Gladiator Blu-ray Review by Michael Mackenzie
(from DVD Times)
This has been a pretty big story in the Blu-ray world, but just in case you've missed it this review includes some summaries. Essentially: don't buy Gladiator on Blu-ray, the transfer is appalling. This isn't just bad for this particular film, but damages the reputation of both Paramount's new Sapphire Series and, potentially, Blu-ray as a whole.
Thursday, 3 September 2009
Wednesday, 2 September 2009
Articles
Anderson to helm 3D Musketeers by Simon Reynolds
(from Digital Spy)
This baffles me, because it doesn't make any kind of sense. Paul W.S. Anderson -- director of such crappy videogame-to-film flicks as Resident Evil, Mortal Kombat and Alien Vs Predator -- has teamed up with Andrew Davies -- writer of such acclaimed dramas as Pride & Prejudice (1995), Bleak House (2005) and many, many more -- to make a version of The Three Musketeers. And it'll be in 3D.
I think my brain is melting and trickling out my ears...
Tyler releases new Total Eclipse
(from BBC News)
I do like Jim Steinman songs.
Voting change for best film Oscar
(from BBC News)
Essentially, voters now grade all ten films with a mark from one to ten. A sensible decision, as potentially a film could have won with only 10.02% of votes, were voters merely to choose their one favourite.
(from Digital Spy)
This baffles me, because it doesn't make any kind of sense. Paul W.S. Anderson -- director of such crappy videogame-to-film flicks as Resident Evil, Mortal Kombat and Alien Vs Predator -- has teamed up with Andrew Davies -- writer of such acclaimed dramas as Pride & Prejudice (1995), Bleak House (2005) and many, many more -- to make a version of The Three Musketeers. And it'll be in 3D.
I think my brain is melting and trickling out my ears...
Tyler releases new Total Eclipse
(from BBC News)
I do like Jim Steinman songs.
Voting change for best film Oscar
(from BBC News)
Essentially, voters now grade all ten films with a mark from one to ten. A sensible decision, as potentially a film could have won with only 10.02% of votes, were voters merely to choose their one favourite.
Tuesday, 1 September 2009
TV
The Choir: Unsung Town
Part 1 (of 3)
A third series of Gareth Malone trying to set up a choir in an unlikely place, having a much easier time of it than he did in a boys' school.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
From the Earth to the Moon
Part Six Mare Tranquilitatis
Covering Apollo 11 and the first landing on the Moon.
You Have Been Watching
1x08 The 90's: A Warning From History [season finale]
Amusing take on the TV of the '90s, which still seems so recent but (obviously) began nearly 20 years ago.
If every episode of Neighbours featured plot points as mad as a dog having a dream, I'd still watch it.
[Watch it (again) on 4oD.]
Part 1 (of 3)
A third series of Gareth Malone trying to set up a choir in an unlikely place, having a much easier time of it than he did in a boys' school.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
From the Earth to the Moon
Part Six Mare Tranquilitatis
Covering Apollo 11 and the first landing on the Moon.
You Have Been Watching
1x08 The 90's: A Warning From History [season finale]
Amusing take on the TV of the '90s, which still seems so recent but (obviously) began nearly 20 years ago.
If every episode of Neighbours featured plot points as mad as a dog having a dream, I'd still watch it.
[Watch it (again) on 4oD.]
Monday, 31 August 2009
TV
Single-Handed
1x02 The Stolen Child
In which there are lots of pretty shots of the countryside, a decent twist in the whodunnit, and Gerry Driscoll gets his much-deserved comeuppance. Hurrah!
(The series was original screened in Ireland as three two-parters in January 2007, January 2008 and April 2009, but ITV are showing them all as one series of three films.)
[Watch it (again) on ITV Player.]
1x02 The Stolen Child
In which there are lots of pretty shots of the countryside, a decent twist in the whodunnit, and Gerry Driscoll gets his much-deserved comeuppance. Hurrah!
(The series was original screened in Ireland as three two-parters in January 2007, January 2008 and April 2009, but ITV are showing them all as one series of three films.)
[Watch it (again) on ITV Player.]
Articles
Doctor Who Exit Interview: David Tennant + Russell T. Davies by Richard Metzger
(from boingboing)
OK, it's a video, not an article, but it's journalism so that's kind of the remit of this section. Anyway, this is a nice nearly-20-minute piece interviewing Tennant and RTD together about their feelings and experiences as they leave Doctor Who.
I'm normally annoyed by video interviews online -- I'd much rather skim through a transcription thanks -- but these two are so personable, and have such a great rapport when put together, that it's a joy to watch. Some good questions are asked, though there are several that are sadly absent (for example, Tennant is asked if he'd return in the future, but RTD isn't asked if he'd like to write for the show again).
(from boingboing)
OK, it's a video, not an article, but it's journalism so that's kind of the remit of this section. Anyway, this is a nice nearly-20-minute piece interviewing Tennant and RTD together about their feelings and experiences as they leave Doctor Who.
I'm normally annoyed by video interviews online -- I'd much rather skim through a transcription thanks -- but these two are so personable, and have such a great rapport when put together, that it's a joy to watch. Some good questions are asked, though there are several that are sadly absent (for example, Tennant is asked if he'd return in the future, but RTD isn't asked if he'd like to write for the show again).
new review at 100 Films
A Few Good Men (1992)
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.
courtroom dramas primarily depend on two things, even more so than most films: the quality of the writing and the quality of the performances... Camerawork, editing, music and the rest still have their part to play, but without the underpinning of good writing and good performances the technical attributes are merely fighting to cover for significant shortcomings. Fortunately, A Few Good Men has those underpinnings.
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, 30 August 2009
TV
As Seen on TV
1x07 Episode 7
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Wildest Dreams
Part 5 (of 7)
What a poor show -- on the part of the makers, not the contestants. They were constantly, repetitively criticised for not "spotting the signs" and "seeing the story". How the hell were they meant to? They had two days, they're not familiar with the region or the animals, and their guides had obviously been told not to tell them anything -- it was only when they directly asked precisely the right question that they finally owned up. And throughout this we had to suffer one of the biggest tits on TV, Nick Knowles, taking the moral high ground. As if he would've noticed if he didn't have two -- two -- experts guiding him round and pointing it all out to him.
I'm severely disappointed to the point of anger with this edition, the only solace being that the contestants were evidently better at their jobs than they had any reason to be and all spotted the signs just in time. But it was pathetic, mean-spirited and unfair to expect them to get there any quicker in the way the task was presented to them, and for this stupidity the show loses serious marks in my book.
[Suffer it (again) on iPlayer.]
1x07 Episode 7
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Wildest Dreams
Part 5 (of 7)
What a poor show -- on the part of the makers, not the contestants. They were constantly, repetitively criticised for not "spotting the signs" and "seeing the story". How the hell were they meant to? They had two days, they're not familiar with the region or the animals, and their guides had obviously been told not to tell them anything -- it was only when they directly asked precisely the right question that they finally owned up. And throughout this we had to suffer one of the biggest tits on TV, Nick Knowles, taking the moral high ground. As if he would've noticed if he didn't have two -- two -- experts guiding him round and pointing it all out to him.
I'm severely disappointed to the point of anger with this edition, the only solace being that the contestants were evidently better at their jobs than they had any reason to be and all spotted the signs just in time. But it was pathetic, mean-spirited and unfair to expect them to get there any quicker in the way the task was presented to them, and for this stupidity the show loses serious marks in my book.
[Suffer it (again) on iPlayer.]
Films
A Few Good Men (1992)
[#38 in 100 Films in a Year 2009]
The final half-hour, finally. Could I handle the truth? Well, yes.
[#38 in 100 Films in a Year 2009]
The final half-hour, finally. Could I handle the truth? Well, yes.
Articles
Ofcom regulation "astonishing", says Murdoch
and
BBC hits back at Murdoch criticism
and
BBC's Peston questions Murdoch's rationale
(all by James Welsh, from Digital Spy)
James Murdoch clearly thinks he's making some intelligent, if controversial, points. In fact, as the BBC's reasoned response only highlights, he's just having a whiney rant.
"The BBC are bigger than us, it's not fair, wah wah wah!"
and
BBC hits back at Murdoch criticism
and
BBC's Peston questions Murdoch's rationale
(all by James Welsh, from Digital Spy)
James Murdoch clearly thinks he's making some intelligent, if controversial, points. In fact, as the BBC's reasoned response only highlights, he's just having a whiney rant.
"The BBC are bigger than us, it's not fair, wah wah wah!"
Saturday, 29 August 2009
TV
The Cube
1x01 Episode 1
ITV1's latest Phillip Schofield-fronted game show, which started last week. It's sort of almost good, but, let's be honest, it's just a bit too ITV.
That said, some of the slow-motion camera work was appropriate and impressive -- a rare thing, especially for a game show.
And that said, The Body is a shameless attempt at creating a Stig clone. Tsk tsk.
See here for an interesting article on the making of the show.
[Watch it (again) on ITV Player.]
Mock the Week
7x08 (27/8/09 edition)
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
1x01 Episode 1
ITV1's latest Phillip Schofield-fronted game show, which started last week. It's sort of almost good, but, let's be honest, it's just a bit too ITV.
That said, some of the slow-motion camera work was appropriate and impressive -- a rare thing, especially for a game show.
And that said, The Body is a shameless attempt at creating a Stig clone. Tsk tsk.
See here for an interesting article on the making of the show.
[Watch it (again) on ITV Player.]
Mock the Week
7x08 (27/8/09 edition)
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Films
The X Files: I Want to Believe - Director's Cut (2008)
[#44 in 100 Films in a Year 2009]
Please look here for my review of this film.
[#44 in 100 Films in a Year 2009]
Please look here for my review of this film.
new reviews at 100 Films
Three new reviews today -- a brand-new one, plus two I forgot to mention when they went up. First, a film that's on TV this evening...
The X Files: I Want to Believe - Director's Cut (2008)
Read the full review at 100 Films.
And secondly, those forgotten reviews...
Flags of Our Fathers (2006)
Read the full review at 100 Films.
The Lady from Shanghai (1947)
Read the full review at 100 Films.
There are currently 16 films in the review pipeline at 100 Films. Updates here as and when they're posted.
The X Files: I Want to Believe - Director's Cut (2008)
The idea that I Want to Believe was a bit rubbish and thoroughly disappointing is as much (if not more) the fault of those viewers and reviewers who expected a different kind of film and didn’t get it. On the surface, it's a standalone low-key supernatural thriller... but one that also tackles issues of moving on, obsession and belief, and how they can impact on a relationship
Read the full review at 100 Films.
And secondly, those forgotten reviews...
Flags of Our Fathers (2006)
Eastwood’s two Iwo Jima films make good companion pieces. In no serious way do they present Part One and Part Two of a story, but instead two vastly different perspectives on the same events. The points of crossover between the two are neatly used, occurring naturally rather than forcing “you’ll understand this later”-style mysteries upon the viewer, but mainly they explore the way two very different cultures reacted to the same battle.
Read the full review at 100 Films.
The Lady from Shanghai (1947)
Every key sequence provides something genuinely worth looking at while still relating the intricate plot, though the cruise offers many of the best bits — the hot, sweaty foreign climes are conveyed brilliantly, aided by sumptuous location photography, and these sunny scenes contrast nicely with the noir plot.
Read the full review at 100 Films.
There are currently 16 films in the review pipeline at 100 Films. Updates here as and when they're posted.
Friday, 28 August 2009
TV
The Tudors
3x03 Dissension and Punishment
3x04 The Death of a Queen
The Duke of Suffolk may just be the best character in The Tudors -- note his development over the past three seasons from womanising wideboy to morally conflicted husband-and-father. What a gift to almost-Bond Henry Cavill this part must be.
[Watch both episodes (again) on iPlayer.]
3x03 Dissension and Punishment
3x04 The Death of a Queen
The Duke of Suffolk may just be the best character in The Tudors -- note his development over the past three seasons from womanising wideboy to morally conflicted husband-and-father. What a gift to almost-Bond Henry Cavill this part must be.
[Watch both episodes (again) on iPlayer.]
Thursday, 27 August 2009
TV
Doctor Who: Greatest Moments
Part 1 The Doctor
Part clip show, part retrospective, from the team behind Doctor Who Confidential, looking back at memorable moments and themes from the revived version of the series. Plenty of clips, plenty of musings from the cast (interestingly, only one crew member... and he was a cast member too) -- it's pretty lightweight, but it's quite nice.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Would I Lie To You?
3x03 (24/8/08 edition)
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Part 1 The Doctor
Part clip show, part retrospective, from the team behind Doctor Who Confidential, looking back at memorable moments and themes from the revived version of the series. Plenty of clips, plenty of musings from the cast (interestingly, only one crew member... and he was a cast member too) -- it's pretty lightweight, but it's quite nice.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Would I Lie To You?
3x03 (24/8/08 edition)
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Articles
Five, Sky, ITV2 rule out Big Brother bid by Dan French
(from Digital Spy)
"Five, Sky1 and ITV2 have ruled out bidding for Big Brother when it becomes available in 2011"
After yesterday's announcement, some more good news.
Review of Sita Sings the Blues by Adrian Smith
(from Retro Ramblings)
This sounds like a very interesting film, not least because it's available for free (legally, that is) in a variety of formats (including full 1080P high definition).
(from Digital Spy)
"Five, Sky1 and ITV2 have ruled out bidding for Big Brother when it becomes available in 2011"
After yesterday's announcement, some more good news.
Review of Sita Sings the Blues by Adrian Smith
(from Retro Ramblings)
This sounds like a very interesting film, not least because it's available for free (legally, that is) in a variety of formats (including full 1080P high definition).
Wednesday, 26 August 2009
TV
Dragons' Den
7x07 Episode 7
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Taking the Flak
1x06 Big Beasts
1x07 Enter the Lion [season finale]
And, in a surprising twist, I achieved my goal. Hurrah!
All in, this turned out to be a rather good series, so here's hoping for another round.
[Watch both episodes (again) on iPlayer.]
7x07 Episode 7
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Taking the Flak
1x06 Big Beasts
1x07 Enter the Lion [season finale]
And, in a surprising twist, I achieved my goal. Hurrah!
All in, this turned out to be a rather good series, so here's hoping for another round.
[Watch both episodes (again) on iPlayer.]
Articles
First up, just to highlight it:
“They sucked his brains out!” - Starship Troopers (1997) by primus
(from The Ark)
A nice, lengthy review of Starship Troopers, in which the author aims to "present my case for inducting Starship Troopers in to the Sci-Fi Cinema Hall of Fame (if such a thing were to exist)."
He's got me convinced. (Now I just need to watch the thing...)
And now, some damn fine news...
Big Brother axed by Channel 4 by Mark Sweney & Leigh Holmwood
(from guardian.co.uk)
Hurrah, hurrah, the day has finally come!
Though don't rejoice too much -- it's likely it'll just move to another channel. Damn.
And elsewhere...
Disney 'hints at Cars sequel title' by Tim Parks
(from Digital Spy)
" the studio registered several domain names in conjunction with [Cars 2], including cars2-worldgrandprix.com, cars2worldgrandprix.com, carsworldgrandprix.com and worldgrandprix-movie.com. The sequel to the 2006 animated movie is reportedly likely to be called Cars 2: World Grand Prix."
And the award for Worst Stating Of The Bleeding Obvious goes to...
Iannucci used LA experience for Loop by Simon Reynolds
(from Digital Spy)
""The BBC sold [the concept of The Thick of It] to the highest bidder rather than the best bidder," he noted. "I really wanted to go to HBO but they took it to ABC which is one of the main family networks run by Disney. Already you knew it was going to be a disaster.""
New Nolan third installment of his Batman Saga rumor... by Harry Knowles
(from Ain't It Cool News)
That it will all be shot in IMAX, apparently (The Dark Knight famously had a few sequences shot that way). It's only a 'maybe' because it would be both expensive and time consuming, but the results could be stunning -- not only would it look great on IMAX, but it increases the resolution so much that it looks better on ordinary film and Blu-ray too. That said, it would still be damn annoying for those of us without convenient IMAX screens.
“They sucked his brains out!” - Starship Troopers (1997) by primus
(from The Ark)
A nice, lengthy review of Starship Troopers, in which the author aims to "present my case for inducting Starship Troopers in to the Sci-Fi Cinema Hall of Fame (if such a thing were to exist)."
He's got me convinced. (Now I just need to watch the thing...)
And now, some damn fine news...
Big Brother axed by Channel 4 by Mark Sweney & Leigh Holmwood
(from guardian.co.uk)
Hurrah, hurrah, the day has finally come!
Though don't rejoice too much -- it's likely it'll just move to another channel. Damn.
And elsewhere...
Disney 'hints at Cars sequel title' by Tim Parks
(from Digital Spy)
" the studio registered several domain names in conjunction with [Cars 2], including cars2-worldgrandprix.com, cars2worldgrandprix.com, carsworldgrandprix.com and worldgrandprix-movie.com. The sequel to the 2006 animated movie is reportedly likely to be called Cars 2: World Grand Prix."
And the award for Worst Stating Of The Bleeding Obvious goes to...
Iannucci used LA experience for Loop by Simon Reynolds
(from Digital Spy)
""The BBC sold [the concept of The Thick of It] to the highest bidder rather than the best bidder," he noted. "I really wanted to go to HBO but they took it to ABC which is one of the main family networks run by Disney. Already you knew it was going to be a disaster.""
New Nolan third installment of his Batman Saga rumor... by Harry Knowles
(from Ain't It Cool News)
That it will all be shot in IMAX, apparently (The Dark Knight famously had a few sequences shot that way). It's only a 'maybe' because it would be both expensive and time consuming, but the results could be stunning -- not only would it look great on IMAX, but it increases the resolution so much that it looks better on ordinary film and Blu-ray too. That said, it would still be damn annoying for those of us without convenient IMAX screens.
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