More Quantum of Solace videos here, this one looking at some elements of the game version.
Friday, 10 October 2008
"New Products Added"
I hate it when online retailers have sales that they then add new items to.
"New products added!", they proudly proclaim. But do they have a section where you can see these new products? No.
So if you trawled through the sale first time round, just in case they happened to have something worthwhile that you didn't already own at a worthwhile price, you now have to trawl through the whole thing again, just in case something they added is something worthwhile that you don't already own at a worthwhile price.
Which isn't very worth your while, if you ask me.
"New products added!", they proudly proclaim. But do they have a section where you can see these new products? No.
So if you trawled through the sale first time round, just in case they happened to have something worthwhile that you didn't already own at a worthwhile price, you now have to trawl through the whole thing again, just in case something they added is something worthwhile that you don't already own at a worthwhile price.
Which isn't very worth your while, if you ask me.
Thursday, 9 October 2008
TV
8 Out of 10 Cats
7x06 (9/10/08 edition)
Big Cat Live
1x05 (9/10/08 edition)
The Graham Norton Show
4x01 (2/10/08 edition, uncut repeat)
It's official: baboons are evil.
Never Mind the Buzzcocks
22x02 (9/10/08 edition)
7x06 (9/10/08 edition)
Big Cat Live
1x05 (9/10/08 edition)
The Graham Norton Show
4x01 (2/10/08 edition, uncut repeat)
It's official: baboons are evil.
Never Mind the Buzzcocks
22x02 (9/10/08 edition)
Films
Changeling Trailer
"The debut trailer for the Clint Eastwood-directed thriller... Existing somewhere between L.A. Confidential and Flightplan, Changeling tells the based-on-true-events tale of Christine Collins (Angelina Jolie), a single mum living in 1920's Los Angeles whose young son goes missing one day. Months later, the police find the boy and return him to his mother's loving arms - but the problem is, he's not her son... A case that rocked California's legal system and uncovered the institutionalised corruption that was eating away at the prohibition-era LA police department". (Description from Empire.)
The Prestige (2006)
[2nd watch]
Even better a second time through. Obviously you have to see it once not knowing all the plot's revelations, but when you do its fun seeing the clues layered in, virtually unnoticeably, right from the start.
Some behind-the-scenes videos from Quantum of Solace...
First up, a look at the work going on for the title sequence, an essential element for any Bond film. There's no shots from the finished sequence, but the behind-the-scenes look at filming the girls gives an idea where it must be going -- as with the posters and the music video, the desert. (Available in HD, if you want it.)
And second, a more general and generic 'news wrap' containing interviews with Daniel Craig, director Marc Forster and producer Michael G. Wilson.
"The debut trailer for the Clint Eastwood-directed thriller... Existing somewhere between L.A. Confidential and Flightplan, Changeling tells the based-on-true-events tale of Christine Collins (Angelina Jolie), a single mum living in 1920's Los Angeles whose young son goes missing one day. Months later, the police find the boy and return him to his mother's loving arms - but the problem is, he's not her son... A case that rocked California's legal system and uncovered the institutionalised corruption that was eating away at the prohibition-era LA police department". (Description from Empire.)
The Prestige (2006)
[2nd watch]
Even better a second time through. Obviously you have to see it once not knowing all the plot's revelations, but when you do its fun seeing the clues layered in, virtually unnoticeably, right from the start.
Some behind-the-scenes videos from Quantum of Solace...
First up, a look at the work going on for the title sequence, an essential element for any Bond film. There's no shots from the finished sequence, but the behind-the-scenes look at filming the girls gives an idea where it must be going -- as with the posters and the music video, the desert. (Available in HD, if you want it.)
From Crackle:
From Crackle:
Articles
Exclusive: New Frost/Nixon Poster by Glen Ferris
(from Empire Online)
Yay for Michael Sheen! I've been assuming it was a two-hander though, so the rest of that cast list is more than a tad surprising -- Kevin Bacon, Oliver Platt, Sam Rockwell, Matthew Macfadyen, Toby Jones and Rebecca Hall -- plus, of course, Frank Langella as Nixon -- are all named, among a very long cast list indeed.
The Stath Who Would Be King by Glen Ferris
(from the Empire Blog)
"The truth is unavoidable. No matter what he does, Jason Statham is hard as nails and no one else comes close to equalling him."
When Bad Films Turn Good by Olly Richards
(from the Empire Blog)
Personally, when I watched Van Helsing a second time, I still just thought it was mostly crap. But Richards does have some points:
"What is not to love? You have some Transylvanian accents that skirt the darker depths of Bulgaria, Kazakhstan and Cleethorpes; a Frankenstein’s monster who looks like Mama Fratelli after an hour in a pressure cooker; Kate Beckinsale in impractically comely outfits that suggest she might be going to a Halloween party dressed as both members of Heart; Richard Roxburgh, as Dracula, devouring great lumps of scenery [he's the best thing in it, if you ask me]... Will Kemp giving absolute commitment to quite possibly the worst werewolf transformation committed to film; Hugh Jackman wearing Courtney Cox’s hair; and - as a cherry on the cake – some gas masked midgets on fire."
Who Will Watch the Watchmen? by Dan Goodswen
(from the Empire Blog)
"DC Comics, the publisher of Watchmen, sold 100,000 copies of the graphic novel in 2007. In July, The Dark Knight came to theatres around the world accompanied by a 3 minute trailer for the film version of Watchmen. Less than a week later, DC Comics ordered an additional print of 300,000 copies of the book. That figure has since risen to 900,000."
(from Empire Online)
Yay for Michael Sheen! I've been assuming it was a two-hander though, so the rest of that cast list is more than a tad surprising -- Kevin Bacon, Oliver Platt, Sam Rockwell, Matthew Macfadyen, Toby Jones and Rebecca Hall -- plus, of course, Frank Langella as Nixon -- are all named, among a very long cast list indeed.
The Stath Who Would Be King by Glen Ferris
(from the Empire Blog)
"The truth is unavoidable. No matter what he does, Jason Statham is hard as nails and no one else comes close to equalling him."
When Bad Films Turn Good by Olly Richards
(from the Empire Blog)
Personally, when I watched Van Helsing a second time, I still just thought it was mostly crap. But Richards does have some points:
"What is not to love? You have some Transylvanian accents that skirt the darker depths of Bulgaria, Kazakhstan and Cleethorpes; a Frankenstein’s monster who looks like Mama Fratelli after an hour in a pressure cooker; Kate Beckinsale in impractically comely outfits that suggest she might be going to a Halloween party dressed as both members of Heart; Richard Roxburgh, as Dracula, devouring great lumps of scenery [he's the best thing in it, if you ask me]... Will Kemp giving absolute commitment to quite possibly the worst werewolf transformation committed to film; Hugh Jackman wearing Courtney Cox’s hair; and - as a cherry on the cake – some gas masked midgets on fire."
Who Will Watch the Watchmen? by Dan Goodswen
(from the Empire Blog)
"DC Comics, the publisher of Watchmen, sold 100,000 copies of the graphic novel in 2007. In July, The Dark Knight came to theatres around the world accompanied by a 3 minute trailer for the film version of Watchmen. Less than a week later, DC Comics ordered an additional print of 300,000 copies of the book. That figure has since risen to 900,000."
Wednesday, 8 October 2008
TV
Big Cat Live
1x04 (8/10/08 edition)
Heroes
3x02 The Butterfly Effect
Heroes Unmasked
3x02 New Heroes on the Block
The Sandbaggers
1x01 First Principles
See here for my thoughts on this episode.
1x04 (8/10/08 edition)
Heroes
3x02 The Butterfly Effect
Heroes Unmasked
3x02 New Heroes on the Block
The Sandbaggers
1x01 First Principles
See here for my thoughts on this episode.
Fiction
Batman: The Dark Knight Strikes Again by Frank Miller & Lynn Varley
Top Cop Pops by Vicki Vale
Book One
Frank Miller is a helluva writer, but his opaque introductions (which that Vicki Vale thing is one of, believe it or not) leave something to be desired in my opinion.
Anyhow, this is the follow up to Miller's truly seminal Dark Knight Returns, probably the best Batman book ever written -- so no pressure following it up 15 years later then! It was largely poorly reviewed on release, and I can see why -- Miller's art is too sparse, coming across as rushed more than intentionally sketchy; the large amount of dead space (often only two or three panels on a page, undetailed splash pages for no reason) smacks of padding, especially as the story feels rather slight; plus, despite the room and apparent simplicity, it can be damn hard to follow at times.
It's not all bad -- the basics of the story are a decent idea, and do follow thematically from DKR plus, Superman gets thoroughly smashed at the end of Book One. That's something I always like to see.
Top Cop Pops by Vicki Vale
Book One
Frank Miller is a helluva writer, but his opaque introductions (which that Vicki Vale thing is one of, believe it or not) leave something to be desired in my opinion.
Anyhow, this is the follow up to Miller's truly seminal Dark Knight Returns, probably the best Batman book ever written -- so no pressure following it up 15 years later then! It was largely poorly reviewed on release, and I can see why -- Miller's art is too sparse, coming across as rushed more than intentionally sketchy; the large amount of dead space (often only two or three panels on a page, undetailed splash pages for no reason) smacks of padding, especially as the story feels rather slight; plus, despite the room and apparent simplicity, it can be damn hard to follow at times.
It's not all bad -- the basics of the story are a decent idea, and do follow thematically from DKR plus, Superman gets thoroughly smashed at the end of Book One. That's something I always like to see.
Articles
The Dark Knight Screenwriter David Goyer On Batman 3 Rumors: ‘It’s All B.S.’ by Shawn Adler
(from MTV Splash Page)
"“It’s all B.S.,” he said. “ALL of it.”" Sums it up!
Exclusive: Watchmen Video Journal
(from Sci Fi Wire)
"The video, Blue Monday, offers a look behind the scenes at how director Zack Snyder and his team brought the indestructible Dr. Manhattan (Billy Crudup) to life." Includes some previously-unseen clips from the film. I really ought to watch the rest of these video journals...
M. Night Shyamalan Further Ponders Unbreakable Sequel by Rick Marshall
(from MTV Splash Page)
Please please please please please!
Review of The Dark Knight Strikes Again by Jason Sanford
(from Flak Magazine)
"then the public actually read DK2. Reviewers called Miller's minimalist artwork "hastily drawn." Lynn Varley's super-bright digital colors were described as "green, flavored mouthwash." Worse, readers didn't like how Miller mocked the very mythology of superheroes that made his original book so powerful... Which is a shame, because in between the hype and the hate, DK2 makes as revolutionary a take on what troubles the comic books industry as Miller's original novel did... Just as The Dark Knight Returns opened a comic book door to the darker aspects of human life, so does DK2 show how to return fun to comics. It also makes a kind of tangled sense. In a world where Sept. 11 happens and the Justice Department wants postal workers to monitor un-American activity, perhaps the only way a superhero can save the day is to look around, have fun and laugh."
(from MTV Splash Page)
"“It’s all B.S.,” he said. “ALL of it.”" Sums it up!
Exclusive: Watchmen Video Journal
(from Sci Fi Wire)
"The video, Blue Monday, offers a look behind the scenes at how director Zack Snyder and his team brought the indestructible Dr. Manhattan (Billy Crudup) to life." Includes some previously-unseen clips from the film. I really ought to watch the rest of these video journals...
M. Night Shyamalan Further Ponders Unbreakable Sequel by Rick Marshall
(from MTV Splash Page)
Please please please please please!
Review of The Dark Knight Strikes Again by Jason Sanford
(from Flak Magazine)
"then the public actually read DK2. Reviewers called Miller's minimalist artwork "hastily drawn." Lynn Varley's super-bright digital colors were described as "green, flavored mouthwash." Worse, readers didn't like how Miller mocked the very mythology of superheroes that made his original book so powerful... Which is a shame, because in between the hype and the hate, DK2 makes as revolutionary a take on what troubles the comic books industry as Miller's original novel did... Just as The Dark Knight Returns opened a comic book door to the darker aspects of human life, so does DK2 show how to return fun to comics. It also makes a kind of tangled sense. In a world where Sept. 11 happens and the Justice Department wants postal workers to monitor un-American activity, perhaps the only way a superhero can save the day is to look around, have fun and laugh."
Articles: Dracula 2
Dracula Sequel Headed To Screens? by Helen O'Hara
(from Empire Online)
"The Stoker clan have banded together and authorised Dracula: The Un-Dead to follow Bram Stoker's original novel -- and have also sold the film rights... It is, perhaps, no surprise that the Stoker family are so keen on the plan, given that Bram's great-grandnephew Dacre Stoker has written the book along with Dracula historian [Ian] Holt."
"The story picks up 25 years after the original, as the heroes of the original novel are being stalked by... someone. Holt and Stoker used Bram Stoker's original notes and found characters and plot threads written by him but cut from the original novel. Even the title of this one is Bram's original title, so with a bit of luck it will feel like a real sequel and not just another spin on the myth."
"A screenplay for the book was written by Holt with Alexander Galant, and the plan is for that to shoot next June, just before the book is released in October 2009."
There's information to be found on Wikipedia about cast and crew, but it cites no sources and no other articles mention it, so it would seem to be groundless speculation. That said, there are some odd names in there, so it might be worth tracking down if you're interested.
(from Empire Online)
"The Stoker clan have banded together and authorised Dracula: The Un-Dead to follow Bram Stoker's original novel -- and have also sold the film rights... It is, perhaps, no surprise that the Stoker family are so keen on the plan, given that Bram's great-grandnephew Dacre Stoker has written the book along with Dracula historian [Ian] Holt."
"The story picks up 25 years after the original, as the heroes of the original novel are being stalked by... someone. Holt and Stoker used Bram Stoker's original notes and found characters and plot threads written by him but cut from the original novel. Even the title of this one is Bram's original title, so with a bit of luck it will feel like a real sequel and not just another spin on the myth."
"A screenplay for the book was written by Holt with Alexander Galant, and the plan is for that to shoot next June, just before the book is released in October 2009."
There's information to be found on Wikipedia about cast and crew, but it cites no sources and no other articles mention it, so it would seem to be groundless speculation. That said, there are some odd names in there, so it might be worth tracking down if you're interested.
The Sandbaggers: First Principles
The New York Times once described this late '70s drama as "the best spy series in television history", and on the evidence of this first episode I can see where they're coming from.
Unlike modern-day equivalents such as Spooks, The Sandbaggers concerns itself more with the planning and Whitehall political machinations than with the action on the ground. As such it's slower paced and wordier, but also much more intelligent. Even at the time this would have been unusual -- spy genre pedigree is the likes of James Bond and The Man From U.N.C.L.E., after all -- and episode one does a fantastic job of justifying its style.
When a Norwegian spy plane crashes behind enemy lines, they enlist the help of the British services -- specifically, the elite Sandbaggers division -- to rescue the scientists who were on board. When the British take their time planning the dangerous operation, the Norwegians get nervous and run off to the CIA... who rush in without a decent plan and consequently get themselves captured. This, as lead character and Sandbaggers director Neil Burnside points out to his Norwegian counterpart at the end, is why planning and forethought are even more important than the mission on the ground.
The other advantage Sandbaggers has over modern-day British series in this ilk is its setting. It's the height of the Cold War, when Britain was still just about a big enough world power, with a strong enough secret service, for all this to conceivable. These days, the lengths MI5 go to in Spooks often seems a bit... silly.
It's a shame they don't make programmes like Sandbaggers any more, as its change of pace and genuinely complex plotting would be welcome in the current TV landscape. As it is, at least we can enjoy it on DVD.
Unlike modern-day equivalents such as Spooks, The Sandbaggers concerns itself more with the planning and Whitehall political machinations than with the action on the ground. As such it's slower paced and wordier, but also much more intelligent. Even at the time this would have been unusual -- spy genre pedigree is the likes of James Bond and The Man From U.N.C.L.E., after all -- and episode one does a fantastic job of justifying its style.
When a Norwegian spy plane crashes behind enemy lines, they enlist the help of the British services -- specifically, the elite Sandbaggers division -- to rescue the scientists who were on board. When the British take their time planning the dangerous operation, the Norwegians get nervous and run off to the CIA... who rush in without a decent plan and consequently get themselves captured. This, as lead character and Sandbaggers director Neil Burnside points out to his Norwegian counterpart at the end, is why planning and forethought are even more important than the mission on the ground.
The other advantage Sandbaggers has over modern-day British series in this ilk is its setting. It's the height of the Cold War, when Britain was still just about a big enough world power, with a strong enough secret service, for all this to conceivable. These days, the lengths MI5 go to in Spooks often seems a bit... silly.
It's a shame they don't make programmes like Sandbaggers any more, as its change of pace and genuinely complex plotting would be welcome in the current TV landscape. As it is, at least we can enjoy it on DVD.
Tuesday, 7 October 2008
Articles
Fan Made: Dark Knight Sequel Poster by Erik Davis
(from Cinematical)
Personally, I don't want the Riddler in the next Batman film -- I think he'd be too much like the Joker, unless they have some damn good ideas -- but this is one mighty cool poster. So cool, in fact, that I'd accept having the Riddler just to see this plastered around the place. Click to see it in its full-sized glory.
On a related note...
Knowledge of fonts
(from BBC News)
"We see film posters every day. But have you ever stopped to think about the lettering they use? Sebastian Lester has. As a typeface designer... he's a literal font of knowledge. Many posters... use custom lettering. As Lester explains, though, others employ fonts in common everyday usage." Interesting picture-article.
(from Cinematical)
Personally, I don't want the Riddler in the next Batman film -- I think he'd be too much like the Joker, unless they have some damn good ideas -- but this is one mighty cool poster. So cool, in fact, that I'd accept having the Riddler just to see this plastered around the place. Click to see it in its full-sized glory.
On a related note...
Knowledge of fonts
(from BBC News)
"We see film posters every day. But have you ever stopped to think about the lettering they use? Sebastian Lester has. As a typeface designer... he's a literal font of knowledge. Many posters... use custom lettering. As Lester explains, though, others employ fonts in common everyday usage." Interesting picture-article.
Monday, 6 October 2008
TV
Big Cat Live
1x02 (6/10/08 edition)
No Heroics
1x01 Supergroupie
Sex obsessed, yes, but still pretty funny. So it's that rarest of things: a half-decent comedy on ITV!
Place of Execution
Part 3 (of 3)
The Sarah Jane Adventures
2x02 The Last Sontaran Part Two
A great conclusion. Hurrah for SJA being so good!
1x02 (6/10/08 edition)
No Heroics
1x01 Supergroupie
Sex obsessed, yes, but still pretty funny. So it's that rarest of things: a half-decent comedy on ITV!
Place of Execution
Part 3 (of 3)
The Sarah Jane Adventures
2x02 The Last Sontaran Part Two
A great conclusion. Hurrah for SJA being so good!
Films
Batman: Gotham Knight (2008)
[#65 in 100 Films in a Year 2008]
My quest-within-a-quest: to watch one film a night for at least the next week (as in, seven days). This is, therefore, the first. Let's see how I do...
[#65 in 100 Films in a Year 2008]
My quest-within-a-quest: to watch one film a night for at least the next week (as in, seven days). This is, therefore, the first. Let's see how I do...
Articles
No Heroics: Geek detail
(from ITV.com)
A gallery of some of the inside jokes from No Heroics. Some are lacklustre, some very good. Here's the best:
Review of Sarah Silverman: Jesus is Magic DVD by Eamonn McCusker
(from DVD Times)
Scathing!
The 500 Greatest Movies Of All Time by Simon Braund, Glen Ferris, Ian Freer, Nev Pierce, Chris Hewitt, Dan Jolin, Ian Nathan, Kim Newman, Helen O'Hara, Olly Richards & Owen Willams
(from Empire #233, p.88-172)
Today: 20-1.
So, that was that. Nothing greatly surprising in the final run, though the order is undoubtedly intriguing. Nice to see some reach such giddy heights; others should be considerably lower, in my opinion.
(from ITV.com)
A gallery of some of the inside jokes from No Heroics. Some are lacklustre, some very good. Here's the best:
Review of Sarah Silverman: Jesus is Magic DVD by Eamonn McCusker
(from DVD Times)
Scathing!
The 500 Greatest Movies Of All Time by Simon Braund, Glen Ferris, Ian Freer, Nev Pierce, Chris Hewitt, Dan Jolin, Ian Nathan, Kim Newman, Helen O'Hara, Olly Richards & Owen Willams
(from Empire #233, p.88-172)
Today: 20-1.
So, that was that. Nothing greatly surprising in the final run, though the order is undoubtedly intriguing. Nice to see some reach such giddy heights; others should be considerably lower, in my opinion.
The Tudors has episode titles!
Turns out, despite the listings on TV.com, The Tudors has episode titles! It's true, they're on the iTunes Store. (Season One has titles too, but I watched them long before this blog began.)
So, hurrah -- titles are much better than plain numbers, if you ask me.
It's a minor point, I know, but I'll be going back and editing all my posts to add in their actual titles now. Bloody TV.com.
So, hurrah -- titles are much better than plain numbers, if you ask me.
It's a minor point, I know, but I'll be going back and editing all my posts to add in their actual titles now. Bloody TV.com.
I'm blue!
Da-ba-dee da-ba-die!
This colour scheme -- which I've just noticed -- seems to suit the site and/or me better. So here it is!
This colour scheme -- which I've just noticed -- seems to suit the site and/or me better. So here it is!
Sunday, 5 October 2008
TV
Big Cat Live
1x01 (5/10/08 edition)
The latest iteration of the BBC's long-running Big Cat... series. (I've just started from 1 with the numbering, 'cause that sorting got too much.)
By Any Means
Part 5 (of 6)
The Riches
2x07 The Lying King [series finale]
With the series now unfortunately cancelled, this is how it disappointingly ends -- not with a whimper, but with a multi-cliffhangered bang. Just as it gets really good, everything is frustratingly left hanging. I'm annoyed.
Secret Policeman's Ball '08
The blog had a live update of what was going on as it happened (the event itself was last night, Channel 4's TV broadcast tonight). Quite a bizarre idea for a gig of this nature, if you ask me. As for the content... Mitchell and Webb made a poor effort of their own, originally excellent sketch; Tim Minchin's song was very funny; but Eddie Izzard, closing the show, was comedy gold as ever -- the stand-out stand-up by a country mile.
1x01 (5/10/08 edition)
The latest iteration of the BBC's long-running Big Cat... series. (I've just started from 1 with the numbering, 'cause that sorting got too much.)
By Any Means
Part 5 (of 6)
The Riches
2x07 The Lying King [series finale]
With the series now unfortunately cancelled, this is how it disappointingly ends -- not with a whimper, but with a multi-cliffhangered bang. Just as it gets really good, everything is frustratingly left hanging. I'm annoyed.
Secret Policeman's Ball '08
The blog had a live update of what was going on as it happened (the event itself was last night, Channel 4's TV broadcast tonight). Quite a bizarre idea for a gig of this nature, if you ask me. As for the content... Mitchell and Webb made a poor effort of their own, originally excellent sketch; Tim Minchin's song was very funny; but Eddie Izzard, closing the show, was comedy gold as ever -- the stand-out stand-up by a country mile.
Articles
The 500 Greatest Movies Of All Time by Simon Braund, Glen Ferris, Ian Freer, Nev Pierce, Chris Hewitt, Dan Jolin, Ian Nathan, Kim Newman, Helen O'Hara, Olly Richards & Owen Willams
(from Empire #233, p.88-172)
Today: 50-21. More surprised -- primarily, the original Star Wars and all three Lord of the Rings films are outside the Top 20! No sign yet of the overrated Empire Strikes Back though...
(from Empire #233, p.88-172)
Today: 50-21. More surprised -- primarily, the original Star Wars and all three Lord of the Rings films are outside the Top 20! No sign yet of the overrated Empire Strikes Back though...
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