Damages
2x02 Burn It, Shred It, I Don't Care
Things pick up a little, but not a lot. It has the feel of a "difficult second album" so far: a long way from being bad, but not a patch on season one.
Sunday, 1 March 2009
Non-Fiction
The Ode Less Travelled by Stephen Fry
Foreword
How to Read this Book
Mr Fry's guide to writing poetry, very much from a beginner's perspective. Or, rather, aimed at beginners, though also apparently useful to this who are more (or think they are more) experienced. Hoping it'll be of serious use to my MA!
Foreword
How to Read this Book
Mr Fry's guide to writing poetry, very much from a beginner's perspective. Or, rather, aimed at beginners, though also apparently useful to this who are more (or think they are more) experienced. Hoping it'll be of serious use to my MA!
Music
While I was listening to these two for the first time last night, I shared my thoughts track-by-track on twitter. Here are the highlights (I use that word loosely).
Watchmen: Music From the Motion Picture
My Chemical Romance - Desolation Row: Never listened to MCR, so no idea if this is typical of them.
Nat King Cole - Unforgettable: "Varied" is too light a word for this soundtrack.
Bob Dylan - The Times They Are A-Changin': Can't wait to see this sequence -- even those who hated the film have been praising it.
Simon & Garfunkel - The Sound of Silence: Always loved this song. It's like an old friend among unfamiliar tracks.
K.C. & the Sunshine Band - I'm Your Boogie Man: Will the Watchmen go disco dancing? I fear we can but dream.
Jimi Hendrix - All Along the Watchtower: Will be intrigued to see how well this works in the film.
Budapest Symphony Orchestra - Ride of the Valkyries: Mmm, Wagner. Watchmen will have to go some way to beat Apocalypse Now's use of this.
Nina Simone - Pirate Jenny: Not actually from Watchmen; from Tales of the Black Freighter. Which will be part of Watchmen eventually. Seems very apt -- kinda odd, creepy. This song is brilliant. Wins the Best Track I'd Not Heard Before Award for this soundtrack, I think.
Watchmen: Original Motion Picture Score by Tyler Bates
1) Rescue Mission: I'm guessing this OST is out of order, which sucks -- I hate it when soundtracks do that. Actiony opener.
3) Tonight the Comedian Died: Now THIS is the beginning. Creepy, throbbing -- a Rorschach-based cue then!
6) You Quit!: The shortest track on the CD. More memorable -- kinda Blade Runner-y, very '80s feel. Shame it's so short.
8) The American Dream: Slow, remorseful -- nice bit of irony in the title then.
11) Prison Fight: Clearly the showpiece track, as was B-side on single of Desolation Row. VERY VERY like Bates' 300 score.
12) Just Look Around You: Can guess where it's from & wager works beautifully. Nice contrast to tr11.
13) Dan's Apocalyptic Dream: Clue's in the title. Typically nightmare-ish, doesn't really deliver on its own build up
17) Countdown: In bursts, a great 'time is running out' track -- and, of course, time does run out. Suitably apocalyptic close.
19) All That is Good: Uncertain exactly what we'll see during this, but it may be a perfect marriage
Not sure of stand-out tracks on Bates' score, but mostly quite good I thought. Can't tell 'til see in context.
As I said, full comments on every track from both CDs is available on my twitter -- you'll just have to dive into the archive to find them.
Watchmen: Music From the Motion Picture
Watchmen: Original Motion Picture Score by Tyler Bates
As I said, full comments on every track from both CDs is available on my twitter -- you'll just have to dive into the archive to find them.
Articles
Indie Edge February 2009: Alan Moore
(from Previews)
Long rambling interview/conversation with Alan Moore, which doesn't even mention Watchmen (unlike all the other interviews going round with him right now). Instead, it covers the forthcoming third volume of The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen plus Moore's other interesting projects in the works.
(from Previews)
Long rambling interview/conversation with Alan Moore, which doesn't even mention Watchmen (unlike all the other interviews going round with him right now). Instead, it covers the forthcoming third volume of The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen plus Moore's other interesting projects in the works.
Poem of the Week: Night Drive
by Seamus Heaney
A 48 hour delay for this week's poem because, quite simply, I forgot. More on this piece at the other end...
So, Heaney is one of our nation's most beloved poets. And by "beloved" I mean "bought" -- apparently sales of his books account for two-thirds of all poetry sales in the UK. And yet I've never really read him 'til now.
And, to be honest, I still haven't -- only a slight dabbling. I should read more. Anyway, this is the one I most liked from my dabbles.
It can be found in New Selected Poems 1966-1987, but is originally from Door into the Dark, first published in 1969. I suspect it's also in Opened Ground: Poems 1966-1996, a newer selection designed to replace New Selected Poems -- so why our course directors still have us buying the older collection I don't know.
A 48 hour delay for this week's poem because, quite simply, I forgot. More on this piece at the other end...
The smells of ordinariness
Were new on the night drive through France:
Rain and hay and woods on the air
Made warm draughts in the open car.
Signposts whitened relentlessly.
Montreuil, Abbéville, Beauvais
Were promised, promised, came and went,
Each place granting its name's fulfilment.
A combine groaning its way late
Bled seeds across its work-light.
A forest fire smouldered out.
One by one small cafés shut.
I thought of you continuously
A thousand miles south where Italy
Laid its loin to France on the darkened sphere.
Your ordinariness was renewed there.
So, Heaney is one of our nation's most beloved poets. And by "beloved" I mean "bought" -- apparently sales of his books account for two-thirds of all poetry sales in the UK. And yet I've never really read him 'til now.
And, to be honest, I still haven't -- only a slight dabbling. I should read more. Anyway, this is the one I most liked from my dabbles.
It can be found in New Selected Poems 1966-1987, but is originally from Door into the Dark, first published in 1969. I suspect it's also in Opened Ground: Poems 1966-1996, a newer selection designed to replace New Selected Poems -- so why our course directors still have us buying the older collection I don't know.
Saturday, 28 February 2009
TV
Let's Dance for Comic Relief
Episode 2 (of 4)
No Michael McIntyre judging, sadly, and no dance that came anywhere near equalling Robert Webb's priceless Flashdance from last week. Overall, however, the quality was phenomenally higher.
This week's winners were Paddy McGuinness and Leigh Francis. Their dance was admittedly quite funny, but my God they're such irritating people! Francis was even playing his character, Keith Lemon -- not that anyone mentioned that on the programme, insisting on just calling him "Keith". Both of these facts should give you an indication of how much of a tit he is (and that's being polite about it). I really wish anyone else had gone through instead of them.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Not Going Out
3x05 Neighbour
Not the best episode, it must be said. Still, there were some laughs, so what else do you want?
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Episode 2 (of 4)
No Michael McIntyre judging, sadly, and no dance that came anywhere near equalling Robert Webb's priceless Flashdance from last week. Overall, however, the quality was phenomenally higher.
This week's winners were Paddy McGuinness and Leigh Francis. Their dance was admittedly quite funny, but my God they're such irritating people! Francis was even playing his character, Keith Lemon -- not that anyone mentioned that on the programme, insisting on just calling him "Keith". Both of these facts should give you an indication of how much of a tit he is (and that's being polite about it). I really wish anyone else had gone through instead of them.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Not Going Out
3x05 Neighbour
Not the best episode, it must be said. Still, there were some laughs, so what else do you want?
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Articles
Lego Star Wars Spaceship Bigger Than My Sofa Can Probably Invade Earth by Jesus Diaz
(from Gizmodo)
This is truly mad-big. The one shortcoming of the article is that there's nothing normal & everyday to give the model a proper sense of scale.
Review of Watchmen by Garth Franklin
(from Dark Horizons)
They keep coming in, swinging the Tomatometer back and forth all over the place. And within a week there'll be a veritable flood of them, as US critics will finally be allowed to have their say and everyone else will be publishing their thoughts around the day of release. This seemed a particularly good review, however, discussing some of the thoughts already expressed by both lovers and haters.
(from Gizmodo)
This is truly mad-big. The one shortcoming of the article is that there's nothing normal & everyday to give the model a proper sense of scale.
Review of Watchmen by Garth Franklin
(from Dark Horizons)
They keep coming in, swinging the Tomatometer back and forth all over the place. And within a week there'll be a veritable flood of them, as US critics will finally be allowed to have their say and everyone else will be publishing their thoughts around the day of release. This seemed a particularly good review, however, discussing some of the thoughts already expressed by both lovers and haters.
Friday, 27 February 2009
TV
An hour and a quarter in the company of Ben Miller this evening...
Moving Wallpaper
2x01 Episode 1
Hurrah for the return of Moving Wallpaper! I love this show. This first ep suffers a little from having to transition from the cancelled Echo Beach to a new project (sadly, a one-off at the end of the season rather than another accompanying drama), but hopefully they can return to the old style for a third season (just with a better paired show than Echo Beach).
[Watch it (again) on ITV Player.]
QI
6x09 The Future (extended edition)
Christ, Ben Miller's clever. But also very interesting. And That Moment with Rob Brydon is surely a classic.
The extended episodes are still disappointingly hidden on iPlayer, but I assure you the one below works (or will do 'til the episode goes offline in 22 hours and 45 minutes).
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Moving Wallpaper
2x01 Episode 1
Hurrah for the return of Moving Wallpaper! I love this show. This first ep suffers a little from having to transition from the cancelled Echo Beach to a new project (sadly, a one-off at the end of the season rather than another accompanying drama), but hopefully they can return to the old style for a third season (just with a better paired show than Echo Beach).
[Watch it (again) on ITV Player.]
QI
6x09 The Future (extended edition)
Christ, Ben Miller's clever. But also very interesting. And That Moment with Rob Brydon is surely a classic.
The extended episodes are still disappointingly hidden on iPlayer, but I assure you the one below works (or will do 'til the episode goes offline in 22 hours and 45 minutes).
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Articles
Pre-Post-Production
(from reddwarf.co.uk)
The official Red Dwarf site has plenty of info on the forthcoming specials, but this is pretty remarkable I think. With the setup they have their, footage filmed is synced up with the soundtrack and available to be edited within an hour! Technology is super.
The Spider-Man Broadway Musical Swings to an Opening Date, a Full-Title, and a First Poster by Matt Goldberg
(from Collider.com)
It's called Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark, which is pretty bloody stupid if you ask me (or most people, it would seem). Follow the link for the distinctly uninspiring poster.
(from reddwarf.co.uk)
The official Red Dwarf site has plenty of info on the forthcoming specials, but this is pretty remarkable I think. With the setup they have their, footage filmed is synced up with the soundtrack and available to be edited within an hour! Technology is super.
The Spider-Man Broadway Musical Swings to an Opening Date, a Full-Title, and a First Poster by Matt Goldberg
(from Collider.com)
It's called Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark, which is pretty bloody stupid if you ask me (or most people, it would seem). Follow the link for the distinctly uninspiring poster.
Thursday, 26 February 2009
TV
Damages
2x01 I Lied, Too
A bit of a slow start, having to pick up threads left hanging from last season as well as trying to kick off new ones. But there are promising signs, so we'll see how things develop.
Friday Night With Jonathan Ross
16x05 (20/2/09 edition)
Poor Mickey, he so deserved the Oscar (says someone who hasn't actually seen either film).
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
2x01 I Lied, Too
A bit of a slow start, having to pick up threads left hanging from last season as well as trying to kick off new ones. But there are promising signs, so we'll see how things develop.
Friday Night With Jonathan Ross
16x05 (20/2/09 edition)
Poor Mickey, he so deserved the Oscar (says someone who hasn't actually seen either film).
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Articles
Samuel L. Jackson IS Nick Fury After All by Chris Hewitt
(from Empire)
The headline says it all. Additional info: it's a nine film deal! Madness!
And check out the latest set of Watchmen reviews here.
(from Empire)
The headline says it all. Additional info: it's a nine film deal! Madness!
And check out the latest set of Watchmen reviews here.
Articles: Watchmen reviews
And the negative reviews begin to pour in, from respectable sources this time. Check out this little lot...
from The Hollywood Reporter by Kirk Honeycutt
Clearly a non-fan perspective -- I don't think he'd 'get' the graphic novel either -- so perhaps best ignored by those of us who are. Not so the next, however...
from ign.com Movies UK by Orlando Parfitt
The internationally ubiquitous IGN is already offering differing perspectives: this fan-centred UK review hates it, while the Australian reviewer loved it. Fan reviews are coming out split thusly, it seems.
from Variety by Justin Chang
I've never liked Variety -- I hate their snobby use of a specialist vocabulary, which, however easy to understand with a little effort, is still awkward and (probably deliberately) elitist. Doesn't necessarily make their opinion worthless though.
For a more positive perspective, see the first round of reviews here, and keep an eye on the Tomatometer for the latest critical consensus. Seems like this is gonna be a divisive one though...
from The Hollywood Reporter by Kirk Honeycutt
Clearly a non-fan perspective -- I don't think he'd 'get' the graphic novel either -- so perhaps best ignored by those of us who are. Not so the next, however...
from ign.com Movies UK by Orlando Parfitt
The internationally ubiquitous IGN is already offering differing perspectives: this fan-centred UK review hates it, while the Australian reviewer loved it. Fan reviews are coming out split thusly, it seems.
from Variety by Justin Chang
I've never liked Variety -- I hate their snobby use of a specialist vocabulary, which, however easy to understand with a little effort, is still awkward and (probably deliberately) elitist. Doesn't necessarily make their opinion worthless though.
For a more positive perspective, see the first round of reviews here, and keep an eye on the Tomatometer for the latest critical consensus. Seems like this is gonna be a divisive one though...
Wednesday, 25 February 2009
TV
Mad Men
1x12 Nixon vs. Kennedy [2nd watch]
1x13 The Wheel [season finale; 2nd watch]
Don's pitch to Kodak is stunning, one of the best moments of the series and possibly a great TV moment too.
So, with season one fully caught up on, it's on to season two (only two weeks behind the UK airings). Finally, resolutions for those cliffhangers!
1x12 Nixon vs. Kennedy [2nd watch]
1x13 The Wheel [season finale; 2nd watch]
Don's pitch to Kodak is stunning, one of the best moments of the series and possibly a great TV moment too.
So, with season one fully caught up on, it's on to season two (only two weeks behind the UK airings). Finally, resolutions for those cliffhangers!
Fiction
The Gruffalo's Child by Julia Donaldson & Axel Scheffler
The only (so far) sequel to the ubiquitous Gruffalo -- written five years ago, making it equidistant between the original now... which I read a week ago today. Oh, look how well I've timed this! (All by accident.)
It does what all good sequels to do: takes elements from the original as a basis, but develops them in a new way. For example, the original saw a little mouse telling tales of the fictional Gruffalo, who turned out to be real; here, the Gruffalo's child goes in search of the Big Bad Mouse, who isn't real. Yep, it's pretty much the children's picture book equivalent of the Terminator turning good in T2.
The only (so far) sequel to the ubiquitous Gruffalo -- written five years ago, making it equidistant between the original now... which I read a week ago today. Oh, look how well I've timed this! (All by accident.)
It does what all good sequels to do: takes elements from the original as a basis, but develops them in a new way. For example, the original saw a little mouse telling tales of the fictional Gruffalo, who turned out to be real; here, the Gruffalo's child goes in search of the Big Bad Mouse, who isn't real. Yep, it's pretty much the children's picture book equivalent of the Terminator turning good in T2.
Articles
Michel Gondry To Direct Green Hornet by Chris Hewitt
(from Empire)
Gondry (he of Eternal Sunshine... and Be Kind Rewind, amongst even quirkier efforts) directing a superhero film starring Seth Rogen and Stephen Chow? This will be interesting...
Pirates' Verbinski Gets A Clue by Emily Phillips
(from Empire)
Who'd've thought Cluedo (or Clue for any yankee readers) would inspire two film adaptations?! And why isn't 13 Dead End Drive well enough known to get one, hm? That'd be fab. So, the first one wasn't renamed for the UK; will this one be? Cluedo is the original title after all...
The real burning issue, however: will it be based on the original, proper version of the game, or the 2008 'reinvention' travesty? We can only hope the former, but, having learnt of the latter's existence, I fear that is the impetus behind this new film.
Watchmen - Film Review by Todd Gilchrist
(from h)
A faintly scholarly review, which does come to this very interesting conclusion:
"Watchmen, overall, is for everyone. It’s for people who love the graphic novels, and for people who have never read them. It’s for people who are sick to death of cinematic self-seriousness, and for people who want their movies to be treated more seriously. It’s for people who love movies, and for people who appreciate film. Watchmen is a benchmark achievement, a high water mark for adaptations, and an imperfect entry in the canon of comic-based cinema all at the same time. In other words, it defines the difference between a movie and a film: not merely entertainment, but the articulation of real concepts and ideas, which are effective in their exploration, even if in some cases it’s to the exclusion of more immediate gratification."
(from Empire)
Gondry (he of Eternal Sunshine... and Be Kind Rewind, amongst even quirkier efforts) directing a superhero film starring Seth Rogen and Stephen Chow? This will be interesting...
Pirates' Verbinski Gets A Clue by Emily Phillips
(from Empire)
Who'd've thought Cluedo (or Clue for any yankee readers) would inspire two film adaptations?! And why isn't 13 Dead End Drive well enough known to get one, hm? That'd be fab. So, the first one wasn't renamed for the UK; will this one be? Cluedo is the original title after all...
The real burning issue, however: will it be based on the original, proper version of the game, or the 2008 'reinvention' travesty? We can only hope the former, but, having learnt of the latter's existence, I fear that is the impetus behind this new film.
Watchmen - Film Review by Todd Gilchrist
(from h)
A faintly scholarly review, which does come to this very interesting conclusion:
"Watchmen, overall, is for everyone. It’s for people who love the graphic novels, and for people who have never read them. It’s for people who are sick to death of cinematic self-seriousness, and for people who want their movies to be treated more seriously. It’s for people who love movies, and for people who appreciate film. Watchmen is a benchmark achievement, a high water mark for adaptations, and an imperfect entry in the canon of comic-based cinema all at the same time. In other words, it defines the difference between a movie and a film: not merely entertainment, but the articulation of real concepts and ideas, which are effective in their exploration, even if in some cases it’s to the exclusion of more immediate gratification."
Tuesday, 24 February 2009
TV
Mad Men
1x11 Indian Summer [2nd watch]
The One Show
(24/2/09 edition)
Featuring Patrick Stewart bravely facing down a stream of Star Trek references, while simultaneously being far, far too clever for the presenters (or, I think, the crew) to understand. Only the ever-wonderful Hardeep Singh Kohli came close to him.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
1x11 Indian Summer [2nd watch]
The One Show
(24/2/09 edition)
Featuring Patrick Stewart bravely facing down a stream of Star Trek references, while simultaneously being far, far too clever for the presenters (or, I think, the crew) to understand. Only the ever-wonderful Hardeep Singh Kohli came close to him.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Articles: Watchmen reviews
Today sees the first proper reviews of Watchmen coming in (it's out a week Friday), and here's a summary of a few of 'em...
from CHUD.com by Devin Faraci
The longest and most in-depth review, which is why I've popped it at the top. Mainly aimed at people familiar with the book, I think, so perhaps best to skip it if you haven't. On the other hand, in its completeness it's possibly the best of all these reviews (certainly the most positive), and the truly spoilertastic bits have to be highlighted to be read.
from Empire by Ian Nathan
Some have said this review sounds too negative for the 4 stars awarded. Pay attention and read between the lines, though, and it's clear that Nathan enjoyed the film but is explaining why it hasn't hit 5 stars more than why it's made it up to 4. "A smart, stylish, decent adaptation, if low on accessibility for the non-convert."
from Total Film by Jonathan Crocker
'The Other Film Magazine', as I call it, give an equally favourable review. "Uncompromising, uncommercial and unique."
from Times Online by Kevin Maher
Favourable again (most are at the minute, though we'll reach a dissenter soon) -- "a movie that is reaching utterly beyond the confines of its genre." Though he does try to claim it's "the first attempt to make a truly post-adolescent comic book movie". Firstly, he means "superhero movie"; secondly, I'm not convinced it is.
from Mirror.co.uk by Steve Anglesey
"10 reasons you’ve got to watch Watchmen", which makes for a different perspective. Interestingly, lists the sex scene as the #2 reason to see the film, while everyone else dislikes it. Including our final review for the day...
from News of the World by Robbie Collin
Remember that dissenter? Well, here he is. Is he right? Well, I don't know, obviously, but the review itself sounds as braindead as you'd expect from this paper. With both Empire and Total Film -- and an increasing array of others -- disagreeing, I'd wager he's as stupid as he sounds.
For a comprehensive, constantly updated summary, you must of course keep your eyes glued to Rotten Tomatoes. As I post this there are far too few reviews for a definitive Tomatometer score, but it's a solid start nonetheless.
Check out some more Watchmen news from today here.
from CHUD.com by Devin Faraci
The longest and most in-depth review, which is why I've popped it at the top. Mainly aimed at people familiar with the book, I think, so perhaps best to skip it if you haven't. On the other hand, in its completeness it's possibly the best of all these reviews (certainly the most positive), and the truly spoilertastic bits have to be highlighted to be read.
from Empire by Ian Nathan
Some have said this review sounds too negative for the 4 stars awarded. Pay attention and read between the lines, though, and it's clear that Nathan enjoyed the film but is explaining why it hasn't hit 5 stars more than why it's made it up to 4. "A smart, stylish, decent adaptation, if low on accessibility for the non-convert."
from Total Film by Jonathan Crocker
'The Other Film Magazine', as I call it, give an equally favourable review. "Uncompromising, uncommercial and unique."
from Times Online by Kevin Maher
Favourable again (most are at the minute, though we'll reach a dissenter soon) -- "a movie that is reaching utterly beyond the confines of its genre." Though he does try to claim it's "the first attempt to make a truly post-adolescent comic book movie". Firstly, he means "superhero movie"; secondly, I'm not convinced it is.
from Mirror.co.uk by Steve Anglesey
"10 reasons you’ve got to watch Watchmen", which makes for a different perspective. Interestingly, lists the sex scene as the #2 reason to see the film, while everyone else dislikes it. Including our final review for the day...
from News of the World by Robbie Collin
Remember that dissenter? Well, here he is. Is he right? Well, I don't know, obviously, but the review itself sounds as braindead as you'd expect from this paper. With both Empire and Total Film -- and an increasing array of others -- disagreeing, I'd wager he's as stupid as he sounds.
For a comprehensive, constantly updated summary, you must of course keep your eyes glued to Rotten Tomatoes. As I post this there are far too few reviews for a definitive Tomatometer score, but it's a solid start nonetheless.
Check out some more Watchmen news from today here.
Articles
25 Greatest Active Film Directors
(from EW.com)
An unusual list. Yes, lots of them definitely deserve their place, but some probably don't. And is that the right order? At the very least, it makes for an interesting read.
Ratings: Oscars up, Dollhouse down by Mandi Bierly
(from EW.com)
Yay for those big awards; oh dear (already) for Joss Whedon's latest effort. Apparently it's not so good anyhow.
Plus, two stories about a certain huge film that's just on the horizon...
Watchmen World Premiere Report by Emily Phillips
(from Empire)
In London! Yeah baby! And wouldya look at thatred yellow carpet...
Zack Snyder says Watchmen DVD will be 3 hours 25 minutes! by Steve 'Frosty' Weintraub
(from Collider.com)
Some fairly concrete details on the long-confirmed (double meaning there!) Watchmen DVD releases. Essentially, we should get the Director's Cut in the first DVD/Blu-ray release, and the 'Ultimate Cut' (the DC with Tales of the Black Freighter and a tad more live action footage) later in '09. Sounds just super to me.
Also today in articles, the first few reviews for Watchmen. Check them out here.
(from EW.com)
An unusual list. Yes, lots of them definitely deserve their place, but some probably don't. And is that the right order? At the very least, it makes for an interesting read.
Ratings: Oscars up, Dollhouse down by Mandi Bierly
(from EW.com)
Yay for those big awards; oh dear (already) for Joss Whedon's latest effort. Apparently it's not so good anyhow.
Plus, two stories about a certain huge film that's just on the horizon...
Watchmen World Premiere Report by Emily Phillips
(from Empire)
In London! Yeah baby! And wouldya look at that
Zack Snyder says Watchmen DVD will be 3 hours 25 minutes! by Steve 'Frosty' Weintraub
(from Collider.com)
Some fairly concrete details on the long-confirmed (double meaning there!) Watchmen DVD releases. Essentially, we should get the Director's Cut in the first DVD/Blu-ray release, and the 'Ultimate Cut' (the DC with Tales of the Black Freighter and a tad more live action footage) later in '09. Sounds just super to me.
Also today in articles, the first few reviews for Watchmen. Check them out here.
Monday, 23 February 2009
TV
81st Annual Academy Awards
aka the Oscars; mentioned today because I'm in the UK, which means they started at 1am. Very few real surprises, which is no bad thing in the case of Kate Winslet or Slumdog Millionare. Shame for Mickey Rourke, though at least Sean Penn used his speech well.
Law & Order: UK
1x01 Care
Not being a fan of the US original (I've seen two, maybe three, episodes, but never gotten into it), I can't compare this to its inspiration beyond saying that a lot of the superficial elements (e.g. the opening voiceover, the unusual editing style) are intact. As a drama in and of itself, however, it's not bad. It certainly rattles past, aided by its unusual structure, and felt more like a glossy US drama than your typical British fare. God only knows if that means it'll be a success or a flop.
[Watch it (again) on ITV Player.]
Mad Men
1x10 The Long Weekend [2nd watch]
aka the Oscars; mentioned today because I'm in the UK, which means they started at 1am. Very few real surprises, which is no bad thing in the case of Kate Winslet or Slumdog Millionare. Shame for Mickey Rourke, though at least Sean Penn used his speech well.
Law & Order: UK
1x01 Care
Not being a fan of the US original (I've seen two, maybe three, episodes, but never gotten into it), I can't compare this to its inspiration beyond saying that a lot of the superficial elements (e.g. the opening voiceover, the unusual editing style) are intact. As a drama in and of itself, however, it's not bad. It certainly rattles past, aided by its unusual structure, and felt more like a glossy US drama than your typical British fare. God only knows if that means it'll be a success or a flop.
[Watch it (again) on ITV Player.]
Mad Men
1x10 The Long Weekend [2nd watch]
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