Interview with Quantum of Solace Star Daniel Craig by Thomas Leupp
(from ReelzChannel)
There have, obviously, been dozens of interviews with Craig and other QoS-related people of late -- and, with the US release still 9 days away, I seriously doubt we've seen the end of them -- but they always tend to contain one or two answers a little different from the rest. It's also interesting to see what fansites like CommanderBond.net make of them. Their headline for this article was Craig: Creativity And Talent Must Fuel Bond Franchise Future. There's nothing inherent in the actual interview that suggests this is Craig's primary point -- it's one answer among many, about halfway through -- but it must be a bit different to what he's commented on elsewhere for them to feel the need to pull it out.
Michael Crichton Dies Aged 66 by Chris Hewitt
(from Empire Online)
"the author of Jurassic Park has died at the age of 66. The enormously popular novelist, who also enjoyed success as a film director, passed away following what his family have called, “a courageous and private battle against cancer”. [Crichton] also created the enormously popular medical drama ER... adapted Robert Wise’s sci-fi thriller, The Andromeda Strain from his own novel, [and directed] Westworld, Coma and The Great Train Robbery... Many of his other novels were also filmed, including Disclosure, Sphere, Congo, and Timeline. In total, his novels sold over 150 million copies worldwide."
Pair of Sequels Planned for Road to Perdition by Scott Weinberg
(from Cinematical)
Road to Perdition is a great film based on a great book, but it's not something you'd necessarily expect sequels to. That said, the involvement of Max Allan Collins, who wrote the original graphic novel and has since penned a sequel, bodes a bit better. This won't form the basis for the sequel films, however, which instead seem to be based on two continuation novels (as in, words no piccies) that Collins wrote.
Wednesday, 5 November 2008
British currency, re-designed
Did you know they've redesigned all the coins in use in the UK? I didn't. I feel I should have. This is the first time British coinage has been redesigned since decimalisation almost 40 years ago!
They're a bit too modern-looking for my taste. I seriously doubt it'll be 40 years before they change again.
They're a bit too modern-looking for my taste. I seriously doubt it'll be 40 years before they change again.
Tuesday, 4 November 2008
TV
Stephen Fry in America
Part 4 Mountains and Plains
Marvellous as ever. It's a wonderful mix of intelligence, wit, and boyish glee.
Part 4 Mountains and Plains
Marvellous as ever. It's a wonderful mix of intelligence, wit, and boyish glee.
Fiction
Batman: The Dark Knight Strikes Again by Frank Miller & Lynn Varley
Book Three [the end]
Finally found a chance to finish this. The concluding part is better and more coherent than the others, but still suffers from Miller's over-simplistic over-large art, as well as bunging in a ludicrous number of things from the DC universe that he assumes you'll just know. A comic for comic geeks, then, and as weak as those usually are. Be sure to read The Dark Knight Returns (it's really brilliant), but skip this.
Book Three [the end]
Finally found a chance to finish this. The concluding part is better and more coherent than the others, but still suffers from Miller's over-simplistic over-large art, as well as bunging in a ludicrous number of things from the DC universe that he assumes you'll just know. A comic for comic geeks, then, and as weak as those usually are. Be sure to read The Dark Knight Returns (it's really brilliant), but skip this.
Articles
Outnumbered returns to BBC One
(from the BBC Press Office)
Hurray! Bring on November 15th I say.
Review of Executive Koala DVD by Kevin Gilvear
(from DVD Times)
This sounds wonderfully loopy. I mean, just look at that title, and consider that it's live action! Fabulous.
Tuesday Link-a-Mania by Dave Golder
(from SFX)
A few years ago, the BBC produced a two-part drama called Space Odyssey: Voyage to the Planets, a near-future sci-fi in which a spaceship set out to explore the solar system. It was one of them drama-documentary things, designed to educate about the solar system, but one suspects writer-director Joe Ahearne (of Ultraviolet, Doctor Who, and next week's new BBC One series Apparitions) was more interested in the dramatic potential of the thing. And quite right too -- it's a fab idea (you should check it out on DVD). So I'm exceedingly pleased to learn that the BBC, US's Fox, and companies from Canada and Germany, are teaming up to do a 13-part version. Its plot is described as "eight astronauts from five countries who take on a mysterious six-year mission through the solar system", but is unclear if all six years are in those 13 eps or if they hope it'll run for six years. Either way's good by me. It's called Defying Gravity, which is a crap title so hopefully they'll think of something better.
Also on that link: The Dark Knight nearly breaks $1bn; Joss Whedon discusses more projects in the Dr Horrible vein; Heroes gets simple; and something about Planet of the Apes. Who'd've thought one news item could contain so many interesting bits?
(from the BBC Press Office)
Hurray! Bring on November 15th I say.
Review of Executive Koala DVD by Kevin Gilvear
(from DVD Times)
This sounds wonderfully loopy. I mean, just look at that title, and consider that it's live action! Fabulous.
Tuesday Link-a-Mania by Dave Golder
(from SFX)
A few years ago, the BBC produced a two-part drama called Space Odyssey: Voyage to the Planets, a near-future sci-fi in which a spaceship set out to explore the solar system. It was one of them drama-documentary things, designed to educate about the solar system, but one suspects writer-director Joe Ahearne (of Ultraviolet, Doctor Who, and next week's new BBC One series Apparitions) was more interested in the dramatic potential of the thing. And quite right too -- it's a fab idea (you should check it out on DVD). So I'm exceedingly pleased to learn that the BBC, US's Fox, and companies from Canada and Germany, are teaming up to do a 13-part version. Its plot is described as "eight astronauts from five countries who take on a mysterious six-year mission through the solar system", but is unclear if all six years are in those 13 eps or if they hope it'll run for six years. Either way's good by me. It's called Defying Gravity, which is a crap title so hopefully they'll think of something better.
Also on that link: The Dark Knight nearly breaks $1bn; Joss Whedon discusses more projects in the Dr Horrible vein; Heroes gets simple; and something about Planet of the Apes. Who'd've thought one news item could contain so many interesting bits?
Monday, 3 November 2008
TV
Argumental
1x02 (3/11/08 edition)
The Graham Norton Show
4x05 (30/10/08 edition, uncut repeat)
The Sarah Jane Adventures
2x06 Secrets of the Stars Part Two
Spooks
7x02 Split Loyalties
1x02 (3/11/08 edition)
The Graham Norton Show
4x05 (30/10/08 edition, uncut repeat)
The Sarah Jane Adventures
2x06 Secrets of the Stars Part Two
Spooks
7x02 Split Loyalties
Music
Roar! (Theme from Cloverfield) by Michael Giacchino
This is a great track, I highly recommend it. You can get it from iTunes -- all 12 minutes and 17 seconds for just 79p -- here.
This is a great track, I highly recommend it. You can get it from iTunes -- all 12 minutes and 17 seconds for just 79p -- here.
Articles
Christopher Nolan on Dark Knight and its box-office billion: 'It's mystifying to me'
and
Christopher Nolan revisits and analyzes his favorite scene in Dark Knight
and
Christopher Nolan says his Batman doesn't play well with others by Geoff Boucher
(from Hero Complex at Los Angeles Times Blogs)
A very exclusive, in-depth, three-part interview with the director of Batman Begins and (more pertinently) The Dark Knight.
Coppola's slow boat on the Nung by Gordon Coates
(from guardian.co.uk)
Quite simply, "Gordon Coates on the five-hour Apocalypse Now". That would be the workprint, long available as a bootleg, that -- depending on who you believe -- is anywhere from 289 to 330 minutes long. (Incidentally, the information that the film is an 18 is out of date -- the Redux was classified at 15 in 2001, and while the original (shorter) cut received an 18 in 2004 (what's that about eh?), all the materials on the recent DVD release -- which includes both cuts of the film -- were collectively rated 15.)
Quantum of Solace Grabs #1 Spot At International Box Office by Devin Zydel
(from CommanderBond.net)
"the 007 film earned £15.7 million ($25.3 million) over the weekend" -- beating estimates by over $4 million, and "becoming the biggest three-day opening ever in the UK, surpassing Casino Royale’s equally impressive box office debut by 35%. [From] the UK, France and Sweden, [it] grossed a spectacular $38.6 million... ‘No other international release in 2008 has grossed more [playing in] fewer than 27 territories,’ said Mark Zucker, Sony’s president of international distribution." Super. From a different article: "Six movies can claim bigger UK openings than Quantum of Solace, but all achieved their grosses with the addition of paid previews, typically from the weekend prior and/or days immediately before their official opening."
Quantum of Solace opens around most of the world in the next two weeks, most significantly in the US on November 14th. Look here for a weekly-updated summary of its worldwide box office.
and
Christopher Nolan revisits and analyzes his favorite scene in Dark Knight
and
Christopher Nolan says his Batman doesn't play well with others by Geoff Boucher
(from Hero Complex at Los Angeles Times Blogs)
A very exclusive, in-depth, three-part interview with the director of Batman Begins and (more pertinently) The Dark Knight.
Coppola's slow boat on the Nung by Gordon Coates
(from guardian.co.uk)
Quite simply, "Gordon Coates on the five-hour Apocalypse Now". That would be the workprint, long available as a bootleg, that -- depending on who you believe -- is anywhere from 289 to 330 minutes long. (Incidentally, the information that the film is an 18 is out of date -- the Redux was classified at 15 in 2001, and while the original (shorter) cut received an 18 in 2004 (what's that about eh?), all the materials on the recent DVD release -- which includes both cuts of the film -- were collectively rated 15.)
Quantum of Solace Grabs #1 Spot At International Box Office by Devin Zydel
(from CommanderBond.net)
"the 007 film earned £15.7 million ($25.3 million) over the weekend" -- beating estimates by over $4 million, and "becoming the biggest three-day opening ever in the UK, surpassing Casino Royale’s equally impressive box office debut by 35%. [From] the UK, France and Sweden, [it] grossed a spectacular $38.6 million... ‘No other international release in 2008 has grossed more [playing in] fewer than 27 territories,’ said Mark Zucker, Sony’s president of international distribution." Super. From a different article: "Six movies can claim bigger UK openings than Quantum of Solace, but all achieved their grosses with the addition of paid previews, typically from the weekend prior and/or days immediately before their official opening."
Quantum of Solace opens around most of the world in the next two weeks, most significantly in the US on November 14th. Look here for a weekly-updated summary of its worldwide box office.
Sunday, 2 November 2008
TV
The Sarah Jane Adventures
2x05 Secrets of the Stars Part One
Sharpe
7x01 Sharpe's Peril Part 1
Spooks
7x01 New Allegiances
A sneaky bit of PR in the run up to this series means that the opening episode regains Spooks' ability to be genuinely surprising, something that went increasingly awry as the show became increasingly far-fetched.
Top Gear
12x01 (2/11/08 edition)
Absolutely hilarious, as usual.
2x05 Secrets of the Stars Part One
Sharpe
7x01 Sharpe's Peril Part 1
Spooks
7x01 New Allegiances
A sneaky bit of PR in the run up to this series means that the opening episode regains Spooks' ability to be genuinely surprising, something that went increasingly awry as the show became increasingly far-fetched.
Top Gear
12x01 (2/11/08 edition)
Absolutely hilarious, as usual.
Films
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince International Trailer
Not officially released yet, though this is surprisingly good quality for a leak. Anyhow, it looks like it could be quite good. Order of the Phoenix (that was the last one) was well directed by David Yates (who returns for Half-Blood Prince, as well as the final two films, Deathly Hallows Parts 1 and 2) but let down by a script that sometimes felt like a very long "Previously on Harry Potter..." recap of the novel. That was written by a different screenwriter though -- hopefully the return of Steve Kloves means something more akin to Goblet of Fire (that was the fourth one), which managed to abbreviate the lengthy novel sensibly.
Valkyrie Trailer
Looks pretty dismal if you ask me.
Not officially released yet, though this is surprisingly good quality for a leak. Anyhow, it looks like it could be quite good. Order of the Phoenix (that was the last one) was well directed by David Yates (who returns for Half-Blood Prince, as well as the final two films, Deathly Hallows Parts 1 and 2) but let down by a script that sometimes felt like a very long "Previously on Harry Potter..." recap of the novel. That was written by a different screenwriter though -- hopefully the return of Steve Kloves means something more akin to Goblet of Fire (that was the fourth one), which managed to abbreviate the lengthy novel sensibly.
Valkyrie Trailer
Looks pretty dismal if you ask me.
Articles
Comic Book Virgin: Watching the Watchmen
and
The Comic Book Virgin Reads Watchmen, both by Isabelle Burtan
(from Newsarama.com)
Someone who's never read a comic, never mind Watchmen, sees the film's trailer for the first time (some of her guesses are amusingly wrong if you know the story), and then reads the novel itself. Be warned that her thoughts on the later contain a considerable number of spoilers. Other than that, they're quite interesting.
Neil Gaiman exclusive! Part 1 & Part 2 by Jayne Nelson
(from SFX)
Personally, I didn't get a great deal from part one, but part two was nice. (For part three, see here.)
Okay, I've Read Watchmen. What's Next? by Dusty Harbin
(from Newsarama.com)
Who'd've thought something as dense as Watchmen could be a 'gateway drug' to the medium? But it seems it is, and has seen some simply amazing sales since the trailer debuted. Here, a comic shop owner succinctly (read: short article) gives some useful suggestions on where to look next.
and
The Comic Book Virgin Reads Watchmen, both by Isabelle Burtan
(from Newsarama.com)
Someone who's never read a comic, never mind Watchmen, sees the film's trailer for the first time (some of her guesses are amusingly wrong if you know the story), and then reads the novel itself. Be warned that her thoughts on the later contain a considerable number of spoilers. Other than that, they're quite interesting.
Neil Gaiman exclusive! Part 1 & Part 2 by Jayne Nelson
(from SFX)
Personally, I didn't get a great deal from part one, but part two was nice. (For part three, see here.)
Okay, I've Read Watchmen. What's Next? by Dusty Harbin
(from Newsarama.com)
Who'd've thought something as dense as Watchmen could be a 'gateway drug' to the medium? But it seems it is, and has seen some simply amazing sales since the trailer debuted. Here, a comic shop owner succinctly (read: short article) gives some useful suggestions on where to look next.
Saturday, 1 November 2008
TV
Have I Got News For You
36x03 (31/10/08 edition; extended repeat)
Even more Bakery madness and jokes about this week's news.
Heroes
3x05 Angels and Monsters
Merlin
1x07 The Gates of Avalon
All dialogue © The Great Big Book of Clichéd Fantasy Dialogue.
The National Lottery: Who Dares Wins
2x08 (1/11/08 edition) [season finale]
36x03 (31/10/08 edition; extended repeat)
Even more Bakery madness and jokes about this week's news.
Heroes
3x05 Angels and Monsters
Merlin
1x07 The Gates of Avalon
All dialogue © The Great Big Book of Clichéd Fantasy Dialogue.
The National Lottery: Who Dares Wins
2x08 (1/11/08 edition) [season finale]
Articles
Mamma Mia! breaks UK film record
(from BBC News)
I'm not convinced by the stats in this story. Why are Harry Potter films included and Bond films not? Both are funded by US studios as much / more so than anything British. If Bond was included, Casino Royale would place 3rd on that chart.
Michael G. Wilson: Bond 23 Work To Begin Early Next Year by Matt Weston
(from CommanderBond.net)
The new one's barely out, but it's time to talk about the next! "Last time when we were in post production on Casino Royale we were already working on Quantum of Solace. This time we haven’t started, but in January we are going to get some writers together and start kicking some ideas around."
Nolan dismisses Superman crossover by Simon Reynolds
(from Digital Spy)
Thank goodness! That's not to stop DC doing it anyway, of course.
Quantum of Solace Sets Box Office Record In UK by Devin Zydel
(from CommanderBond.net)
"Quantum of Solace got off to a momentous start in the UK yesterday with a stuning $8 million (£4.94 million) debut -- the biggest Friday opening of all time in the UK. In comparison, the previous record holder was Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, which had a $6.5 million (£4 million) opening. Along with Thursday previews, Casino Royale managed $4.7 in its opening day." It's like The Dark Knight all over again... only on a much smaller scale...
Roger's little rule book by Roger Ebert
(from Roger Ebert's Journal at the Chicago Sun-Times)
Wise words and sage advice (there's not one in there about cliches) from one of the world's most respected film critics.
S. Darko actor defends movie by Michael Thornton
(from Digital Spy)
"Jackson Rathbone said that the [Donnie Darko] sequel, which is released next year, "goes beyond" the idea of the original film, insisting that it should not be simply dismissed as a cash-in." We'll see, eh? "S. Darko is set seven years after the original film and tells the story of Donnie's little sister Samantha and her friend Corey, who experience bizarre visions on a road trip to Los Angeles."
Wahlberg's Daughter Loves Seeing Him In Pain
(from WENN)
Funny story.
(from BBC News)
I'm not convinced by the stats in this story. Why are Harry Potter films included and Bond films not? Both are funded by US studios as much / more so than anything British. If Bond was included, Casino Royale would place 3rd on that chart.
Michael G. Wilson: Bond 23 Work To Begin Early Next Year by Matt Weston
(from CommanderBond.net)
The new one's barely out, but it's time to talk about the next! "Last time when we were in post production on Casino Royale we were already working on Quantum of Solace. This time we haven’t started, but in January we are going to get some writers together and start kicking some ideas around."
Nolan dismisses Superman crossover by Simon Reynolds
(from Digital Spy)
Thank goodness! That's not to stop DC doing it anyway, of course.
Quantum of Solace Sets Box Office Record In UK by Devin Zydel
(from CommanderBond.net)
"Quantum of Solace got off to a momentous start in the UK yesterday with a stuning $8 million (£4.94 million) debut -- the biggest Friday opening of all time in the UK. In comparison, the previous record holder was Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, which had a $6.5 million (£4 million) opening. Along with Thursday previews, Casino Royale managed $4.7 in its opening day." It's like The Dark Knight all over again... only on a much smaller scale...
Roger's little rule book by Roger Ebert
(from Roger Ebert's Journal at the Chicago Sun-Times)
Wise words and sage advice (there's not one in there about cliches) from one of the world's most respected film critics.
S. Darko actor defends movie by Michael Thornton
(from Digital Spy)
"Jackson Rathbone said that the [Donnie Darko] sequel, which is released next year, "goes beyond" the idea of the original film, insisting that it should not be simply dismissed as a cash-in." We'll see, eh? "S. Darko is set seven years after the original film and tells the story of Donnie's little sister Samantha and her friend Corey, who experience bizarre visions on a road trip to Los Angeles."
Wahlberg's Daughter Loves Seeing Him In Pain
(from WENN)
Funny story.
Friday, 31 October 2008
TV
8 Out of 10 Cats
7x09 (30/10/08 edition)
Finally, a much-needed humorous/irreverent perspective on this week's news.
Have I Got News For You
36x03 (31/10/08 edition)
Aaah, it's Tom Baker! As brilliant as you might have cause to hope, if not more so.
Spooks
6x10 The School [season finale]
7x09 (30/10/08 edition)
Finally, a much-needed humorous/irreverent perspective on this week's news.
Have I Got News For You
36x03 (31/10/08 edition)
Aaah, it's Tom Baker! As brilliant as you might have cause to hope, if not more so.
Spooks
6x10 The School [season finale]
Films
My Quantum of Solace Film Season #7:
Quantum of Solace (2008)
[#73 in 100 Films in a Year 2008]
It may not be as good as Casino Royale, and I do have a few specific reservations about it, but all things considered it's a more-than-solid action thriller. Also, the short-ish running time is (unsurprisingly) not a problem in the slightest.
This also means I managed to complete My Quantum of Solace Film Season exactly as planned. I have to say, I didn't expect that!
Quantum of Solace (2008)
[#73 in 100 Films in a Year 2008]
It may not be as good as Casino Royale, and I do have a few specific reservations about it, but all things considered it's a more-than-solid action thriller. Also, the short-ish running time is (unsurprisingly) not a problem in the slightest.
This also means I managed to complete My Quantum of Solace Film Season exactly as planned. I have to say, I didn't expect that!
Casino Royale Refresher
Five Casino Royale Pointers For Quantum Of Solace
(from Empire Online)
Quantum of Solace is pretty reliant on the previous film's plot -- I should know, I've seen it -- but doesn't come with much exposition/reiteration or any flashbacks, so it might be worth swotting up a little before you go see it. Which you will, obviously.
(from Empire Online)
Quantum of Solace is pretty reliant on the previous film's plot -- I should know, I've seen it -- but doesn't come with much exposition/reiteration or any flashbacks, so it might be worth swotting up a little before you go see it. Which you will, obviously.
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