Brute Force (1947)
[#73 in 100 Films in a Year 2009]
Monday, 16 November 2009
Sunday, 15 November 2009
TV
Three hours of fantastic HD entertainment this evening, courtesy of the BBC...
Doctor Who [new]
4x16 The Waters of Mars [special]
An absolutely excellent episode -- scary, funny, surprising, heartbreaking... the adjectives could go on. If DWM had waited to do The Mighty 201, I'm sure this would've come right near the top. (And if it hadn't, there'd be something terribly wrong with the world. Or Doctor Who fans, anyway.)
Only bad thing... where was the next episode's title?! (The End of Time is the next-but-one. Unless reports which say as much have been wrong?)
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Doctor Who Confidential
4x17 Is There Life on Mars?
Now in HD! Yay! (Also, the first Confidential I've watched in a bloody long time.)
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Top Gear
14x01 Episode 1
Now in HD! Yay!
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
And in regular old SD...
Charley Boorman: By Any Means - Sydney to Tokyo
Part 5 (of 6)
Part 6 (of 6)
Hurrah, got to the end! As did Charley, of course.
Doctor Who [new]
4x16 The Waters of Mars [special]
An absolutely excellent episode -- scary, funny, surprising, heartbreaking... the adjectives could go on. If DWM had waited to do The Mighty 201, I'm sure this would've come right near the top. (And if it hadn't, there'd be something terribly wrong with the world. Or Doctor Who fans, anyway.)
Only bad thing... where was the next episode's title?! (The End of Time is the next-but-one. Unless reports which say as much have been wrong?)
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Doctor Who Confidential
4x17 Is There Life on Mars?
Now in HD! Yay! (Also, the first Confidential I've watched in a bloody long time.)
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Top Gear
14x01 Episode 1
Now in HD! Yay!
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
And in regular old SD...
Charley Boorman: By Any Means - Sydney to Tokyo
Part 5 (of 6)
Part 6 (of 6)
Hurrah, got to the end! As did Charley, of course.
Saturday, 14 November 2009
TV
Argumental
2x11 (10/11/09 edition)
Rather good edition, including a nice debate on religion and a funny bit on old people.
Charley Boorman: By Any Means - Sydney to Tokyo
Part 3 (of 6)
Part 4 (of 6)
Bit of a rush to catch up, as all six episodes disappear from iPlayer at 10pm tomorrow.
[Watch parts three and four (again) on iPlayer.]
2x11 (10/11/09 edition)
Rather good edition, including a nice debate on religion and a funny bit on old people.
Charley Boorman: By Any Means - Sydney to Tokyo
Part 3 (of 6)
Part 4 (of 6)
Bit of a rush to catch up, as all six episodes disappear from iPlayer at 10pm tomorrow.
[Watch parts three and four (again) on iPlayer.]
Magazines
Doctor Who Magazine #415
Russell T Davies' Production Notes column has been a mainstay of DWM for over six years now, and the final edition will be in next month's mag. It's disappointing that a once-great column, often the highlight of the mag thanks to all the next-series teasers it would share, has limped to a weak finish, filled with nothingy columns about post-production schedules and unrelated topics, when we should have been reveling in Steven Moffat's next-series teasers. Next month's finale has the feel, less of a grand goodbye, more of having a beloved but now critically ill pet put down. Hopefully Moffat's new pup will be suitably entertaining.
Little else to say about this issue. Despite a Waters of Mars preview and Lindsay Duncan interview, it's clear that the real meat is to come in the next two bumper-length issues. DWM leaves us twiddling our collective thumbs again, then.
Russell T Davies' Production Notes column has been a mainstay of DWM for over six years now, and the final edition will be in next month's mag. It's disappointing that a once-great column, often the highlight of the mag thanks to all the next-series teasers it would share, has limped to a weak finish, filled with nothingy columns about post-production schedules and unrelated topics, when we should have been reveling in Steven Moffat's next-series teasers. Next month's finale has the feel, less of a grand goodbye, more of having a beloved but now critically ill pet put down. Hopefully Moffat's new pup will be suitably entertaining.
Little else to say about this issue. Despite a Waters of Mars preview and Lindsay Duncan interview, it's clear that the real meat is to come in the next two bumper-length issues. DWM leaves us twiddling our collective thumbs again, then.
Articles
Brand says Sachs row was 'funny'
(from BBC News)
The headline is slightly misleading, I think, because Brand does have a point:
(from BBC News)
The headline is slightly misleading, I think, because Brand does have a point:
"I apologise for the thing I did wrong to the person I did it to but the whole subsequent scandal was funny," he said.
new review at 100 Films
Ashes of Time Redux (1994/2008)
Read the full review at 100 Films.
Film4 are showing Ashes of Time Redux tonight at 1:05am.
There are currently 17 feature films and one short in the review pipeline at 100 Films. As ever, updates here as and when they're posted.
Despite apparently being an Eastern action movie — it’s in the wuxia genre, which, for the uninitiated, also covers the likes of Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon and House of Flying Daggers — Ashes of Time isn’t what one would typically expect from such a billing. Reviews talk about it being a confusingly-plotted art film — and those are the positive ones — which, coupled with my relative dislike of Chungking Express, meant I didn’t really expect to like it a great deal. But I found myself surprised, because I really enjoyed it.
Read the full review at 100 Films.
Film4 are showing Ashes of Time Redux tonight at 1:05am.
There are currently 17 feature films and one short in the review pipeline at 100 Films. As ever, updates here as and when they're posted.
Friday, 13 November 2009
TV
Collision
Part 4 (of 5)
Part 5 (of 5)
The Radio Times were quite critical of the ending. Personally, I liked it -- it was a nice little twist that tied together most things appropriately, not ridiculously. Plus I thoroughly support its ultimate moral message ("all insects should die because they cause this", clearly).
[Watch parts four and five (again) on ITV Player.]
Friday Night with Jonathan Ross
17x10 (6/11/09 edition)
Yes, last week's.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
The Sarah Jane Adventures
3x10 Mona Lisa's Revenge Part Two
Another fun story for SJA. Last one next week -- shame.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Part 4 (of 5)
Part 5 (of 5)
The Radio Times were quite critical of the ending. Personally, I liked it -- it was a nice little twist that tied together most things appropriately, not ridiculously. Plus I thoroughly support its ultimate moral message ("all insects should die because they cause this", clearly).
[Watch parts four and five (again) on ITV Player.]
Friday Night with Jonathan Ross
17x10 (6/11/09 edition)
Yes, last week's.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
The Sarah Jane Adventures
3x10 Mona Lisa's Revenge Part Two
Another fun story for SJA. Last one next week -- shame.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Articles
John Simm: 'My Master is unhinged' by Mayer Nissim
(from Digital Spy)
No no no, it's too soon to be getting excited about the Christmas specials! We've got the, er, 'Autumn' one to come first. Still, Simm does make some amusing/insightful comments about his incarnation of the Master.
Russell T. Davies planning Torchwood 4 by Dan French
(from Digital Spy)
He doesn't say it's definitely a go, but does say he hopes to start work in January. Considering the success of the last series, they'd be foolish not to want more.
(from Digital Spy)
No no no, it's too soon to be getting excited about the Christmas specials! We've got the, er, 'Autumn' one to come first. Still, Simm does make some amusing/insightful comments about his incarnation of the Master.
Russell T. Davies planning Torchwood 4 by Dan French
(from Digital Spy)
He doesn't say it's definitely a go, but does say he hopes to start work in January. Considering the success of the last series, they'd be foolish not to want more.
Collection Count
We're into the fourth week of Collection Count now. For those who've missed the start, this series tracks my DVD/Blu-ray collection via a number of statistics. For the last time, here's a link to my initial post.
Once again, all the numbers are on the up...
Number of titles in collection: 1,078 [up 6]
Of which DVDs: 1,043 [up 6]
Of which Blu-rays: 35 [no change]
Number of discs in collection: 2,649 [up 16]
Number of films in collection: 1,121 [up 4]
Number of TV episodes in collection: 3,696 [up 43]
Statistic of the week:
DTS soundtracks:
Just 185 of my DVDs have a coveted DTS soundtrack, which is under 18%. Of the Blu-rays, 37% have one.
See you next week, faithful reader.
Once again, all the numbers are on the up...
Number of titles in collection: 1,078 [up 6]
Of which DVDs: 1,043 [up 6]
Of which Blu-rays: 35 [no change]
Number of discs in collection: 2,649 [up 16]
Number of films in collection: 1,121 [up 4]
Number of TV episodes in collection: 3,696 [up 43]
Statistic of the week:
DTS soundtracks:
Just 185 of my DVDs have a coveted DTS soundtrack, which is under 18%. Of the Blu-rays, 37% have one.
See you next week, faithful reader.
Thursday, 12 November 2009
TV
Collision
Part 3 (of 5)
[Watch it (again) on ITV Player.]
Defying Gravity
1x05 Rubicon
The scheduling of this is arguably more interesting than the plot (a two-week break before the next episode, says voiceover lady, though the schedule suggests the next ep is on late-night this Saturday). That said, it was good to see Goss finally getting a dressing down from someone over what happened on Mars (or, indeed, anything).
Incidentally, it turns out the series has been cancelled (seems this was known the best part of a month ago; guess I should've paid more attention), so we'll never get to see the whole mission. Yeah, the show's a bit rubbish, but it's mainly a shame they wasted such an excellent idea.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
FlashForward
1x06 Scary Monsters and Super Creeps
[Watch it (again) on Demand Five.]
How I Met Your Mother
3x01 Wait For It...
E4's super-speedy catch-up rolls straight on into season three. I hope at the end of this we won't have a long wait for season five...
The Sarah Jane Adventures
3x09 Mona Lisa's Revenge Part One
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Part 3 (of 5)
[Watch it (again) on ITV Player.]
Defying Gravity
1x05 Rubicon
The scheduling of this is arguably more interesting than the plot (a two-week break before the next episode, says voiceover lady, though the schedule suggests the next ep is on late-night this Saturday). That said, it was good to see Goss finally getting a dressing down from someone over what happened on Mars (or, indeed, anything).
Incidentally, it turns out the series has been cancelled (seems this was known the best part of a month ago; guess I should've paid more attention), so we'll never get to see the whole mission. Yeah, the show's a bit rubbish, but it's mainly a shame they wasted such an excellent idea.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
FlashForward
1x06 Scary Monsters and Super Creeps
[Watch it (again) on Demand Five.]
How I Met Your Mother
3x01 Wait For It...
E4's super-speedy catch-up rolls straight on into season three. I hope at the end of this we won't have a long wait for season five...
The Sarah Jane Adventures
3x09 Mona Lisa's Revenge Part One
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Articles
Comedy Twitter feed lands TV deal
(from BBC News)
Yep, those one-liners sound ready made for a sitcom. Could be good. Could be.
Fox cancels Dollhouse
and
Whedon reveals Dollhouse disappointment
by Dan French (from Digital Spy)
Ever-falling ratings and relatively low critical standing? Why, I thought it would be around for years!
No, I think this wins the award for Least Surprising TV-Related News Of The Year. Perhaps even The Decade. Or just Ever.
Scott's Monopoly film inspired by Alice by Simon Reynolds
(from Digital Spy)
Finally, some idea about how Ridley Scott intends to bring board game Monopoly to the big screen.
Xbox gamer 'gutted' after cut off
(from BBC Radio 1 Newsbeat)
Serves him bloody right. I urge you to read it -- the lack of sympathy you'll feel is quite astonishing, and likely quite opposite to what he expects.
(from BBC News)
Yep, those one-liners sound ready made for a sitcom. Could be good. Could be.
Fox cancels Dollhouse
and
Whedon reveals Dollhouse disappointment
by Dan French (from Digital Spy)
Ever-falling ratings and relatively low critical standing? Why, I thought it would be around for years!
No, I think this wins the award for Least Surprising TV-Related News Of The Year. Perhaps even The Decade. Or just Ever.
Scott's Monopoly film inspired by Alice by Simon Reynolds
(from Digital Spy)
Finally, some idea about how Ridley Scott intends to bring board game Monopoly to the big screen.
Xbox gamer 'gutted' after cut off
(from BBC Radio 1 Newsbeat)
Serves him bloody right. I urge you to read it -- the lack of sympathy you'll feel is quite astonishing, and likely quite opposite to what he expects.
Wednesday, 11 November 2009
TV
The Armstrong and Miller Show
2x04 Episode 4
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Collision
Part 2 (of 5)
More intrigue, more potential cliches. Can Collision overcome them? I fear we'll have to wait til part five to find out.
[Watch it (again) on ITV Player.]
Generation Kill
Part 6 Stay Frosty
[Watch it (again) on 4oD.]
How I Met Your Mother
2x22 Something Blue [season finale]
Well, that was inevitable. They did have some fun with it though, in typical HIMYM time-bending fashion -- hurrah!
It's Only a Theory
1x06 Episode 6
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Spooks
8x02 Episode 2
In which the good guys spend most of the episode being the bad guys, morally. A bit of a return to form after last week though.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
2x04 Episode 4
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Collision
Part 2 (of 5)
More intrigue, more potential cliches. Can Collision overcome them? I fear we'll have to wait til part five to find out.
[Watch it (again) on ITV Player.]
Generation Kill
Part 6 Stay Frosty
[Watch it (again) on 4oD.]
How I Met Your Mother
2x22 Something Blue [season finale]
Well, that was inevitable. They did have some fun with it though, in typical HIMYM time-bending fashion -- hurrah!
It's Only a Theory
1x06 Episode 6
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Spooks
8x02 Episode 2
In which the good guys spend most of the episode being the bad guys, morally. A bit of a return to form after last week though.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
new review at 100 Films
High Anxiety (1977)
Read the full review at 100 Films.
There are currently 16 feature films and one short in the review pipeline at 100 Films. As ever, updates here as and when they're posted.
Mel Brooks pays comedic tribute to Alfred Hitchcock, but those unfamiliar with the Master of Suspense’s output need not apply... I can’t remember many laughs that didn’t spring from a Hitchcock reference of some kind. Indeed, whole chunks pass by without a laugh. At other times, bits that are clearly meant to be funny just don’t hit home, while some gags are almost reassuringly familiar
Read the full review at 100 Films.
There are currently 16 feature films and one short in the review pipeline at 100 Films. As ever, updates here as and when they're posted.
Tuesday, 10 November 2009
TV
Collision
Part 1 (of 5)
ITV muscle into BBC territory with a five-part thriller showing every night this week. It's rather epic and with a ridiculously star-laden cast (cries of "oh it's him/her!" abound throughout), but already threatening to tip over into cliche. If Dean Lennox Kelly is smuggling drugs or David Bamber turns out to be a paedophile, or every person in the crash turns out to be somehow connected, I'll be most disappointed at the thorough lack of twists and reasonable logic.
(I realise it started last night -- I'm 24 hours behind, cos this way I can fast-forward the ads. Hurrah!)
[Watch it (again) on ITV Player.]
The Graham Norton Show
6x06 (9/11/09 edition)
David Tennant! Hurrah! Revealing nothing significant about the remaining eps of Who, of course, and giving the usual answers to the usual questions, but he's always entertaining and it's worth watching if you're a fan.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
How I Met Your Mother
2x21 Something Borrowed
Part 1 (of 5)
ITV muscle into BBC territory with a five-part thriller showing every night this week. It's rather epic and with a ridiculously star-laden cast (cries of "oh it's him/her!" abound throughout), but already threatening to tip over into cliche. If Dean Lennox Kelly is smuggling drugs or David Bamber turns out to be a paedophile, or every person in the crash turns out to be somehow connected, I'll be most disappointed at the thorough lack of twists and reasonable logic.
(I realise it started last night -- I'm 24 hours behind, cos this way I can fast-forward the ads. Hurrah!)
[Watch it (again) on ITV Player.]
The Graham Norton Show
6x06 (9/11/09 edition)
David Tennant! Hurrah! Revealing nothing significant about the remaining eps of Who, of course, and giving the usual answers to the usual questions, but he's always entertaining and it's worth watching if you're a fan.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
How I Met Your Mother
2x21 Something Borrowed
Magazines
Radio Times 14-20 November 2009
Two very good articles this week (not counting the Who one on p17-18, that is, which is always excellent): Stephen Poliakoff espouses on the ludicrous BBC Safeguarding Trust (It's time to set writers free and trust the viewers, p12) and both of Alison Graham's pieces (so I guess that's three then), one about the way documentaries are now over-directed (Stand still, calm down and just let 'em speak, p49) and one about the disappointing guessability of most modern thrillers (Crime dramas need subtlety, also p49).
There's also a feature on Channel 4's so-called '3D Week' (3-D TV, p24) that rather highlights how lacklustre it is. With one two-part programme, one other programme, and two films, it's less a Week and more a Night someone thought they could string out. There's not even an attempt to make it last all week, with Wednesday and Thursday featuring no related programming and Friday being mainly a repeat (and one of the films). Disappointing, C4.
Two very good articles this week (not counting the Who one on p17-18, that is, which is always excellent): Stephen Poliakoff espouses on the ludicrous BBC Safeguarding Trust (It's time to set writers free and trust the viewers, p12) and both of Alison Graham's pieces (so I guess that's three then), one about the way documentaries are now over-directed (Stand still, calm down and just let 'em speak, p49) and one about the disappointing guessability of most modern thrillers (Crime dramas need subtlety, also p49).
There's also a feature on Channel 4's so-called '3D Week' (3-D TV, p24) that rather highlights how lacklustre it is. With one two-part programme, one other programme, and two films, it's less a Week and more a Night someone thought they could string out. There's not even an attempt to make it last all week, with Wednesday and Thursday featuring no related programming and Friday being mainly a repeat (and one of the films). Disappointing, C4.
Articles
First pic of David Tennant's last Who story by Neil Wilkes
(from Digital Spy)
This has to be the must underwhelming 'first pic' ever. Honestly, it could be from almost any Tennant story -- the only requirement would be he was wearing the brownish suit.
(from Digital Spy)
This has to be the must underwhelming 'first pic' ever. Honestly, it could be from almost any Tennant story -- the only requirement would be he was wearing the brownish suit.
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