Stay tuned for the first Transformers 2 review I've seen, at the end of this post...
7 Remakes That Should Be Remade by Sam Ashurst
(from Total Film)
A fairly amusing feature, notable for including the complete 90-minute Turkish Star Wars as an embedded video (on this page).
Neal Purvis, Robert Wade And Peter Morgan To Write Bond 23 by Matt Weston
(from CommanderBond.net)
The first official bit of news about the next Bond film. Hurrah!
Review: Jude Law in Hamlet by Caroline Briggs
(from BBC News)
The BBC's review, plus a summary of the papers'. Consensus seems to be he's not as good as David Tennant -- no surprises there. My favourite comes in the last review quoted however:
"The knives were out for Law from the moment it was announced that he was taking on the title role. Now they can be sheathed... Law's performance is detailed and powerful."
Amusing, because most of the other critics seem to be sticking those knives in...
Review of Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen by Mark Samuels
(from Total Film)
"Before a single reel of film had unspooled on the original Transformers, executive producer Steven Spielberg was confident enough to predict there would be “many, many more” adventures for Hasbro’s clanking ensemble of robots in disguise. “But,” he added, “we’re going to make the best one first...” Two years on... Revenge Of The Fallen proves the Beard right."
Keep up with Transformers 2 reviews here.
Saturday, 13 June 2009
new review at 100 Films
Another new review at 100 Films today. Only having three FilmJournal links on the DVD Times front page now certainly spurs my posting on.
Solaris (2002)
Read the full review at 100 Films.
There are currently 16 new films in the review pipeline at 100 Films. As ever, updates here as and when they're posted.
Solaris (2002)
A slow pace and obtuse storytelling that leaves plenty of gaps for the audience to fill is not the experience implied by an advertising campaign showing a Space Movie starring Movie Star Heartthrob George Clooney. Obviously it doesn’t fulfill these expectations, and will likely have still been too slow and difficult for even more viewers.
Read the full review at 100 Films.
There are currently 16 new films in the review pipeline at 100 Films. As ever, updates here as and when they're posted.
Friday, 12 June 2009
TV
Friday Night With Jonathan Ross
16x18 (5/6/09 edition)
Last week's edition, which caused such a stir on twitter.
Stephen Tompkinson's African Balloon Adventure
Part 1 (of 3)
Never has a title so succinctly summarised a series.
[Watch it (again) on ITV Player.]
16x18 (5/6/09 edition)
Last week's edition, which caused such a stir on twitter.
Stephen Tompkinson's African Balloon Adventure
Part 1 (of 3)
Never has a title so succinctly summarised a series.
[Watch it (again) on ITV Player.]
Articles
I Stole Your Images and Now I'm Suing You by Mike Lynch
(from Mike Lynch Cartoons)
Possibly the most ludicrous email you will ever read (and you have to read it, it's brilliant).
Manson: 'Columbine lost me everything' by David Balls
(from Digital Spy)
"Marilyn Manson has insisted that being associated with the Columbine massacre has significantly damaged his career... 'Blaming me for [Columbine] was ridiculous,' he told Kerrang." And he's right, really.
(from Mike Lynch Cartoons)
Possibly the most ludicrous email you will ever read (and you have to read it, it's brilliant).
Manson: 'Columbine lost me everything' by David Balls
(from Digital Spy)
"Marilyn Manson has insisted that being associated with the Columbine massacre has significantly damaged his career... 'Blaming me for [Columbine] was ridiculous,' he told Kerrang." And he's right, really.
A pair of shorts for summer
Two new reviews of short films have been posted over at 100 Films today...
The Wraith of Cobble Hill (2005)
The Lunch Date (1990)
Read the full reviews at 100 Films.
There are currently 17 new films in the review pipeline at 100 Films. As ever, updates here as and when they're posted.
The Wraith of Cobble Hill (2005)
there’s no reason that any story shouldn’t be told in animated form… but sometimes, you have to wonder if it’s the best choice for the job. The Wraith of Cobble Hill is a perfect example for this debate as its modern, urban story seems to clash with the cartoonish style employed to bring it to the screen.
The Lunch Date (1990)
to attempt to describe the plot would be to give too much away, which would be a mistake because this is a beautifully shot (in grainy black & white) and performed tale with a distinct, yet subtle, character arc and an important, but not over-egged, moral message.
Read the full reviews at 100 Films.
There are currently 17 new films in the review pipeline at 100 Films. As ever, updates here as and when they're posted.
Poem of the Week: Limerick
by Roger McGough
Apologies for missing Poem of the Week last week. We're back on track with this:
Back in April I featured a poem from McGough's latest collection, Slapstick, called Gateway to the Atlantic. Here's another from that collection, which in part provided the inspiration for a couple of poems in my recently-submitted-for-assessment collection. I may share those here when the marks come back.
Anyway, back to McGough:
Clever, eh? Though some won't be impressed. Just wait 'til you see mine...
As mentioned above, Limerick is taken from Slapstick (aka Slapstick Poems), McGough's 2008 collection published by Puffin.
Apologies for missing Poem of the Week last week. We're back on track with this:
Back in April I featured a poem from McGough's latest collection, Slapstick, called Gateway to the Atlantic. Here's another from that collection, which in part provided the inspiration for a couple of poems in my recently-submitted-for-assessment collection. I may share those here when the marks come back.
Anyway, back to McGough:
A poet passing through Limerick
Determined to write a fine limerick
He worked day and night
But try as he might
He never got the hang of the limerick.
Clever, eh? Though some won't be impressed. Just wait 'til you see mine...
As mentioned above, Limerick is taken from Slapstick (aka Slapstick Poems), McGough's 2008 collection published by Puffin.
Thursday, 11 June 2009
TV
Kröd Mändoon and the Flaming Sword of Fire
1x01 Wench Trouble
1x02 Golden Powers
As with Hugh Laurie last Friday, this has become another twitter trend to cause confusion amongst Americans. Bless 'em.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
The Mentalist
1x12 Red Rum
I've just twigged that Patrick Jane's grin of glee when he encounters something interestingly unusual reminds me very much of a certain Time Lord.
[Watch it (again) on Demand Five.]
1x01 Wench Trouble
1x02 Golden Powers
As with Hugh Laurie last Friday, this has become another twitter trend to cause confusion amongst Americans. Bless 'em.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
The Mentalist
1x12 Red Rum
I've just twigged that Patrick Jane's grin of glee when he encounters something interestingly unusual reminds me very much of a certain Time Lord.
[Watch it (again) on Demand Five.]
Articles
The Call of Cthulhu: A Genuine H.P. Lovecraft Adaptation by David Austin
(from Cinema Strikes Back)
This sounds great, kind of in the vein of La Antena. I think I shall have to acquire it.
(from Cinema Strikes Back)
This sounds great, kind of in the vein of La Antena. I think I shall have to acquire it.
Wednesday, 10 June 2009
TV
Ashes to Ashes
2x08 Episode Eight [season finale]
A decent finale, mainly notable for its audacious final twist. Can't wait for the third series -- and all the answers!
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
2x08 Episode Eight [season finale]
A decent finale, mainly notable for its audacious final twist. Can't wait for the third series -- and all the answers!
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Articles
Futurama Returns
(from WENN)
"Fox have now ordered a revival of Futurama, commissioning 26 new episodes which are due to be screened in 2010."
See What A Live-Action Simpsons Movie Would Look Like by Erik Davis
(from Cinematical)
Not half as good as the article seems to think it is.
Lovecraft’s Dagon (2001) by ghostof82
(from Musings of the Ghost Of 82)
As well as a review of this particular adaptation, there's a broader perspective on film adaptations of H.P. Lovecraft tales. To summarise, "they're not very good".
(from WENN)
"Fox have now ordered a revival of Futurama, commissioning 26 new episodes which are due to be screened in 2010."
See What A Live-Action Simpsons Movie Would Look Like by Erik Davis
(from Cinematical)
Not half as good as the article seems to think it is.
Lovecraft’s Dagon (2001) by ghostof82
(from Musings of the Ghost Of 82)
As well as a review of this particular adaptation, there's a broader perspective on film adaptations of H.P. Lovecraft tales. To summarise, "they're not very good".
new review at 100 Films
This is showing on BBC One tonight at 10:45, so just in time for that...
Insomnia (2002)
Read the full review at 100 Films.
There are currently 17 new films in the review pipeline at 100 Films, plus two shorts. As ever, updates here as and when they're posted.
Insomnia (2002)
Despite the early plot and stylistic conventions, this is not a “whodunnit”: the killer’s identity is revealed around the halfway mark (assuming you haven’t already guessed it from the opening credits) and from then on the film gradually moves into murky moral territory, quickly leaving behind those early trappings for a set of more complex noir-ish moral conundrums.
Read the full review at 100 Films.
There are currently 17 new films in the review pipeline at 100 Films, plus two shorts. As ever, updates here as and when they're posted.
Tuesday, 9 June 2009
TV
Robin Hood
3x10 Bad Blood
A good idea for an episode, as much as anything for the change of pace, but it was seriously flawed by an overuse of cliches and thoroughly implausible plot twists, not to mention some dodgy dialogue and accents. Just to round it off, one also has to wonder if it was a tad too dark for the series' primary audience. Try harder next time, eh?
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
3x10 Bad Blood
A good idea for an episode, as much as anything for the change of pace, but it was seriously flawed by an overuse of cliches and thoroughly implausible plot twists, not to mention some dodgy dialogue and accents. Just to round it off, one also has to wonder if it was a tad too dark for the series' primary audience. Try harder next time, eh?
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Films
Insomnia (2002)
[#33 in 100 Films in a Year 2009]
Being the only Chris Nolan film I've not seen. It's on BBC One tomorrow night, so I aim to get a review up at 100 Films before then. We'll see...
[#33 in 100 Films in a Year 2009]
Being the only Chris Nolan film I've not seen. It's on BBC One tomorrow night, so I aim to get a review up at 100 Films before then. We'll see...
Music
Battle For the Sun by Placebo
This is the first time I've consciously set out to buy the new Placebo album by pre-ordering it. Normally I wouldn't, but I'd bought their last two (respectively, a re-release of Sleeping With Ghosts bundled with a second disc of Covers in a sale, and a good deal on a +DVD version of Meds) and enjoyed them both much more than I'd actually expected to.
Sadly my faith was slightly misplaced as, on a first listen, Battle For the Sun is tracks that sound like Placebo-by-numbers and so didn't really grab me. There's nothing really wrong with them, but not a huge amount right either. For What It's Worth, The Never-Ending Why and Julien are worthwhile listens, as is the title track, but I'm not sure any will remain as memorable as The Bitter End, Every You Every Me, or even Meds.
This is the first time I've consciously set out to buy the new Placebo album by pre-ordering it. Normally I wouldn't, but I'd bought their last two (respectively, a re-release of Sleeping With Ghosts bundled with a second disc of Covers in a sale, and a good deal on a +DVD version of Meds) and enjoyed them both much more than I'd actually expected to.
Sadly my faith was slightly misplaced as, on a first listen, Battle For the Sun is tracks that sound like Placebo-by-numbers and so didn't really grab me. There's nothing really wrong with them, but not a huge amount right either. For What It's Worth, The Never-Ending Why and Julien are worthwhile listens, as is the title track, but I'm not sure any will remain as memorable as The Bitter End, Every You Every Me, or even Meds.
Articles
Lots, again, but today it's all film news/views...
Boyle and Beaufoy Return to Mumbai by Owen Williams
(from Empire)
"Maximum City to be Slumdog 2?" Has potential: "The book actually features several stories, taking in gangsters, cops, right-wing Hindus, Bollywood and strippers, so it's possible a portmanteau approach could work, or even a sprawling multi-character narrative a la Magnolia or Robert Altman's Short Cuts."
Is Harvey Weinstein asking Tarantino to cut 40 minutes from Inglourious Basterds? by Russ Fischer
(from /film)
Though the Cannes reviews were variable, I do hope this isn't true. The article certainly implies it isn't, and has a couple of other interesting points on the Tarantino/Weinstein partnership.
James Cameron Goes Heavy Metal by Owen Williams
(from Empire)
A portmanteau movie directed by Cameron, David Fincher, Zack Snyder, Gore Verbinski and Kung Fu Panda's Mark Osborne? Please yes please.
The McTiernan Run by Chris Hewitt
(from the Empire Blog)
An interesting hypothesis, though, as many commenters point out, there are other more apt names for it.
Pixar Sequels Are Go! by Owen Williams
(from Empire)
Namely, Monsters, Inc. 2. So Pixar are making sequels to two of their weakest pictures? (The other being Cars.) At least it's not Another Bug's Life I guess.
Transformers: Bigger And Longer On Imax by Helen O'Hara
(from Empire)
Well that's lovely if you have a convenient IMAX. I don't.
Boyle and Beaufoy Return to Mumbai by Owen Williams
(from Empire)
"Maximum City to be Slumdog 2?" Has potential: "The book actually features several stories, taking in gangsters, cops, right-wing Hindus, Bollywood and strippers, so it's possible a portmanteau approach could work, or even a sprawling multi-character narrative a la Magnolia or Robert Altman's Short Cuts."
Is Harvey Weinstein asking Tarantino to cut 40 minutes from Inglourious Basterds? by Russ Fischer
(from /film)
Though the Cannes reviews were variable, I do hope this isn't true. The article certainly implies it isn't, and has a couple of other interesting points on the Tarantino/Weinstein partnership.
James Cameron Goes Heavy Metal by Owen Williams
(from Empire)
A portmanteau movie directed by Cameron, David Fincher, Zack Snyder, Gore Verbinski and Kung Fu Panda's Mark Osborne? Please yes please.
The McTiernan Run by Chris Hewitt
(from the Empire Blog)
An interesting hypothesis, though, as many commenters point out, there are other more apt names for it.
Pixar Sequels Are Go! by Owen Williams
(from Empire)
Namely, Monsters, Inc. 2. So Pixar are making sequels to two of their weakest pictures? (The other being Cars.) At least it's not Another Bug's Life I guess.
Transformers: Bigger And Longer On Imax by Helen O'Hara
(from Empire)
Well that's lovely if you have a convenient IMAX. I don't.
Monday, 8 June 2009
Articles
Another day with lots to read. First up, a fantastic bit of news...
Ashes To Ashes to end after next series by Neil Wilkes
(from Digital Spy)
Of course, an infinitely more positive spin would be "Ashes to Ashes recommissioned", which is the real story here -- they've said for a long time that they had a three-year plan and that would be it. So thank God they've got the final series, because otherwise the damn thing would never've been resolved. The press release quotes also sound highly intriguing:
"Fans have theorised... about who Gene Hunt actually is and what his alternative world really means... Will Alex make it back home, why is she living in this parallel '80s world, what will become of bullish Gene Hunt and will we ever discover what actually happened to Sam Tyler? Viewers will not be left disappointed". Let's hope not.
In other news...
Daniel Craig's James Bond Is Licenced To Chill by Devin Zydel
(from CommanderBond.net)
Topless Daniel Craig as an ice lolly. That's... mad.
DreamWorks get Masi Oka's Defenders by Alex Fletcher
(from Digital Spy)
"The film's plot follows teenagers around the world, who are involved in multiplayer video gaming. The gang, who don't know each other's real personas, are suddenly forced into a real-life adventure and inadvertently become heroes." Interesting.
Ironically, but inevitably, "DreamWorks are developing a video game to be released simultaneously."
Nintendo questions opposition's priorities by Liam Martin
(from Digital Spy)
Fighting talk -- and probably very true.
"[A] Nintendo of America executive said Sony and Microsoft seemed more interested in technical specifications rather than entertaining the public. "What's happening sounds to me a lot like, 'Who's got the prettiest picture? Who's got high-definition? Who has the best processing power?' It sounds like technology, when the consumer wants to be entertained." The comments come after Microsoft announced Project Natal... while Sony revealed its answer to the Wii Remote... "[Nintendo's] focus is, 'How do we take active play and make it entertainment?' And that's what we're going to continue to focus on.""
Quite right too.
Shame this review has become buried, but anyway...
Review of Heroes of the East (1978) by Cal
(from Heroes of the East )
Heroes of the East is one of my favourite blogs on FilmJournal.net, so a review of its namesake is naturally not to be missed.
Say Hello To The iPhone 3G S — “S” Is For Speed by MG Siegler
(from TechCrunch)
All the details on what's in the new iPhone. Personally, I won't be upgrading.
Wes Craven dishes on Scream 4 by Simon Reynolds
(from Digital Spy)
The Scream trilogy a fun series of films, let's hope they don't ruin them.
Ashes To Ashes to end after next series by Neil Wilkes
(from Digital Spy)
Of course, an infinitely more positive spin would be "Ashes to Ashes recommissioned", which is the real story here -- they've said for a long time that they had a three-year plan and that would be it. So thank God they've got the final series, because otherwise the damn thing would never've been resolved. The press release quotes also sound highly intriguing:
"Fans have theorised... about who Gene Hunt actually is and what his alternative world really means... Will Alex make it back home, why is she living in this parallel '80s world, what will become of bullish Gene Hunt and will we ever discover what actually happened to Sam Tyler? Viewers will not be left disappointed". Let's hope not.
In other news...
Daniel Craig's James Bond Is Licenced To Chill by Devin Zydel
(from CommanderBond.net)
Topless Daniel Craig as an ice lolly. That's... mad.
DreamWorks get Masi Oka's Defenders by Alex Fletcher
(from Digital Spy)
"The film's plot follows teenagers around the world, who are involved in multiplayer video gaming. The gang, who don't know each other's real personas, are suddenly forced into a real-life adventure and inadvertently become heroes." Interesting.
Ironically, but inevitably, "DreamWorks are developing a video game to be released simultaneously."
Nintendo questions opposition's priorities by Liam Martin
(from Digital Spy)
Fighting talk -- and probably very true.
"[A] Nintendo of America executive said Sony and Microsoft seemed more interested in technical specifications rather than entertaining the public. "What's happening sounds to me a lot like, 'Who's got the prettiest picture? Who's got high-definition? Who has the best processing power?' It sounds like technology, when the consumer wants to be entertained." The comments come after Microsoft announced Project Natal... while Sony revealed its answer to the Wii Remote... "[Nintendo's] focus is, 'How do we take active play and make it entertainment?' And that's what we're going to continue to focus on.""
Quite right too.
Shame this review has become buried, but anyway...
Review of Heroes of the East (1978) by Cal
(from Heroes of the East )
Heroes of the East is one of my favourite blogs on FilmJournal.net, so a review of its namesake is naturally not to be missed.
Say Hello To The iPhone 3G S — “S” Is For Speed by MG Siegler
(from TechCrunch)
All the details on what's in the new iPhone. Personally, I won't be upgrading.
Wes Craven dishes on Scream 4 by Simon Reynolds
(from Digital Spy)
The Scream trilogy a fun series of films, let's hope they don't ruin them.
new review at 100 Films
In Bruges (2008)
Read the full review at 100 Films.
There are currently 17 new films in the review pipeline at 100 Films, plus two shorts. As ever, updates here as and when they're posted.
It's hilariously funny, much more so than most by-the-numbers ‘comedy’ films can manage... It’s also dark and occasionally tragic though, and in this respect it’s unsurprising that writer/director McDonagh started out as an acclaimed and award-winning playwright, as stage plays mix humour and darkness more frequently (and with wider extremes) than films ever dare to.
Read the full review at 100 Films.
There are currently 17 new films in the review pipeline at 100 Films, plus two shorts. As ever, updates here as and when they're posted.
Sunday, 7 June 2009
TV
Have I Got News For You
37x07 (5/6/09 edition; uncut repeat)
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Lie to Me
1x01 Pilot
Wound up watching this by accident, but it's brilliant, vaguely in the same vein as The Mentalist. Of course, their shared existence is all House's fault (it's similar to that too), but as all three are good shows that's no bad thing. Shame it's on Sky1 though, because I don't get that normally so won't be able to continue watching.
Michael McIntyre's Comedy Roadshow
1x01 Edinburgh
A great lineup for a highly amusing first show, my personal favourite being Stewart Francis. Very similar to Live at the Apollo (well, it's a continuation of sorts, though they've nicked the set design/logo), but has the advantage for packing in more comedians (therefore more variety) and allowing in some new talent. Let's hope every episode can be as good.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Roland Garros 2009
Roger Federer defeated Nadal-beater Robin Söderling in straight sets to win the French Open, the one Grand Slam he had yet to claimed. Equalling all kinds of records in the process, it's becoming pretty hard to deny that Federer's the greatest tennis player ever.
37x07 (5/6/09 edition; uncut repeat)
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Lie to Me
1x01 Pilot
Wound up watching this by accident, but it's brilliant, vaguely in the same vein as The Mentalist. Of course, their shared existence is all House's fault (it's similar to that too), but as all three are good shows that's no bad thing. Shame it's on Sky1 though, because I don't get that normally so won't be able to continue watching.
Michael McIntyre's Comedy Roadshow
1x01 Edinburgh
A great lineup for a highly amusing first show, my personal favourite being Stewart Francis. Very similar to Live at the Apollo (well, it's a continuation of sorts, though they've nicked the set design/logo), but has the advantage for packing in more comedians (therefore more variety) and allowing in some new talent. Let's hope every episode can be as good.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Roland Garros 2009
Roger Federer defeated Nadal-beater Robin Söderling in straight sets to win the French Open, the one Grand Slam he had yet to claimed. Equalling all kinds of records in the process, it's becoming pretty hard to deny that Federer's the greatest tennis player ever.
Articles
Lots of interesting stuff today (well, I thought it was interesting), so here goes...
Del Toro: Hobbit casting 'very close' by Tim Parks
(from Digital Spy)
News about forthcoming news? Yep, that's the sort of thing that only happens for the biggest of the big franchises.
Fiona Phillips: 'Leaving GMTV was silly' by Daniel Kilkelly
(from Digital Spy)
Or it could be because she's a truly awful presenter.
Lowest ever live launch ratings for BB by Dan French
(from Digital Spy)
Good.
And in related news...
Michael McIntyre slams Big Brother
(from the Press Association, hosted by Google News)
Go Michael go!
Primeval creator talks finale, future by Neil Wilkes
(from Digital Spy)
Primeval may be of seriously variable quality, but at least they seem to have a plan. On the other hand, they're not very good at executing it.
Sugar 'must choose' between jobs
(from BBC News)
"The Conservatives say Sir Alan Sugar must choose between working for the government and working for the BBC as the star of The Apprentice. They say his new role as an "enterprise tsar" for the government is "completely incompatible" with BBC rules. Sir Alan, who will also be made a lord, denied he was joining the government. "As far as I'm concerned, this is politically neutral. All I want to do is to try and help businesses and enterprise," he told the BBC."
And finally...
Tourist clings to Australia train
(from BBC News)
An incredible story, worth reading in full.
Del Toro: Hobbit casting 'very close' by Tim Parks
(from Digital Spy)
News about forthcoming news? Yep, that's the sort of thing that only happens for the biggest of the big franchises.
Fiona Phillips: 'Leaving GMTV was silly' by Daniel Kilkelly
(from Digital Spy)
Or it could be because she's a truly awful presenter.
Lowest ever live launch ratings for BB by Dan French
(from Digital Spy)
Good.
And in related news...
Michael McIntyre slams Big Brother
(from the Press Association, hosted by Google News)
Go Michael go!
Primeval creator talks finale, future by Neil Wilkes
(from Digital Spy)
Primeval may be of seriously variable quality, but at least they seem to have a plan. On the other hand, they're not very good at executing it.
Sugar 'must choose' between jobs
(from BBC News)
"The Conservatives say Sir Alan Sugar must choose between working for the government and working for the BBC as the star of The Apprentice. They say his new role as an "enterprise tsar" for the government is "completely incompatible" with BBC rules. Sir Alan, who will also be made a lord, denied he was joining the government. "As far as I'm concerned, this is politically neutral. All I want to do is to try and help businesses and enterprise," he told the BBC."
And finally...
Tourist clings to Australia train
(from BBC News)
An incredible story, worth reading in full.
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