessary to use bluescreen to create such fantastical locations as a phone box and a domestic kitchen was off their rocker (or just over-obsessed with the technology).
The Great British Bake Off
4x03 Desserts
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
Would I Lie To You?
7x09 The Unseen Bits [season finale]
Why they always broadcast these clip shows in a random slot months after the regular series, I'll never know.
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
this fortnight on 100 Films
With very little to report last week, I thought I'd hold off and summarise a whole fortnight on 100 Films in a Year.
First up, we're now well into September, so here's a look back at August. This month's list of five is "adaptations that changed the book's title". I say "five" -- I got 11 examples in there. Hey-ho.
In regular business, two new reviews were posted this week (yes, "week" singular, because there were none the week before). They were...
The Cabin in the Woods (2012)
The Tempest (2010)
And new to the new blog this fortnight...
Mamma Mia! (2008)
More next Sunday.
First up, we're now well into September, so here's a look back at August. This month's list of five is "adaptations that changed the book's title". I say "five" -- I got 11 examples in there. Hey-ho.
In regular business, two new reviews were posted this week (yes, "week" singular, because there were none the week before). They were...
The Cabin in the Woods (2012)
cabin-in-the-woods horror movie The Cabin in the Woods is as much a deconstruction, or even spoof, of the genre as an entry in it... This means it’s one for the genre literateRead more here.
The Tempest (2010)
a radical-seeming interpretation of Shakespeare’s final play. The main character’s changed gender! There’s CGI being tossed about everywhere! It’s got Russell Brand in it! If that sounds superficial, it is. It's still set in the Elizabethan period, in Elizabethan dress, with a cast of mostly classical actors, enacted on an island that is admittedly a stunning setting but is nonetheless where the original play is set.Read more here.
And new to the new blog this fortnight...
Mamma Mia! (2008)
As camp as a row of tents, disliked by critics, loved by audiences: Mamma Mia! is everything you’d expect from Abba.Read more here.
More next Sunday.
Saturday, 7 September 2013
TV
Friends
1x13 The One with the Boobies [goodness-knows-what-th watch]
Mock the Week
12x07 (5/9/13 edition)
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
Vera
3x02 Poster Child
[Watch it (again) on ITV Player.]
1x13 The One with the Boobies [goodness-knows-what-th watch]
Mock the Week
12x07 (5/9/13 edition)
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
Vera
3x02 Poster Child
[Watch it (again) on ITV Player.]
DVD Extras
When Worlds Collide
Not the 1951 sci-fi movie, but a 46-minute documentary on the DVD of The Happiness Patrol about Doctor Who's relationship to and depiction of political ideologies down the years. Didn't intend to watch it but got engrossed, because it's a particularly fascinating piece.
Not the 1951 sci-fi movie, but a 46-minute documentary on the DVD of The Happiness Patrol about Doctor Who's relationship to and depiction of political ideologies down the years. Didn't intend to watch it but got engrossed, because it's a particularly fascinating piece.
Articles
Grading Mojo's Summer Forecast
by Ray Subers (from Box Office Mojo)
Before the summer movie season began, BOM made predictions on how all the movies expected to gross over $100 million would fare. As well as being a summary of how good (or not) their predictions were, this also serves as a handy retrospective on how this summer panned out at the box office.
by Ray Subers (from Box Office Mojo)
Before the summer movie season began, BOM made predictions on how all the movies expected to gross over $100 million would fare. As well as being a summary of how good (or not) their predictions were, this also serves as a handy retrospective on how this summer panned out at the box office.
Collection Count
Collection Count tracks my DVD/Blu-ray collection via a number of statistics every week.
At one point this week, nearly all of the statistics sat at nice rounded numbers: 1,600 titles; 1,175 DVDs; 425 BDs; 3,995 discs; even 1,705 films and 5,910 episodes of TV. Then more stuff arrived. As I promised, this week is busy.
In the end, every single number goes up; and while they're not all neatly rounded, one really is:
4,000 discs.
Wow. That's a bit... insane. While I mull over the extent of my addiction, here's the stats:
Number of titles in collection: 1,603 [up 7]
Of which DVDs: 1,175 [up 1]
Of which Blu-rays: 428 [up 6]
Number of discs in collection: 4,000 [up 14]
Number of films in collection: 1,710 [up 7]
Number of TV episodes in collection: 5,921 [up 42]
Number of short films in collection: 392 [up 1]
And I haven't even mentioned that this week it's time for the monthly running time update, which has also had a helluva boost...
Total running time of collection (approx.):
287 days, 18 hours, and 53 minutes.
(Up 3 days, 17 hours, and 48 minutes from last month.)
That's the biggest increase since December 2011's post-Christmas count. Yes, 2011 -- even the December 2012 post-Christmas one wasn't so large! I probably ought to slow down...
But there's definitely more to come next week. See you then, faithful reader.
At one point this week, nearly all of the statistics sat at nice rounded numbers: 1,600 titles; 1,175 DVDs; 425 BDs; 3,995 discs; even 1,705 films and 5,910 episodes of TV. Then more stuff arrived. As I promised, this week is busy.
In the end, every single number goes up; and while they're not all neatly rounded, one really is:
4,000 discs.
Wow. That's a bit... insane. While I mull over the extent of my addiction, here's the stats:
Number of titles in collection: 1,603 [up 7]
Of which DVDs: 1,175 [up 1]
Of which Blu-rays: 428 [up 6]
Number of discs in collection: 4,000 [up 14]
Number of films in collection: 1,710 [up 7]
Number of TV episodes in collection: 5,921 [up 42]
Number of short films in collection: 392 [up 1]
And I haven't even mentioned that this week it's time for the monthly running time update, which has also had a helluva boost...
Total running time of collection (approx.):
287 days, 18 hours, and 53 minutes.
(Up 3 days, 17 hours, and 48 minutes from last month.)
That's the biggest increase since December 2011's post-Christmas count. Yes, 2011 -- even the December 2012 post-Christmas one wasn't so large! I probably ought to slow down...
But there's definitely more to come next week. See you then, faithful reader.
Friday, 6 September 2013
TV
Doctor Who
8x01 Terror of the Autons Episode One
#bbbDW50 moves on to the Third Doctor today, with the second of three stories I've never seen. It also has the distinction of being the best-regarded story I've never seen… of those three. It came 51st on DWM's Mighty 200, leaving it overall the 6th highest-rated story we'll be watching during this project.
So far we've had the Daleks and the Ice Warriors, and here we get the Autons and (in his first appearance) the Master. Not every story in this season features a well-known or returning villain, but I've done a fair job of including most of the main ones -- this is a celebration of the series' history on its golden anniversary, after all. Which others will turn up before we're done? Well, that's a surprise.
This is also the first story for Jo Grant, who of course popped up in The Sarah Jane Adventures a few years ago. Again, my choices partly keep in mind my co-viewer, often showing them the origins or earlier versions of things they'll be familiar with from the new series (and, obviously, its spin-offs).
It's a great introduction for all these new characters too, with both Jo and the Master making their mark from the off. It's a funny one to jump into from the black and white era -- when Who went colour it didn't do it by halves: this is full-on vibrant and psychedelic, from the Doctor's outfits right on down.
It's a pretty cracking tale too, as you'd expect from writer Robert Holmes, although the direction (by producer Barry Letts) is spoof-level awful. One shot in particular sees Jo's face obscured by a prop, at which point the camera slowly and 'subtly' tries to correct the angle so we can see her... except she really is badly hidden, so it keeps trying again... and again... That's on top of numerous instances of poorly-chosen close-ups (showing an actor who isn't talking, then cutting away as soon as the one you're watching begins to speak) and an over-reliance on blue screen (aka CSO), which I guess was New and Exciting at the time (there are more 'virtual sets' here than we have nowadays!)
Ah well, it's all good fun.
Friends
1x12 The One with the Dozen Lasagnas [goodness-knows-what-th watch]
The Newsroom
2x02 The Genoa Tip
I guess I'm not alone in not so much watching the story as playing "guess how it'll all go wrong!" That's what happens when you open your series with a flashforward showing that it's all going to go wrong...
8x01 Terror of the Autons Episode One
#bbbDW50 moves on to the Third Doctor today, with the second of three stories I've never seen. It also has the distinction of being the best-regarded story I've never seen… of those three. It came 51st on DWM's Mighty 200, leaving it overall the 6th highest-rated story we'll be watching during this project.
So far we've had the Daleks and the Ice Warriors, and here we get the Autons and (in his first appearance) the Master. Not every story in this season features a well-known or returning villain, but I've done a fair job of including most of the main ones -- this is a celebration of the series' history on its golden anniversary, after all. Which others will turn up before we're done? Well, that's a surprise.
This is also the first story for Jo Grant, who of course popped up in The Sarah Jane Adventures a few years ago. Again, my choices partly keep in mind my co-viewer, often showing them the origins or earlier versions of things they'll be familiar with from the new series (and, obviously, its spin-offs).
It's a great introduction for all these new characters too, with both Jo and the Master making their mark from the off. It's a funny one to jump into from the black and white era -- when Who went colour it didn't do it by halves: this is full-on vibrant and psychedelic, from the Doctor's outfits right on down.
It's a pretty cracking tale too, as you'd expect from writer Robert Holmes, although the direction (by producer Barry Letts) is spoof-level awful. One shot in particular sees Jo's face obscured by a prop, at which point the camera slowly and 'subtly' tries to correct the angle so we can see her... except she really is badly hidden, so it keeps trying again... and again... That's on top of numerous instances of poorly-chosen close-ups (showing an actor who isn't talking, then cutting away as soon as the one you're watching begins to speak) and an over-reliance on blue screen (aka CSO), which I guess was New and Exciting at the time (there are more 'virtual sets' here than we have nowadays!)
Ah well, it's all good fun.
Friends
1x12 The One with the Dozen Lasagnas [goodness-knows-what-th watch]
The Newsroom
2x02 The Genoa Tip
I guess I'm not alone in not so much watching the story as playing "guess how it'll all go wrong!" That's what happens when you open your series with a flashforward showing that it's all going to go wrong...
Thursday, 5 September 2013
TV
Friends
1x10 The One with the Monkey [goodness-knows-what-th watch]
1x11 The One with Mrs Bing [goodness-knows-what-th watch]
Pointless Celebrities
4x05 (31/8/13 edition)
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
1x10 The One with the Monkey [goodness-knows-what-th watch]
1x11 The One with Mrs Bing [goodness-knows-what-th watch]
Pointless Celebrities
4x05 (31/8/13 edition)
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Films
The Tempest (2010)
[#73 in 100 Films in a Year 2013]
Read my review here from Friday morning. The UK TV premiere is on BBC Two at 11:05pm on Friday night.
[#73 in 100 Films in a Year 2013]
Read my review here from Friday morning. The UK TV premiere is on BBC Two at 11:05pm on Friday night.
Wednesday, 4 September 2013
TV
Doctor Who
6x28 The Seeds of Death Episode Six
The Second Doctor phase of #bbbDW50 comes to an end with the action-packed finale to the Ice Warrior's second story. The Seeds of Death suffers the same way as so many Who six-parters, from a sometimes slow and sometimes repetitive middle section, but there are great bits liberally scattered throughout and plenty of superb direction. Not one of the show's best perhaps, but a solid yarn.
Friends
1x09 The One Where Underdog Gets Away [goodness-knows-what-th watch]
A Thanksgiving Friends...
The Last Leg
3x05 (28/8/13 edition)
[Watch it (again) on 4oD.]
Suburgatory
2x07 Krampus
...and a Christmas Suburgatory. It's all a bit prematurely festive.
That said, this is one of Suburgatory's best episodes, so that's nice.
[Watch it (again) on 4oD.]
6x28 The Seeds of Death Episode Six
The Second Doctor phase of #bbbDW50 comes to an end with the action-packed finale to the Ice Warrior's second story. The Seeds of Death suffers the same way as so many Who six-parters, from a sometimes slow and sometimes repetitive middle section, but there are great bits liberally scattered throughout and plenty of superb direction. Not one of the show's best perhaps, but a solid yarn.
Friends
1x09 The One Where Underdog Gets Away [goodness-knows-what-th watch]
A Thanksgiving Friends...
The Last Leg
3x05 (28/8/13 edition)
[Watch it (again) on 4oD.]
Suburgatory
2x07 Krampus
...and a Christmas Suburgatory. It's all a bit prematurely festive.
That said, this is one of Suburgatory's best episodes, so that's nice.
[Watch it (again) on 4oD.]
Articles
There's No Excuse For Misogyny In Space
by Helen O'Hara (from Empire States... at Empire)
I've read a few reviews of Riddick and every single one mentions its misogyny, so it must be a pretty clear trait. Here, O'Hara expounds on it at well-argued length. Sounds like a fascinatingly dreadful film to me.
by Helen O'Hara (from Empire States... at Empire)
I've read a few reviews of Riddick and every single one mentions its misogyny, so it must be a pretty clear trait. Here, O'Hara expounds on it at well-argued length. Sounds like a fascinatingly dreadful film to me.
Tuesday, 3 September 2013
TV
Friends
1x08 The One Where Nana Dies Twice [goodness-knows-what-th watch]
Starlings
2x08 Episode Eight [season finale]
Weird this being over -- we took so long to watch the first series, both blurred into one that's gone on for over a year. Kinda hope there's a third run, too.
A Touch of Cloth II
2x01 Undercover Cloth Part One
I swear the first one wasn't quite so lewd. Still very funny though.
1x08 The One Where Nana Dies Twice [goodness-knows-what-th watch]
Starlings
2x08 Episode Eight [season finale]
Weird this being over -- we took so long to watch the first series, both blurred into one that's gone on for over a year. Kinda hope there's a third run, too.
A Touch of Cloth II
2x01 Undercover Cloth Part One
I swear the first one wasn't quite so lewd. Still very funny though.
Articles
Game of Thrones beats Doctor Who at 2013 Hugo Awards
by Morgan Jeffery (from Digital Spy)
Who has won its Hugo category in six out of the past eight years, so it's always notable when it's beaten (last time was Dr. Horrible triumphing over Silence in the Library/Forest of the Dead and Turn Left).
This year it's well deserved: Blackwater is an incredible piece of television -- or anything fullstop -- while this year's selection of Who eps (Asylum of the Daleks, The Angels Take Manhattan, The Snowmen) aren't even the best the show has to offer, never mind all of TV. Nonetheless, they still finished 3rd, 2nd and 4th, respectively.
by Morgan Jeffery (from Digital Spy)
Who has won its Hugo category in six out of the past eight years, so it's always notable when it's beaten (last time was Dr. Horrible triumphing over Silence in the Library/Forest of the Dead and Turn Left).
This year it's well deserved: Blackwater is an incredible piece of television -- or anything fullstop -- while this year's selection of Who eps (Asylum of the Daleks, The Angels Take Manhattan, The Snowmen) aren't even the best the show has to offer, never mind all of TV. Nonetheless, they still finished 3rd, 2nd and 4th, respectively.
Monday, 2 September 2013
TV
Doctor Who
6x27 The Seeds of Death Episode Five
Almost every time I see some of Doctor Who shot on film I lament that it couldn't all have been filmed that way. The stuff outside the weather station in this episode looks fantastic, which is in part because it's a great set, but also that higher-quality-ness of film. Ah well.
The Great British Bake Off
4x02 Bread
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
The Newsroom
2x01 First Thing We Do, Let's Kill All the Lawyers
Funny old show, this. Despite the criticisms and reports of extensive reshoots, it's much the same as ever.
6x27 The Seeds of Death Episode Five
Almost every time I see some of Doctor Who shot on film I lament that it couldn't all have been filmed that way. The stuff outside the weather station in this episode looks fantastic, which is in part because it's a great set, but also that higher-quality-ness of film. Ah well.
The Great British Bake Off
4x02 Bread
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
The Newsroom
2x01 First Thing We Do, Let's Kill All the Lawyers
Funny old show, this. Despite the criticisms and reports of extensive reshoots, it's much the same as ever.
Sunday, 1 September 2013
TV
Friends
1x07 The One with the Blackout [goodness-knows-what-th watch]
Probably the most easily-recalled episode since the pilot, but personally I don't think it's the funniest episode thus far (despite it's rating compared to the others on TV.com, linked above), more a memorable setup. Still, at this point in its run, "lesser Friends" is a purely relative term.
Vera
3x01 Castles in the Air
[Watch it (again) on ITV Player.]
1x07 The One with the Blackout [goodness-knows-what-th watch]
Probably the most easily-recalled episode since the pilot, but personally I don't think it's the funniest episode thus far (despite it's rating compared to the others on TV.com, linked above), more a memorable setup. Still, at this point in its run, "lesser Friends" is a purely relative term.
Vera
3x01 Castles in the Air
[Watch it (again) on ITV Player.]
Saturday, 31 August 2013
TV
Friends
1x06 The One with the Butt [goodness-knows-what-th watch]
Veronica Mars
2x21 Happy Go Lucky
2x22 Not Pictured [season finale]
An awful lot of plot threads to wrap up this season, especially as they resurrected a lot of those from season one too, so they did a pretty fair and thorough job across these two episodes. All set up for a fresh-start season three? We'll see...
1x06 The One with the Butt [goodness-knows-what-th watch]
Veronica Mars
2x21 Happy Go Lucky
2x22 Not Pictured [season finale]
An awful lot of plot threads to wrap up this season, especially as they resurrected a lot of those from season one too, so they did a pretty fair and thorough job across these two episodes. All set up for a fresh-start season three? We'll see...
DVD Extras
Special Features on Veronica Mars: Season Two
A couple of brief featurettes, a ton of deleted scenes from across the season, and a surprisingly amusing gag reel, which is a nice change.
A couple of brief featurettes, a ton of deleted scenes from across the season, and a surprisingly amusing gag reel, which is a nice change.
Collection Count
Collection Count tracks my DVD/Blu-ray collection via a number of statistics every week.
Just two new titles this week, though between them they've created rises in every statistic here. With Bank Holiday and pay-day sales in the past week, there could have been a lot more here... but that's all going to turn up next week, just in time for the monthly running time update.
It would been even more if WOW HD didn't let you order stuff cheap then almost immediately turn around and say it's not in stock so your order's cancelled. Wankers.
Number of titles in collection: 1,596 [up 2]
Of which DVDs: 1,174 [up 1]
Of which Blu-rays: 422 [up 1]
Number of discs in collection: 3,986 [up 3]
Number of films in collection: 1,703 [up 1]
Number of TV episodes in collection: 5,879 [up 6]
Number of short films in collection: 391 [up 7]
See you next week, faithful reader.
Just two new titles this week, though between them they've created rises in every statistic here. With Bank Holiday and pay-day sales in the past week, there could have been a lot more here... but that's all going to turn up next week, just in time for the monthly running time update.
It would been even more if WOW HD didn't let you order stuff cheap then almost immediately turn around and say it's not in stock so your order's cancelled. Wankers.
Number of titles in collection: 1,596 [up 2]
Of which DVDs: 1,174 [up 1]
Of which Blu-rays: 422 [up 1]
Number of discs in collection: 3,986 [up 3]
Number of films in collection: 1,703 [up 1]
Number of TV episodes in collection: 5,879 [up 6]
Number of short films in collection: 391 [up 7]
See you next week, faithful reader.
Friday, 30 August 2013
TV
Doctor Who
6x26 The Seeds of Death Episode Four
Fallen a little off course due to an unexpected trip away... but only one episode behind, so hardly a problem. Aside from some silly running around (six-parters, eh?) I like this story.
Friends
1x05 The One with the East German Laundry Detergent [goodness-knows-what-th watch]
Veronica Mars
2x20 Look Who's Stalking
Trip also meant a longer-than-usual break from Veronica. Only two episodes left this season and it doesn't feel like there's so few to go. I guess the final stages in the season-long mysteries will be really rattled through, then.
6x26 The Seeds of Death Episode Four
Fallen a little off course due to an unexpected trip away... but only one episode behind, so hardly a problem. Aside from some silly running around (six-parters, eh?) I like this story.
Friends
1x05 The One with the East German Laundry Detergent [goodness-knows-what-th watch]
Veronica Mars
2x20 Look Who's Stalking
Trip also meant a longer-than-usual break from Veronica. Only two episodes left this season and it doesn't feel like there's so few to go. I guess the final stages in the season-long mysteries will be really rattled through, then.
Thursday, 29 August 2013
Articles
15 greatest single location-thrillers of the last decade
by Caroline Preece (from Den of Geek!)
Or "single-location thrillers", which I like, so good list.
Chris Chapman on Doctor Who, The Ice Warriors, missing episodes, Matt Smith & more...
by Cameron K McEwan (from Den of Geek!)
One of classic Who's regular DVD special feature producers, Chapman here chats about some of the features he's made down the years and what he might like to do in the future, as well as the animated episodes of The Ice Warriors that he was involved with.
by Caroline Preece (from Den of Geek!)
Or "single-location thrillers", which I like, so good list.
Chris Chapman on Doctor Who, The Ice Warriors, missing episodes, Matt Smith & more...
by Cameron K McEwan (from Den of Geek!)
One of classic Who's regular DVD special feature producers, Chapman here chats about some of the features he's made down the years and what he might like to do in the future, as well as the animated episodes of The Ice Warriors that he was involved with.
Wednesday, 28 August 2013
TV
Friends
1x03 The One with the Thumb [goodness-knows-what-th watch]
The break-up scene in this episode (where Monica has to tell the friends that she's breaking up with Alan, who they all love, and they respond with all the stock break-up clichés) is one of the entire series' best bits.
The Last Leg
3x04 (21/8/13 edition)
[Watch it (again) on 4oD.]
1x03 The One with the Thumb [goodness-knows-what-th watch]
The break-up scene in this episode (where Monica has to tell the friends that she's breaking up with Alan, who they all love, and they respond with all the stock break-up clichés) is one of the entire series' best bits.
The Last Leg
3x04 (21/8/13 edition)
[Watch it (again) on 4oD.]
Articles
Doug Naylor: The Anniversary Interview
(from Red Dwarf: The Official Website)
Long interview from back in February with Red Dwarf's co-creator, looking back over the series' history and a little into its future (very non-specifically, I'm afraid to say).
(from Red Dwarf: The Official Website)
Long interview from back in February with Red Dwarf's co-creator, looking back over the series' history and a little into its future (very non-specifically, I'm afraid to say).
Tuesday, 27 August 2013
TV
Doctor Who
6x25 The Seeds of Death Episode Three
Friends
1x02 The One with the Sonogram at the End [goodness-knows-what-th watch]
Once Upon a Time
2x07 Child of the Moon
Starlings
2x07 Episode Seven
6x25 The Seeds of Death Episode Three
Friends
1x02 The One with the Sonogram at the End [goodness-knows-what-th watch]
Once Upon a Time
2x07 Child of the Moon
Starlings
2x07 Episode Seven
Monday, 26 August 2013
TV
Death in Paradise
2x05 Episode 5 [2nd watch]
Sometimes you just have to watch something again as appropriate-for-everyone time-filler.
2x05 Episode 5 [2nd watch]
Sometimes you just have to watch something again as appropriate-for-everyone time-filler.
Comics
Batman '66 #2 by Jeff Parker & Jonathan Case
Really didn't mean to leave it so long since issue one, but there we are. My comments on that still stand: it's good fun, and manages to both evoke the TV series and subtly post-modern-ly riff off it. Marvellous.
I also like the semi-animated "DC2" format. It looks like they've not bothered with that beyond the end of this first three-part story, though, which is a shame if so.
Really didn't mean to leave it so long since issue one, but there we are. My comments on that still stand: it's good fun, and manages to both evoke the TV series and subtly post-modern-ly riff off it. Marvellous.
I also like the semi-animated "DC2" format. It looks like they've not bothered with that beyond the end of this first three-part story, though, which is a shame if so.
Sunday, 25 August 2013
Films
Speed (1994)
[2nd watch]
I think I appreciated this more second time round. Sure, Keanu Reeves can't act -- but he's not as bad as I remembered, mainly because only one or two scenes really require Acting. What it is, however, is fantastically directed and edited, a proper rollercoaster ride that is both exciting and tense as required. Fantastic job by Jan de Bont & co.
[2nd watch]
I think I appreciated this more second time round. Sure, Keanu Reeves can't act -- but he's not as bad as I remembered, mainly because only one or two scenes really require Acting. What it is, however, is fantastically directed and edited, a proper rollercoaster ride that is both exciting and tense as required. Fantastic job by Jan de Bont & co.
this week on 100 Films
Three new reviews were published to 100 Films in a Year this week, including the first from What Do You Mean You Haven't Seen...?
And that's up first...
City Lights (1931)
The Imposter (2012)
It Happened One Night (1934)
And new to the new blog...
Babel (2006)
St. Trinian's (2007)
While You Were Sleeping (1995)
More next Sunday.
And that's up first...
City Lights (1931)
Though the film is mostly comedic and the romantic plot is a little thin, Chaplin also manages to construct moments that are affectingly emotional. The most notable is the ending, which remains a striking example of subtle acting yielding huge rewards.Read more here.
The Imposter (2012)
There’s no doubting The Imposter tells a bizarre and fascinating tale, but at times I felt it was one that might be better served through a solid Sunday supplement article than a feature-length documentary film.Read more here.
It Happened One Night (1934)
it’s the archetypal rom-com: two mismatched people are forced together, initially hate each other, fall in love. I don’t know if it was such a well-known set of events back then, but today it’s a formula we’ve seen repeated a thousand times in cinema. Despite that, its execution here feels fresh.Read more here.
And new to the new blog...
Babel (2006)
The quickest way to assess Babel is to say that it is about something — or, About Something. The plots, such as they are, aren’t really the point; nor is how they connect, or what chronology they actually occurred in... Naturally, because it is About Something, the Something it is About isn’t made blindingly clearRead more here.
St. Trinian's (2007)
it has a pleasantly wicked sense of humour, which must be pushing that 12 certificate on moral grounds... There’s a number of good, brief, visual gags too, such as the RE department having a Practical Study of the Easter Story with a girl strung up like Jesus on the cross (Christian bating is always funny).Read more here.
While You Were Sleeping (1995)
It’s not a laugh-out-loud comedy and it is (of course) heavy on the sentiment, but it does have a lovely Christmasiness that is perfect for [that] time of year.Read more here.
More next Sunday.
Saturday, 24 August 2013
Films
The Falcon Out West (1944)
[#71 in 100 Films in a Year 2013]
Jack Reacher (2012)
[#70 in 100 Films in a Year 2013]
[#71 in 100 Films in a Year 2013]
Jack Reacher (2012)
[#70 in 100 Films in a Year 2013]
Collection Count
Collection Count tracks my DVD/Blu-ray collection via a number of statistics every week.
Number of titles in collection: 1,594 [up 3]
Of which DVDs: 1,173 [no change]
Of which Blu-rays: 421 [up 3]
Number of discs in collection: 3,983 [up 4]
Number of films in collection: 1,702 [up 3]
Number of TV episodes in collection: 5,873 [no change]
Number of short films in collection: 384 [up 1]
See you next week, faithful reader.
Number of titles in collection: 1,594 [up 3]
Of which DVDs: 1,173 [no change]
Of which Blu-rays: 421 [up 3]
Number of discs in collection: 3,983 [up 4]
Number of films in collection: 1,702 [up 3]
Number of TV episodes in collection: 5,873 [no change]
Number of short films in collection: 384 [up 1]
See you next week, faithful reader.
Friday, 23 August 2013
TV
Doctor Who
6x24 The Seeds of Death Episode Two
Starlings
2x06 Episode Six
Suburgatory
2x06 Friendship Fish
[Watch it (again) on 4oD.]
6x24 The Seeds of Death Episode Two
Starlings
2x06 Episode Six
Suburgatory
2x06 Friendship Fish
[Watch it (again) on 4oD.]
DVD Extras
Special Features on Hansel & Gretel: Witch Hunters
A whole half-hour of material across three featurettes. Most of it is press kit-level fluff about how great it was and how deep the characters are and so on, but there's some slight insight into the designing of the witch make-up and the creation of the animatronic troll. A bigger movie could've added all sorts about the weapons and other special effects, but I guess it isn't that big a movie.
A whole half-hour of material across three featurettes. Most of it is press kit-level fluff about how great it was and how deep the characters are and so on, but there's some slight insight into the designing of the witch make-up and the creation of the animatronic troll. A bigger movie could've added all sorts about the weapons and other special effects, but I guess it isn't that big a movie.
Thursday, 22 August 2013
TV
The Great British Bake Off
4x01 Cake
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
Law & Order: UK
7x06 Dependent [season finale]
[Watch it (again) on ITV Player.]
Veronica Mars
2x17 Plan B
4x01 Cake
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
Law & Order: UK
7x06 Dependent [season finale]
[Watch it (again) on ITV Player.]
Veronica Mars
2x17 Plan B
Wednesday, 21 August 2013
TV
Archer
4x04 Midnight Ron
For some reason, 5USA haven't scheduled any episodes beyond this. First they dump it in the middle of the night, then they just stop after only showing five episodes? What gives, C5?!
[Watch it (again) on Demand 5.]
Doctor Who
6x23 The Seeds of Death Episode One
My Doctor Who 'season' (Twitter hashtag: #bbbDW50) progresses to the Second Doctor.
As I mentioned at the start, each of these stories has been chosen for a reason. My original choice for the 2nd Doctor was The Ice Warriors, because I've not seen it for years and when I last did I really enjoyed it; plus, with the Martians finally being re-introduced in the last series of nuWho, I thought it'd be nice for my co-viewer to see how they began. As originally scheduled, the DVD of said serial would've been out two days before we started viewing it (i.e. a week from today), but then I inserted the TV Movie into my plans and that got messed up. So I subbed this in -- still Ice Warriors, still well-regarded (or so I thought -- it actually only came 111th in DWM's Mighty 200), and with the added bonus of being a story I've never seen before. There'll only be three of those in this entire project.
This episode is a strong start to the serial. Hardly any of the TARDIS crew, really, but that's more than made up for by the exciting developments at T-Mat control centres on both Earth and the Moon. There's nifty-enough ways of working in big info-dumps to explain what the T-Mat is and establish the world for the workings of the plot, as well as quickly-sketched characters and conflicts. All sorts of promise there. It's underscored by Michael Ferguson's excellent direction, which even manages to keep the presence of the Ice Warriors secret (well, more-or-less) until the episode's final shot. Really looking forward to the rest of this one now.
Also of interest is that this was made at a time when space exploration was at its height -- we hadn't even landed on the Moon when this was broadcast. Yet it depicts a future where Earth has abandoned rocket travel into space and has no interest in travelling further than the Moon, and only that far because it is used to relay T-Mat signals around the planet. It's quite depressing and, the T-Mat stuff aside, all too similar to where we have ended up.
Friends
1x01 The Pilot [goodness-knows-what-th watch]
Two years and one month ago, I commented that I ought to re-watch all of Friends. Well, here I go! I have no clue how many times I've seen any of the episodes -- especially the first series, which I saw multiple times back when it was the only one my sister had on video -- so expect lots of those long, vague "goodness-knows-what-th" bits.
The Last Leg
3x03 (14/8/13 edition)
[Watch it (again) on 4oD.]
4x04 Midnight Ron
For some reason, 5USA haven't scheduled any episodes beyond this. First they dump it in the middle of the night, then they just stop after only showing five episodes? What gives, C5?!
[Watch it (again) on Demand 5.]
Doctor Who
6x23 The Seeds of Death Episode One
My Doctor Who 'season' (Twitter hashtag: #bbbDW50) progresses to the Second Doctor.
As I mentioned at the start, each of these stories has been chosen for a reason. My original choice for the 2nd Doctor was The Ice Warriors, because I've not seen it for years and when I last did I really enjoyed it; plus, with the Martians finally being re-introduced in the last series of nuWho, I thought it'd be nice for my co-viewer to see how they began. As originally scheduled, the DVD of said serial would've been out two days before we started viewing it (i.e. a week from today), but then I inserted the TV Movie into my plans and that got messed up. So I subbed this in -- still Ice Warriors, still well-regarded (or so I thought -- it actually only came 111th in DWM's Mighty 200), and with the added bonus of being a story I've never seen before. There'll only be three of those in this entire project.
This episode is a strong start to the serial. Hardly any of the TARDIS crew, really, but that's more than made up for by the exciting developments at T-Mat control centres on both Earth and the Moon. There's nifty-enough ways of working in big info-dumps to explain what the T-Mat is and establish the world for the workings of the plot, as well as quickly-sketched characters and conflicts. All sorts of promise there. It's underscored by Michael Ferguson's excellent direction, which even manages to keep the presence of the Ice Warriors secret (well, more-or-less) until the episode's final shot. Really looking forward to the rest of this one now.
Also of interest is that this was made at a time when space exploration was at its height -- we hadn't even landed on the Moon when this was broadcast. Yet it depicts a future where Earth has abandoned rocket travel into space and has no interest in travelling further than the Moon, and only that far because it is used to relay T-Mat signals around the planet. It's quite depressing and, the T-Mat stuff aside, all too similar to where we have ended up.
Friends
1x01 The Pilot [goodness-knows-what-th watch]
Two years and one month ago, I commented that I ought to re-watch all of Friends. Well, here I go! I have no clue how many times I've seen any of the episodes -- especially the first series, which I saw multiple times back when it was the only one my sister had on video -- so expect lots of those long, vague "goodness-knows-what-th" bits.
The Last Leg
3x03 (14/8/13 edition)
[Watch it (again) on 4oD.]
Tuesday, 20 August 2013
TV
Cowboy Bebop
1x06 Sympathy for the Devil
The Good Life
4x09 When I'm 65 [series finale]
The Good Life goes out on a high, with a Royal Command Performance in front of the Queen that also happens to be one of its best episodes.
Veronica Mars
2x16 The Rapes of Graff
aka "The One With the People From Arrested Development".
1x06 Sympathy for the Devil
The Good Life
4x09 When I'm 65 [series finale]
The Good Life goes out on a high, with a Royal Command Performance in front of the Queen that also happens to be one of its best episodes.
Veronica Mars
2x16 The Rapes of Graff
aka "The One With the People From Arrested Development".
Monday, 19 August 2013
TV
Archer
4x03 Legs
[Watch it (again) on Demand 5.]
Doctor Who
1x11 The Rescue
And so The Daleks comes to an end, with the titular adversary defeated forever. Yep, won't be seeing them again!
All in, the premiere appearance of the Doctor's greatest foe is an adventuresome romp, but with some nice sci-fi ideas and themes laced throughout -- exactly the kind of thing Doctor Who would become best at, really. I wouldn't say it's the best story of either the First Doctor nor the Daleks, but it's a good introduction.
Next time: the Second Doctor and co face the Ice Warriors.
Top of the Lake
Part 6 No Goodbyes Thanks [final episode]
Grim and bleak as you'd expect, and equally elliptical in its answers -- sure, most of the big mysteries were covered, but not always in full, and some things were definitely open to interpretation. Which is a good thing, I suppose.
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
Veronica Mars
2x15 The Quick and the Wed
4x03 Legs
[Watch it (again) on Demand 5.]
Doctor Who
1x11 The Rescue
And so The Daleks comes to an end, with the titular adversary defeated forever. Yep, won't be seeing them again!
All in, the premiere appearance of the Doctor's greatest foe is an adventuresome romp, but with some nice sci-fi ideas and themes laced throughout -- exactly the kind of thing Doctor Who would become best at, really. I wouldn't say it's the best story of either the First Doctor nor the Daleks, but it's a good introduction.
Next time: the Second Doctor and co face the Ice Warriors.
Top of the Lake
Part 6 No Goodbyes Thanks [final episode]
Grim and bleak as you'd expect, and equally elliptical in its answers -- sure, most of the big mysteries were covered, but not always in full, and some things were definitely open to interpretation. Which is a good thing, I suppose.
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
Veronica Mars
2x15 The Quick and the Wed
Sunday, 18 August 2013
TV
8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown
4x04 (16/8/13 edition)
[Watch it (again) on 4oD.]
Iconoclasts
6x03 16/8/13 edition
Miranda
1x01 Date [2nd watch]
As with episode 2 in May, I haven't actually watched this since it first aired over 3½ years ago. But I have now re-watched nearly all of the first series in the last three months, so that's nice.
Starlings
2x05 Episode Five
Veronica Mars
2x14 Versatile Toppings
4x04 (16/8/13 edition)
[Watch it (again) on 4oD.]
Iconoclasts
6x03 16/8/13 edition
Miranda
1x01 Date [2nd watch]
As with episode 2 in May, I haven't actually watched this since it first aired over 3½ years ago. But I have now re-watched nearly all of the first series in the last three months, so that's nice.
Starlings
2x05 Episode Five
Veronica Mars
2x14 Versatile Toppings
Films
Iron Man 2 (2010)
[2nd watch]
Forget The Dark Knight Rises' 13 months, here's one I haven't watched for 27! But it is also one I enjoyed first time, enjoyed again now, and think some people are overly harsh on -- the Avengers stuff barely features, never mind dominates!
The third one's out on DVD/Blu-ray in three weeks (the UK details were announced today, apparently). Definitely looking forward to it.
[2nd watch]
Forget The Dark Knight Rises' 13 months, here's one I haven't watched for 27! But it is also one I enjoyed first time, enjoyed again now, and think some people are overly harsh on -- the Avengers stuff barely features, never mind dominates!
The third one's out on DVD/Blu-ray in three weeks (the UK details were announced today, apparently). Definitely looking forward to it.
this week on 100 Films
Two new reviews were published to 100 Films in a Year this week, and they were...
Haywire (2011)
Underworld Awakening (2012)
And new to the new blog...
(500) Days of Summer (2009)
Born Free (1966)
Flash Gordon (1980)
Living Free (1972)
Sherlock Holmes Faces Death (1943)
More next Sunday.
Haywire (2011)
Like ponderous arthouse fare, but also action-thrillers? Disappointed that these two passions must always be sated independently? Well recent retiree (we’ll see how long that lasts) Steven Soderbergh has come to your rescue.Read more here.
Underworld Awakening (2012)
By taking such a bold move with the plot, the story pushes the series’ mythology in new and relatively interesting ways. It’s becoming a bit dense and fan-only (unless you let it wash over you and just enjoy the punching), but at least they’re not regurgitating the same old stuff.Read more here.
And new to the new blog...
(500) Days of Summer (2009)
An opening voiceover warns the viewer that “this is not a love story”. Of course, it is, just one without the traditional ending. Don’t worry, no spoilers here, but I will say that romantics would do well to heed this warning anyway... viewers who are prepared for a story that rings true may well be pleasantly surprised.Read more here.
Born Free (1966)
the true story of Joy and George Adamson, a Senior Game Warden in 1950s Kenya, who adopted three lion cubs after mistakenly killing their mother. Though they give two away to a zoo, Joy can’t bear to part with one, Elsa, and so they raise herRead more here.
Flash Gordon (1980)
When I noticed how much I was enjoying it — about five minutes in — I began keeping my eyes open for flaws, any niggling thing that detracted from the experience Hodges created. I couldn’t find a single thing. Not one.Read more here.
Living Free (1972)
a tale of obsession... The Adamsons devote months of their time, give up a promising career, spend all their savings, drive themselves into debt, and are nearly killed several times, all in a frequently-extreme effort to save three delinquent lion cubs who would be put down were it not for their sentimental attachment.Read more here.
Sherlock Holmes Faces Death (1943)
He’s put down the hound of the Baskervilles; silenced the voice of terror; uncovered the secret weapon; had, um, some other adventures; and, uh, been to Washington… but now, Sherlock Holmes faces death! Not a man in a black robe with a scythe, just, y’know, the threat. Of dying. Except there’s no threat, really. I suppose Sherlock Holmes Does Some Investigating With No Real Threat To Himself doesn’t sound quite as dramatic.Read more here.
More next Sunday.
Saturday, 17 August 2013
TV
Once Upon a Time
2x06 Tallahassee
Oh my, that was hilarious! I don't think I've seen special effects that poor since the '90s. And the facial expression of Jorge Garcia (the giant) whenever he had to run anywhere -- "grrargh, frowny run!" This show remains my definition of "so bad it's good".
Top of the Lake
Part 5 The Dark Creator
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
Veronica Mars
2x13 Ain't No Magic Mountain High Enough
2x06 Tallahassee
Oh my, that was hilarious! I don't think I've seen special effects that poor since the '90s. And the facial expression of Jorge Garcia (the giant) whenever he had to run anywhere -- "grrargh, frowny run!" This show remains my definition of "so bad it's good".
Top of the Lake
Part 5 The Dark Creator
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
Veronica Mars
2x13 Ain't No Magic Mountain High Enough
Films
[2nd watch]
TDKR was #58 100 Films in a Year 2012, but I haven't watched it since that opening weekend 13 months ago. My (spoiler-free) initial thoughts from that day are here, while my later (shorter) 'review' is here.
Coming back to it now, I really enjoyed it again. I think its minor flaws are far outweighed by its major successes, and so many of the criticisms that are levelled at it by 'picky' viewers are actually explained either in the film or with the tiniest bit of independent thought. Also, the IMAX sequences look stunning on Blu-ray, especially around the climax.
Collection Count
Collection Count tracks my DVD/Blu-ray collection via a number of statistics every week.
This week, Veronica Mars adds a swathe of TV episodes, and an upgrade to The Green Death Special Edition adds one disc and two episodes (thanks to it including a Sarah Jane Adventures two-parter).
Number of titles in collection: 1,591 [up 3]
Of which DVDs: 1,173 [up 3]
Of which Blu-rays: 418 [no change]
Number of discs in collection: 3,979 [up 19]
Number of films in collection: 1,699 [no change]
Number of TV episodes in collection: 5,873 [up 66]
Number of short films in collection: 383 [no change]
See you next week, faithful reader.
This week, Veronica Mars adds a swathe of TV episodes, and an upgrade to The Green Death Special Edition adds one disc and two episodes (thanks to it including a Sarah Jane Adventures two-parter).
Number of titles in collection: 1,591 [up 3]
Of which DVDs: 1,173 [up 3]
Of which Blu-rays: 418 [no change]
Number of discs in collection: 3,979 [up 19]
Number of films in collection: 1,699 [no change]
Number of TV episodes in collection: 5,873 [up 66]
Number of short films in collection: 383 [no change]
See you next week, faithful reader.
Friday, 16 August 2013
TV
8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown
4x03 (9/8/13 edition)
[Watch it (again) on 4oD.]
Doctor Who
1x10 The Ordeal
In their review for The Television Companion (now available on the official BBC episode guide at the link above), David J. Howe and Stephen James Walker assert the following:
Despite the story being seven episodes long, this "arduous trek" that is "not just an interlude in the story but is the story" lasts... an episode and a half. Hm. Nice concept, but there's plenty of padding-padding in The Daleks to make it a full seven episodes, not just the journey for the final attack.
Suburgatory
2x05 The Wishbone
[Watch it (again) on 4oD.]
Veronica Mars
2x12 Rashard and Wallace Go to White Castle
4x03 (9/8/13 edition)
[Watch it (again) on 4oD.]
Doctor Who
1x10 The Ordeal
In their review for The Television Companion (now available on the official BBC episode guide at the link above), David J. Howe and Stephen James Walker assert the following:
One of the potential problems with [The Daleks] is its length. Nation had a job to sustain the action over the full seven episodes... The master-stroke was to ensure that the only way of approaching the city for a final covert attack was to do so via a lake of mutations, a pipeline going up a sheer cliff-face and a dangerous cave system, helping to ensure that the story remains watchable and interesting throughout.
These sequences are not merely padding, though; rather, they pay homage to the Jules Verne school of science-fiction storytelling... in which an arduous trek through a series of strange and hazardous environments is typically not just an interlude in the story but is the story.
Despite the story being seven episodes long, this "arduous trek" that is "not just an interlude in the story but is the story" lasts... an episode and a half. Hm. Nice concept, but there's plenty of padding-padding in The Daleks to make it a full seven episodes, not just the journey for the final attack.
Suburgatory
2x05 The Wishbone
[Watch it (again) on 4oD.]
Veronica Mars
2x12 Rashard and Wallace Go to White Castle
Thursday, 15 August 2013
TV
The Graham Norton Show
13x13 (28/6/13 edition)
Top of the Lake
Part 4 A Rainbow Above Us
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
13x13 (28/6/13 edition)
Top of the Lake
Part 4 A Rainbow Above Us
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
Wednesday, 14 August 2013
TV
Cowboy Bebop
1x05 Ballad of Fallen Angels
Doctor Who
1x09 The Expedition
Top of the Lake
Part 3 The Edge of the Universe
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
Veronica Mars
2x11 Donut Run
1x05 Ballad of Fallen Angels
Doctor Who
1x09 The Expedition
Top of the Lake
Part 3 The Edge of the Universe
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
Veronica Mars
2x11 Donut Run
Tuesday, 13 August 2013
TV
The Last Leg
3x02 (7/8/13 edition)
[Watch it (again) on 4oD.]
Law & Order: UK
7x05 Mortal
[Watch it (again) on ITV Player.]
3x02 (7/8/13 edition)
[Watch it (again) on 4oD.]
Law & Order: UK
7x05 Mortal
[Watch it (again) on ITV Player.]
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