2000 AD #2302
Wednesday, 1 March 2023
Tuesday, 28 February 2023
Audio Drama
Hell Cats
1x01 Disguise and Deceit
Released as an Audible Original podcast, this series tells the story of the infamous pirates Anne Bonny and Mary Read — the eponymous "hell cats". I forget where I first heard about it, but I've been meaning to listen for ages; and as I've forked out for Audible for months now without getting round to it, it was more than overdue that I start. This first episode is mostly backstory, detailing the women's childhoods, which clearly set them on their path to outlaw lives.
[Listen to it (again) on Audible.]
1x01 Disguise and Deceit
Released as an Audible Original podcast, this series tells the story of the infamous pirates Anne Bonny and Mary Read — the eponymous "hell cats". I forget where I first heard about it, but I've been meaning to listen for ages; and as I've forked out for Audible for months now without getting round to it, it was more than overdue that I start. This first episode is mostly backstory, detailing the women's childhoods, which clearly set them on their path to outlaw lives.
[Listen to it (again) on Audible.]
Monday, 27 February 2023
Sunday, 26 February 2023
TV
Doctor Who
2x14 Conspiracy
aka The Romans Part Three.
The Wheel
3x08 Episode 8
[Watch various episodes (again) on iPlayer.]
2x14 Conspiracy
aka The Romans Part Three.
The Wheel
3x08 Episode 8
[Watch various episodes (again) on iPlayer.]
Comics
2000 AD #2301
Ok, it's taken me a little longer to continue than intended, but I intend to pick up the pace from here. All-new storylines start this prog, most of which I really enjoyed, so there's double incentive to keep at it.
Ok, it's taken me a little longer to continue than intended, but I intend to pick up the pace from here. All-new storylines start this prog, most of which I really enjoyed, so there's double incentive to keep at it.
this week on 100Films.co.uk
8 new reviews were published to 100Films.co.uk this week, but all within one post...
Silent Shorts Summary
More next Sunday.
Silent Shorts Summary
Featuring...Read more here.
- Sherlock Holmes Baffled (1900)
- The One-Man Band (1900)
- The Infernal Cauldron (1903)
- Life of an American Fireman (1903)
- The Consequences of Feminism (1906)
- The Dancing Pig (1907)
- Frankenstein (1910)
- What! No Spinach? (1926)
More next Sunday.
Saturday, 25 February 2023
Collection Count
Collection Count tracks my DVD/Blu-ray collection via a number of statistics every week.
For the past few weeks I've been talking about reaching 2,000 Blu-rays before the February running time update. Well, in short, it didn't happen — but it definitely will next week, because the order that should've tipped me over is in the post and currently due to arrive on Monday. Oh well.
There were still some new additions this week, but I'd forgotten that a 4K title I added last week was actually an upgrade from DVD. I've accounted for that this week, but it means most categories show no change at all, because this week's only new additions were a different 4K title and a Blu-ray-to-Blu-ray upgrade.
Number of titles in collection: 3,032 [no change]
Of which DVDs: 1,034 [down 1]
Of which Blu-rays: 1,998 [up 1]
— of which Ultra HD Blu-rays: 239 [up 1]
Number of discs in collection: 7,484 [no change]
Number of films: 3,708 [no change]
Number of additional cuts: 304 [no change]
Number of TV episodes: 9,551 [no change]
Number of short films: 1,041 [no change]
But, as I alluded to earlier, it is time for the monthly running time update, so here's that excitement...
Total running time of collection (approx.):
532 days, 20 hours, and 12 minutes.
(Up 1 day, 19 hours, and 25 minutes from last month.)
See you next week, faithful reader.
For the past few weeks I've been talking about reaching 2,000 Blu-rays before the February running time update. Well, in short, it didn't happen — but it definitely will next week, because the order that should've tipped me over is in the post and currently due to arrive on Monday. Oh well.
There were still some new additions this week, but I'd forgotten that a 4K title I added last week was actually an upgrade from DVD. I've accounted for that this week, but it means most categories show no change at all, because this week's only new additions were a different 4K title and a Blu-ray-to-Blu-ray upgrade.
Number of titles in collection: 3,032 [no change]
Of which DVDs: 1,034 [down 1]
Of which Blu-rays: 1,998 [up 1]
— of which Ultra HD Blu-rays: 239 [up 1]
Number of discs in collection: 7,484 [no change]
Number of films: 3,708 [no change]
Number of additional cuts: 304 [no change]
Number of TV episodes: 9,551 [no change]
Number of short films: 1,041 [no change]
But, as I alluded to earlier, it is time for the monthly running time update, so here's that excitement...
Total running time of collection (approx.):
532 days, 20 hours, and 12 minutes.
(Up 1 day, 19 hours, and 25 minutes from last month.)
See you next week, faithful reader.
Friday, 24 February 2023
TV
Doctor Who
2x12 The Slave Traders
Rolling straight on into the next serial, The Romans. This is always billed as “Doctor Who tries comedy”, but within the first 10 minutes we’ve met slave traders plotting to kidnap our heroes and an innocent old man’s been brutally murdered in a hedge. Barbara does whack Ian over the head during a fight though, so fair’s fair.
2x12 The Slave Traders
Rolling straight on into the next serial, The Romans. This is always billed as “Doctor Who tries comedy”, but within the first 10 minutes we’ve met slave traders plotting to kidnap our heroes and an innocent old man’s been brutally murdered in a hedge. Barbara does whack Ian over the head during a fight though, so fair’s fair.
Thursday, 23 February 2023
TV
Doctor Who
2x11 Desperate Measures
aka The Rescue Part Two (of two). After a strong opener with an interesting setup, Part Two almost squanders it trying to justify Barbara killing an innocent creature and everyone patronising Vicki. But the scenes in the Hall of Judgement are suitably atmospheric (Bennett tossing a chair like a petulant child excepted), and the twist is neat. Plus, at just two instalments, the story doesn’t have time to outstay its welcome — none of that Part Three treading water. A few dud parts aside, this struck me as a bit of an underrated adventure.
2x11 Desperate Measures
aka The Rescue Part Two (of two). After a strong opener with an interesting setup, Part Two almost squanders it trying to justify Barbara killing an innocent creature and everyone patronising Vicki. But the scenes in the Hall of Judgement are suitably atmospheric (Bennett tossing a chair like a petulant child excepted), and the twist is neat. Plus, at just two instalments, the story doesn’t have time to outstay its welcome — none of that Part Three treading water. A few dud parts aside, this struck me as a bit of an underrated adventure.
Films
Marcel the Shell with Shoes On (2010)
[Watch it (again) on YouTube.]
Marcel the Shell with Shoes On, Two (2011)
[Watch it (again) on YouTube.]
Marcel the Shell with Shoes On, Three (2014)
[Watch it (again) on YouTube.]
The three original Marcel the Shell shorts, before I watch the feature film (hopefully soon).
[Watch it (again) on YouTube.]
Marcel the Shell with Shoes On, Two (2011)
[Watch it (again) on YouTube.]
Marcel the Shell with Shoes On, Three (2014)
[Watch it (again) on YouTube.]
The three original Marcel the Shell shorts, before I watch the feature film (hopefully soon).
Wednesday, 22 February 2023
TV
Doctor Who
2x10 The Powerful Enemy
aka The Rescue Part One (of two — the second of just six true two-parters in classic Who). Watched on the season two Blu-ray, which I think makes this the first story I've actually watched from one of those Blu-ray releases. Considering we're now almost halfway through the range, that's a bit ludicrous on my part. Really need to dig into them more.
Our Flag Means Death
1x08 We Gull Way Back
[Watch the whole series (again) on iPlayer.]
2x10 The Powerful Enemy
aka The Rescue Part One (of two — the second of just six true two-parters in classic Who). Watched on the season two Blu-ray, which I think makes this the first story I've actually watched from one of those Blu-ray releases. Considering we're now almost halfway through the range, that's a bit ludicrous on my part. Really need to dig into them more.
Our Flag Means Death
1x08 We Gull Way Back
[Watch the whole series (again) on iPlayer.]
Sunday, 19 February 2023
TV
The British Academy Film Awards 2023
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Death in Paradise
11x02 Episode 2
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Richard Osman's House of Games
6x30 Week 6: Friday
[Watch various episodes (again) on iPlayer.]
The Rookie
4x21 Mother's Day
4x22 Day in the Hole [season finale]
Really weird season finale: they doled out a major development that affected several ongoing plotlines as a cliffhanger for episode 21, then fundamentally ignored it and its wider implications in the finale (which I therefore assumed was going to be all about resolving the aforementioned plot threads) for what was more of an anywhere-midseason comedy episode kinda thing. Weird.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Death in Paradise
11x02 Episode 2
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Richard Osman's House of Games
6x30 Week 6: Friday
[Watch various episodes (again) on iPlayer.]
The Rookie
4x21 Mother's Day
4x22 Day in the Hole [season finale]
Really weird season finale: they doled out a major development that affected several ongoing plotlines as a cliffhanger for episode 21, then fundamentally ignored it and its wider implications in the finale (which I therefore assumed was going to be all about resolving the aforementioned plot threads) for what was more of an anywhere-midseason comedy episode kinda thing. Weird.
Saturday, 18 February 2023
TV
Bill Bailey: Larks in Transit
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Ghosts
4x06 Not Again [season finale]
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Richard Osman's House of Games
6x29 Week 6: Thursday
[Watch various episodes (again) on iPlayer.]
The Rookie
4x19 Simone
4x20 Enervo
Two-part backdoor pilot for the spinoff series.
Strike
4x03 Troubled Blood Part 3
4x04 Troubled Blood Part 4 [season finale]
[Watch the whole series (again) on iPlayer.]
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Ghosts
4x06 Not Again [season finale]
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Richard Osman's House of Games
6x29 Week 6: Thursday
[Watch various episodes (again) on iPlayer.]
The Rookie
4x19 Simone
4x20 Enervo
Two-part backdoor pilot for the spinoff series.
Strike
4x03 Troubled Blood Part 3
4x04 Troubled Blood Part 4 [season finale]
[Watch the whole series (again) on iPlayer.]
Collection Count
Collection Count tracks my DVD/Blu-ray collection via a number of statistics every week.
I'm edging ever closer to 2,000 Blu-rays, and still on track to do it before next week's monthly running time update. That said, two titles I was expecting next week have been delayed (as is so often the way with boutique labels), so there's a little jeopardy — whereas previously I had more than enough on order, now I'm relying on everything turning up on time (actually, slightly early) or the milestone will have to wait until next month. But then, who knows when I'll cave to a sale or something — so we'll see...
Number of titles in collection: 3,032 [up 3]
Of which DVDs: 1,035 [no change]
Of which Blu-rays: 1,997 [up 3]
— of which Ultra HD Blu-rays: 238 [no change]
Number of discs in collection: 7,484 [up 3]
Number of films: 3,708 [up 3]
Number of additional cuts: 304 [no change]
Number of TV episodes: 9,551 [up 39]
Number of short films: 1,041 [no change]
See you next week, faithful reader.
I'm edging ever closer to 2,000 Blu-rays, and still on track to do it before next week's monthly running time update. That said, two titles I was expecting next week have been delayed (as is so often the way with boutique labels), so there's a little jeopardy — whereas previously I had more than enough on order, now I'm relying on everything turning up on time (actually, slightly early) or the milestone will have to wait until next month. But then, who knows when I'll cave to a sale or something — so we'll see...
Number of titles in collection: 3,032 [up 3]
Of which DVDs: 1,035 [no change]
Of which Blu-rays: 1,997 [up 3]
— of which Ultra HD Blu-rays: 238 [no change]
Number of discs in collection: 7,484 [up 3]
Number of films: 3,708 [up 3]
Number of additional cuts: 304 [no change]
Number of TV episodes: 9,551 [up 39]
Number of short films: 1,041 [no change]
See you next week, faithful reader.
Friday, 17 February 2023
TV
Richard Osman's House of Games
6x27 Week 6: Tuesday
6x28 Week 6: Wednesday
[Watch various episodes (again) on iPlayer.]
The Rookie
4x18 Backstabbers
Strike
4x01 Troubled Blood Part 1
4x02 Troubled Blood Part 2
[Watch the whole series (again) on iPlayer.]
6x27 Week 6: Tuesday
6x28 Week 6: Wednesday
[Watch various episodes (again) on iPlayer.]
The Rookie
4x18 Backstabbers
Strike
4x01 Troubled Blood Part 1
4x02 Troubled Blood Part 2
[Watch the whole series (again) on iPlayer.]
Thursday, 16 February 2023
Wednesday, 15 February 2023
TV
Our Flag Means Death
1x07 This Is Happening
[Watch the whole series (again) on iPlayer.]
Would I Lie To You?
16x04 Episode 4
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
1x07 This Is Happening
[Watch the whole series (again) on iPlayer.]
Would I Lie To You?
16x04 Episode 4
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Tuesday, 14 February 2023
Monday, 13 February 2023
TV
Our Flag Means Death
1x06 The Art of F**kery
[Watch the whole series (again) on iPlayer.]
Would I Lie To You?
16x03 Episode 3
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
1x06 The Art of F**kery
[Watch the whole series (again) on iPlayer.]
Would I Lie To You?
16x03 Episode 3
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Sunday, 12 February 2023
Radio
The Hound of the Baskervilles
Neil Brand's "concert drama" adaptation of the famous Sherlock Holmes adventure, starring Mark Gatiss as Sherlock Holmes and Sanjeev Bhaskar as Dr Watson. "Concert drama" is Brand's term for an adaptation written for actors and orchestra — there's constant music, which also includes some sound effects and indications of scenes changes, etc, while the actors voice the characters and also provide narration, as per a traditional audio drama.
This is a recording of the world premiere performance, which happened just before Christmas; it was also filmed and will be on BBC TV later in the year. I highly recommend it (I'll definitely be experiencing it again when it's on TV) — it's a superbly atmospheric and effective retelling of the story. There's also a nice introduction by Brand, which I hope they have on the TV version too.
[Listen to it (again) on BBC Sounds.]
Neil Brand's "concert drama" adaptation of the famous Sherlock Holmes adventure, starring Mark Gatiss as Sherlock Holmes and Sanjeev Bhaskar as Dr Watson. "Concert drama" is Brand's term for an adaptation written for actors and orchestra — there's constant music, which also includes some sound effects and indications of scenes changes, etc, while the actors voice the characters and also provide narration, as per a traditional audio drama.
This is a recording of the world premiere performance, which happened just before Christmas; it was also filmed and will be on BBC TV later in the year. I highly recommend it (I'll definitely be experiencing it again when it's on TV) — it's a superbly atmospheric and effective retelling of the story. There's also a nice introduction by Brand, which I hope they have on the TV version too.
[Listen to it (again) on BBC Sounds.]
Comics
2000 AD #2300
Many years ago, I read comics regularly — you can go scouring through this blog's history to find them, if you want; we're talking back c.2011. The problem was, I was never very good at keeping up, and I fell further and further behind until I just gave up. 2000 AD was one of the titles this happened to, with my reading coming to an end in March 2013 with Prog 1792. But every now and then I get a hankering for regular comics...
And so, almost a decade on from last foray into the world of regular comics reading, I decided to start again. This is the first issue I bought on that mission... one which came out back in September. Yeah. So, that's how well this has gone — I'm starting almost five months behind. But I'm not giving up before I've even really begun, oh no. I'm gonna catch up and keep going. Yeah I am. ...okay, we'll see. But I live in optimism.
Anyway, this particular issue was a massive crossover, where all of the strips dealt with a multiverse zombie apocalypse situation. So big an event, it continued into the companion magazine...
Judge Dredd Megazine #448
I know my limits. Well, I don't (clearly), but I knew enough to not go all-in and subscribe to the Megazine too — this is a one-off to complete the zombie crossover.
Many years ago, I read comics regularly — you can go scouring through this blog's history to find them, if you want; we're talking back c.2011. The problem was, I was never very good at keeping up, and I fell further and further behind until I just gave up. 2000 AD was one of the titles this happened to, with my reading coming to an end in March 2013 with Prog 1792. But every now and then I get a hankering for regular comics...
And so, almost a decade on from last foray into the world of regular comics reading, I decided to start again. This is the first issue I bought on that mission... one which came out back in September. Yeah. So, that's how well this has gone — I'm starting almost five months behind. But I'm not giving up before I've even really begun, oh no. I'm gonna catch up and keep going. Yeah I am. ...okay, we'll see. But I live in optimism.
Anyway, this particular issue was a massive crossover, where all of the strips dealt with a multiverse zombie apocalypse situation. So big an event, it continued into the companion magazine...
Judge Dredd Megazine #448
I know my limits. Well, I don't (clearly), but I knew enough to not go all-in and subscribe to the Megazine too — this is a one-off to complete the zombie crossover.
this week on 100Films.co.uk
1 new review was published to 100Films.co.uk this week...
Black Girl (1966)
More next Sunday.
Black Girl (1966)
Let’s be upfront about this: I’m a middle-class Western white man who herein will be critiquing a film made by a black African filmmaker about the life of a black African character. I’m stating this baldly because I wouldn’t want anyone to think I wasn’t aware of the potential connotations and pitfalls of that situation, especially as I’m about to challenge (what seems to me to be) the accepted reading of the work in question.Read more here.
More next Sunday.
Saturday, 11 February 2023
Collection Count
Collection Count tracks my DVD/Blu-ray collection via a number of statistics every week.
Having bought so much stuff recently, I'm long overdue a respite — and so here it is, sort of, with just two new additions. And one of those is a DVD at that, just to make things even odder.
Of course, as I already observed last week, this lull won't last for long: if future releases come out as planned, then before the month is out my Blu-ray collection will have passed 2,000 titles.
Number of titles in collection: 3,029 [up 2]
Of which DVDs: 1,035 [up 1]
Of which Blu-rays: 1,994 [up 1]
— of which Ultra HD Blu-rays: 238 [up 1]
Number of discs in collection: 7,472 [up 3]
Number of films: 3,705 [up 2]
Number of additional cuts: 304 [up 1]
Number of TV episodes: 9,512 [no change]
Number of short films: 1,041 [no change]
See you next week, faithful reader.
Having bought so much stuff recently, I'm long overdue a respite — and so here it is, sort of, with just two new additions. And one of those is a DVD at that, just to make things even odder.
Of course, as I already observed last week, this lull won't last for long: if future releases come out as planned, then before the month is out my Blu-ray collection will have passed 2,000 titles.
Number of titles in collection: 3,029 [up 2]
Of which DVDs: 1,035 [up 1]
Of which Blu-rays: 1,994 [up 1]
— of which Ultra HD Blu-rays: 238 [up 1]
Number of discs in collection: 7,472 [up 3]
Number of films: 3,705 [up 2]
Number of additional cuts: 304 [up 1]
Number of TV episodes: 9,512 [no change]
Number of short films: 1,041 [no change]
See you next week, faithful reader.
Friday, 10 February 2023
Films
Oak Thorn & the Old Rose of Love (2022)
A short film set in the world of The Green Knight, and only available as a special feature on the A24 Shop-exclusive Blu-ray Collector's Edition of that film.
A short film set in the world of The Green Knight, and only available as a special feature on the A24 Shop-exclusive Blu-ray Collector's Edition of that film.
Thursday, 9 February 2023
Wednesday, 8 February 2023
Articles
Two great interviews with fantastic interviewees:
Harrison Ford: “I Know Who the F*** I Am”
by James Hibberd (from The Hollywood Reporter)
Ford’s always amusing, and I think the interview did a better job of getting into ‘the real Harrison’ than they or he might admit.
Steven Soderbergh Can’t Quit
by Matt Zoller Seitz (from Vulture)
Soderbergh’s always so thoughtful and insightful, in a way that doesn’t feel put-on or self-aggrandised, but clear, focused, and honest. It’s part of why I’ll always happily watch anything he makes.
Harrison Ford: “I Know Who the F*** I Am”
by James Hibberd (from The Hollywood Reporter)
Ford’s always amusing, and I think the interview did a better job of getting into ‘the real Harrison’ than they or he might admit.
Steven Soderbergh Can’t Quit
by Matt Zoller Seitz (from Vulture)
Soderbergh’s always so thoughtful and insightful, in a way that doesn’t feel put-on or self-aggrandised, but clear, focused, and honest. It’s part of why I’ll always happily watch anything he makes.
Monday, 6 February 2023
TV
Our Flag Means Death
1x05 The Best Revenge Is Dressing Well
[Watch the whole series (again) on iPlayer.]
1x05 The Best Revenge Is Dressing Well
[Watch the whole series (again) on iPlayer.]
Sunday, 5 February 2023
Films
Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home (1986)
[#12 in The All-New 100 Films in a Year Challenge 2023]
+ Star Trek: Three Picture Saga, a 10-minute featurette about how the second, third, and fourth films came to be a trilogy
[#12 in The All-New 100 Films in a Year Challenge 2023]
+ Star Trek: Three Picture Saga, a 10-minute featurette about how the second, third, and fourth films came to be a trilogy
this week on 100Films.co.uk
We're already a whole month in 2023, so it was time to look back at January on 100Films.co.uk this week. First up, the usual review of the month...
...and then, all the stuff I failed to watch...
There was time for some new reviews, too — 5, to be precise; and they also looked back at my January viewing...
2023 | Weeks 3–4
More next Sunday.
...and then, all the stuff I failed to watch...
There was time for some new reviews, too — 5, to be precise; and they also looked back at my January viewing...
2023 | Weeks 3–4
Featuring...Read more here.
- The Magician (1926)
- Glass Onion (2022)
- My Year of Dicks (2022)
- Shotgun Wedding (2022)
- The Banshees of Inisherin (2022)
More next Sunday.
Saturday, 4 February 2023
Films
Fantasia (1940)
[#11 in The All-New 100 Films in a Year Challenge 2023]
A Night at the Opera (1935)
[#10 in The All-New 100 Films in a Year Challenge 2023]
[#11 in The All-New 100 Films in a Year Challenge 2023]
A Night at the Opera (1935)
[#10 in The All-New 100 Films in a Year Challenge 2023]
Collection Count
Collection Count tracks my DVD/Blu-ray collection via a number of statistics every week.
After passing the 3,000 titles mark just a fortnight ago, I'm already on the cusp of another milestone: my Blu-rays alone are edging close to 2,000. In fact, with just seven additions to go 'til I cross that threshold, titles I've already pre-ordered suggest I should get there just in time for the next running time update. Unless anything gets delayed or takes its sweet time in the post, of course — that might push it back just a little. Time will tell...
Number of titles in collection: 3,027 [up 7]
Of which DVDs: 1,034 [no change]
Of which Blu-rays: 1,993 [up 7]
— of which Ultra HD Blu-rays: 237 [up 2]
Number of discs in collection: 7,469 [up 11]
Number of films: 3,703 [up 11]
Number of additional cuts: 303 [up 2]
Number of TV episodes: 9,512 [no change]
Number of short films: 1,041 [up 5]
See you next week, faithful reader.
After passing the 3,000 titles mark just a fortnight ago, I'm already on the cusp of another milestone: my Blu-rays alone are edging close to 2,000. In fact, with just seven additions to go 'til I cross that threshold, titles I've already pre-ordered suggest I should get there just in time for the next running time update. Unless anything gets delayed or takes its sweet time in the post, of course — that might push it back just a little. Time will tell...
Number of titles in collection: 3,027 [up 7]
Of which DVDs: 1,034 [no change]
Of which Blu-rays: 1,993 [up 7]
— of which Ultra HD Blu-rays: 237 [up 2]
Number of discs in collection: 7,469 [up 11]
Number of films: 3,703 [up 11]
Number of additional cuts: 303 [up 2]
Number of TV episodes: 9,512 [no change]
Number of short films: 1,041 [up 5]
See you next week, faithful reader.
Tuesday, 31 January 2023
Films
Gun Crazy (1950)
[#9 in The All-New 100 Films in a Year Challenge 2023]
"What Do You Mean You Haven't Seen...?" 2023 #1
+ the audio commentary by Glenn Erickson
[#9 in The All-New 100 Films in a Year Challenge 2023]
"What Do You Mean You Haven't Seen...?" 2023 #1
+ the audio commentary by Glenn Erickson
Monday, 30 January 2023
Sunday, 29 January 2023
this week on 100Films.co.uk
5 new reviews were published to 100Films.co.uk this week, thanks to the long-awaited* return of a (supposed-to-be-)regular feature...
Archive 5, Vol.6
More next Sunday.
* I don't know who was awaiting it, but it's certainly been a while.
Archive 5, Vol.6
Featuring...Read more here.
- Paris When It Sizzles (1964)
- 7500 (2019)
- The Rhythm Section (2020)
- Carefree (1938)
- The Lie (2018)
More next Sunday.
* I don't know who was awaiting it, but it's certainly been a while.
Saturday, 28 January 2023
Podcasts
Indicator Cast
41 A New Year Discussion with Powerhouse Films
Y'know, I definitely listened to an episode of this once before, but I don't seem to have logged it. Oops. Anyway, I'm back because so are the directors of Indicator, John Morrissey and Sam Dunn, to talk about their debut 4K titles. Though, they didn't talk about them as much as I'd expected. Still, some interesting stuff if you're a fan of how things are behind-the-scenes at boutique Blu-ray labels.
41 A New Year Discussion with Powerhouse Films
Y'know, I definitely listened to an episode of this once before, but I don't seem to have logged it. Oops. Anyway, I'm back because so are the directors of Indicator, John Morrissey and Sam Dunn, to talk about their debut 4K titles. Though, they didn't talk about them as much as I'd expected. Still, some interesting stuff if you're a fan of how things are behind-the-scenes at boutique Blu-ray labels.
Collection Count
Collection Count tracks my DVD/Blu-ray collection via a number of statistics every week.
After last week's craziness, a more modest one this week — although exciting in a different way, because it includes my first four titles from new label Radiance. They're suitably handsome editions.
Number of titles in collection: 3,020 [up 6]
Of which DVDs: 1,034 [no change]
Of which Blu-rays: 1,986 [up 6]
— of which Ultra HD Blu-rays: 235 [up 2]
Number of discs in collection: 7,458 [up 9]
Number of films: 3,692 [up 6]
Number of additional cuts: 301 [up 1]
Number of TV episodes: 9,512 [no change]
Number of short films: 1,036 [up 5]
That said, last week's bountifulness does factor into this week somewhat, as it's time once again for the monthly running time update...
Total running time of collection (approx.):
531 days and 47 minutes.
(Up 3 days, 1 hour, and 1 minute from last month.)
See you next week, faithful reader.
After last week's craziness, a more modest one this week — although exciting in a different way, because it includes my first four titles from new label Radiance. They're suitably handsome editions.
Number of titles in collection: 3,020 [up 6]
Of which DVDs: 1,034 [no change]
Of which Blu-rays: 1,986 [up 6]
— of which Ultra HD Blu-rays: 235 [up 2]
Number of discs in collection: 7,458 [up 9]
Number of films: 3,692 [up 6]
Number of additional cuts: 301 [up 1]
Number of TV episodes: 9,512 [no change]
Number of short films: 1,036 [up 5]
That said, last week's bountifulness does factor into this week somewhat, as it's time once again for the monthly running time update...
Total running time of collection (approx.):
531 days and 47 minutes.
(Up 3 days, 1 hour, and 1 minute from last month.)
See you next week, faithful reader.
Friday, 27 January 2023
Films
The Girl Who Knew Too Much (1963)
[#4 in The All-New 100 Films in a Year Challenge 2023]
Shotgun Wedding (2022)
[#5 in The All-New 100 Films in a Year Challenge 2023]
[#4 in The All-New 100 Films in a Year Challenge 2023]
Shotgun Wedding (2022)
[#5 in The All-New 100 Films in a Year Challenge 2023]
Wednesday, 25 January 2023
TV
Our Flag Means Death
1x04 Discomfort in a Married State
[Watch the whole series (again) on iPlayer.]
1x04 Discomfort in a Married State
[Watch the whole series (again) on iPlayer.]
Tuesday, 24 January 2023
Films
7500 (2019)
[2nd watch]
[#3 in The All-New 100 Films in a Year Challenge 2023]
I wasn't planning on rewatching this tonight, but I started it to check something for my review (which I intend to post tomorrow) and ended up sucked far enough in that I kept going. I like it quite a bit.
My Year of Dicks (2022)
One of the most memorable moments from today's Oscar nominations announcement was Riz Ahmed reading out the name of this short (especially with what followed it being equally as hilarious), so I had to watch it. Fortunately, it's available on Vimeo for free.
[2nd watch]
[#3 in The All-New 100 Films in a Year Challenge 2023]
I wasn't planning on rewatching this tonight, but I started it to check something for my review (which I intend to post tomorrow) and ended up sucked far enough in that I kept going. I like it quite a bit.
My Year of Dicks (2022)
One of the most memorable moments from today's Oscar nominations announcement was Riz Ahmed reading out the name of this short (especially with what followed it being equally as hilarious), so I had to watch it. Fortunately, it's available on Vimeo for free.
Saturday, 21 January 2023
Films
Glass Onion (2022)
aka Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery, but only in the marketing, not in the film itself.
aka Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery, but only in the marketing, not in the film itself.
Collection Count
Collection Count tracks my DVD/Blu-ray collection via a number of statistics every week.
As mentioned last week, my long-awaited order from the US (I placed it eight weeks ago) is finally here, with eight new additions to my collection — although two are upgrades. Even more fun, one is a 4K UHD + 3D Blu-ray combo, only my fourth of that particular setup. The previous three were all recent features (Alita; and, imported from France, Godzilla vs. Kong and Dune: Part One), whereas this is a classic '50s title (I, the Jury). Like I said, fun.
But there's even more to add than that, because (as I also mentioned last week) I've been stung by all the January sales, and so a pile of freshly-ordered titles also arrived. In total, they brought 13 new additions — although another two were upgrades. No odd combos in there, I'm afraid. The most noteworthy thing is that a couple were prompted by my new 100 Films Challenge plans, not least a couple of highly-regarded gialli.
However, what is definitely worth noting is that, altogether, that makes 21 new additions and a +17 net titles increase — a new biggest week ever! It beats the 18 purchases / +16 increase from April 2020. (That was almost three years ago?! Time flies!) Back then, it was among a string of weeks that, even when they didn't break records, all came close. Fun times in some ways, but not for my wallet or shelf space. I kinda hope I'm not about to repeat it...
Also of note: there are changes to every category's numbers this week. Not often that happens — and it nearly didn't this week: the four TV episodes are special feature on a film.
Number of titles in collection: 3,014 [up 17]
Of which DVDs: 1,034 [down 3]
Of which Blu-rays: 1,980 [up 20]
— of which Ultra HD Blu-rays: 233 [up 6]
Number of discs in collection: 7,449 [up 34]
Number of films: 3,686 [up 24]
Number of additional cuts: 300 [up 2]
Number of TV episodes: 9,512 [up 4]
Number of short films: 1,031 [up 6]
All of which somewhat overshadows another milestone, as I comfortably sailed past the 3,000 title mark. I thought I might get there in 2022, but then I hadn't factored in that US package taking so long (although, if it had turned up in December, it still would've left me just short). As it is, I've bounded right past it with this big week. I really should slow down...
...but there'll definitely be more new purchases next week. See you then, faithful reader.
As mentioned last week, my long-awaited order from the US (I placed it eight weeks ago) is finally here, with eight new additions to my collection — although two are upgrades. Even more fun, one is a 4K UHD + 3D Blu-ray combo, only my fourth of that particular setup. The previous three were all recent features (Alita; and, imported from France, Godzilla vs. Kong and Dune: Part One), whereas this is a classic '50s title (I, the Jury). Like I said, fun.
But there's even more to add than that, because (as I also mentioned last week) I've been stung by all the January sales, and so a pile of freshly-ordered titles also arrived. In total, they brought 13 new additions — although another two were upgrades. No odd combos in there, I'm afraid. The most noteworthy thing is that a couple were prompted by my new 100 Films Challenge plans, not least a couple of highly-regarded gialli.
However, what is definitely worth noting is that, altogether, that makes 21 new additions and a +17 net titles increase — a new biggest week ever! It beats the 18 purchases / +16 increase from April 2020. (That was almost three years ago?! Time flies!) Back then, it was among a string of weeks that, even when they didn't break records, all came close. Fun times in some ways, but not for my wallet or shelf space. I kinda hope I'm not about to repeat it...
Also of note: there are changes to every category's numbers this week. Not often that happens — and it nearly didn't this week: the four TV episodes are special feature on a film.
Number of titles in collection: 3,014 [up 17]
Of which DVDs: 1,034 [down 3]
Of which Blu-rays: 1,980 [up 20]
— of which Ultra HD Blu-rays: 233 [up 6]
Number of discs in collection: 7,449 [up 34]
Number of films: 3,686 [up 24]
Number of additional cuts: 300 [up 2]
Number of TV episodes: 9,512 [up 4]
Number of short films: 1,031 [up 6]
All of which somewhat overshadows another milestone, as I comfortably sailed past the 3,000 title mark. I thought I might get there in 2022, but then I hadn't factored in that US package taking so long (although, if it had turned up in December, it still would've left me just short). As it is, I've bounded right past it with this big week. I really should slow down...
...but there'll definitely be more new purchases next week. See you then, faithful reader.
Friday, 20 January 2023
TV
The Graham Norton Show
30x14 (20/1/2023 edition)
With Russell T Davies — on to promote Nolly, but obviously asked about Doctor Who too.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
30x14 (20/1/2023 edition)
With Russell T Davies — on to promote Nolly, but obviously asked about Doctor Who too.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Thursday, 19 January 2023
Films
The Magician (1926)
[#1 in The All-New 100 Films in a Year Challenge 2023]
Finally, my first film of 2023! This is the latest I've ever started a year by some margin. Hopefully it doesn't bode ill for the success of my challenge...
[#1 in The All-New 100 Films in a Year Challenge 2023]
Finally, my first film of 2023! This is the latest I've ever started a year by some margin. Hopefully it doesn't bode ill for the success of my challenge...
Tuesday, 17 January 2023
TV
Our Flag Means Death
1x02 A Damned Man
[Watch the whole series (again) on iPlayer.]
Would I Lie To You?
16x02 Episode 2
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
1x02 A Damned Man
[Watch the whole series (again) on iPlayer.]
Would I Lie To You?
16x02 Episode 2
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Sunday, 15 January 2023
TV
Richard Osman's House of Games
6x26 Week 6: Monday
[Watch various episodes (again) on iPlayer.]
A Spy Among Friends
Part 6 No Man's Land [finale]
I wasn’t sure about this at the start — it all seemed a little too cut and dried; where was six episodes of drama supposed to come from? — but it developed nicely, with all the plots, counterplots, and twists of a Le Carré, but with the added frisson of knowing it was (based on) truth. A must-see for fans of Cold War spy tales.
[Watch the series (again) on ITVX.]
6x26 Week 6: Monday
[Watch various episodes (again) on iPlayer.]
A Spy Among Friends
Part 6 No Man's Land [finale]
I wasn’t sure about this at the start — it all seemed a little too cut and dried; where was six episodes of drama supposed to come from? — but it developed nicely, with all the plots, counterplots, and twists of a Le Carré, but with the added frisson of knowing it was (based on) truth. A must-see for fans of Cold War spy tales.
[Watch the series (again) on ITVX.]
this week on 100Films.co.uk
We may be over a fortnight into the new year now, but 2023 finally got underway on 100Films.co.uk this week. First, with the introduction of this year's version of my 100 Films Challenge...
Then, as part of that, I announced the 12 films that make up my Blindspot list for this year...
And finally, the 12 films in my "What Do You Mean You Haven't Seen...?" sub-challenge...
Maybe next Sunday I'll actually have some reviews to share...
Then, as part of that, I announced the 12 films that make up my Blindspot list for this year...
And finally, the 12 films in my "What Do You Mean You Haven't Seen...?" sub-challenge...
Maybe next Sunday I'll actually have some reviews to share...
Saturday, 14 January 2023
TV
A Spy Among Friends
Part 2 The Admiral's Glass
Part 3 Allegory of the Catholic Faith
Part 4 Vodka
Part 5 Snow
[Watch the series (again) on ITVX.]
Part 2 The Admiral's Glass
Part 3 Allegory of the Catholic Faith
Part 4 Vodka
Part 5 Snow
[Watch the series (again) on ITVX.]
Collection Count
Collection Count tracks my DVD/Blu-ray collection via a number of statistics every week.
So, in a surprise development, my long-awaited order from the US finally turned up out of the blue ("out of the blue" here meaning "the tracking hadn't changed for over a month, then suddenly it was being delivered that day"). So it's finally factored in this week, right? Wrong. I'm away for the weekend, so the parcel is currently with my neighbour. Assuming no further unforeseeable problems, it'll all finally be counted next week.
In the meantime, the January sales are beginning to get to me. This week's update includes five sales purchases (one a BD-to-4K upgrade, so you can't really see any trace of it in the numbers below), and there are more on the way. My willpower is poor...
Number of titles in collection: 2,997 [up 4]
Of which DVDs: 1,037 [no change]
Of which Blu-rays: 1,960 [up 4]
— of which Ultra HD Blu-rays: 227 [up 4]
Number of discs in collection: 7,415 [up 8]
Number of films: 3,662 [up 5]
Number of additional cuts: 298 [no change]
Number of TV episodes: 9,508 [no change]
Number of short films: 1,025 [no change]
See you next week, faithful reader.
So, in a surprise development, my long-awaited order from the US finally turned up out of the blue ("out of the blue" here meaning "the tracking hadn't changed for over a month, then suddenly it was being delivered that day"). So it's finally factored in this week, right? Wrong. I'm away for the weekend, so the parcel is currently with my neighbour. Assuming no further unforeseeable problems, it'll all finally be counted next week.
In the meantime, the January sales are beginning to get to me. This week's update includes five sales purchases (one a BD-to-4K upgrade, so you can't really see any trace of it in the numbers below), and there are more on the way. My willpower is poor...
Number of titles in collection: 2,997 [up 4]
Of which DVDs: 1,037 [no change]
Of which Blu-rays: 1,960 [up 4]
— of which Ultra HD Blu-rays: 227 [up 4]
Number of discs in collection: 7,415 [up 8]
Number of films: 3,662 [up 5]
Number of additional cuts: 298 [no change]
Number of TV episodes: 9,508 [no change]
Number of short films: 1,025 [no change]
See you next week, faithful reader.
Friday, 13 January 2023
TV
Death in Paradise
11x01 Episode 1
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Ghosts
4x05 Poached Guests
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Richard Osman's House of Games
6x25 Week 5: Friday
[Watch various episodes (again) on iPlayer.]
A Spy Among Friends
Part 1 Boom-Ooh-Yatatatah
[Watch it (again) on ITVX.]
11x01 Episode 1
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Ghosts
4x05 Poached Guests
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Richard Osman's House of Games
6x25 Week 5: Friday
[Watch various episodes (again) on iPlayer.]
A Spy Among Friends
Part 1 Boom-Ooh-Yatatatah
[Watch it (again) on ITVX.]
Thursday, 12 January 2023
TV
Richard Osman's House of Games
6x23 Week 5: Wednesday
6x24 Week 5: Thursday
[Watch various episodes (again) on iPlayer.]
6x23 Week 5: Wednesday
6x24 Week 5: Thursday
[Watch various episodes (again) on iPlayer.]
Radio
Desert Island Discs
Steven Spielberg, director
I've been meaning to listen to this ever since it was broadcast back in December; and, in typical me fashion, I've left it until it's only got a couple of days left on catchup.
[Listen to it (again) on BBC Sounds.]
Steven Spielberg, director
I've been meaning to listen to this ever since it was broadcast back in December; and, in typical me fashion, I've left it until it's only got a couple of days left on catchup.
[Listen to it (again) on BBC Sounds.]
Wednesday, 11 January 2023
TV
Jon & Lucy's Party of the Year
[Watch it (again) on All 4.]
The Wheel
3x07 Christmas Special
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
[Watch it (again) on All 4.]
The Wheel
3x07 Christmas Special
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Tuesday, 10 January 2023
Sunday, 8 January 2023
this week on 100Films.co.uk
No reviews were published to 100Films.co.uk this week, because it was time for a thorough lookback at 2022. Hopefully the titles in the below images explain what's what...
Next Sunday, 2023 begins.
Next Sunday, 2023 begins.
Saturday, 7 January 2023
Collection Count
Collection Count tracks my DVD/Blu-ray collection via a number of statistics every week.
Finally, some of those orders I've been talking about for a month or two are coming through — though one major one is outstanding. Hopefully soon.
Anyway, this week there's a six-film box set that replaces a handful of existing DVDs and Blu-rays, as well as new titles for my collection, so the numbers jump around all over the place.
Number of titles in collection: 2,993 [up 2]
Of which DVDs: 1,037 [down 2]
Of which Blu-rays: 1,956 [up 4]
— of which Ultra HD Blu-rays: 223 [up 1]
Number of discs in collection: 7,407 [up 10]
Number of films: 3,657 [up 8]
Number of additional cuts: 298 [up 2]
Number of TV episodes: 9,508 [no change]
Number of short films: 1,025 [no change]
See you next week, faithful reader.
Finally, some of those orders I've been talking about for a month or two are coming through — though one major one is outstanding. Hopefully soon.
Anyway, this week there's a six-film box set that replaces a handful of existing DVDs and Blu-rays, as well as new titles for my collection, so the numbers jump around all over the place.
Number of titles in collection: 2,993 [up 2]
Of which DVDs: 1,037 [down 2]
Of which Blu-rays: 1,956 [up 4]
— of which Ultra HD Blu-rays: 223 [up 1]
Number of discs in collection: 7,407 [up 10]
Number of films: 3,657 [up 8]
Number of additional cuts: 298 [up 2]
Number of TV episodes: 9,508 [no change]
Number of short films: 1,025 [no change]
See you next week, faithful reader.
Thursday, 5 January 2023
Wednesday, 4 January 2023
Monday, 2 January 2023
TV
Gogglebox
20x16 Festive Special
Put this on because I wanted to watch something but felt the need for it to be as easy and inconsequential as possible. Boy, did this fit the bill. To say I watched it is half a lie — I semi paid attention while also scrolling Twitter. Sometimes it's funny, but so much of it is thoroughly inane. Surely the point of showing clips from what they're watching is to allow us to understand their jokey observations — we don't need to watch a clip then have them explain what happened in the clip! Hey-ho, it mostly served the purpose I wanted it to.
[Watch it (again) on All 4.]
20x16 Festive Special
Put this on because I wanted to watch something but felt the need for it to be as easy and inconsequential as possible. Boy, did this fit the bill. To say I watched it is half a lie — I semi paid attention while also scrolling Twitter. Sometimes it's funny, but so much of it is thoroughly inane. Surely the point of showing clips from what they're watching is to allow us to understand their jokey observations — we don't need to watch a clip then have them explain what happened in the clip! Hey-ho, it mostly served the purpose I wanted it to.
[Watch it (again) on All 4.]
Sunday, 1 January 2023
TV
Antiques Roadshow
Toys and Childhood [Christmas special]
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Ghosts
4x04 Gone Gone
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Happy New Year Live!
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Richard Osman's Festive House of Games
1x09 Week 2: Thursday
1x10 Week 2: Friday [season finale]
[Watch various episodes (again) on iPlayer.]
Richard Osman's House of Games
6x21 Week 5: Monday
6x22 Week 5: Tuesday
[Watch various episodes (again) on iPlayer.]
The Rookie
4x16 Real Crime
4x17 Coding
Sam Ryder Rocks New Year's Eve
Part 2 (of 2)
[Watch it all (again) on iPlayer.]
Would I Lie To You?
16x00 At Christmas
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Toys and Childhood [Christmas special]
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Ghosts
4x04 Gone Gone
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Happy New Year Live!
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Richard Osman's Festive House of Games
1x09 Week 2: Thursday
1x10 Week 2: Friday [season finale]
[Watch various episodes (again) on iPlayer.]
Richard Osman's House of Games
6x21 Week 5: Monday
6x22 Week 5: Tuesday
[Watch various episodes (again) on iPlayer.]
The Rookie
4x16 Real Crime
4x17 Coding
Sam Ryder Rocks New Year's Eve
Part 2 (of 2)
[Watch it all (again) on iPlayer.]
Would I Lie To You?
16x00 At Christmas
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
this week on 100Films.co.uk
It's a Happy New Year from 100Films.co.uk today! That means things are only just getting underway with my review of last year, but there are still a couple of posts to share.
The main one this week is the final monthly review of 2022...
Also, a new addition to my review-of-the-year regulars, thanks to my newly-formated Challenge...
100 Films in a Year Challenge 2022: Final Standing
More looks back at 2022 — and maybe even the start of 2023's content — next Sunday.
The main one this week is the final monthly review of 2022...
Also, a new addition to my review-of-the-year regulars, thanks to my newly-formated Challenge...
100 Films in a Year Challenge 2022: Final Standing
As the challenge tracker page will soon be replaced with a version keeping tabs on 2023’s effort, here’s an archive of how it looked at the very end of 2022 — sadly incomplete, after I chose to abandon it. Hopefully I’ll fare better in 2023.Read more here.
More looks back at 2022 — and maybe even the start of 2023's content — next Sunday.
Saturday, 31 December 2022
TV
The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse
Counting this as a short film, so I'll review it on 100 Films at some point. In the meantime, a couple of thoughts on Letterboxd.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Charlie Mackesy: The Boy, the Mole, the Fox, the Horse and Me
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
His Dark Materials
3x07 The Clouded Mountain
3x08 The Botanic Garden [series finale]
I thought that was pretty great overall. Especially going to miss the theme music, which I came to love. Maybe I'll watch it all over again someday.
[Watch the whole series (again) on iPlayer.]
Sam Ryder Rocks New Year's Eve
Part 1 (of 2)
[Watch it all (again) on iPlayer.]
Counting this as a short film, so I'll review it on 100 Films at some point. In the meantime, a couple of thoughts on Letterboxd.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Charlie Mackesy: The Boy, the Mole, the Fox, the Horse and Me
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
His Dark Materials
3x07 The Clouded Mountain
3x08 The Botanic Garden [series finale]
I thought that was pretty great overall. Especially going to miss the theme music, which I came to love. Maybe I'll watch it all over again someday.
[Watch the whole series (again) on iPlayer.]
Sam Ryder Rocks New Year's Eve
Part 1 (of 2)
[Watch it all (again) on iPlayer.]
Collection Count
Collection Count tracks my DVD/Blu-ray collection via a number of statistics every week.
And this is the last update of the year, so I've got the usual end-of-year change totals too.
As for new addtions this week, there's a couple of Christmas presents and a couple of other things, though my big orders from the US and Australia still haven't arrived, despite being dispatched before Christmas. Hey-ho, I guess that's international postage at this time of year. Hopefully they'll turn up before long (and haven't gone missing).
Meanwhile, here's the usual totals and changes, along with the changes in the past year. Plus there's the 'monthly' running time update, also with its year-on-year increase...
Number of titles in collection: 2,991 [up 4 this week; up 241 in 2022]
Of which DVDs: 1,039 [no change this week; down 16 in 2022]
Of which Blu-rays: 1,952 [up 4 this week; up 257 in 2022]
— of which Ultra HD Blu-rays: 222 [up 1 this week; up 81 in 2022]
I didn't quite hit 3,000 titles in the end this year (though I would have sailed past it if some of those orders that are still in the post had arrived in a more timely fashion!), but the increase of 241 is only one higher than 2021's, which was a bit higher than 2020's 234, all of which are ludicrous compared to 2019's 154.
Despite the fact I did buy a few DVDs this year, the total still decreases. If this continues, it might dip below 1,000 in about 2025. UHD discs, on the other hand, continue to increase their increases: up from 48 last year to 81 this year. The number of overall new Blu-rays was down slightly, too, so that's an even greater percentage in 4K. No surprise, really, especially as most of the boutique labels have now joined in.
Number of discs in collection: 7,397 [up 5 this week; up 492 in 2022]
Number of films: 3,649 [up 5 this week; up 385 in 2022]
Number of additional cuts: 296 [no change this week; up 49 in 2022]
Number of TV episodes: 9,508 [no change this week; up 282 in 2022]
Number of short films: 1,025 [no change this week; up 95 in 2022]
That disc increase is higher than last year, but lower than the year before, so... Considering how many older Blu-rays I have with useless DVDs included, and now 4Ks with not-truly-necessary BDs, there's an awful lot of coasters in my collection. The other numbers in this block are broadly similar to last year, although all up slightly — even TV episodes, which surprised me a little, seeing as less and less new TV gets disc releases.
Total running time of collection (approx.):
527 days, 23 hours, and 46 minutes.
(Up 4 days, 14 hours, and 3 minutes from last month.)
(Up 30 days, 18 hours, and 26 minutes from last year.)
Over four-and-a-half days in a single month! I said that Edgar Wallace collection would have quite the impact. The year-on-year increase is roughly in line with last year's, though, although that's above the all-time average. I ought to slow down...
...but I probably won't. See you next week for more, faithful reader!
And this is the last update of the year, so I've got the usual end-of-year change totals too.
As for new addtions this week, there's a couple of Christmas presents and a couple of other things, though my big orders from the US and Australia still haven't arrived, despite being dispatched before Christmas. Hey-ho, I guess that's international postage at this time of year. Hopefully they'll turn up before long (and haven't gone missing).
Meanwhile, here's the usual totals and changes, along with the changes in the past year. Plus there's the 'monthly' running time update, also with its year-on-year increase...
Number of titles in collection: 2,991 [up 4 this week; up 241 in 2022]
Of which DVDs: 1,039 [no change this week; down 16 in 2022]
Of which Blu-rays: 1,952 [up 4 this week; up 257 in 2022]
— of which Ultra HD Blu-rays: 222 [up 1 this week; up 81 in 2022]
I didn't quite hit 3,000 titles in the end this year (though I would have sailed past it if some of those orders that are still in the post had arrived in a more timely fashion!), but the increase of 241 is only one higher than 2021's, which was a bit higher than 2020's 234, all of which are ludicrous compared to 2019's 154.
Despite the fact I did buy a few DVDs this year, the total still decreases. If this continues, it might dip below 1,000 in about 2025. UHD discs, on the other hand, continue to increase their increases: up from 48 last year to 81 this year. The number of overall new Blu-rays was down slightly, too, so that's an even greater percentage in 4K. No surprise, really, especially as most of the boutique labels have now joined in.
Number of discs in collection: 7,397 [up 5 this week; up 492 in 2022]
Number of films: 3,649 [up 5 this week; up 385 in 2022]
Number of additional cuts: 296 [no change this week; up 49 in 2022]
Number of TV episodes: 9,508 [no change this week; up 282 in 2022]
Number of short films: 1,025 [no change this week; up 95 in 2022]
That disc increase is higher than last year, but lower than the year before, so... Considering how many older Blu-rays I have with useless DVDs included, and now 4Ks with not-truly-necessary BDs, there's an awful lot of coasters in my collection. The other numbers in this block are broadly similar to last year, although all up slightly — even TV episodes, which surprised me a little, seeing as less and less new TV gets disc releases.
Total running time of collection (approx.):
527 days, 23 hours, and 46 minutes.
(Up 4 days, 14 hours, and 3 minutes from last month.)
(Up 30 days, 18 hours, and 26 minutes from last year.)
Over four-and-a-half days in a single month! I said that Edgar Wallace collection would have quite the impact. The year-on-year increase is roughly in line with last year's, though, although that's above the all-time average. I ought to slow down...
...but I probably won't. See you next week for more, faithful reader!
Friday, 30 December 2022
TV
Detectorists
4x00 Special
Detectorists is such a consistently lovely series that any revisit is almost a worry — what if it breaks the spell? Thankfully, this special is as magnificently low-key funny, heartwarming, and fundamentally nice as ever, while also managing to tell a story worthy of the “Detectorists: The Movie” route they did-but-didn’t-quite go down with it.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
His Dark Materials
3x06 The Abyss
[Watch the whole series (again) on iPlayer.]
How I Met Your Father
1x08 The Perfect Shot
The Play What I Wrote
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Richard Osman's Festive House of Games
1x08 Week 2: Wednesday
[Watch various episodes (again) on iPlayer.]
4x00 Special
Detectorists is such a consistently lovely series that any revisit is almost a worry — what if it breaks the spell? Thankfully, this special is as magnificently low-key funny, heartwarming, and fundamentally nice as ever, while also managing to tell a story worthy of the “Detectorists: The Movie” route they did-but-didn’t-quite go down with it.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
His Dark Materials
3x06 The Abyss
[Watch the whole series (again) on iPlayer.]
How I Met Your Father
1x08 The Perfect Shot
The Play What I Wrote
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Richard Osman's Festive House of Games
1x08 Week 2: Wednesday
[Watch various episodes (again) on iPlayer.]
Thursday, 29 December 2022
TV
His Dark Materials
3x05 No Way Out
[Watch the whole series (again) on iPlayer.]
Richard Osman's Festive House of Games
1x07 Week 2: Tuesday
[Watch various episodes (again) on iPlayer.]
The Snowman: The Film That Changed Christmas
A nice mix of making-of history and retrospective about the film’s impact and enduring appeal.
[Watch it (again) on All 4.]
3x05 No Way Out
[Watch the whole series (again) on iPlayer.]
Richard Osman's Festive House of Games
1x07 Week 2: Tuesday
[Watch various episodes (again) on iPlayer.]
The Snowman: The Film That Changed Christmas
A nice mix of making-of history and retrospective about the film’s impact and enduring appeal.
[Watch it (again) on All 4.]
Films
Tim Minchin: Back (2022)
Not strictly "a film" — it's a comedy special... except it's not really a "comedy special", because what Minchin does isn't standup or even just "funny songs"... so, cabaret? Feels reductive. Anyway, whatever it is, this particular recording of this particular show did, in fact, get a theatrical release, so that makes it "a film" in that sense.
More review-like thoughts on Letterboxd.
Not strictly "a film" — it's a comedy special... except it's not really a "comedy special", because what Minchin does isn't standup or even just "funny songs"... so, cabaret? Feels reductive. Anyway, whatever it is, this particular recording of this particular show did, in fact, get a theatrical release, so that makes it "a film" in that sense.
More review-like thoughts on Letterboxd.
Wednesday, 28 December 2022
TV
Ghosts
4x03 The Hardest Word
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
His Dark Materials
3x04 Lyra and Her Death
[Watch the whole series (again) on iPlayer.]
Only Connect
18s02 Mystery: Endeavours v Whodunnits
Appropriate viewing the same day as Knives Out. And I actually got more than one question right! Wonders will never cease.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Richard Osman's Festive House of Games
1x06 Week 2: Monday
[Watch various episodes (again) on iPlayer.]
4x03 The Hardest Word
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
His Dark Materials
3x04 Lyra and Her Death
[Watch the whole series (again) on iPlayer.]
Only Connect
18s02 Mystery: Endeavours v Whodunnits
Appropriate viewing the same day as Knives Out. And I actually got more than one question right! Wonders will never cease.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Richard Osman's Festive House of Games
1x06 Week 2: Monday
[Watch various episodes (again) on iPlayer.]
Films
Knives Out (2019)
[3rd watch]
In my experience, most murder mysteries struggle to stand up to repeat viewings, or even remakes; and that applies to some of the greats. Once you know who did it and how, watching it again and again is just an exercise in ever-diminishing returns. Not so Knives Out. If anything, I’ve enjoyed it more each time I’ve watched it, catching all the little bits of fun dialogue and neat nuances in the performances. Remarkable.
Also, finally showed it to my partner, a big murder mystery fan (reads tonnes of them, watches tonnes of them, etc, but for whatever reason we’ve just not found the right time for this one until now), and she thought it was great too. Hurrah!
[3rd watch]
In my experience, most murder mysteries struggle to stand up to repeat viewings, or even remakes; and that applies to some of the greats. Once you know who did it and how, watching it again and again is just an exercise in ever-diminishing returns. Not so Knives Out. If anything, I’ve enjoyed it more each time I’ve watched it, catching all the little bits of fun dialogue and neat nuances in the performances. Remarkable.
Also, finally showed it to my partner, a big murder mystery fan (reads tonnes of them, watches tonnes of them, etc, but for whatever reason we’ve just not found the right time for this one until now), and she thought it was great too. Hurrah!
Tuesday, 27 December 2022
TV
The Big Fat Quiz of the Year 2022
[Watch it (again) on All 4.]
Elton John Live: Farewell from Dodger Stadium
[Watch it (again) on Disney+.]
His Dark Materials
3x03 The Intention Craft
[Watch the whole series (again) on iPlayer.]
Richard Osman's Festive House of Games
1x05 Week 1: Friday
[Watch various episodes (again) on iPlayer.]
[Watch it (again) on All 4.]
Elton John Live: Farewell from Dodger Stadium
[Watch it (again) on Disney+.]
His Dark Materials
3x03 The Intention Craft
[Watch the whole series (again) on iPlayer.]
Richard Osman's Festive House of Games
1x05 Week 1: Friday
[Watch various episodes (again) on iPlayer.]
Monday, 26 December 2022
TV
Ghosts
4x02 Speak as Ye Choose
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
The Great British Bake Off
13x11 The Great Christmas Bake Off 2022
[Watch it (again) on All 4.]
His Dark Materials
3x02 The Break
[Watch the whole series (again) on iPlayer.]
Richard Osman's Festive House of Games
1x04 Week 1: Thursday
[Watch various episodes (again) on iPlayer.]
The Rookie
4x15 Hit List
4x02 Speak as Ye Choose
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
The Great British Bake Off
13x11 The Great Christmas Bake Off 2022
[Watch it (again) on All 4.]
His Dark Materials
3x02 The Break
[Watch the whole series (again) on iPlayer.]
Richard Osman's Festive House of Games
1x04 Week 1: Thursday
[Watch various episodes (again) on iPlayer.]
The Rookie
4x15 Hit List
Sunday, 25 December 2022
TV
Blankety Blank
2x10 Christmas Special [season finale]
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Christmas Comedy Club with Lost Voice Guy (2022)
They did one of these last year, and on ITVX there's no way to differentiate between the two (other than reading the full blurb, which lists the guests; and then to know whether you're watching 2021's or 2022's, you'd have to know who appeared on each). In other words: ITVX still has some work to do.
[Watch it (again) on ITVX.]
Luke Evans: Showtime
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Only Connect
18s01 Christmas: Polyhymnians v Channel Islanders
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Richard Osman's Festive House of Games
1x03 Week 1: Wednesday
[Watch various episodes (again) on iPlayer.]
Wonderland: The Story of Christmas
2x10 Christmas Special [season finale]
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Christmas Comedy Club with Lost Voice Guy (2022)
They did one of these last year, and on ITVX there's no way to differentiate between the two (other than reading the full blurb, which lists the guests; and then to know whether you're watching 2021's or 2022's, you'd have to know who appeared on each). In other words: ITVX still has some work to do.
[Watch it (again) on ITVX.]
Luke Evans: Showtime
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Only Connect
18s01 Christmas: Polyhymnians v Channel Islanders
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Richard Osman's Festive House of Games
1x03 Week 1: Wednesday
[Watch various episodes (again) on iPlayer.]
Wonderland: The Story of Christmas
this week on 100Films.co.uk
Firstly, as it's Christmas Day, a short seasonal message from 100Films.co.uk...
Aside from that, the big news this week was that I've officially given up on the eponymous challenge for this year. More on that here...
Abandoning the 100 Films Challenge 2022
Aside from that, 5 new reviews were posted...
2022 | Week 35
More next Sunday... although, as that's New Year's Day, maybe not.
Aside from that, the big news this week was that I've officially given up on the eponymous challenge for this year. More on that here...
Abandoning the 100 Films Challenge 2022
Why? When I’m so close and it seems so possible, why? Well, it may look doable on paper, but it isn’t in real life. Not this particular real life, for me, here in 2022. Not for any grand or scary reason; just simple scheduling.Read more here.
Aside from that, 5 new reviews were posted...
2022 | Week 35
Featuring...Read more here.
- Mona Lisa (1986)
- Mirror (1975)
- Clerks (1995)
- Persuasion (2022)
- He Walked by Night (1948)
More next Sunday... although, as that's New Year's Day, maybe not.
Saturday, 24 December 2022
TV
Blankety Blank
2x09 Episode 9
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
A Ghost Story for Christmas
Count Magnus
Not a bad little spooky tale, but I made the mistake of watching it right after the Inside No. 9 special, which was so excellent and clever and well-made that, I’m sorry to say, it made this look lesser is every respect by comparison.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
His Dark Materials
3x01 The Enchanted Sleeper
Doesn't feel like two whole years since the last season of this. It took me a few minutes to settle back into some elements of the story, and it feels a bit like this episode was scene-setting for where future instalments will go, but it also promises some interesting things. And I love the theme music. Great to have it back; going to be sad when it ends.
[Watch the whole series (again) on iPlayer.]
Never Mind the Buzzcocks
30x09 Christmas Special
Richard Osman's Festive House of Games
1x02 Week 1: Tuesday
[Watch various episodes (again) on iPlayer.]
This Cultural Life
2x03 Tim Minchin
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
2x09 Episode 9
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
A Ghost Story for Christmas
Count Magnus
Not a bad little spooky tale, but I made the mistake of watching it right after the Inside No. 9 special, which was so excellent and clever and well-made that, I’m sorry to say, it made this look lesser is every respect by comparison.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
His Dark Materials
3x01 The Enchanted Sleeper
Doesn't feel like two whole years since the last season of this. It took me a few minutes to settle back into some elements of the story, and it feels a bit like this episode was scene-setting for where future instalments will go, but it also promises some interesting things. And I love the theme music. Great to have it back; going to be sad when it ends.
[Watch the whole series (again) on iPlayer.]
Never Mind the Buzzcocks
30x09 Christmas Special
Richard Osman's Festive House of Games
1x02 Week 1: Tuesday
[Watch various episodes (again) on iPlayer.]
This Cultural Life
2x03 Tim Minchin
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Collection Count
Collection Count tracks my DVD/Blu-ray collection via a number of statistics every week.
Normally this week would also have the next monthly running time update, but as next week's post will be on (or just after) December 31st, I'm going to leave it until then, to include all the end-of-year increases too.
As for normal business... some of my long-delayed orders finally turned up, just before the pre-Christmas post cutoff! Hurrah! There's a good few packages of stuff still stuck somewhere, but I guess that's to be expected (especially as several of them are coming from the US). So long as they turn up eventually, that's all that really matters.
In terms of what did arrive, it's enough to make for an above-average week in most stats, and a blazer of an increase in one figure in particular. Y'see, this week's single biggest addition is also an oddity: a new DVD! (But the DVD count stays the same because I upgraded something else to 4K.) It's Network's box set of the Edgar Wallace Mysteries series of British '60s B-movies. The 47-film complete series set adds 20 discs and 54 films to my tallies (because it includes seven bonus films made around the same time). Not many single sets are so large. With a running time of over two solid days, it'll certainly have a significant impact on next week's update...
Number of titles in collection: 2,987 [up 10]
Of which DVDs: 1,039 [no change]
Of which Blu-rays: 1,948 [up 10]
— of which Ultra HD Blu-rays: 221 [up 3]
Number of discs in collection: 7,392 [up 33]
Number of films: 3,644 [up 62]
Number of additional cuts: 296 [no change]
Number of TV episodes: 9,508 [up 10]
Number of short films: 1,025 [up 1]
See you next week, faithful reader.
Normally this week would also have the next monthly running time update, but as next week's post will be on (or just after) December 31st, I'm going to leave it until then, to include all the end-of-year increases too.
As for normal business... some of my long-delayed orders finally turned up, just before the pre-Christmas post cutoff! Hurrah! There's a good few packages of stuff still stuck somewhere, but I guess that's to be expected (especially as several of them are coming from the US). So long as they turn up eventually, that's all that really matters.
In terms of what did arrive, it's enough to make for an above-average week in most stats, and a blazer of an increase in one figure in particular. Y'see, this week's single biggest addition is also an oddity: a new DVD! (But the DVD count stays the same because I upgraded something else to 4K.) It's Network's box set of the Edgar Wallace Mysteries series of British '60s B-movies. The 47-film complete series set adds 20 discs and 54 films to my tallies (because it includes seven bonus films made around the same time). Not many single sets are so large. With a running time of over two solid days, it'll certainly have a significant impact on next week's update...
Number of titles in collection: 2,987 [up 10]
Of which DVDs: 1,039 [no change]
Of which Blu-rays: 1,948 [up 10]
— of which Ultra HD Blu-rays: 221 [up 3]
Number of discs in collection: 7,392 [up 33]
Number of films: 3,644 [up 62]
Number of additional cuts: 296 [no change]
Number of TV episodes: 9,508 [up 10]
Number of short films: 1,025 [up 1]
See you next week, faithful reader.
Friday, 23 December 2022
TV
Blankety Blank
2x08 Episode 8
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Ghosts
4x01 Happy Holiday
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
How I Met Your Father
1x07 Rivka Rebel
Inside No. 9
8x01 The Bones of St. Nicholas [Christmas special]
Only the second episode of Inside No. 9 I've watched, and I thought it was fantastic — a proper spooky ghost story for Christmas. I really should go back and catch up on the whole series.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Richard Osman's Festive House of Games
1x01 Week 1: Monday
The regular House of Games (as opposed to the prime time version, right? But this isn't really a third version...) gets a Christmassy makeover for the next two weeks. And the modifications go slightly beyond slapping sleigh bells over the theme and a tree in the corner, so that's nice.
[Watch various episodes (again) on iPlayer.]
The Rookie
4x14 Long Shot
2x08 Episode 8
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Ghosts
4x01 Happy Holiday
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
How I Met Your Father
1x07 Rivka Rebel
Inside No. 9
8x01 The Bones of St. Nicholas [Christmas special]
Only the second episode of Inside No. 9 I've watched, and I thought it was fantastic — a proper spooky ghost story for Christmas. I really should go back and catch up on the whole series.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Richard Osman's Festive House of Games
1x01 Week 1: Monday
The regular House of Games (as opposed to the prime time version, right? But this isn't really a third version...) gets a Christmassy makeover for the next two weeks. And the modifications go slightly beyond slapping sleigh bells over the theme and a tree in the corner, so that's nice.
[Watch various episodes (again) on iPlayer.]
The Rookie
4x14 Long Shot
Thursday, 22 December 2022
Wednesday, 21 December 2022
TV
House of the Dragon
1x10 The Black Queen [season finale]
I've been too busy trying to finish my 100 Films Challenge to get round to this finale; but having abandoned that, well, now I have time. And it was worth the wait — which will hopefully be true of season two, too, because I really want to know what happens next but that's a couple of years away.
1x10 The Black Queen [season finale]
I've been too busy trying to finish my 100 Films Challenge to get round to this finale; but having abandoned that, well, now I have time. And it was worth the wait — which will hopefully be true of season two, too, because I really want to know what happens next but that's a couple of years away.
Tuesday, 20 December 2022
TV
Live at the Apollo
17x01 Christmas Special
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Mystery Science Theater 3000
Jackbox Holiday Showdown: Hosts vs Mads
I haven't watched any MST3K since September (oops), leaving me with almost half (6 out of 13) of the current season still to watch (oops). And the finale is a Christmas special, too, so by the time I get round to that in, like, June it'll be thoroughly out of date. Or maybe it'll take me all of 2023 to get caught up and I'll just watch it a year late, who knows? Anyway, this isn't an episode, either, but a livestream special in which the cast compete at Christmas-themed party games. Fun times.
[Watch it (for free) on the Gizmoplex.]
QI
20x09 Toys, Tinsel, and Turkeys (XL version) [Christmas special]
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
17x01 Christmas Special
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Mystery Science Theater 3000
Jackbox Holiday Showdown: Hosts vs Mads
I haven't watched any MST3K since September (oops), leaving me with almost half (6 out of 13) of the current season still to watch (oops). And the finale is a Christmas special, too, so by the time I get round to that in, like, June it'll be thoroughly out of date. Or maybe it'll take me all of 2023 to get caught up and I'll just watch it a year late, who knows? Anyway, this isn't an episode, either, but a livestream special in which the cast compete at Christmas-themed party games. Fun times.
[Watch it (for free) on the Gizmoplex.]
QI
20x09 Toys, Tinsel, and Turkeys (XL version) [Christmas special]
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Sunday, 18 December 2022
TV
The Morecambe & Wise Show
6x07 Christmas Show 1971
I'm sure I saw various Morecambe and Wise Christmas specials when I was growing up in the '90s, but I have no idea which ones specifically; and, of course, there are routines in this one (not least "Andrew Preview") that have been repeated on numerous clip shows, so I've definitely seen them there. Anyway, whether I've seen this before or not, I didn't intend to watch it this evening, but got sucked in because it's so good — the comedy is timeless. Funny to think, though: when Shirley Bassey turns up and sings Diamonds Are Forever, she's not perfoming some old classic from her back catalogue (what we now know it as), but her then-recent single. Weird.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
The Russell Howard Hour
6x13 Christmas Special
Not the whole show, just the bit with Garth Marenghi. Worth it.
Scouting for Toys
1x09 Karl Lagerfeld
1x10 Barbie [season finale]
[Watch the series (again) on UKTV Play.]
6x07 Christmas Show 1971
I'm sure I saw various Morecambe and Wise Christmas specials when I was growing up in the '90s, but I have no idea which ones specifically; and, of course, there are routines in this one (not least "Andrew Preview") that have been repeated on numerous clip shows, so I've definitely seen them there. Anyway, whether I've seen this before or not, I didn't intend to watch it this evening, but got sucked in because it's so good — the comedy is timeless. Funny to think, though: when Shirley Bassey turns up and sings Diamonds Are Forever, she's not perfoming some old classic from her back catalogue (what we now know it as), but her then-recent single. Weird.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
The Russell Howard Hour
6x13 Christmas Special
Not the whole show, just the bit with Garth Marenghi. Worth it.
Scouting for Toys
1x09 Karl Lagerfeld
1x10 Barbie [season finale]
[Watch the series (again) on UKTV Play.]
Saturday, 17 December 2022
Collection Count
Collection Count tracks my DVD/Blu-ray collection via a number of statistics every week.
At this point I've thoroughly lost count of how much stuff I'm expecting by when — some has arrived; lots hasn't; some has arrived but had to go back, or wait for a replacement; new stuff has been ordered, and arrived, or not...! I am keeping track of it all, order by order, just to make sure stuff arrives (or that I'm chasing stuff that hasn't), but I've lost track of what the total is in terms of the number I've been citing in these updates.
In the end, just two new titles did turn up this week (with around 17 more that I seriously thought might but didn't, and more still in the post that will take some time to get here (a trio from Australia that were only dispatched yesterday, for example)). One of those was a BD-to-4K upgrade, too; so despite the fact that I'm expecting an absolute tonne of stuff (and have been expecting some of it for three weeks or more now), this week's update is rather meagre...
Number of titles in collection: 2,977 [up 1]
Of which DVDs: 1,039 [no change]
Of which Blu-rays: 1,938 [up 1]
— of which Ultra HD Blu-rays: 218 [up 1]
Number of discs in collection: 7,359 [up 2]
Number of films: 3,582 [no change]
Number of additional cuts: 296 [no change]
Number of TV episodes: 9,498 [up 7]
Number of short films: 1,024 [no change]
See you next week, faithful reader.
At this point I've thoroughly lost count of how much stuff I'm expecting by when — some has arrived; lots hasn't; some has arrived but had to go back, or wait for a replacement; new stuff has been ordered, and arrived, or not...! I am keeping track of it all, order by order, just to make sure stuff arrives (or that I'm chasing stuff that hasn't), but I've lost track of what the total is in terms of the number I've been citing in these updates.
In the end, just two new titles did turn up this week (with around 17 more that I seriously thought might but didn't, and more still in the post that will take some time to get here (a trio from Australia that were only dispatched yesterday, for example)). One of those was a BD-to-4K upgrade, too; so despite the fact that I'm expecting an absolute tonne of stuff (and have been expecting some of it for three weeks or more now), this week's update is rather meagre...
Number of titles in collection: 2,977 [up 1]
Of which DVDs: 1,039 [no change]
Of which Blu-rays: 1,938 [up 1]
— of which Ultra HD Blu-rays: 218 [up 1]
Number of discs in collection: 7,359 [up 2]
Number of films: 3,582 [no change]
Number of additional cuts: 296 [no change]
Number of TV episodes: 9,498 [up 7]
Number of short films: 1,024 [no change]
See you next week, faithful reader.
Friday, 16 December 2022
Wednesday, 14 December 2022
Films
Jackass 3D (2010)
[#88 in The All-New 100 Films in a Year Challenge 2022]
Like Saw 3D, although I watched this in 2D, it's still called Jackass 3D. (It's never had a true-3D disc release. I thought I'd found a copy to download, but it turned out to be faked.)
[#88 in The All-New 100 Films in a Year Challenge 2022]
Like Saw 3D, although I watched this in 2D, it's still called Jackass 3D. (It's never had a true-3D disc release. I thought I'd found a copy to download, but it turned out to be faked.)
Tuesday, 13 December 2022
TV
Mock the Week
20x10 (2/12/2021 edition)
20x11 (9/12/2021 edition)
[Watch various episodes (again) on iPlayer.]
University Challenge
2022/23 Episode 16
[Watch various episodes (again) on iPlayer.]
The Wheel
3x06 Episode 6
[Watch various episodes (again) on iPlayer.]
20x10 (2/12/2021 edition)
20x11 (9/12/2021 edition)
[Watch various episodes (again) on iPlayer.]
University Challenge
2022/23 Episode 16
[Watch various episodes (again) on iPlayer.]
The Wheel
3x06 Episode 6
[Watch various episodes (again) on iPlayer.]
Sunday, 11 December 2022
Saturday, 10 December 2022
Films
Avatar (2009)
[2nd watch]
[#86 in The All-New 100 Films in a Year Challenge 2022]
First time seeing it since the cinema, almost exactly 13 years ago. It's quite good, donchaknow.
[2nd watch]
[#86 in The All-New 100 Films in a Year Challenge 2022]
First time seeing it since the cinema, almost exactly 13 years ago. It's quite good, donchaknow.
Radio
The Confessional
1x00 The Confession of David Tennant
Read about the new series of this in the Radio Times and, the BBC being what it is nowadays, was able to jump back in time to listen to this old episode (the pilot, I guess) with David Tennant, because it's always nice to hear him being interviewed.
[Listen to it (again) on BBC Sounds.]
1x00 The Confession of David Tennant
Read about the new series of this in the Radio Times and, the BBC being what it is nowadays, was able to jump back in time to listen to this old episode (the pilot, I guess) with David Tennant, because it's always nice to hear him being interviewed.
[Listen to it (again) on BBC Sounds.]
Collection Count
Collection Count tracks my DVD/Blu-ray collection via a number of statistics every week.
Thanks mainly to postal delays, I had a mindbogglingly ginormous 31 titles on my list of things that might arrive this week — a mix of delayed stuff (some of which should've arrived two or even three weeks ago), stuff that was due now (things arriving on time seemed doubtful, all things considered), and stuff which might've turned up a little early (seems laughable now, but under normal circumstances...) In the end, the actual number of titles I received was 11 — a more-than-solid (certainly above average) number in isolation, but it does mean there were 20 titles that didn't arrive.
One that did was the second season of classic Doctor Who on Blu-ray. The nine-story box set should replace six DVD releases (a couple of them are two-story box sets), but, due to special features being joggled around (so I'm keeping DVDs until the extras turn up elsewhere), in my collection it only replaces... one. Ha! We're very nearly halfway through the Blu-ray range now, and I'm still hanging on to loads of DVDs for the odd extra here and there. I imagine, as we get into the second half, it's eventually going to swing the other way — you know, a six-story set will actully knock out eight or nine DVDs due to finally including missing extras, that kind of thing. I hope so, anyway...
Another upgrade this week was Casablanca to 4K. I was unsure about getting it, because the Blu-ray copy I have is already suitably lavish, there were no new special features, and the jump in picture quality didn't look that huge. But then Amazon had it on a time-limited offer and, well, I caved. I got the 3-disc "ultimate edition" with exclusive bonus disc so that it could replace my current copy (which also has that bonus disc)... but that one is so nicely presented — mainly thanks to a large-format 64-page art book — that, for now at least, I'm keeping both. Which means I could've saved a few quid and just got the regular 4K edition, as it's only the 4K disc I need if I'm keeping both. I should've reminded myself how nice my current copy was before I hit that "buy" button...
Number of titles in collection: 2,976 [up 9]
Of which DVDs: 1,039 [no change]
Of which Blu-rays: 1,937 [up 9]
— of which Ultra HD Blu-rays: 217 [up 3]
Number of discs in collection: 7,357 [up 21]
Number of films: 3,582 [up 6]
Number of additional cuts: 296 [up 1]
Number of TV episodes: 9,491 [up 46]
Number of short films: 1,024 [up 5]
See you next week, faithful reader.
Thanks mainly to postal delays, I had a mindbogglingly ginormous 31 titles on my list of things that might arrive this week — a mix of delayed stuff (some of which should've arrived two or even three weeks ago), stuff that was due now (things arriving on time seemed doubtful, all things considered), and stuff which might've turned up a little early (seems laughable now, but under normal circumstances...) In the end, the actual number of titles I received was 11 — a more-than-solid (certainly above average) number in isolation, but it does mean there were 20 titles that didn't arrive.
One that did was the second season of classic Doctor Who on Blu-ray. The nine-story box set should replace six DVD releases (a couple of them are two-story box sets), but, due to special features being joggled around (so I'm keeping DVDs until the extras turn up elsewhere), in my collection it only replaces... one. Ha! We're very nearly halfway through the Blu-ray range now, and I'm still hanging on to loads of DVDs for the odd extra here and there. I imagine, as we get into the second half, it's eventually going to swing the other way — you know, a six-story set will actully knock out eight or nine DVDs due to finally including missing extras, that kind of thing. I hope so, anyway...
Another upgrade this week was Casablanca to 4K. I was unsure about getting it, because the Blu-ray copy I have is already suitably lavish, there were no new special features, and the jump in picture quality didn't look that huge. But then Amazon had it on a time-limited offer and, well, I caved. I got the 3-disc "ultimate edition" with exclusive bonus disc so that it could replace my current copy (which also has that bonus disc)... but that one is so nicely presented — mainly thanks to a large-format 64-page art book — that, for now at least, I'm keeping both. Which means I could've saved a few quid and just got the regular 4K edition, as it's only the 4K disc I need if I'm keeping both. I should've reminded myself how nice my current copy was before I hit that "buy" button...
Number of titles in collection: 2,976 [up 9]
Of which DVDs: 1,039 [no change]
Of which Blu-rays: 1,937 [up 9]
— of which Ultra HD Blu-rays: 217 [up 3]
Number of discs in collection: 7,357 [up 21]
Number of films: 3,582 [up 6]
Number of additional cuts: 296 [up 1]
Number of TV episodes: 9,491 [up 46]
Number of short films: 1,024 [up 5]
See you next week, faithful reader.
Friday, 9 December 2022
TV
Mock the Week
20x07 (4/11/2021 edition)
20x08 (11/11/2021 edition)
20x09 (25/11/2021 edition)
[Watch various episodes (again) on iPlayer.]
20x07 (4/11/2021 edition)
20x08 (11/11/2021 edition)
20x09 (25/11/2021 edition)
[Watch various episodes (again) on iPlayer.]
Articles
Cyber City Oedo 808
by Jonathan Clements (from All the Anime Blog)
So, I'm selling my copy of Cyber City Oedo 808 to buy the newly remastered version that's out in March. Sadly, the new edition loses the 50-page booklet (in favour of some art cards — yawn! It also loses the soundtrack CD, but I've already ripped that), so I've read it before selling it off. There's an interview with John Wolskel, who wrote the series' UK scripts, and Rory McFarlane, who composed new music for the UK dubs. Both quite interesting. The main piece is a history/analysis article, which is available in full online — linked above, obv.
It's a shame the new edition doesn't include the booklet — much more to my interest than some sodding art cards (which most boutique label releases seem to come with nowadays; they must be cheap to produce). But at least I've read it once; and, to be honest, most of my Blu-ray booklets don't even get read that often.
by Jonathan Clements (from All the Anime Blog)
So, I'm selling my copy of Cyber City Oedo 808 to buy the newly remastered version that's out in March. Sadly, the new edition loses the 50-page booklet (in favour of some art cards — yawn! It also loses the soundtrack CD, but I've already ripped that), so I've read it before selling it off. There's an interview with John Wolskel, who wrote the series' UK scripts, and Rory McFarlane, who composed new music for the UK dubs. Both quite interesting. The main piece is a history/analysis article, which is available in full online — linked above, obv.
It's a shame the new edition doesn't include the booklet — much more to my interest than some sodding art cards (which most boutique label releases seem to come with nowadays; they must be cheap to produce). But at least I've read it once; and, to be honest, most of my Blu-ray booklets don't even get read that often.
Thursday, 8 December 2022
Films
Les Enfants du Paradis (1945)
[#85 in The All-New 100 Films in a Year Challenge 2022]
Blindspot 2022 #11
Considering I often struggle to watch any kind of film on a work night nowadays, attempting a 3-hour-10-minute one might seem foolhardy. The secret ingredient: it's in two parts, so I could stop halfway if needed. I also made sure to start with plenty of time, just in case — and I'm glad I did, because I watched the whole thing in one sitting (well, okay, I did have a little break at the intermission) because it's brilliant.
[#85 in The All-New 100 Films in a Year Challenge 2022]
Blindspot 2022 #11
Considering I often struggle to watch any kind of film on a work night nowadays, attempting a 3-hour-10-minute one might seem foolhardy. The secret ingredient: it's in two parts, so I could stop halfway if needed. I also made sure to start with plenty of time, just in case — and I'm glad I did, because I watched the whole thing in one sitting (well, okay, I did have a little break at the intermission) because it's brilliant.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)