How I Met Your Mother
6x09 Glitter
[Watch it (again) on 4oD.]
Wednesday, 23 February 2011
Music
The Social Network by Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross
[5th listen]
This time in HD 5.1 surround sound via Blu-ray. Lovely.
[5th listen]
This time in HD 5.1 surround sound via Blu-ray. Lovely.
Articles
Doctor Who 'Brigadier' Nicholas Courtney dies aged 81
(from BBC News)
Splendid chap, both of them. He'll be sorely missed.
Though how many articles about this have perpetuated the lie that "the actor appeared on screen opposite five different Doctors"?! He "appeared on screen" with all seven classic Doctors... just not always as the Brig, or in stories of dubious canonicity.
Nicholas Courtney by Eddie Robson
(from Shiny Shelf)
Naturally there are many tributes across the web -- Tom Baker's is not to be ignored -- but this is amongst the best; or, at least, most reflective of my thoughts too.
Rufus Sewell's Zen axed by BBC by Paul Millar
(from Digital Spy)
Can't say I'm surprised, but I am disappointed. The production company are "currently in discussion with other UK broadcasters" about another series, but no one ever wants another channel's rejects, and where would it fit anyway? Bit too classy for ITV, bit too pricey for C4 or Sky (I should imagine).
(from BBC News)
Splendid chap, both of them. He'll be sorely missed.
Though how many articles about this have perpetuated the lie that "the actor appeared on screen opposite five different Doctors"?! He "appeared on screen" with all seven classic Doctors... just not always as the Brig, or in stories of dubious canonicity.
Nicholas Courtney by Eddie Robson
(from Shiny Shelf)
Naturally there are many tributes across the web -- Tom Baker's is not to be ignored -- but this is amongst the best; or, at least, most reflective of my thoughts too.
people loved seeing him again, perhaps more than any other character in the show... It’s hugely saddening to realise we’ve seen him for the last time.
Rufus Sewell's Zen axed by BBC by Paul Millar
(from Digital Spy)
Can't say I'm surprised, but I am disappointed. The production company are "currently in discussion with other UK broadcasters" about another series, but no one ever wants another channel's rejects, and where would it fit anyway? Bit too classy for ITV, bit too pricey for C4 or Sky (I should imagine).
Tuesday, 22 February 2011
TV
Due South
2x18 Flashback [2nd watch; season finale]
Seems odd to end a season with a recap-esque clips show, but then this was the point at which Due South was cancelled (before being revived for two more seasons) so maybe it was intended to be a nice send-off as much as a recap.
On another note, BBC Two didn't bother to show the episode they skipped. Boo.
How TV Ruined Your Life
1x04 Love
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Outcasts
1x04 Episode 4
Some people have said Outcasts gets better as it goes on (as I also mentioned yesterday). On the strength of this episode, I'm finding it very hard to believe them. If anything, it's getting worse.
[Subject yourself to it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
Yugo the Negotiator
1x05 Trust
1x06 Promise
The end of Yugo's "1st Negotiation" -- i.e. first story arc -- sees a lot more action than previous instalments. Another quite well done element of the series that I don't think I've mentioned is how it handles the political situation, especially using it to a dramatic advantage. For instance, the hostage takers appear to be the villains, but they're freedom fighters with at least some degree of honour -- so are the army, who are out to stop them even if it costs the hostage's life, the true villains? But lest we be in any doubt that the terrorists aren't Not Wholly Nice too, they shoot down a helicopter almost in cold blood. Perhaps it's not the most nuanced programme ever, but it makes a fair fist -- more than one might expect, anyway.
2x18 Flashback [2nd watch; season finale]
Seems odd to end a season with a recap-esque clips show, but then this was the point at which Due South was cancelled (before being revived for two more seasons) so maybe it was intended to be a nice send-off as much as a recap.
On another note, BBC Two didn't bother to show the episode they skipped. Boo.
How TV Ruined Your Life
1x04 Love
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Outcasts
1x04 Episode 4
Some people have said Outcasts gets better as it goes on (as I also mentioned yesterday). On the strength of this episode, I'm finding it very hard to believe them. If anything, it's getting worse.
[Subject yourself to it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
Yugo the Negotiator
1x05 Trust
1x06 Promise
The end of Yugo's "1st Negotiation" -- i.e. first story arc -- sees a lot more action than previous instalments. Another quite well done element of the series that I don't think I've mentioned is how it handles the political situation, especially using it to a dramatic advantage. For instance, the hostage takers appear to be the villains, but they're freedom fighters with at least some degree of honour -- so are the army, who are out to stop them even if it costs the hostage's life, the true villains? But lest we be in any doubt that the terrorists aren't Not Wholly Nice too, they shoot down a helicopter almost in cold blood. Perhaps it's not the most nuanced programme ever, but it makes a fair fist -- more than one might expect, anyway.
Monday, 21 February 2011
TV
Baking Made Easy
1x06 Time to Bake [final episode]
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Due South
2x17 Red, White or Blue [2nd watch]
Episodes
1x06 Episode Six
Surprised to find this reaching its series-opening flashforward near the start of the penultimate episode -- I'd assumed it'd be this one's ending, or somewhere in the finale. It's quite nice when a TV programme manages to genuinely surprise you in a good way.
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
Outcasts
1x03 Episode 3
I've read Outcasts gets better as it goes on. While it has its moments -- as it has since the start -- there's not yet any sign of significant improvement.
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
Yugo the Negotiator
1x04 Hero
Yugo continues its steady improvement with the kind of style I often like: a serial drama where each episode works as a standalone segment of the tale too. Here, Yugo has been captured by the terrorists and must prove his worth before negotiations can begin. The series also employs a technique used to Grown Up Clever Series like Mad Men: we're given individual scenes subtly furthering other plot threads with minimal explanation -- if you don't know what's going on they're a meaningless aside. That might sound obvious -- of course it's how you tell a story -- but, actually, many series wouldn't dare let them pass with so little explanation of what we're seeing.
1x06 Time to Bake [final episode]
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Due South
2x17 Red, White or Blue [2nd watch]
Episodes
1x06 Episode Six
Surprised to find this reaching its series-opening flashforward near the start of the penultimate episode -- I'd assumed it'd be this one's ending, or somewhere in the finale. It's quite nice when a TV programme manages to genuinely surprise you in a good way.
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
Outcasts
1x03 Episode 3
I've read Outcasts gets better as it goes on. While it has its moments -- as it has since the start -- there's not yet any sign of significant improvement.
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
Yugo the Negotiator
1x04 Hero
Yugo continues its steady improvement with the kind of style I often like: a serial drama where each episode works as a standalone segment of the tale too. Here, Yugo has been captured by the terrorists and must prove his worth before negotiations can begin. The series also employs a technique used to Grown Up Clever Series like Mad Men: we're given individual scenes subtly furthering other plot threads with minimal explanation -- if you don't know what's going on they're a meaningless aside. That might sound obvious -- of course it's how you tell a story -- but, actually, many series wouldn't dare let them pass with so little explanation of what we're seeing.
Sunday, 20 February 2011
TV
Baking Made Easy
1x05 Bake to Impress
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Yugo the Negotiator
1x01 Negotiator
1x02 Resolve
1x03 Contact
For my thoughts on these episodes, look here.
1x05 Bake to Impress
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Yugo the Negotiator
1x01 Negotiator
1x02 Resolve
1x03 Contact
For my thoughts on these episodes, look here.
Music
I've become lax and listing music again. So much for my good intentions. Anyway, I have mostly been listening to...
Once: Music from the Motion Picture by Glen Hansard & Markéta Irglová
The Social Network by Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross
Plus, today...
The Union by Elton John & Leon Russell
[4th listen]
Once: Music from the Motion Picture by Glen Hansard & Markéta Irglová
The Social Network by Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross
Plus, today...
The Union by Elton John & Leon Russell
[4th listen]
this week on 100 Films
Just 1 new review was posted to 100 Films in a Year this week, rounding off David Fincher Week...
The Social Network (2010)
Talking of rounding off David Fincher Week -- in which I reviewed all eight of David Fincher's films, lest you've forgotten -- I also had a bit of a summary post.
More (though no more Fincher, obviously) next Sunday.
The Social Network (2010)
Reviews have been stuffed with superlatives — again, just look at the DVD cover — and while I agree with the counterpoint that it’s too soon to tell if it’s a classic or generation-defining (it’s about a generation-defining phenomenon, that doesn’t inherently make it a generation-defining film), there’s every chance it will indeed turn out to be both. Even if it doesn’t, it’s still an incredible piece of filmmaking.
Talking of rounding off David Fincher Week -- in which I reviewed all eight of David Fincher's films, lest you've forgotten -- I also had a bit of a summary post.
More (though no more Fincher, obviously) next Sunday.
Yugo the Negotiator, Episodes 1-3
Anime series about a privately-contracted hostage negotiator.
The first three episodes -- Negotiator, Resolve and Contact (ignore the titles at those links, they're incorrect) -- make up the first half of the first storyline. Only 13 episodes and two story arcs were made -- unfortunately, because the series has a lot of promise.
It's unusual for an anime show in its lack of action -- you imagine their usual interpretation of such a scenario would be for the character to go in all guns blazing, probably in a giant robot. (If you think I'm being stereotypical in such a view, read some of the reviews from dedicated anime sites.) Instead, Yugo is slow-paced and somewhat methodical, as the titular hero sets about investigating the situation and treading carefully, all with a very realistic and well-researched style.
It improves as it goes on too, a little like (though, to be frank, not as good as) The Wire -- the accumulation of knowledge and settling into the series' pace and style allows it to improve; later episodes aren't necessarily better in and of themselves, but the whole thing improves as it grows. It's the kind of slow-paced that's addictive: the running time mostly dashes past, but with so little development you long for the next episode to see the story continue.
In these respects it's rather good then, but it's let down by some occasionally woeful dialogue in the English dub. The acting is mostly fine, and they've gone to a lot of trouble to respectfully depict Pakistan (more than the Japanese dub did, it seems), but sometimes a better script is called for. Even worse, though, is the truly dreadful and shockingly inappropriate theme music. It's a jazzy number that doesn't fit the grim, serious, realistic tone of the series at all. I rarely skip title sequences -- they're part of the programme after all -- but here I'm seriously tempted.
On the evidence of these first few episodes I can see why Yugo isn't among the most well-known of anime series -- as those reviews point out, it's an acquired taste for a (Western) fandom more used to straightforward action, humour and romance -- but for those who like this kind of thing (like me) it's a minor gem. If it weren't for the too-often poor screenplay, it'd be the kind of thing you might use to persuade the unconverted to give anime a go, but as it is I'm not convinced it'd work.
The first three episodes -- Negotiator, Resolve and Contact (ignore the titles at those links, they're incorrect) -- make up the first half of the first storyline. Only 13 episodes and two story arcs were made -- unfortunately, because the series has a lot of promise.
It's unusual for an anime show in its lack of action -- you imagine their usual interpretation of such a scenario would be for the character to go in all guns blazing, probably in a giant robot. (If you think I'm being stereotypical in such a view, read some of the reviews from dedicated anime sites.) Instead, Yugo is slow-paced and somewhat methodical, as the titular hero sets about investigating the situation and treading carefully, all with a very realistic and well-researched style.
It improves as it goes on too, a little like (though, to be frank, not as good as) The Wire -- the accumulation of knowledge and settling into the series' pace and style allows it to improve; later episodes aren't necessarily better in and of themselves, but the whole thing improves as it grows. It's the kind of slow-paced that's addictive: the running time mostly dashes past, but with so little development you long for the next episode to see the story continue.
In these respects it's rather good then, but it's let down by some occasionally woeful dialogue in the English dub. The acting is mostly fine, and they've gone to a lot of trouble to respectfully depict Pakistan (more than the Japanese dub did, it seems), but sometimes a better script is called for. Even worse, though, is the truly dreadful and shockingly inappropriate theme music. It's a jazzy number that doesn't fit the grim, serious, realistic tone of the series at all. I rarely skip title sequences -- they're part of the programme after all -- but here I'm seriously tempted.
On the evidence of these first few episodes I can see why Yugo isn't among the most well-known of anime series -- as those reviews point out, it's an acquired taste for a (Western) fandom more used to straightforward action, humour and romance -- but for those who like this kind of thing (like me) it's a minor gem. If it weren't for the too-often poor screenplay, it'd be the kind of thing you might use to persuade the unconverted to give anime a go, but as it is I'm not convinced it'd work.
Saturday, 19 February 2011
TV
Baking Made Easy
1x04 Very Entertaining
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Due South
2x16 The Duel [2nd watch]
Fast and Loose
1x06 Episode 6
I liked the new musicals round at the end -- most amusing. Also, one of the best Interpretive Dance rounds thus far. Handily (and by sheer coincidence -- no, honestly), those are the two clips available independently on the BBC's website.
[Watch the whole episode (again) on iPlayer.]
Faulks on Fiction
Part 2 The Lover
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
1x04 Very Entertaining
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Due South
2x16 The Duel [2nd watch]
Fast and Loose
1x06 Episode 6
I liked the new musicals round at the end -- most amusing. Also, one of the best Interpretive Dance rounds thus far. Handily (and by sheer coincidence -- no, honestly), those are the two clips available independently on the BBC's website.
[Watch the whole episode (again) on iPlayer.]
Faulks on Fiction
Part 2 The Lover
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
Friday, 18 February 2011
TV
Baking Made Easy
1x03 Modern Classics
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
The Graham Norton Show
8x16 (11/2/11 edition)
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
Top Gear
16x04 (13/2/11 edition)
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
1x03 Modern Classics
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
The Graham Norton Show
8x16 (11/2/11 edition)
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
Top Gear
16x04 (13/2/11 edition)
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
Articles
Today, three of the most interesting articles I've bothered to share in quite some time (in my opinion, of course).
How Pirates Can Save the Home Movie Industry (And Why Netflix is its Future) by Navneet Alang
(from TECHi)
Despite the big picture of Captain Jack, they don't mean those kinds of pirates. And it's less supposing Internet piracy can save the home video industry -- that's just an obviously inflammatory title -- and more how the lessons learnt from it could do the saving. It seems well-reasoned and
Middle-earth according to Mordor by Laura Miller
(from Salon.com)
"A newly translated Russian novel retells Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings from the perspective of the bad guys," basically. The article goes into a lot more detail on why this is a properly interesting and well-executed concept, not just some quick cash-in. It sounds like a good read... and thanks to potential copyright issues, it's available completely free (in English, as an ebook/PDF file) from here.
Why Chris Nolan’s Batman Isn’t Racist by Mark Hughes
(from Obsessed with Film)
That might sound like a silly or obvious thing to say, but the article has a good point to make -- essentially, that most comics and consequently comic book movies are extremely white-orientated, but Nolan's Batmans really aren't. It goes on a bit, labouring the point (especially toward the end), but it has plenty of examples and clear reasoning.
How Pirates Can Save the Home Movie Industry (And Why Netflix is its Future) by Navneet Alang
(from TECHi)
Despite the big picture of Captain Jack, they don't mean those kinds of pirates. And it's less supposing Internet piracy can save the home video industry -- that's just an obviously inflammatory title -- and more how the lessons learnt from it could do the saving. It seems well-reasoned and
Middle-earth according to Mordor by Laura Miller
(from Salon.com)
"A newly translated Russian novel retells Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings from the perspective of the bad guys," basically. The article goes into a lot more detail on why this is a properly interesting and well-executed concept, not just some quick cash-in. It sounds like a good read... and thanks to potential copyright issues, it's available completely free (in English, as an ebook/PDF file) from here.
Why Chris Nolan’s Batman Isn’t Racist by Mark Hughes
(from Obsessed with Film)
That might sound like a silly or obvious thing to say, but the article has a good point to make -- essentially, that most comics and consequently comic book movies are extremely white-orientated, but Nolan's Batmans really aren't. It goes on a bit, labouring the point (especially toward the end), but it has plenty of examples and clear reasoning.
Collection Count
Collection Count tracks my DVD/Blu-ray collection via a number of statistics every week.
A couple of little boosts this week. Should be more next.
Number of titles in collection: 1,267 [up 2]
Of which DVDs: 1,101 [up 1]
Of which Blu-rays: 166 [up 1]
Number of discs in collection: 3,166 [up 5]
Number of films in collection: 1,341 [up 1]
Number of TV episodes in collection: 4,671 [up 11]
See you next week, faithful reader.
A couple of little boosts this week. Should be more next.
Number of titles in collection: 1,267 [up 2]
Of which DVDs: 1,101 [up 1]
Of which Blu-rays: 166 [up 1]
Number of discs in collection: 3,166 [up 5]
Number of films in collection: 1,341 [up 1]
Number of TV episodes in collection: 4,671 [up 11]
See you next week, faithful reader.
Thursday, 17 February 2011
TV
10 O'Clock Live
1x04 (10/2/11 edition)
[Watch it (again) on 4oD.]
Baking Made Easy
1x02 Speed Baking
Normally I couldn't give a flying fig about cooking programmes, but this one is lovely. And yummy. Far too yummy to resist. Too many figs though.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
The Killing [aka Forbrydelsen]
1x08 Day 8
Perhaps surprisingly, I found this episode's rather understated cliffhanger the most engrossing yet. What happens next?! I demand to know!
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
1x04 (10/2/11 edition)
[Watch it (again) on 4oD.]
Baking Made Easy
1x02 Speed Baking
Normally I couldn't give a flying fig about cooking programmes, but this one is lovely. And yummy. Far too yummy to resist. Too many figs though.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
The Killing [aka Forbrydelsen]
1x08 Day 8
Perhaps surprisingly, I found this episode's rather understated cliffhanger the most engrossing yet. What happens next?! I demand to know!
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Fiction
Scott Pilgrim Vs. The Walking Dead by Mathew New
I've never read Scott Pilgrim and I've yet to see the film, but this was rather entertaining. The number of comments saying how similar it is to the originals suggests to me I might actually like them.
(By-the-by, that link is to Edgar Wright's blog. The original is here.)
I've never read Scott Pilgrim and I've yet to see the film, but this was rather entertaining. The number of comments saying how similar it is to the originals suggests to me I might actually like them.
(By-the-by, that link is to Edgar Wright's blog. The original is here.)
Articles
Lords want TV ads cut by 20 percent by Kate Goodacre
(from Digital Spy)
Reader’s Block by Geoff Dyer
(from Work in Progress)
An interesting -- if slightly long and overly academic -- essay on "reader's block", the notion of finding it increasingly difficult to read a book. In possibly the only instance of it on the entire Internet, nearly all the comments are quite interesting too (and most more digestible than the article itself, it must be said).
(from Digital Spy)
The House of Lords Communications Committee has recommended cutting the number of advertisements on television... "our recommendations would encourage both public service and commercial broadcasters to provide their viewers with quality original UK television programmes."What better way to encourage broadcasters to make more programmes than cut the amount of money they earn, eh?
Reader’s Block by Geoff Dyer
(from Work in Progress)
An interesting -- if slightly long and overly academic -- essay on "reader's block", the notion of finding it increasingly difficult to read a book. In possibly the only instance of it on the entire Internet, nearly all the comments are quite interesting too (and most more digestible than the article itself, it must be said).
Wednesday, 16 February 2011
TV
Due South
2x15 Body Language [2nd watch]
Fast and Loose
1x05 Episode 5
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
The Killing [aka Forbrydelsen]
1x07 Day 7
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
2x15 Body Language [2nd watch]
Fast and Loose
1x05 Episode 5
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
The Killing [aka Forbrydelsen]
1x07 Day 7
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Articles
Holmes sequel gets Game Of Shadows title by Simon Reynolds
(from Digital Spy)
Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows? I like it. Particularly the inclusion of "A".
Outcasts cast out to Sunday late slot by Tara Conlan
(from guardian.co.uk)
(from Digital Spy)
Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows? I like it. Particularly the inclusion of "A".
Outcasts cast out to Sunday late slot by Tara Conlan
(from guardian.co.uk)
BBC1 sci-fi drama Outcasts is being moved from 9pm to a Sunday late-night slot after disappointing ratings.Oh dear. However bad things get, British dramas very, very rarely get shunted around in the schedules. Still, that's what happens when you make a flat-out poor show.
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