Yes Minister
1x04 Big Brother
It's both amusing and depressing how much of Yes Minister is still so true today.
Zen
1x03 Ratking
As entertaining as the others, even if the title is meaningless. I've very much enjoyed this series -- more please, BBC.
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
Wednesday, 19 January 2011
Articles
Anne Hathaway as Catwoman and Tom Hardy as Bane in The Dark Knight Rises by Dan Goodswen
(from Total Film)
Headline says it all.
Doctor Who enters the Construction Toy Market by Marcus
(from Doctor Who News Page)
Or, to put it another way, Doctor Who LEGO! Not actual proper LEGO, but the same kind of thing. I think. Could be brilliant...
(from Total Film)
Headline says it all.
Doctor Who enters the Construction Toy Market by Marcus
(from Doctor Who News Page)
Or, to put it another way, Doctor Who LEGO! Not actual proper LEGO, but the same kind of thing. I think. Could be brilliant...
Games
Nintendo 3DS Exclusive Preview Event
Two huge press conference / launch shows were held today for Nintendo's latest handheld console, the 3DS: one by Nintendo of America in New York, the other by Nintendo of Europe in Amsterdam (neat choice of cities there). While NoA just announced some of their news on twitter and what have you, the full Jonathan Ross-hosted European event was streamed live online -- and is still available to view now, if you missed it and you're interested.
Both announced release dates -- 27th March in the US, two days earlier on 25th March in Europe -- though only the US announced a list price -- $250. Which didn't go down that well with some... though they should bloody well stop moaning because, after the European event announced the price would be dictated by retailers, UK shops are selling it for around £220 -- equivalent to over $350! Why is it that the gaming world so often seems to think the exchange rate is £1=$1? (I appreciate not precisely in this instance -- £1 would be $1.14 in this case -- but, hey, you know what I mean.)
Anyway, it looks rather nifty... though at that price tag, I shan't be getting one.
Two huge press conference / launch shows were held today for Nintendo's latest handheld console, the 3DS: one by Nintendo of America in New York, the other by Nintendo of Europe in Amsterdam (neat choice of cities there). While NoA just announced some of their news on twitter and what have you, the full Jonathan Ross-hosted European event was streamed live online -- and is still available to view now, if you missed it and you're interested.
Both announced release dates -- 27th March in the US, two days earlier on 25th March in Europe -- though only the US announced a list price -- $250. Which didn't go down that well with some... though they should bloody well stop moaning because, after the European event announced the price would be dictated by retailers, UK shops are selling it for around £220 -- equivalent to over $350! Why is it that the gaming world so often seems to think the exchange rate is £1=$1? (I appreciate not precisely in this instance -- £1 would be $1.14 in this case -- but, hey, you know what I mean.)
Anyway, it looks rather nifty... though at that price tag, I shan't be getting one.
Tuesday, 18 January 2011
Articles
The King's Speech leads Bafta field
(from BBC News)
Just in case you missed it, the BAFTA nominations were out today. All largely to be expected, though the Rising Star noms are barmy: most of those names are already established -- "risen", if you will.
(from BBC News)
Just in case you missed it, the BAFTA nominations were out today. All largely to be expected, though the Rising Star noms are barmy: most of those names are already established -- "risen", if you will.
Monday, 17 January 2011
TV
Battlestar Galactica [2004]
3x02 Precipice
3x03 Exodus Part 1
3x04 Exodus Part 2
Helluva cliffhanger on Precipice! Luckily, watching on Blu-ray means I can rush straight on to the action-packed Exodus two-parter. Shiny.
The South Bank Show
37x04 Ian McKellen Revisited
Yes Minister
1x02 The Official Visit
3x02 Precipice
3x03 Exodus Part 1
3x04 Exodus Part 2
Helluva cliffhanger on Precipice! Luckily, watching on Blu-ray means I can rush straight on to the action-packed Exodus two-parter. Shiny.
The South Bank Show
37x04 Ian McKellen Revisited
Yes Minister
1x02 The Official Visit
Articles
James Bond book called Carte Blanche
(from BBC News)
"The new James Bond book, written by thriller author Jeffery Deaver, will be called Carte Blanche." The cover was also revealed and can be seen in the photo below. A couple more details -- though not a proper plot description -- can be found in the news article, or on the book's official website, or by following the book's official twitter.
Universal and Sony to change singles release policy
(from BBC Radio 1 Newsbeat)
Singles will now be released to download on the same day they're first played on the radio. A very sensible, piracy-inhibiting tactic. You wonder why they've not done it sooner.
(from BBC News)
"The new James Bond book, written by thriller author Jeffery Deaver, will be called Carte Blanche." The cover was also revealed and can be seen in the photo below. A couple more details -- though not a proper plot description -- can be found in the news article, or on the book's official website, or by following the book's official twitter.
Universal and Sony to change singles release policy
(from BBC Radio 1 Newsbeat)
Singles will now be released to download on the same day they're first played on the radio. A very sensible, piracy-inhibiting tactic. You wonder why they've not done it sooner.
Sunday, 16 January 2011
TV
Battlestar Galactica [2004]
3x00 The Resistance [webisodes 1-10]
3x01 Occupation
It's now, shockingly, almost six months since I last watched any BSG. I was getting through it so fast too! Time (overdue) to dive back in, then, and this is what's next: The Resistance, a series of ten webisodes totalling 26 minutes, detailing some events that occur between seasons two and three. They may still be available for free online to the US, and they're on the US DVDs, but not the UK DVDs, but they are on the Blu-rays everywhere (on disc two of season three -- common sense does not prevail). In case you wondered.
As for the new series proper, bold of the producers to continue their Iraq war analogy by having the Cylons become the occupying force and the sympathetic human characters become insurgents. Can't imagine that went down too well in the US...
Episodes
1x01 Episode One
This has been soundly slagged off in some quarters (coughRadioTimescough), but I rather enjoyed it. In fact, I'm actually looking forward to more -- so that's rather good too then.
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
QI
8x16 History (extended repeat) [season finale]
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
3x00 The Resistance [webisodes 1-10]
3x01 Occupation
It's now, shockingly, almost six months since I last watched any BSG. I was getting through it so fast too! Time (overdue) to dive back in, then, and this is what's next: The Resistance, a series of ten webisodes totalling 26 minutes, detailing some events that occur between seasons two and three. They may still be available for free online to the US, and they're on the US DVDs, but not the UK DVDs, but they are on the Blu-rays everywhere (on disc two of season three -- common sense does not prevail). In case you wondered.
As for the new series proper, bold of the producers to continue their Iraq war analogy by having the Cylons become the occupying force and the sympathetic human characters become insurgents. Can't imagine that went down too well in the US...
Episodes
1x01 Episode One
This has been soundly slagged off in some quarters (coughRadioTimescough), but I rather enjoyed it. In fact, I'm actually looking forward to more -- so that's rather good too then.
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
QI
8x16 History (extended repeat) [season finale]
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
this week on 100 Films
2 new reviews were posted to 100 Films in a Year this week, and they were...
Iron Eagle (1986)
Odd Man Out (1947)
More next Sunday.
Iron Eagle (1986)
an American pilot is captured by Qatar due to flying into their airspace, even though he was hundreds of miles outside it. When he’s sentenced to execution and the US Government refuses to do anything practical to get him back, his teenage son — who he’s been illicitly teaching to fly fighter jets — resolves to steal one and go get his dad. Hells yeah! Or something... daft and implausible.
Odd Man Out (1947)
The consciously episodic story... facilitates the depiction of a cross-section of Northern Irish life, and particularly their reaction to “the organisation” — it doesn’t take a genius to guess what that means... concerned “only with the conflict in the hearts of the people when they become unexpectedly involved”, by leaving out detail of the politically contentious background it perhaps robs the characters’ indecision of any basis.
More next Sunday.
Saturday, 15 January 2011
TV
Primeval
4x04 Episode 4
[Watch it (again) on ITV Player.]
Yes Minister
1x01 Open Government [2nd watch]
Got the complete series of this for Christmas. Not seen it for an absolute age, but it's still brilliant. (Also not sure how much of it I've actually seen before, or how often, so those "2nd watch"es may be a little fluid and based on anything I happen to remember.)
4x04 Episode 4
[Watch it (again) on ITV Player.]
Yes Minister
1x01 Open Government [2nd watch]
Got the complete series of this for Christmas. Not seen it for an absolute age, but it's still brilliant. (Also not sure how much of it I've actually seen before, or how often, so those "2nd watch"es may be a little fluid and based on anything I happen to remember.)
Films
Exam (2009)
[#2 in 100 Films in a Year 2011]
So far this year I've watched two films from 2009. Neither of them were on my 50 I missed in 2009 list, sadly.
Sherlock Holmes (2009)
[2nd watch]
This was #49 in 100 Films 2010, and went on to be listed as my eighth favourite film of the year. Having watched it again, I wonder if I should've placed it even higher.
[#2 in 100 Films in a Year 2011]
So far this year I've watched two films from 2009. Neither of them were on my 50 I missed in 2009 list, sadly.
Sherlock Holmes (2009)
[2nd watch]
This was #49 in 100 Films 2010, and went on to be listed as my eighth favourite film of the year. Having watched it again, I wonder if I should've placed it even higher.
Articles
The best books of 2011 by Alison Flood
(from guardian.co.uk)
Yes, you read that right -- the year that's only 15 days old. Films and games have these "what's to come this year" lists all the time, so why not books? ...is, I suppose, the theory. Not sure it works.
(Came to my attention because it mentions the forthcoming new James Bond novel, still code-named Project X though apparently being launched in Dubai on Monday, so maybe we'll learn the real title then.)
(from guardian.co.uk)
Yes, you read that right -- the year that's only 15 days old. Films and games have these "what's to come this year" lists all the time, so why not books? ...is, I suppose, the theory. Not sure it works.
(Came to my attention because it mentions the forthcoming new James Bond novel, still code-named Project X though apparently being launched in Dubai on Monday, so maybe we'll learn the real title then.)
Friday, 14 January 2011
TV
The Graham Norton Show
8x11 (7/1/11 edition)
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
The Great Outdoors
1x01 Episode 1
This went largely unnoticed on BBC Four last summer (I missed it anyway), but it's a rather good sitcom featuring a host of familiar faces. Recommended. And there's only three episodes, so I do hope they commission more.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
8x11 (7/1/11 edition)
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
The Great Outdoors
1x01 Episode 1
This went largely unnoticed on BBC Four last summer (I missed it anyway), but it's a rather good sitcom featuring a host of familiar faces. Recommended. And there's only three episodes, so I do hope they commission more.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Articles
Jimmy Wales says Wikipedia too complicated for many by Jonathan Fildes
(from BBC News)
Not to read, but to contribute to. They're planning to make it easier in the future.
Quite aside from the mildly sensationalist headline, there's more interesting stuff here from a BBC interview with Wales -- you can tell it's a relatively significant article because it actually has a byline, something the BBC News site is hardly known for.
(from BBC News)
Not to read, but to contribute to. They're planning to make it easier in the future.
Quite aside from the mildly sensationalist headline, there's more interesting stuff here from a BBC interview with Wales -- you can tell it's a relatively significant article because it actually has a byline, something the BBC News site is hardly known for.
Collection Count
Collection Count tracks my DVD/Blu-ray collection via a number of statistics every week.
After the Christmas and post-Christmas extravaganzas, there's just one new title this week. And that might be it for a while too. Although there are a few titles I desired that I didn't get for Christmas that I could pick up... but it's not as if I don't have enough else to watch, and it's not as if January sales matter any more when most DVD/BD retailers have permanent sales with the same titles at the same prices all year round (until they drop even cheaper). So, no rush.
Not that that'll necessarily stop me.
Number of titles in collection: 1,259 [up 1]
Of which DVDs: 1,100 [no change]
Of which Blu-rays: 158 [up 1]
Number of discs in collection: 3,137 [up 1]
Number of films in collection: 1,335 [up 1]
Number of TV episodes in collection: 4,545 [no change]
Statistic of the week is going on an extended holiday while I think if there's anything more I really want to do with it. The running time updates will continue every four weeks as usual.
See you next week, faithful reader.
After the Christmas and post-Christmas extravaganzas, there's just one new title this week. And that might be it for a while too. Although there are a few titles I desired that I didn't get for Christmas that I could pick up... but it's not as if I don't have enough else to watch, and it's not as if January sales matter any more when most DVD/BD retailers have permanent sales with the same titles at the same prices all year round (until they drop even cheaper). So, no rush.
Not that that'll necessarily stop me.
Number of titles in collection: 1,259 [up 1]
Of which DVDs: 1,100 [no change]
Of which Blu-rays: 158 [up 1]
Number of discs in collection: 3,137 [up 1]
Number of films in collection: 1,335 [up 1]
Number of TV episodes in collection: 4,545 [no change]
Statistic of the week is going on an extended holiday while I think if there's anything more I really want to do with it. The running time updates will continue every four weeks as usual.
See you next week, faithful reader.
Thursday, 13 January 2011
TV
Tonight, I watched two programmes when they were actually on (more or less)! What is the world coming to...
How I Met Your Mother
6x04 Subway Wars
A rather good one, I thought.
[Watch it (again) on 4oD.]
Not Going Out
4x02 Debbie
Also a rather good one, I thought.
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
Zen
1x02 Cabal
Another rather good one, I thought. The Italian's, shall we say, flexible attitude to justice certainly makes for an unusual crime story.
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
How I Met Your Mother
6x04 Subway Wars
A rather good one, I thought.
[Watch it (again) on 4oD.]
Not Going Out
4x02 Debbie
Also a rather good one, I thought.
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
Zen
1x02 Cabal
Another rather good one, I thought. The Italian's, shall we say, flexible attitude to justice certainly makes for an unusual crime story.
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
Articles
Kiefer Sutherland’s First Post-24 Role: Web Series The Confession by Robyn Ross
(from TV Guide)
Also starring John Hurt, so screams potential.
Movie Poster of the Week: The Best of 2010 by Adrian Curry
(from Mubi)
I do love a good movie poster, and while this may be missing any of the excellent Inception posters (with this being the best), it's still an intriguing and (naturally) eye-catching list.
We’re Living in the Future, errrr Wait by Paul Tassi
(from Unreality)
Back to the Future's Marty and Doc travel 25 years into the future to see what's changed. As it turns out, not much...
(from TV Guide)
Also starring John Hurt, so screams potential.
Movie Poster of the Week: The Best of 2010 by Adrian Curry
(from Mubi)
I do love a good movie poster, and while this may be missing any of the excellent Inception posters (with this being the best), it's still an intriguing and (naturally) eye-catching list.
We’re Living in the Future, errrr Wait by Paul Tassi
(from Unreality)
Back to the Future's Marty and Doc travel 25 years into the future to see what's changed. As it turns out, not much...
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