From the Earth to the Moon is HBO's 1998 miniseries from the team behind Apollo 13, which dramatises NASA's attempts to reach -- and, ultimately, various missions to -- the Moon.
Part One, titled Can We Do This? and directed by executive producer (and, of course, film star) Tom Hanks, covers the broadest spectrum of time, going from the Soviet's first spacewalk in 1961 to the end of the Gemini program in 1966 -- essentially, it's setup for what's to come: the Apollo missions to the Moon. As a summary of this period it's a slightly unusual mix of real contemporary footage, fake contemporary footage, and dramatised scenes. It still functions as a narrative, but it does enhance the feeling that it's a summary to get viewers up to speed for the real meat of the series -- the Apollo missions.
Part Two is simply titled Apollo One. As its title suggests, it covers the tragedy of Apollo 1: during a routine test, a fire broke out in the command module and killed three astronauts. Though more of a standard dramatic narrative than Part One, the episode still makes use of flashbacks to convey what the crew were like while moving forward with an investigation that could potentially shut down the entire space program.
With their different feels and self-contained stories, these opening episodes suggests how this miniseries will play out: not a twelve-hour story divided into twelve segments, but rather a series of twelve one-hour stories, each with their own focus and style, that build up into a chronological telling of NASA's attempts to reach the Moon. If they all maintain this level of quality, it'll be a pretty fine series.
Wednesday, 19 August 2009
Tuesday, 18 August 2009
TV
As Seen on TV
1x05 Episode 5
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Desperate Romantics
Part 4 (of 6)
Largely inaccurate, a bit barmy, and utterly silly -- and brilliant because of it. There's nothing on TV right now that's quite as much fun as Desperate Romantics.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Friday Night With Jonathan Ross
16x25 (24/7/09 edition) [season finale]
Despite this edition being nearly a month old, it featured Tarantino promoting Inglourious Basterds -- released tomorrow. The interview with the Dragons was a tad uncomfortable, but Tarantino and Denzel Washington were both excellent.
1x05 Episode 5
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Desperate Romantics
Part 4 (of 6)
Largely inaccurate, a bit barmy, and utterly silly -- and brilliant because of it. There's nothing on TV right now that's quite as much fun as Desperate Romantics.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Friday Night With Jonathan Ross
16x25 (24/7/09 edition) [season finale]
Despite this edition being nearly a month old, it featured Tarantino promoting Inglourious Basterds -- released tomorrow. The interview with the Dragons was a tad uncomfortable, but Tarantino and Denzel Washington were both excellent.
Articles
Review of Inglourious Basterds by Chris Hewitt
(from Empire)
Talking of Inglourious Basterds... It does sound rather good.
Square Eyes; Bullets, Broads…and BBC 4 by John Hodson
(from From the Cheap Seats)
Just to draw your attention to this:
"The redoubtable BBC 4 is running a short film noir season this coming weekend with six movies shown Saturday and Sunday and no less than five screenings of a new hour long documentary presented by Matthew Sweet, The Rules of Film Noir."
(from Empire)
Talking of Inglourious Basterds... It does sound rather good.
Square Eyes; Bullets, Broads…and BBC 4 by John Hodson
(from From the Cheap Seats)
Just to draw your attention to this:
"The redoubtable BBC 4 is running a short film noir season this coming weekend with six movies shown Saturday and Sunday and no less than five screenings of a new hour long documentary presented by Matthew Sweet, The Rules of Film Noir."
Monday, 17 August 2009
Articles
Pitt to play Holmes villain Moriarty? by Simon Reynolds
(from Digital Spy)
At first this sounds like one of those random, baseless casting rumours that always does the rounds but never comes to pass, but if you read the details in the article it begins to sound surprisingly definite.
Robert Downey Jr to play vampire Lestat? by Marcell Minaya
(from Digital Spy)
This, on the other hand, is just rumour-tastic.
Zatoichi: The Blind Swordsman
(from The Digital Bits)
While sadly incomplete (and based on the "page created: 12/19/03" and "updated: 6/13/06" labels, it shall forever remain so), this is a nice overview of the Japanese Zatoichi film (and TV) series -- kind of a Japanese James Bond... in that it's a long-running popular series about one character, not in that it's a contemporary spy action/thriller.
(from Digital Spy)
At first this sounds like one of those random, baseless casting rumours that always does the rounds but never comes to pass, but if you read the details in the article it begins to sound surprisingly definite.
Robert Downey Jr to play vampire Lestat? by Marcell Minaya
(from Digital Spy)
This, on the other hand, is just rumour-tastic.
Zatoichi: The Blind Swordsman
(from The Digital Bits)
While sadly incomplete (and based on the "page created: 12/19/03" and "updated: 6/13/06" labels, it shall forever remain so), this is a nice overview of the Japanese Zatoichi film (and TV) series -- kind of a Japanese James Bond... in that it's a long-running popular series about one character, not in that it's a contemporary spy action/thriller.
new review at 100 Films
Stand By Me (1986)
Read the full review at 100 Films.
There are currently 15 films in the review pipeline at 100 Films. As ever, updates here as and when they're posted.
it’s a paean for childhood, with the adult perspective and the ‘lost age’ setting of the ’50s succinctly highlighting the nostalgic spirit. To be precise, it’s not so much reflecting on “childhood” as on “growing up” — the choices that are open when young that either disappear with time or, for whatever reason, become closed off.
Read the full review at 100 Films.
There are currently 15 films in the review pipeline at 100 Films. As ever, updates here as and when they're posted.
Sunday, 16 August 2009
TV
Jam & Jerusalem
3x02 Dinner Party / Missing Persons
A much better episode, though this time it was even more distinctly two Sellotaped together. Unfortunately this almost served to rob the first half of its surprising power, not allowing time for it to be digested before racing on to the next. Fortunately, the second half was a belter, so all was (almost) forgiven. Indeed, as a pair, they certainly make up for the weaker first part.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Wildest Dreams
Part 3 (of 7)
"There can be only one," Nick Knowles says at one point this episode (well, almost -- what he said was near-identical and you can hear he was stopping himself), inadvertently nicking the catchphrase from something entirely different. I bet he wishes they were having deciders with swords though.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
3x02 Dinner Party / Missing Persons
A much better episode, though this time it was even more distinctly two Sellotaped together. Unfortunately this almost served to rob the first half of its surprising power, not allowing time for it to be digested before racing on to the next. Fortunately, the second half was a belter, so all was (almost) forgiven. Indeed, as a pair, they certainly make up for the weaker first part.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Wildest Dreams
Part 3 (of 7)
"There can be only one," Nick Knowles says at one point this episode (well, almost -- what he said was near-identical and you can hear he was stopping himself), inadvertently nicking the catchphrase from something entirely different. I bet he wishes they were having deciders with swords though.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Saturday, 15 August 2009
TV
Grand Designs
2x03 Surrey: The Regency Villa
[Watch it (again) on 4oD.]
Louis Theroux: The City Addicted to Crystal Meth
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Mock the Week
7x06 (13/8/09 edition)
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
2x03 Surrey: The Regency Villa
[Watch it (again) on 4oD.]
Louis Theroux: The City Addicted to Crystal Meth
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Mock the Week
7x06 (13/8/09 edition)
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Friday, 14 August 2009
TV
Would I Lie To You?
3x01 (10/8/09 edition)
This has been rather buried in a late-night-Monday slot, which is a shame because it's a rather good show with broader appeal than that. Why not pair it with As Seen on TV on a Friday evening?
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
You Have Been Watching
1x06 (11/8/09 edition) [2nd watch]
3x01 (10/8/09 edition)
This has been rather buried in a late-night-Monday slot, which is a shame because it's a rather good show with broader appeal than that. Why not pair it with As Seen on TV on a Friday evening?
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
You Have Been Watching
1x06 (11/8/09 edition) [2nd watch]
Films
District 9 Trailer
District 9 hit US cinemas today, so I figured it was about time I watched the trailer. It's a bit hard to tell what it's like from this, but it certainly has potential.
Fantastic Mr. Fox Trailer
And this just looks surprisingly old-school, but in a kinda endearing way.
District 9 hit US cinemas today, so I figured it was about time I watched the trailer. It's a bit hard to tell what it's like from this, but it certainly has potential.
Fantastic Mr. Fox Trailer
And this just looks surprisingly old-school, but in a kinda endearing way.
Thursday, 13 August 2009
TV
Breaking the Mould: The Story of Penicillin
Surprisingly engrossing film about the people who really made penicillin possible: yes, Alexander Fleming discovered it, but without Howard Florey, Ernst Boris Chain and their team it would just be a little curio of no real use -- and Fleming (and others) more or less exploited their work for personal gain.
Desperate Romantics
Part 3 (of 6)
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
The Mentalist
1x21 Miss Red
[Watch it (again) on Demand Five.]
The Prisoner Comic-Con Trailer
A nine-minute trailer for the forthcoming remake of The Prisoner. It looks suitably intriguing, and with Ian McKellen in the cast it must be good on at least some level.
Surprisingly engrossing film about the people who really made penicillin possible: yes, Alexander Fleming discovered it, but without Howard Florey, Ernst Boris Chain and their team it would just be a little curio of no real use -- and Fleming (and others) more or less exploited their work for personal gain.
Desperate Romantics
Part 3 (of 6)
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
The Mentalist
1x21 Miss Red
[Watch it (again) on Demand Five.]
The Prisoner Comic-Con Trailer
A nine-minute trailer for the forthcoming remake of The Prisoner. It looks suitably intriguing, and with Ian McKellen in the cast it must be good on at least some level.
Articles
Charles Dance blasts ITV2 over Hilton by Daniel Kilkelly
(from Digital Spy)
"Charles Dance has criticised ITV2 for keeping his new show off air in favour of Paris Hilton's British Best Friend. The veteran actor revealed that university drama Trinity was pushed out of the schedules to make way for Hilton's reality programme at the beginning of the year... "We're putting too much energy into junk and reality television. This show was going to be shown in January or February. But they shelved it until September to put you know what in its place? Paris Hilton's British Best Friend, which is possibly the most execrable piece of television I've ever seen in my life."
You tell 'em Charlie!
(from Digital Spy)
"Charles Dance has criticised ITV2 for keeping his new show off air in favour of Paris Hilton's British Best Friend. The veteran actor revealed that university drama Trinity was pushed out of the schedules to make way for Hilton's reality programme at the beginning of the year... "We're putting too much energy into junk and reality television. This show was going to be shown in January or February. But they shelved it until September to put you know what in its place? Paris Hilton's British Best Friend, which is possibly the most execrable piece of television I've ever seen in my life."
You tell 'em Charlie!
Wednesday, 12 August 2009
Articles
Brazil TV host 'ordered killings' by Gary Duffy
(from BBC News)
"Police have accused a TV presenter in Brazil of being involved in organised drug trafficking and ordering killings to get rid of rivals and boost ratings."
If it was a film you wouldn't believe it!
Kids' top searches include 'porn'
(from BBC News)
"Kids today!", eh? Or, in reality, "nothing changes."
The legend of the Witch lives on by Kev Geoghegan
(from BBC News)
A feature on the creators/directors of The Blair Witch Project, a decade on from its release. Whatever you think of it, it was undoubtedly a major event in terms of low-budget filmmaking and internet/viral marketing. The pair have barely done anything since, but it seems they have something in the pipeline... and yes, it's another Blair Witch project.
Translation appeal on video game
(from BBC News)
"A company behind a popular computer game based on Celtic mythology is appealing for Welsh speakers to help translate it. Rhiannon: Curse of the Four Branches is based on the medieval Welsh folk tales The Mabinogion, and has been translated into German, French and Russian. But Arberth Studios said a limited market means it cannot justify £16,500 Welsh translation costs."
Not only could you not make it up, but it's always nice to see adventure gaming making the headlines.)
(from BBC News)
"Police have accused a TV presenter in Brazil of being involved in organised drug trafficking and ordering killings to get rid of rivals and boost ratings."
If it was a film you wouldn't believe it!
Kids' top searches include 'porn'
(from BBC News)
"Kids today!", eh? Or, in reality, "nothing changes."
The legend of the Witch lives on by Kev Geoghegan
(from BBC News)
A feature on the creators/directors of The Blair Witch Project, a decade on from its release. Whatever you think of it, it was undoubtedly a major event in terms of low-budget filmmaking and internet/viral marketing. The pair have barely done anything since, but it seems they have something in the pipeline... and yes, it's another Blair Witch project.
Translation appeal on video game
(from BBC News)
"A company behind a popular computer game based on Celtic mythology is appealing for Welsh speakers to help translate it. Rhiannon: Curse of the Four Branches is based on the medieval Welsh folk tales The Mabinogion, and has been translated into German, French and Russian. But Arberth Studios said a limited market means it cannot justify £16,500 Welsh translation costs."
Not only could you not make it up, but it's always nice to see adventure gaming making the headlines.)
Tuesday, 11 August 2009
Articles
Bond Bombshell by Nev Pierce
(from the Empire Blog)
Empire suggest a female director for the next Bond film. More intelligently reasoned than that headline might suggest.
Facebook in challenge to Google by Maggie Shiels
(from BBC News)
It might not sound like it when you read the story, but apparently this is a Big Development.
John Hughes Documentary Picked Up by Owen Williams
(from Empire)
"Matt Austin-Sadowski's Don't You Forget About Me, a modest documentary about a road-trip in search of the reclusive John Hughes was, until last week, attracting scant attention. But the sad news of Hughes' death prompted a sudden flurry of interest in the independently produced Canadian film, and a large US distribution deal is in the offing,"
Ah Hollywood -- tactful and quick to cash in as ever.
Leterrier's dream: An Avengers epic told in four films over one summer by Geoff Boucher
(from Hero Complex at the Los Angeles Times)
An interesting interview with the Incredible Hulk director, who has some unusual ideas about what to do next at Marvel.
(from the Empire Blog)
Empire suggest a female director for the next Bond film. More intelligently reasoned than that headline might suggest.
Facebook in challenge to Google by Maggie Shiels
(from BBC News)
It might not sound like it when you read the story, but apparently this is a Big Development.
John Hughes Documentary Picked Up by Owen Williams
(from Empire)
"Matt Austin-Sadowski's Don't You Forget About Me, a modest documentary about a road-trip in search of the reclusive John Hughes was, until last week, attracting scant attention. But the sad news of Hughes' death prompted a sudden flurry of interest in the independently produced Canadian film, and a large US distribution deal is in the offing,"
Ah Hollywood -- tactful and quick to cash in as ever.
Leterrier's dream: An Avengers epic told in four films over one summer by Geoff Boucher
(from Hero Complex at the Los Angeles Times)
An interesting interview with the Incredible Hulk director, who has some unusual ideas about what to do next at Marvel.
Monday, 10 August 2009
Films
In the Shadow of the Moon (2007)
[#40 in 100 Films in a Year 2009]
Only 20 behind where I should be now. (Madness!)
The Lord of the Rings Blu-ray Trailer
Oh my, it looks beautiful! I know I should hate this release -- it's theatrical cuts only, with extras confined to normal old DVDs -- but it looks so pretty that I may find it hard to resist. Maybe a rental then.
On another note, I haven't watched the films for years, and seeing what is effectively a seven-minute highlights reel from all three has just reminded me how amazing they are. It may be time for another all-day marathon...
(This trailer is available on Warner Bros.' US BD-Live service, hence the lack of a link. Sorry.)
[#40 in 100 Films in a Year 2009]
Only 20 behind where I should be now. (Madness!)
The Lord of the Rings Blu-ray Trailer
Oh my, it looks beautiful! I know I should hate this release -- it's theatrical cuts only, with extras confined to normal old DVDs -- but it looks so pretty that I may find it hard to resist. Maybe a rental then.
On another note, I haven't watched the films for years, and seeing what is effectively a seven-minute highlights reel from all three has just reminded me how amazing they are. It may be time for another all-day marathon...
(This trailer is available on Warner Bros.' US BD-Live service, hence the lack of a link. Sorry.)
Articles
Did We Land on the Moon? A Debunking of the Moon Hoax Theory by Robert A. Braeunig
(from Rocket & Space Technology)
This is very, very long, but is also a thoroughly comprehensive overview of why those who claim we never went to the Moon are wrong. Even if you're not interested in all the details, the opening and closing statements summarise well, and if you've ever had any specific questions about the science of the Apollo missions and Moon landings you'll likely find an answer in there.
(from Rocket & Space Technology)
This is very, very long, but is also a thoroughly comprehensive overview of why those who claim we never went to the Moon are wrong. Even if you're not interested in all the details, the opening and closing statements summarise well, and if you've ever had any specific questions about the science of the Apollo missions and Moon landings you'll likely find an answer in there.
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