The Last Warning (1928)
[#40 in 100 Films in a Year 2021]
+ the extras on the new Masters of Cinema Blu-ray: an audio commentary by Kim Newman and Stephen Jones; and a 10-minute video essay that, despite that short running time, still only talked about the actual film for about a third of its running time!
Tuesday, 16 February 2021
Monday, 15 February 2021
Films
Crocodile Dundee II (1999)
[2nd watch]
Rewatchathon 2021 #5. I'm sure I watched this as a kid, but I didn't remember a second of it.
[2nd watch]
Rewatchathon 2021 #5. I'm sure I watched this as a kid, but I didn't remember a second of it.
Sunday, 14 February 2021
TV
It's a Sin
Part 2 (of 5)
[Watch the whole series (again) on All 4.]
It's a Sin: After Hours
Episode 2 (of 5)
[Watch it (again) on All 4 or YouTube.]
Part 2 (of 5)
[Watch the whole series (again) on All 4.]
It's a Sin: After Hours
Episode 2 (of 5)
[Watch it (again) on All 4 or YouTube.]
Films
Shakespeare in Love (1998)
[#39 in 100 Films in a Year 2021]
The only Oscar Best Picture winner from the last 30 years that I hadn't seen. (Next oldest: 1988's Rain Man, which is on this year's Blindspot list.)
[#39 in 100 Films in a Year 2021]
The only Oscar Best Picture winner from the last 30 years that I hadn't seen. (Next oldest: 1988's Rain Man, which is on this year's Blindspot list.)
this week on 100 Films
5 new reviews were published to 100 Films in a Year this week, all thanks to another 100-week roundup...
The 100-Week Roundup XXV
More next Sunday.
The 100-Week Roundup XXV
Featuring...Read more here.
- The Italian Job
- Downsizing
- Brigsby Bear
- Starship Troopers
- Escape from New York
More next Sunday.
Saturday, 13 February 2021
Films
Tangerines (2013)
[#37 in 100 Films in a Year 2021]
The White Tiger (2021)
[#38 in 100 Films in a Year 2021]
[#37 in 100 Films in a Year 2021]
The White Tiger (2021)
[#38 in 100 Films in a Year 2021]
Collection Count
Collection Count tracks my DVD/Blu-ray collection via a number of statistics every week.
A bit of a calmer week this time, with only three new additions... though as two of those are box sets, there's still a whole pile of new films and shorts. Also, that rarest of rarities: a new DVD! (Of a film not available on Blu, obv.)
Number of titles in collection: 2,540 [up 3]
Of which DVDs: 1,081 [up 1]
Of which Blu-rays: 1,459 [up 2]
— of which Ultra HD Blu-rays: 96 [no change]
Number of discs in collection: 6,519 [up 12]
Number of films: 2,946 [up 11]
Number of additional cuts: 206 [no change]
Number of TV episodes: 9,048 [no change]
Number of short films: 836 [up 15]
See you next week, faithful reader.
A bit of a calmer week this time, with only three new additions... though as two of those are box sets, there's still a whole pile of new films and shorts. Also, that rarest of rarities: a new DVD! (Of a film not available on Blu, obv.)
Number of titles in collection: 2,540 [up 3]
Of which DVDs: 1,081 [up 1]
Of which Blu-rays: 1,459 [up 2]
— of which Ultra HD Blu-rays: 96 [no change]
Number of discs in collection: 6,519 [up 12]
Number of films: 2,946 [up 11]
Number of additional cuts: 206 [no change]
Number of TV episodes: 9,048 [no change]
Number of short films: 836 [up 15]
See you next week, faithful reader.
Friday, 12 February 2021
TV
It's a Sin
Part 1 (of 5)
[Watch the whole series (again) on All 4.]
It's a Sin: After Hours
Episode 1 (of 5)
Channel 4's quarter-hour "after show" thingy.
[Watch it (again) on All 4 or YouTube.]
WandaVision
Part 6 All-New Halloween Spooktacular!
Part 1 (of 5)
[Watch the whole series (again) on All 4.]
It's a Sin: After Hours
Episode 1 (of 5)
Channel 4's quarter-hour "after show" thingy.
[Watch it (again) on All 4 or YouTube.]
WandaVision
Part 6 All-New Halloween Spooktacular!
Thursday, 11 February 2021
Films
The Adventures of Prince Achmed (1926)
[#35 in 100 Films in a Year 2021]
Also...
The Adventures of Prince Achmed (1926)
[2nd watch]
Rewatchathon 2021 #4. This isn't just because I enjoyed it so much I watched it twice (although it is very good), but because the BFI Blu-ray has a choice of soundtracks: the first is the original 1926 musical score; the second is an English voiceover narration recorded in 2013 but based on the director's original text. Really, the latter wasn't worth bothering with (I wrote a little more about that on Letterboxd).
[#35 in 100 Films in a Year 2021]
Also...
The Adventures of Prince Achmed (1926)
[2nd watch]
Rewatchathon 2021 #4. This isn't just because I enjoyed it so much I watched it twice (although it is very good), but because the BFI Blu-ray has a choice of soundtracks: the first is the original 1926 musical score; the second is an English voiceover narration recorded in 2013 but based on the director's original text. Really, the latter wasn't worth bothering with (I wrote a little more about that on Letterboxd).
Tuesday, 9 February 2021
Monday, 8 February 2021
Sunday, 7 February 2021
Films
The Dig (2021)
[#33 in 100 Films in a Year 2021]
Star Trek: The Motion Picture (1979)
[#32 in 100 Films in a Year 2021]
[#33 in 100 Films in a Year 2021]
Star Trek: The Motion Picture (1979)
[#32 in 100 Films in a Year 2021]
this week on 100 Films
We're a whole week into February now, but that week began with February beginning, and so over at 100 Films in a Year it was time to look back at the first month of 2021...
And I published 3 new film reviews, too...
The 100-Week Roundup XXIV
More next Sunday.
And I published 3 new film reviews, too...
The 100-Week Roundup XXIV
Featuring... - Bruce Almighty - Isle of Dogs - Life is BeautifulRead more here.
More next Sunday.
Saturday, 6 February 2021
Films
When the Wind Blows (1986)
[#31 in 100 Films in a Year 2021]
+ the commentary by first assistant editor John Fordham and film historian Nick Redman ("first assistant editor" sounds like a bit of a lowly position to be doing the commentary, but Fordham was there for most of production and seems to know a fair bit — it's not a bad track), and the interview with Raymond Briggs (insightful into the original conception of the characters, including how he had to make them "fairly dim" in order to slavishly follow the "lunatic" official advice!)
[#31 in 100 Films in a Year 2021]
+ the commentary by first assistant editor John Fordham and film historian Nick Redman ("first assistant editor" sounds like a bit of a lowly position to be doing the commentary, but Fordham was there for most of production and seems to know a fair bit — it's not a bad track), and the interview with Raymond Briggs (insightful into the original conception of the characters, including how he had to make them "fairly dim" in order to slavishly follow the "lunatic" official advice!)
Collection Count
Collection Count tracks my DVD/Blu-ray collection via a number of statistics every week.
Last week I said this week might challenge some of the record-breakers from last year. In the end, due to stuff getting lost in the post or not arriving as quickly as expected, it's not quite at that level — but it's still a relatively big'un, with 11 all-new titles, containing 15 films (no multi-film sets, just a bunch of extra films as special features!) and 38 episodes of TV, plus a pile of short films too. Sadly, nothing on Ultra HD or DVD, and no additional cuts, otherwise every single stat would've gone up. Hey-ho, you can't have it all!
Number of titles in collection: 2,537 [up 11]
Of which DVDs: 1,080 [no change]
Of which Blu-rays: 1,457 [up 11]
— of which Ultra HD Blu-rays: 96 [no change]
Number of discs in collection: 6,507 [up 28]
Number of films: 2,935 [up 15]
Number of additional cuts: 206 [no change]
Number of TV episodes: 9,048 [up 38]
Number of short films: 821 [up 9]
See you next week, faithful reader.
Last week I said this week might challenge some of the record-breakers from last year. In the end, due to stuff getting lost in the post or not arriving as quickly as expected, it's not quite at that level — but it's still a relatively big'un, with 11 all-new titles, containing 15 films (no multi-film sets, just a bunch of extra films as special features!) and 38 episodes of TV, plus a pile of short films too. Sadly, nothing on Ultra HD or DVD, and no additional cuts, otherwise every single stat would've gone up. Hey-ho, you can't have it all!
Number of titles in collection: 2,537 [up 11]
Of which DVDs: 1,080 [no change]
Of which Blu-rays: 1,457 [up 11]
— of which Ultra HD Blu-rays: 96 [no change]
Number of discs in collection: 6,507 [up 28]
Number of films: 2,935 [up 15]
Number of additional cuts: 206 [no change]
Number of TV episodes: 9,048 [up 38]
Number of short films: 821 [up 9]
See you next week, faithful reader.
Friday, 5 February 2021
Thursday, 4 February 2021
Wednesday, 3 February 2021
Films
The Burning Buddha Man (2013)
[#29 in 100 Films in a Year 2021]
Coming to America (1988)
[#28 in 100 Films in a Year 2021]
[#29 in 100 Films in a Year 2021]
Coming to America (1988)
[#28 in 100 Films in a Year 2021]
Tuesday, 2 February 2021
Films
Weird Woman (1944)
[#27 in 100 Films in a Year 2021]
The second Inner Sanctum Mystery.
+ commentary by film historian Justin Humphreys & author Del Howison
[#27 in 100 Films in a Year 2021]
The second Inner Sanctum Mystery.
+ commentary by film historian Justin Humphreys & author Del Howison
Monday, 1 February 2021
Sunday, 31 January 2021
this week on 100 Films
It was time for another TV column on 100 Films in a Year this week...
But film was not left out, with 3 new movie reviews too...
Rope (1948)
The 100-Week Roundup XXIII
More next Sunday.
But film was not left out, with 3 new movie reviews too...
Rope (1948)
Nowadays fake single takes are all over the place — some of them even last whole movies. But, as with so much cinematic trickery, it’s not actually a new idea. I don’t know if Alfred Hitchcock was the first director to attempt to trick the viewer into thinking they were watching one long take, when in fact it’s several shots stitched together via hidden cuts, but his effort is certainly one of the most famous. As an exercise in style, it’s a mixed success. Hitch is presumably inventing techniques that other filmmakers would polish and perfect in later attempts at the same stunt, but these first attempts don’t always come off perfectlyRead more here.
The 100-Week Roundup XXIII
Featuring...Read more here.
- Sherlock Gnomes
- Swimming with Men
More next Sunday.
Saturday, 30 January 2021
TV
The Twilight Zone
5x04 A Kind of a Stopwatch
5x07 The Old Man in the Cave
+ the commentary on A Kind of a Stopwatch by TZ expert Martin Grams, Jr.
WandaVision
Part 4 We Interrupt This Program
5x04 A Kind of a Stopwatch
5x07 The Old Man in the Cave
+ the commentary on A Kind of a Stopwatch by TZ expert Martin Grams, Jr.
WandaVision
Part 4 We Interrupt This Program
Films
Sansho Dayu (1954)
[#25 in 100 Films in a Year 2021]
Blindspot 2021 #1
+ the introduction by Tony Rayns on the Masters of Cinema Blu-ray
[#25 in 100 Films in a Year 2021]
Blindspot 2021 #1
+ the introduction by Tony Rayns on the Masters of Cinema Blu-ray
Collection Count
Collection Count tracks my DVD/Blu-ray collection via a number of statistics every week.
After last week's busy-ness, it's back down to a more acceptable level this week... although I have so much stuff in the post or awaiting dispatch, if it all manages to turn up in the next 7 days then next week might be back up in record-breaker levels. Oh dear!
Well, for now, here's a reasonably-sized update — and, along with it, the first running time update of 2021...
Number of titles in collection: 2,526 [up 3]
Of which DVDs: 1,080 [no change]
Of which Blu-rays: 1,446 [up 3]
— of which Ultra HD Blu-rays: 96 [no change]
Number of discs in collection: 6,479 [up 4]
Number of films: 2,920 [up 3]
Number of additional cuts: 206 [up 1]
Number of TV episodes: 9,010 [no change]
Number of short films: 812 [up 1]
Total running time of collection (approx.):
468 days, 7 hours, and 57 minutes.
(Up 1 day, 17 hours, and 25 minutes from last month.)
See you next week, faithful reader.
After last week's busy-ness, it's back down to a more acceptable level this week... although I have so much stuff in the post or awaiting dispatch, if it all manages to turn up in the next 7 days then next week might be back up in record-breaker levels. Oh dear!
Well, for now, here's a reasonably-sized update — and, along with it, the first running time update of 2021...
Number of titles in collection: 2,526 [up 3]
Of which DVDs: 1,080 [no change]
Of which Blu-rays: 1,446 [up 3]
— of which Ultra HD Blu-rays: 96 [no change]
Number of discs in collection: 6,479 [up 4]
Number of films: 2,920 [up 3]
Number of additional cuts: 206 [up 1]
Number of TV episodes: 9,010 [no change]
Number of short films: 812 [up 1]
Total running time of collection (approx.):
468 days, 7 hours, and 57 minutes.
(Up 1 day, 17 hours, and 25 minutes from last month.)
See you next week, faithful reader.
Friday, 29 January 2021
TV
Mark Kermode's Secrets of Cinema
3x03 Cult Movies [season finale]
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
The Twilight Zone
5x02 Steel
+ audio commentary by TZ expert Marc Scott Zicree and classic sci-fi expert Bill Warren
3x03 Cult Movies [season finale]
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
The Twilight Zone
5x02 Steel
+ audio commentary by TZ expert Marc Scott Zicree and classic sci-fi expert Bill Warren
Films
Cats (2019)
[#24 in 100 Films in a Year 2021]
The Secret Garden (2020)
[#23 in 100 Films in a Year 2021]
[#24 in 100 Films in a Year 2021]
The Secret Garden (2020)
[#23 in 100 Films in a Year 2021]
Thursday, 28 January 2021
Wednesday, 27 January 2021
TV
The Twilight Zone
4x18 The Bard [season finale]
+ audio commentary by TZ expert Marc Scott Zicree and classic sci-fi expert Bill Warren
4x18 The Bard [season finale]
+ audio commentary by TZ expert Marc Scott Zicree and classic sci-fi expert Bill Warren
Films
3 Idiots (2009)
[#21 in 100 Films in a Year 2021]
Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? (1966)
[#22 in 100 Films in a Year 2021]
+ the 2 featurettes on the Blu-ray, Too Shocking for Its Time and A Daring Work of Raw Excellence
[#21 in 100 Films in a Year 2021]
Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? (1966)
[#22 in 100 Films in a Year 2021]
+ the 2 featurettes on the Blu-ray, Too Shocking for Its Time and A Daring Work of Raw Excellence
Tuesday, 26 January 2021
Films
Crimson Tide (1995)
[2nd watch]
Rewatchathon 2021 #2
The Social Dilemma (2020)
[#20 in 100 Films in a Year 2021]
[2nd watch]
Rewatchathon 2021 #2
The Social Dilemma (2020)
[#20 in 100 Films in a Year 2021]
Monday, 25 January 2021
Sunday, 24 January 2021
this week on 100 Films
4 new reviews were published to 100 Films in a Year this week...
The 100-Week Roundup XXII
More next Sunday.
The 100-Week Roundup XXII
Featuring...Read more here.
- Hacksaw Ridge
- Leave No Trace
- Inception: The Cobol Job
- Fences
More next Sunday.
Saturday, 23 January 2021
TV
Cobra Kai
2x08 Glory of Love
[Watch it (again) on Netflix.]
Staged
2x07 The Loo Recluse
2x08 Until They Get Home [season finale]
[Watch the whole series (again) on iPlayer.]
The Wheel
1x09 Episode 9 [season finale]
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
2x08 Glory of Love
[Watch it (again) on Netflix.]
Staged
2x07 The Loo Recluse
2x08 Until They Get Home [season finale]
[Watch the whole series (again) on iPlayer.]
The Wheel
1x09 Episode 9 [season finale]
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Films
Blithe Spirit (2020)
[#18 in 100 Films in a Year 2021]
The Pinchcliffe Grand Prix (1975)
[#17 in 100 Films in a Year 2021]
[#18 in 100 Films in a Year 2021]
The Pinchcliffe Grand Prix (1975)
[#17 in 100 Films in a Year 2021]
Collection Count
Collection Count tracks my DVD/Blu-ray collection via a number of statistics every week.
After a quiet start to the year, things kicked off back up to 2020 levels this week, with 12 new purchases — that's my most in one week since... well, only two months ago, actually. But several of those were DVD upgrades — the net title increase of 11 is the biggest since last April! Hopefully this is a one-off spike and not a sign that I'm still unable to cut back... although I do have a few more things in the post and on order, so...
Number of titles in collection: 2,523 [up 11]
Of which DVDs: 1,080 [down 1]
Of which Blu-rays: 1,443 [up 12]
— of which Ultra HD Blu-rays: 96 [up 1]
Number of discs in collection: 6,475 [up 24]
Number of films: 2,917 [up 14]
Number of additional cuts: 205 [up 2]
Number of TV episodes: 9,010 [up 28]
Number of short films: 811 [no change]
See you next week, faithful reader.
After a quiet start to the year, things kicked off back up to 2020 levels this week, with 12 new purchases — that's my most in one week since... well, only two months ago, actually. But several of those were DVD upgrades — the net title increase of 11 is the biggest since last April! Hopefully this is a one-off spike and not a sign that I'm still unable to cut back... although I do have a few more things in the post and on order, so...
Number of titles in collection: 2,523 [up 11]
Of which DVDs: 1,080 [down 1]
Of which Blu-rays: 1,443 [up 12]
— of which Ultra HD Blu-rays: 96 [up 1]
Number of discs in collection: 6,475 [up 24]
Number of films: 2,917 [up 14]
Number of additional cuts: 205 [up 2]
Number of TV episodes: 9,010 [up 28]
Number of short films: 811 [no change]
See you next week, faithful reader.
Friday, 22 January 2021
TV
Staged
2x05 The Warthog and the Mongoose Part 1
2x06 The Warthog and the Mongoose Part 2
[Watch the whole series (again) on iPlayer.]
2x05 The Warthog and the Mongoose Part 1
2x06 The Warthog and the Mongoose Part 2
[Watch the whole series (again) on iPlayer.]
Films
Who? (1974)
[#16 in 100 Films in a Year 2021]
+ featurette The Man Behind the Mask, in which Kim Newman talks about the author of the novel the film is based on, Algis Budrys; and also the selected scene commentary by star Elliott Gould. It sounds like Gould must have recorded a commentary for the entire film, but it was so dull they’ve cut it down to just 21 minutes of highlights... and even that features a fair bit of silence.
[#16 in 100 Films in a Year 2021]
+ featurette The Man Behind the Mask, in which Kim Newman talks about the author of the novel the film is based on, Algis Budrys; and also the selected scene commentary by star Elliott Gould. It sounds like Gould must have recorded a commentary for the entire film, but it was so dull they’ve cut it down to just 21 minutes of highlights... and even that features a fair bit of silence.
Thursday, 21 January 2021
TV
Cobra Kai
2x07 Lull
[Watch it (again) on Netflix.]
Doctor Who
A Business Proposal for Mel
They do one of these specially-shot mini-episode-type trailers for every box set in the Doctor Who: The Collection Blu-ray range, but, to be honest, I normally don't bother to watch them. This one was fab, though — maybe they're worth the time after all...
[Watch it (again) on YouTube.]
Staged
2x03 The Dirty Mochyns
2x04 Woofty Doofty, David
[Watch the whole series (again) on iPlayer.]
2x07 Lull
[Watch it (again) on Netflix.]
Doctor Who
A Business Proposal for Mel
They do one of these specially-shot mini-episode-type trailers for every box set in the Doctor Who: The Collection Blu-ray range, but, to be honest, I normally don't bother to watch them. This one was fab, though — maybe they're worth the time after all...
[Watch it (again) on YouTube.]
Staged
2x03 The Dirty Mochyns
2x04 Woofty Doofty, David
[Watch the whole series (again) on iPlayer.]
Wednesday, 20 January 2021
TV
Cobra Kai
2x06 Take a Right
[Watch it (again) on Netflix.]
Staged
2x01 Saddle Up Sheen
2x02 Long Time, No See
[Watch the whole series (again) on iPlayer.]
2x06 Take a Right
[Watch it (again) on Netflix.]
Staged
2x01 Saddle Up Sheen
2x02 Long Time, No See
[Watch the whole series (again) on iPlayer.]
Films
Calling Dr. Death (1943)
[#14 in 100 Films in a Year 2021]
+ the commentary by author and screenwriter C. Courtney Joyner and the director’s daughter, Regina Le Borg.
This is the first Inner Sanctum Mystery. More to come.
[#14 in 100 Films in a Year 2021]
+ the commentary by author and screenwriter C. Courtney Joyner and the director’s daughter, Regina Le Borg.
This is the first Inner Sanctum Mystery. More to come.
Tuesday, 19 January 2021
Monday, 18 January 2021
Films
Joint Security Area (2000)
[#13 in 100 Films in a Year 2021]
Kind Hearts and Coronets (1949)
[#12 in 100 Films in a Year 2021]
[#13 in 100 Films in a Year 2021]
Kind Hearts and Coronets (1949)
[#12 in 100 Films in a Year 2021]
Sunday, 17 January 2021
TV
Cobra Kai
2x03 Fire and Ice
[Watch it (again) on Netflix.]
Mark Kermode's Secrets of Cinema
3x01 British Comedy
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Would I Lie To You?
14x02 Episode 2
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
2x03 Fire and Ice
[Watch it (again) on Netflix.]
Mark Kermode's Secrets of Cinema
3x01 British Comedy
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Would I Lie To You?
14x02 Episode 2
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
this week on 100 Films
2021 finally got underway on 100 Films in a Year this week, with the announcement of my Blindspot picks for this year...
There were also 11 new reviews published...
The 100-Week Roundup XIX
The 100-Week Roundup XX
The 100-Week Roundup XXI
More next Sunday.
There were also 11 new reviews published...
The 100-Week Roundup XIX
Featuring...Read more here.
- Happy New Year, Colin Burstead
- Cool Hand Luke
- 1941
- Rambo
The 100-Week Roundup XX
Featuring...Read more here.
- The Stewardesses 3D
- Experiments in Love 3D
- La jetée
The 100-Week Roundup XXI
Featuring...Read more here.
- The Player
- The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society
- First Reformed
- Gods and Monsters
More next Sunday.
Saturday, 16 January 2021
Films
Mission Control: The Unsung Heroes of Apollo (2017)
[#10 in 100 Films in a Year 2021]
One Night in Miami... (2020)
[#11 in 100 Films in a Year 2021]
[#10 in 100 Films in a Year 2021]
One Night in Miami... (2020)
[#11 in 100 Films in a Year 2021]
Collection Count
Collection Count tracks my DVD/Blu-ray collection via a number of statistics every week.
This week... there's nothing to report! Wonders will never cease. Several things are in the post or on order, though, so expect next week to be considerably busier (though hopefully not back up to 2020 levels).
Number of titles in collection: 2,512 [no change]
Of which DVDs: 1,081 [no change]
Of which Blu-rays: 1,431 [no change]
— of which Ultra HD Blu-rays: 95 [no change]
Number of discs in collection: 6,451 [no change]
Number of films: 2,903 [no change]
Number of additional cuts: 203 [no change]
Number of TV episodes: 8,982 [no change]
Number of short films: 811 [no change]
See you next week, faithful reader.
This week... there's nothing to report! Wonders will never cease. Several things are in the post or on order, though, so expect next week to be considerably busier (though hopefully not back up to 2020 levels).
Number of titles in collection: 2,512 [no change]
Of which DVDs: 1,081 [no change]
Of which Blu-rays: 1,431 [no change]
— of which Ultra HD Blu-rays: 95 [no change]
Number of discs in collection: 6,451 [no change]
Number of films: 2,903 [no change]
Number of additional cuts: 203 [no change]
Number of TV episodes: 8,982 [no change]
Number of short films: 811 [no change]
See you next week, faithful reader.
Friday, 15 January 2021
Thursday, 14 January 2021
Films
Hotel Transylvania 3D (2012)
[#8 in 100 Films in a Year 2021]
Meshes of the Afternoon (1943)
[#7a in 100 Films in a Year 2021]
[#8 in 100 Films in a Year 2021]
Meshes of the Afternoon (1943)
[#7a in 100 Films in a Year 2021]
Wednesday, 13 January 2021
Podcasts
David Tennant Does a Podcast with…
1x04 Ian McKellen
1x05 Jon Hamm
1x06 Gordon Brown
I couldn't sleep last night, so ended up finally returning to this podcast and binge-listening to a bunch of episodes.
1x04 Ian McKellen
1x05 Jon Hamm
1x06 Gordon Brown
I couldn't sleep last night, so ended up finally returning to this podcast and binge-listening to a bunch of episodes.
Tuesday, 12 January 2021
Films
Festen (1998)
[#5 in 100 Films in a Year 2021]
You Only Live Once (1937)
[#6 in 100 Films in a Year 2021]
[#5 in 100 Films in a Year 2021]
You Only Live Once (1937)
[#6 in 100 Films in a Year 2021]
Sunday, 10 January 2021
this week on 100 Films
My look back at last year on 100 Films in a Year continued this week. First up, one of my highlights of every year: the statistics!
In a different arrangement to normal, I dedicated a whole post to my "worst of" list...
But I still rounded things off with my list of the top 10% of movies I watched last year, plus some honourable mentions, and my usual list of 50 noteworthy titles that I missed...
Aside from all of that, there was also time for my annual look back at Christmas TV...
And that's all for now. Hopefully I'll get in some actual film reviews before next Sunday.
In a different arrangement to normal, I dedicated a whole post to my "worst of" list...
But I still rounded things off with my list of the top 10% of movies I watched last year, plus some honourable mentions, and my usual list of 50 noteworthy titles that I missed...
Aside from all of that, there was also time for my annual look back at Christmas TV...
And that's all for now. Hopefully I'll get in some actual film reviews before next Sunday.
Saturday, 9 January 2021
TV
The Big Fat Quiz of Everything 2021
[Watch it (again) on All 4.]
The Wheel
1x07 Episode 7
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Would I Lie To You?
14x01 Episode 1
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
[Watch it (again) on All 4.]
The Wheel
1x07 Episode 7
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Would I Lie To You?
14x01 Episode 1
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Collection Count
Collection Count tracks my DVD/Blu-ray collection via a number of statistics every week.
Just two purchases to kick off the new year. If I can keep things at that kind of level, I'll have a much more sensible end-of-year total than I did for 2020...
Number of titles in collection: 2,512 [up 2]
Of which DVDs: 1,081 [no change]
Of which Blu-rays: 1,431 [up 2]
— of which Ultra HD Blu-rays: 95 [up 2]
Number of discs in collection: 6,451 [up 5]
Number of films: 2,903 [up 2]
Number of additional cuts: 203 [no change]
Number of TV episodes: 8,982 [no change]
Number of short films: 811 [no change]
See you next week, faithful reader.
Just two purchases to kick off the new year. If I can keep things at that kind of level, I'll have a much more sensible end-of-year total than I did for 2020...
Number of titles in collection: 2,512 [up 2]
Of which DVDs: 1,081 [no change]
Of which Blu-rays: 1,431 [up 2]
— of which Ultra HD Blu-rays: 95 [up 2]
Number of discs in collection: 6,451 [up 5]
Number of films: 2,903 [up 2]
Number of additional cuts: 203 [no change]
Number of TV episodes: 8,982 [no change]
Number of short films: 811 [no change]
See you next week, faithful reader.
Thursday, 7 January 2021
Films
Ernest & Celestine (2012)
[#3 in 100 Films in a Year 2021]
Happy Death Day (2017)
[2nd watch]
Rewatchathon 2021 #1
+ all of the Blu-ray's special features, because there aren't many: 12 minutes of deleted/alternate scenes and 8 minutes of featurettes
Happy Death Day 2U (2019)
[#4 in 100 Films in a Year 2021]
+ the Blu-ray's special features, which are even worse than the first film's. The pathetic little “featurettes” were clearly designed for social media promo. Shame they couldn’t have even just recut the same interviews into a decent featurette or two. I'm sure it still would be EPK-ish stuff, but it could have been a little more detailed — at least the first film's manage to squeeze in some interesting info. But no, 2U’s are even shorter and even more vapid. I mean, the third one just explains the plot of the movie in 2 minutes. Whhhhhy?
[#3 in 100 Films in a Year 2021]
Happy Death Day (2017)
[2nd watch]
Rewatchathon 2021 #1
+ all of the Blu-ray's special features, because there aren't many: 12 minutes of deleted/alternate scenes and 8 minutes of featurettes
Happy Death Day 2U (2019)
[#4 in 100 Films in a Year 2021]
+ the Blu-ray's special features, which are even worse than the first film's. The pathetic little “featurettes” were clearly designed for social media promo. Shame they couldn’t have even just recut the same interviews into a decent featurette or two. I'm sure it still would be EPK-ish stuff, but it could have been a little more detailed — at least the first film's manage to squeeze in some interesting info. But no, 2U’s are even shorter and even more vapid. I mean, the third one just explains the plot of the movie in 2 minutes. Whhhhhy?
Tuesday, 5 January 2021
Monday, 4 January 2021
Sunday, 3 January 2021
this week on 100 Films
Lots going on at 100 Films in a Year this week, with a final flurry of reviews before the new year; and then, from January 1st, the start of my "review of the year" posts.
First up, then, 10 new reviews were published at the tail end of last month...
Death to 2020 (2020)
The 100-Week Roundup XVI
The 100-Week Roundup XVII
The 100-Week Roundup XVIII
And then my look back of 2020 got underway, first with my regular monthly review of December...
Followed by an overview of my most-read new posts of last year...
And finally (for now) my full list of 2020 viewing...
More next Sunday.
First up, then, 10 new reviews were published at the tail end of last month...
Death to 2020 (2020)
It turns out the film's biggest problem isn’t unoriginality or too broad a target audience, but rather that 2020 was such a shitshow that it’s just no fun to be reminded of it, even in an intentionally comedic context.Read more here.
The 100-Week Roundup XVI
Featuring...Read more here.
- The Ballad of Buster Scruggs
- The Tale of the Princess Kaguya
- Redline
The 100-Week Roundup XVII
Featuring...Read more here.
- Danger: Diabolik
- Boy
- Dad's Army (2016)
The 100-Week Roundup XVIII
Featuring...Read more here.
- Torment
- Music in Darkness
- Hachi: A Dog's Tale
And then my look back of 2020 got underway, first with my regular monthly review of December...
Followed by an overview of my most-read new posts of last year...
And finally (for now) my full list of 2020 viewing...
More next Sunday.
Saturday, 2 January 2021
TV
Richard Osman's House of Games Night
1x06 Christmas Special
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Would I Lie To You?
14x00 At Christmas
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
1x06 Christmas Special
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Would I Lie To You?
14x00 At Christmas
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Collection Count
Collection Count tracks my DVD/Blu-ray collection via a number of statistics every week.
This week, it's the monthly running time update — which really should've been last week, but I've pushed it on one because, as you may've noticed, it's a new year (hopefully better than the last one), so I can include all the 2020 increases too.
Aside from that, just one new addition this week; though I also vetted the numbers in prep for the annual increases and noticed a couple of minor discrepancies. No idea how they came about, but everything should be on track now.
Number of titles in collection: 2,510 [up 1 this week; up 234 in 2020]
Of which DVDs: 1,081 [no change this week; down 43 in 2020]
Of which Blu-rays: 1,429 [up 1 this week; up 277 in 2020]
— of which Ultra HD Blu-rays: 93 [no change this week; up 56 in 2020]
Wait... 234 titles in one year? What the fuck?! I had to double-check the maths because that's mad. I mean, I knew I'd gotten carried away sometimes this year (there were several "biggest months ever"), but I didn't realise it had been that bad! My previous high (since I've been recording it here) is 154 in 2017, and the average of the previous seven years is 108 — so this year alone I've acquired more than double my average. And if we just look at Blu-rays, they're almost 2.5 times my average of 111. Jesus.
And, remember, that isn't even all my purchases, because any upgrades didn't increase the titles total. For example, DVDs are down by 43, and all of those would've been upgrades (though some may be accounted for by box sets, etc). That's also higher than my norm, which has been decreasing by an average of 22 a year for the past four years. Meanwhile, my UHD collection is icnreasing exponentially: I acquired 9 in 2018, tripled that to 28 in 2019, and doubled that to 56 this year. I'd wager 2021 will see a further increase.
Okay, so, let's move on to what will surely be some more scary numbers...
Number of discs in collection: 6,446 [up 8 this week; up 514 in 2020]
Number of films: 2,901 [up 15 this week; up 234 in 2020]
Number of additional cuts: 203 [no change]
Number of TV episodes: 8,982 [no change this week; up 289 in 2020]
Number of short films: 811 [up 4 this week; up 135 in 2020]
Somehow, those numbers aren't as scary... though maybe that's just because I've got used to these barmy increases now. I mean, over 500 discs in a year is still insane. My average is 300, so it's still a 71% increase. Meanwhile, the film number is slightly compromised by this year's addition of an "additional cut" count — but even allowing for that, 234 is 54% above my average. On the other hand, 289 episodes of TV is actually well below my average of 428; in fact, it's the lowest its ever been (the previous smallest was 323 in 2018). This perhaps says something about less TV getting released on disc nowadays; or my reluctance to buy something I'm less likely to rewatch (due to length). As for shorts, 135 is over 3 times my average increase; and the previous high was 91 in 2017. I've not been buying any shorts collections, so I think this speaks to the increasing prevalence of shorts being included as special features.
And so, finally, the big one...
Total running time of collection (approx.):
466 days, 14 hours, and 32 minutes.
(Up 2 days, 19 hours, and 28 minutes from last month.)
(Up 32 days, 7 hours, and 29 minutes from last year.)
Unsurprisingly, that's also the most ever — although the previous high, just under 29¼ days in 2015, is relatively close — but it's still 44% above the average of 22 days, 10 hours, and 35 minutes. That reverses a trend, as it's been dropping the past couple of years. I do hope I manage to calm it down again next year...
And next year begins next week — in which I can already promise a couple of new additions. I'm hopeless.
This week, it's the monthly running time update — which really should've been last week, but I've pushed it on one because, as you may've noticed, it's a new year (hopefully better than the last one), so I can include all the 2020 increases too.
Aside from that, just one new addition this week; though I also vetted the numbers in prep for the annual increases and noticed a couple of minor discrepancies. No idea how they came about, but everything should be on track now.
Number of titles in collection: 2,510 [up 1 this week; up 234 in 2020]
Of which DVDs: 1,081 [no change this week; down 43 in 2020]
Of which Blu-rays: 1,429 [up 1 this week; up 277 in 2020]
— of which Ultra HD Blu-rays: 93 [no change this week; up 56 in 2020]
Wait... 234 titles in one year? What the fuck?! I had to double-check the maths because that's mad. I mean, I knew I'd gotten carried away sometimes this year (there were several "biggest months ever"), but I didn't realise it had been that bad! My previous high (since I've been recording it here) is 154 in 2017, and the average of the previous seven years is 108 — so this year alone I've acquired more than double my average. And if we just look at Blu-rays, they're almost 2.5 times my average of 111. Jesus.
And, remember, that isn't even all my purchases, because any upgrades didn't increase the titles total. For example, DVDs are down by 43, and all of those would've been upgrades (though some may be accounted for by box sets, etc). That's also higher than my norm, which has been decreasing by an average of 22 a year for the past four years. Meanwhile, my UHD collection is icnreasing exponentially: I acquired 9 in 2018, tripled that to 28 in 2019, and doubled that to 56 this year. I'd wager 2021 will see a further increase.
Okay, so, let's move on to what will surely be some more scary numbers...
Number of discs in collection: 6,446 [up 8 this week; up 514 in 2020]
Number of films: 2,901 [up 15 this week; up 234 in 2020]
Number of additional cuts: 203 [no change]
Number of TV episodes: 8,982 [no change this week; up 289 in 2020]
Number of short films: 811 [up 4 this week; up 135 in 2020]
Somehow, those numbers aren't as scary... though maybe that's just because I've got used to these barmy increases now. I mean, over 500 discs in a year is still insane. My average is 300, so it's still a 71% increase. Meanwhile, the film number is slightly compromised by this year's addition of an "additional cut" count — but even allowing for that, 234 is 54% above my average. On the other hand, 289 episodes of TV is actually well below my average of 428; in fact, it's the lowest its ever been (the previous smallest was 323 in 2018). This perhaps says something about less TV getting released on disc nowadays; or my reluctance to buy something I'm less likely to rewatch (due to length). As for shorts, 135 is over 3 times my average increase; and the previous high was 91 in 2017. I've not been buying any shorts collections, so I think this speaks to the increasing prevalence of shorts being included as special features.
And so, finally, the big one...
Total running time of collection (approx.):
466 days, 14 hours, and 32 minutes.
(Up 2 days, 19 hours, and 28 minutes from last month.)
(Up 32 days, 7 hours, and 29 minutes from last year.)
Unsurprisingly, that's also the most ever — although the previous high, just under 29¼ days in 2015, is relatively close — but it's still 44% above the average of 22 days, 10 hours, and 35 minutes. That reverses a trend, as it's been dropping the past couple of years. I do hope I manage to calm it down again next year...
And next year begins next week — in which I can already promise a couple of new additions. I'm hopeless.
Friday, 1 January 2021
TV
Doctor Who
39x00 Revolution of the Daleks [New Year's Day special]
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Happy New Year Live!
A pre-filmed stand-in for the usual fireworks. It was alright. I'm certainly not going to moan about the inclusion of some broadly political topics, unlike those right-wing snowflakes on social media this morning.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Hogmanay 2020
Meanwhile, in Scotland, they still had actual fireworks. Also music and interviews and stuff.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Only Connect
Doctors: Medics v Gallifreyans [Series 16 Specials 3/4]
Music: Festival Fans v Choristers [Series 16 Specials 4/4]
Two episodes from the "Series 16 Specials", which thus challenge my episode numbering methodology. Maybe it's for the best I don't watch Only Connect on a regular basis...
[Watch Doctors and Music (again) on iPlayer.]
Talking Pictures
Dames
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
University Challenge
Christmas 2020 ep10 Grand Final [season finale]
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
39x00 Revolution of the Daleks [New Year's Day special]
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Happy New Year Live!
A pre-filmed stand-in for the usual fireworks. It was alright. I'm certainly not going to moan about the inclusion of some broadly political topics, unlike those right-wing snowflakes on social media this morning.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Hogmanay 2020
Meanwhile, in Scotland, they still had actual fireworks. Also music and interviews and stuff.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Only Connect
Doctors: Medics v Gallifreyans [Series 16 Specials 3/4]
Music: Festival Fans v Choristers [Series 16 Specials 4/4]
Two episodes from the "Series 16 Specials", which thus challenge my episode numbering methodology. Maybe it's for the best I don't watch Only Connect on a regular basis...
[Watch Doctors and Music (again) on iPlayer.]
Talking Pictures
Dames
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
University Challenge
Christmas 2020 ep10 Grand Final [season finale]
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Videos
Fare Well - Edinburgh's Hogmanay 2020
A prerecorded New Year's celebration from Edinburgh — you may have seen part of it on the news (like I did) but then been unsure where to find it (like I was), so here it is in full, because it's very good. (Click through above or below to watch it bigger.)
A prerecorded New Year's celebration from Edinburgh — you may have seen part of it on the news (like I did) but then been unsure where to find it (like I was), so here it is in full, because it's very good. (Click through above or below to watch it bigger.)
Thursday, 31 December 2020
TV
The Graham Norton Show
28x12 New Year's Eve Show
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
The Last Leg
20x09 The Last Leg of the Year [2020]
Apparently the last time I watched The Last Leg was over five years ago. It doesn't seem to have changed much.
[Watch it (again) on All 4.]
University Challenge
Christmas 2020 ep6 Durham v Downing, Cambridge
Christmas 2020 ep7 New College Oxford v Reading
Christmas 2020 ep8 Semi-Final 1
Christmas 2020 ep9 Semi-Final 2
[Watch this series (again) on iPlayer.]
28x12 New Year's Eve Show
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
The Last Leg
20x09 The Last Leg of the Year [2020]
Apparently the last time I watched The Last Leg was over five years ago. It doesn't seem to have changed much.
[Watch it (again) on All 4.]
University Challenge
Christmas 2020 ep6 Durham v Downing, Cambridge
Christmas 2020 ep7 New College Oxford v Reading
Christmas 2020 ep8 Semi-Final 1
Christmas 2020 ep9 Semi-Final 2
[Watch this series (again) on iPlayer.]
Films
Yesterday, I set a record for the highest number of new films I've watched in a year. But today, I'm just trying to make sure December 2020 doesn't fall short of my goal of 10 new films per month...
Death to 2020 (2020)
[#264 in 100 Films in a Year 2020]
Does this count as a film or a "TV special"? Netflix have well and truly blurred the line at this point — so I'm going with "Film", because I need it to reach my target.
Minions 3D (2015)
[#263 in 100 Films in a Year 2020]
Death to 2020 (2020)
[#264 in 100 Films in a Year 2020]
Does this count as a film or a "TV special"? Netflix have well and truly blurred the line at this point — so I'm going with "Film", because I need it to reach my target.
Minions 3D (2015)
[#263 in 100 Films in a Year 2020]
Wednesday, 30 December 2020
Films
Power of Grayskull: The Definitive History of He-Man and the Masters of the Universe (2017)
[#261 in 100 Films in a Year 2020]
Under the Skin (2013)
[#262 in 100 Films in a Year 2020]
Blindspot 2020 #12 (i.e. the last one — hurrah!)
[#261 in 100 Films in a Year 2020]
Under the Skin (2013)
[#262 in 100 Films in a Year 2020]
Blindspot 2020 #12 (i.e. the last one — hurrah!)
Tuesday, 29 December 2020
Films
Tenet (2020)
[#260 in 100 Films in a Year 2020]
+ several featurettes from the film’s special features (8 out of 13, to be precise); mainly ones about how they achieved depictions of time running simultaneously forwards and backwards
[#260 in 100 Films in a Year 2020]
+ several featurettes from the film’s special features (8 out of 13, to be precise); mainly ones about how they achieved depictions of time running simultaneously forwards and backwards
Sunday, 27 December 2020
Films
Presto (2008)
[2nd watch]
Saw this in the cinema before WALL-E with my mum, but she couldn’t remember it so we pulled it up on Disney+. She still didn’t remember it, but it is bloody good.
Soul (2020)
[#259 in 100 Films in a Year 2020]
[2nd watch]
Saw this in the cinema before WALL-E with my mum, but she couldn’t remember it so we pulled it up on Disney+. She still didn’t remember it, but it is bloody good.
Soul (2020)
[#259 in 100 Films in a Year 2020]
this week on 100 Films
There was just my final pre-Christmas monthly TV column over at 100 Films in a Year this week...
More next Sunday.
More next Sunday.
Collection Count
Collection Count tracks my DVD/Blu-ray collection via a number of statistics every week.
This would've been a running time update, but I've pushed it to next week to cover the yearly totals. I'm not currently expecting anything between now and next week, but you never know (especially with my procilivity for caving to sales).
Number of titles in collection: 2,509 [up 7]
Of which DVDs: 1,081 [no change]
Of which Blu-rays: 1,428 [up 7]
— of which Ultra HD Blu-rays: 93 [up 2]
Number of discs in collection: 6,438 [up 10]
Number of films: 2,886 [up 8]
Number of additional cuts: 203 [no change]
Number of TV episodes: 8,982 [no change]
Number of short films: 807 [up 4]
See you next week, faithful reader.
This would've been a running time update, but I've pushed it to next week to cover the yearly totals. I'm not currently expecting anything between now and next week, but you never know (especially with my procilivity for caving to sales).
Number of titles in collection: 2,509 [up 7]
Of which DVDs: 1,081 [no change]
Of which Blu-rays: 1,428 [up 7]
— of which Ultra HD Blu-rays: 93 [up 2]
Number of discs in collection: 6,438 [up 10]
Number of films: 2,886 [up 8]
Number of additional cuts: 203 [no change]
Number of TV episodes: 8,982 [no change]
Number of short films: 807 [up 4]
See you next week, faithful reader.
Saturday, 26 December 2020
TV
The Big Fat Quiz of the Year 2020
[Watch it (again) on All 4.]
Dad's Army
7x06 Turkey Dinner [season finale]
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Have I Got 30 Years for You
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
The Morecambe and Wise Show
The Lost Tapes Episode 1 (of 2)
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
The Russell Howard Hour
4x15 The Big Issues [special]
University Challenge
Christmas 2020 ep5 UCLAN v Loughborough
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
[Watch it (again) on All 4.]
Dad's Army
7x06 Turkey Dinner [season finale]
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Have I Got 30 Years for You
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
The Morecambe and Wise Show
The Lost Tapes Episode 1 (of 2)
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
The Russell Howard Hour
4x15 The Big Issues [special]
University Challenge
Christmas 2020 ep5 UCLAN v Loughborough
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Fiction
The MX Book of New Sherlock Holmes Stories —
Part V: Christmas Adventures edited by David Marcum
The Stolen Relic by David Marcum
Not sure how I feel about the religious, supernatural aspect of this story, but it gave it a suitably seasonal aspect, at least.
Part V: Christmas Adventures edited by David Marcum
The Stolen Relic by David Marcum
Not sure how I feel about the religious, supernatural aspect of this story, but it gave it a suitably seasonal aspect, at least.
Friday, 25 December 2020
TV
Blankety Blank
Christmas Special
I'm always up for a revival of Blankety Blank (the last one was on ITV in 2016), and this is no exception. It was pitched as a Christmas one-off, but I would imagine they'll be more if it was a hit.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Mrs Brown's Boys
Mammy of the People [Christmas special]
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Strictly Come Dancing
18x18 2020 Christmas Special
Unable to do their usual Christmas special, Strictly resorted to a viewer-voted countdown of the 25 best dances from the show's history — which, in many respects, made for a more entertaining special than usual.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
The Wheel
1x05 Christmas Special
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
And also...
La La Land (2016)
[final 20 minutes]
I'm counting this in the TV section rather than Film because we only caught the last 20 minutes on BBC Two before calling it a night for Christmas Day (so it's not a proper, i.e. full, rewatch). But I have to mention it anyway because, my God, what an ending! And what a remarkable, strangely fitting capstone to this most unusual Christmas.
Christmas Special
I'm always up for a revival of Blankety Blank (the last one was on ITV in 2016), and this is no exception. It was pitched as a Christmas one-off, but I would imagine they'll be more if it was a hit.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Mrs Brown's Boys
Mammy of the People [Christmas special]
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Strictly Come Dancing
18x18 2020 Christmas Special
Unable to do their usual Christmas special, Strictly resorted to a viewer-voted countdown of the 25 best dances from the show's history — which, in many respects, made for a more entertaining special than usual.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
The Wheel
1x05 Christmas Special
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
And also...
La La Land (2016)
[final 20 minutes]
I'm counting this in the TV section rather than Film because we only caught the last 20 minutes on BBC Two before calling it a night for Christmas Day (so it's not a proper, i.e. full, rewatch). But I have to mention it anyway because, my God, what an ending! And what a remarkable, strangely fitting capstone to this most unusual Christmas.
Fiction
The MX Book of New Sherlock Holmes Stories —
Part V: Christmas Adventures edited by David Marcum
The Adventure of the Missing Irregular by Amy Thomas
The Adventure of the Knighted Watchmaker by Derrick Belanger
These were both pretty good, I thought. Glad to see the collection picking up.
Part V: Christmas Adventures edited by David Marcum
The Adventure of the Missing Irregular by Amy Thomas
The Adventure of the Knighted Watchmaker by Derrick Belanger
These were both pretty good, I thought. Glad to see the collection picking up.
Thursday, 24 December 2020
TV
Cinderella: A Comic Relief Pantomine for Christmas
Very silly, of course, but all in the right spirit. There's a slightly extended version also available on iPlayer, so I might (re)watch that at some point. [Watch the BBC Two edit (again) on iPlayer.]
Ghosts
2x07 The Ghost of Christmas [Christmas special]
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Roald & Beatrix: The Tail of the Curious Mouse
Sometimes, I count TV movies as movies for 100 Films. And sometimes, I don't. Maybe I should be more consistent on this...
University Challenge
Christmas 2020 ep4 Nottingham v Sheffield
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Very silly, of course, but all in the right spirit. There's a slightly extended version also available on iPlayer, so I might (re)watch that at some point. [Watch the BBC Two edit (again) on iPlayer.]
Ghosts
2x07 The Ghost of Christmas [Christmas special]
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Roald & Beatrix: The Tail of the Curious Mouse
Sometimes, I count TV movies as movies for 100 Films. And sometimes, I don't. Maybe I should be more consistent on this...
University Challenge
Christmas 2020 ep4 Nottingham v Sheffield
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Wednesday, 23 December 2020
TV
Upstart Crow
4x00 Lockdown Christmas 1603 [Christmas special]
Apparently it's been two years since the last episode of Upstart Crow, which amazed me when I realised it because, well, it doesn't feel like it's been that long. I have nothing more insightful to add to that — it's just weird.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
4x00 Lockdown Christmas 1603 [Christmas special]
Apparently it's been two years since the last episode of Upstart Crow, which amazed me when I realised it because, well, it doesn't feel like it's been that long. I have nothing more insightful to add to that — it's just weird.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Films
The Christmas Chronicles: Part Two (2020)
[#258 in 100 Films in a Year 2020]
A proper Christmas film for Christmas Eve Eve.
Die Hard (1988)
[5th watch]
Rewatchathon 2020 #45. Another proper Christmas film for Christmas Eve Eve.
[#258 in 100 Films in a Year 2020]
A proper Christmas film for Christmas Eve Eve.
Die Hard (1988)
[5th watch]
Rewatchathon 2020 #45. Another proper Christmas film for Christmas Eve Eve.
Fiction
The MX Book of New Sherlock Holmes Stories —
Part V: Christmas Adventures edited by David Marcum
The Case of the Ruby Necklace by Bob Byrne
The Jet Brooch by Denis O. Smith
Every Christmastime for the past five years, I've intended to actually read this collection. In 2016 (when it was published and I bought it), I actually started it... but only managed the introductions (of which there are five! Slightly excessive, I feel), and first piece, a poem, of which my only comment was "oh dear". This time, I re-read the intros, but skipped the poem.
Sadly, the first story didn’t give me any more confidence about the quality of these pastiches — it’s scattered with blatant Americanisms and bits of prose that are on the surface adequate but lack refinement. It’s also not a particularly engaging or remarkable mystery; and the Christmas setting is entirely incidental and not even atmospherically evoked. Either this is just a misguided way to start the collection, or it really shows just how special Doyle’s writing was (or perhaps the kind of authors who focus on pastiching someone else’s characters are at the same level as self-published internet fan fiction, even when they appear in a professional-looking printed volume).
Fortunately, the second of these stories was considerably better; not without issues (the climax, where everyone is happy to blurt out every little detail with only the mildest prodding) was a little lacking in stylistic nuance for my taste, but the mystery, its investigation, and its solution were all neat enough.
There are a total of 31 pieces in the book, which would be perfect for filling December — if one started it on time, which, obviously, I did not. Let's see how much further I get before the season ends and reading these feels inappropriate...
Part V: Christmas Adventures edited by David Marcum
The Case of the Ruby Necklace by Bob Byrne
The Jet Brooch by Denis O. Smith
Every Christmastime for the past five years, I've intended to actually read this collection. In 2016 (when it was published and I bought it), I actually started it... but only managed the introductions (of which there are five! Slightly excessive, I feel), and first piece, a poem, of which my only comment was "oh dear". This time, I re-read the intros, but skipped the poem.
Sadly, the first story didn’t give me any more confidence about the quality of these pastiches — it’s scattered with blatant Americanisms and bits of prose that are on the surface adequate but lack refinement. It’s also not a particularly engaging or remarkable mystery; and the Christmas setting is entirely incidental and not even atmospherically evoked. Either this is just a misguided way to start the collection, or it really shows just how special Doyle’s writing was (or perhaps the kind of authors who focus on pastiching someone else’s characters are at the same level as self-published internet fan fiction, even when they appear in a professional-looking printed volume).
Fortunately, the second of these stories was considerably better; not without issues (the climax, where everyone is happy to blurt out every little detail with only the mildest prodding) was a little lacking in stylistic nuance for my taste, but the mystery, its investigation, and its solution were all neat enough.
There are a total of 31 pieces in the book, which would be perfect for filling December — if one started it on time, which, obviously, I did not. Let's see how much further I get before the season ends and reading these feels inappropriate...
Tuesday, 22 December 2020
TV
The Goes Wrong Show
2x00 The Nativity [Christmas special]
The BBC list this as being in "series 2" but don't give it an episode number, so I'm assuming (hoping) it counts as a special and that means there's six more episodes on the way — because the more the better, in my opinion! Quite how they keep coming up with so much pure hilarity from what sounds like it should be an easily-exhaustible concept is beyond me.
[Watch it (again and again) on iPlayer.]
Small Axe
Lovers Rock
[#247 in 100 Films in a Year 2020]
This has been appearing on "best film of the year" lists — it was Sight & Sound's #1, even. I... had a very different reaction. I'm not a fan. [Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
2x00 The Nativity [Christmas special]
The BBC list this as being in "series 2" but don't give it an episode number, so I'm assuming (hoping) it counts as a special and that means there's six more episodes on the way — because the more the better, in my opinion! Quite how they keep coming up with so much pure hilarity from what sounds like it should be an easily-exhaustible concept is beyond me.
[Watch it (again and again) on iPlayer.]
Small Axe
Lovers Rock
[#247 in 100 Films in a Year 2020]
This has been appearing on "best film of the year" lists — it was Sight & Sound's #1, even. I... had a very different reaction. I'm not a fan. [Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Monday, 21 December 2020
TV
Ghosts
2x06 Perfect Day [season finale]
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
His Dark Materials
2x06 Malice
2x07 Æsahættr [season finale]
Some have thought this second series boring, but I mostly enjoyed it — the benefit of watching it all in just six days, perhaps. Apparently the third (and final) series isn't yet officially commissioned, but I really hope we get it. [Watch the whole series (again) on iPlayer.]
Staged
1x06 The Cookie Jar [2nd watch; extended]
[Watch the extended episodes (again) on Netflix.]
The Vicar of Dibley
...in Lockdown Episode 3 (of 3)
Because of its bitty, sketchy nature, I'm sure this series of three short episodes will work just as well as a single half-hour compilation — especially as that contains extra material (to run 34 minutes vs the three parts' total of 27). Wish I'd just waited now...
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
2x06 Perfect Day [season finale]
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
His Dark Materials
2x06 Malice
2x07 Æsahættr [season finale]
Some have thought this second series boring, but I mostly enjoyed it — the benefit of watching it all in just six days, perhaps. Apparently the third (and final) series isn't yet officially commissioned, but I really hope we get it. [Watch the whole series (again) on iPlayer.]
Staged
1x06 The Cookie Jar [2nd watch; extended]
[Watch the extended episodes (again) on Netflix.]
The Vicar of Dibley
...in Lockdown Episode 3 (of 3)
Because of its bitty, sketchy nature, I'm sure this series of three short episodes will work just as well as a single half-hour compilation — especially as that contains extra material (to run 34 minutes vs the three parts' total of 27). Wish I'd just waited now...
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Sunday, 20 December 2020
TV
Celebrity Mastermind
2019/2020 Episode 10 (of 10)
Ghosts
2x05 Bump in the Night
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
His Dark Materials
2x05 The Scholar
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
It'll Be Alright on the Night
34x04 (19/12/20 edition)
I know bloopers are pretty much lowest-common-denominator comedy, but they can be funny. Not this selection, though — this was dire.
[Watch it (again) on the ITV Hub.]
Staged
1x04 Bara Brith [2nd watch; extended]
1x05 Ulysses [2nd watch; extended]
[Watch the extended episodes (again) on Netflix.]
The Vicar of Dibley
...in Lockdown Episode 2 (of 3)
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
2019/2020 Episode 10 (of 10)
Ghosts
2x05 Bump in the Night
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
His Dark Materials
2x05 The Scholar
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
It'll Be Alright on the Night
34x04 (19/12/20 edition)
I know bloopers are pretty much lowest-common-denominator comedy, but they can be funny. Not this selection, though — this was dire.
[Watch it (again) on the ITV Hub.]
Staged
1x04 Bara Brith [2nd watch; extended]
1x05 Ulysses [2nd watch; extended]
[Watch the extended episodes (again) on Netflix.]
The Vicar of Dibley
...in Lockdown Episode 2 (of 3)
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
this week on 100 Films
7 new reviews were published to 100 Films in a Year this week...
The 100-Week Roundup XV
A Christmas 100-Week Roundup
More next Sunday.
The 100-Week Roundup XV
Featuring...Read more here.
- The Other Side of the Wind
- Batman & Mr. Freeze: SubZero
- Paper Moon
- Hitchcock/Truffaut
A Christmas 100-Week Roundup
Featuring...Read more here.
- The Christmas Chronicles
- The Man Who Invented Christmas
- A Christmas Carol
More next Sunday.
Saturday, 19 December 2020
TV
Ghosts
2x04 The Thomas Thorne Affair
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
His Dark Materials
2x04 Tower of the Angels
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Neil Brand's Sound of TV
1x03 The Score [series finale]
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Richard Osman's House of Games Night
1x05 Episode 5 [season finale]
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Staged
1x03 Who the F#!k is Michael Sheen? [2nd watch; extended]
[Watch the extended episodes (again) on Netflix.]
The Vicar of Dibley
...in Lockdown Episode 1 (of 3)
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
2x04 The Thomas Thorne Affair
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
His Dark Materials
2x04 Tower of the Angels
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Neil Brand's Sound of TV
1x03 The Score [series finale]
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Richard Osman's House of Games Night
1x05 Episode 5 [season finale]
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Staged
1x03 Who the F#!k is Michael Sheen? [2nd watch; extended]
[Watch the extended episodes (again) on Netflix.]
The Vicar of Dibley
...in Lockdown Episode 1 (of 3)
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Collection Count
Collection Count tracks my DVD/Blu-ray collection via a number of statistics every week.
Just two new additions this week — quieter than normal as of late, but not every week can be a big one (they certainly shouldn't all be!) They're both 4K, which is nice — I'm almost at 100 titles on the format. I won't get there this year now, so we'll see just how quickly 2021 gets me to it.
Number of titles in collection: 2,502 [up 2]
Of which DVDs: 1,081 [no change]
Of which Blu-rays: 1,421 [up 2]
— of which Ultra HD Blu-rays: 91 [up 2]
Number of discs in collection: 6,428 [up 4]
Number of films: 2,878 [up 2]
Number of additional cuts: 203 [no change]
Number of TV episodes: 8,982 [no change]
Number of short films: 803 [up 5]
Next week's update will include whatever I get as Christmas presents, so that's 50/50 on whether it'll be a big haul or just a modest addition. See you then, faithful reader.
Just two new additions this week — quieter than normal as of late, but not every week can be a big one (they certainly shouldn't all be!) They're both 4K, which is nice — I'm almost at 100 titles on the format. I won't get there this year now, so we'll see just how quickly 2021 gets me to it.
Number of titles in collection: 2,502 [up 2]
Of which DVDs: 1,081 [no change]
Of which Blu-rays: 1,421 [up 2]
— of which Ultra HD Blu-rays: 91 [up 2]
Number of discs in collection: 6,428 [up 4]
Number of films: 2,878 [up 2]
Number of additional cuts: 203 [no change]
Number of TV episodes: 8,982 [no change]
Number of short films: 803 [up 5]
Next week's update will include whatever I get as Christmas presents, so that's 50/50 on whether it'll be a big haul or just a modest addition. See you then, faithful reader.
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