Mock the Week
11x06 (19/7/12 edition) [mid-season finale]
The usual mid-series best-ofs and outtakes. Mock the Week returns in... um... The Future.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
A Short History of Everything Else
1x06 Episode 6 [season finale]
Rob Rouse wasn't funny once and Grace Dent is always annoying. Bit of a damp squib for a final episode, then.
[Watch it (again) on 4oD.]
Superstar
1x11 The Semi-Final
[Watch it (again) on ITV Player.]
Wednesday, 25 July 2012
Articles
Box Office Curios
(from the ghost of 82)
"Huge hit" Prometheus has made $300m. "Massive flop" John Carter made $283m. Obviously there are issues of budget size in the stories of their relative success (Carter cost nearly twice as much as Prometheus, before marketing), but maybe the press (and fans) should think a little more carefully about their rhetoric.
Fifty spoiler-heavy questions for The Dark Knight Rises
(from Ultra Culture)
I calculate these questions to be precisely 26% answered by the film itself (or with a little bit of your own thought), 28% genuine things worth asking, and 46% deliberately silly. And I allowed the middle one the benefit of the doubt more than once too.
(from the ghost of 82)
"Huge hit" Prometheus has made $300m. "Massive flop" John Carter made $283m. Obviously there are issues of budget size in the stories of their relative success (Carter cost nearly twice as much as Prometheus, before marketing), but maybe the press (and fans) should think a little more carefully about their rhetoric.
Fifty spoiler-heavy questions for The Dark Knight Rises
(from Ultra Culture)
I calculate these questions to be precisely 26% answered by the film itself (or with a little bit of your own thought), 28% genuine things worth asking, and 46% deliberately silly. And I allowed the middle one the benefit of the doubt more than once too.
Tuesday, 24 July 2012
Films
M (British version) (1931/1932)
[#58a in 100 Films in a Year 2012]
The Saint in New York (1938)
[#59 in 100 Films in a Year 2012]
The first film in the Saint series, which BBC Two are currently showing in a completely jumbled up order.
[#58a in 100 Films in a Year 2012]
The Saint in New York (1938)
[#59 in 100 Films in a Year 2012]
The first film in the Saint series, which BBC Two are currently showing in a completely jumbled up order.
Articles
15 Things That Bothered Us About The Dark Knight Rises
(from /Film)
There may be some worthwhile points in here, but a lot of it can be solved by applying a little brainpower or artistic licence. Normally I advocate ignoring the comments section on popular websites, but there's a few good counterpoints in there -- particularly the top comment, by markedward, which is pretty much a necessary riposte.
COMICS: Grant Morrison To Leave Action Comics And Batman Incorporated
by Josh Wilding (from ComicBookMovie.com)
Unless they get someone really good on Action, that's me done with it -- I was considering leaving it behind anyhow, but now I think I'll stick it out to the end of Morrison's run. Be interesting to see if they hand Incorporated (which Morrison created) on to someone else, or just wrap it up. There are certainly more than enough Batman books on the stands right now, but then they sell so of course they keep them going!
(from /Film)
There may be some worthwhile points in here, but a lot of it can be solved by applying a little brainpower or artistic licence. Normally I advocate ignoring the comments section on popular websites, but there's a few good counterpoints in there -- particularly the top comment, by markedward, which is pretty much a necessary riposte.
COMICS: Grant Morrison To Leave Action Comics And Batman Incorporated
by Josh Wilding (from ComicBookMovie.com)
Unless they get someone really good on Action, that's me done with it -- I was considering leaving it behind anyhow, but now I think I'll stick it out to the end of Morrison's run. Be interesting to see if they hand Incorporated (which Morrison created) on to someone else, or just wrap it up. There are certainly more than enough Batman books on the stands right now, but then they sell so of course they keep them going!
Monday, 23 July 2012
TV
MythBusters
7x08 Thermite vs. Ice
7x12 Knock Your Socks Off!
These episodes: one of the most awesome explosions ever in the first (lots of thermite + lots of ice); the most ridiculous-but-amusing 'myth' I've seen tested: is it possible to literally blow your socks off?
And finally, "It's unsafe to leave loaded guns in exploded rooms." MythBusters: essential consumer advice.
Once Upon a Time
1x13 What Happened to Frederick
Pointless
6x39 (7/5/12 edition)
Twenty Twelve
2x06 Inclusivity Day
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
7x08 Thermite vs. Ice
7x12 Knock Your Socks Off!
These episodes: one of the most awesome explosions ever in the first (lots of thermite + lots of ice); the most ridiculous-but-amusing 'myth' I've seen tested: is it possible to literally blow your socks off?
And finally, "It's unsafe to leave loaded guns in exploded rooms." MythBusters: essential consumer advice.
Once Upon a Time
1x13 What Happened to Frederick
Pointless
6x39 (7/5/12 edition)
Twenty Twelve
2x06 Inclusivity Day
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
Sunday, 22 July 2012
TV
Once Upon a Time
1x12 Skin Deep
This week, OUaT recasts Beauty and the Beast with Rumplestiltskin as the Beast. And as with everything this series does, it's very much based on the Disney version.
Can't escape it's regular penchant for low-level awfulness, though: the Mayor/Queen persuades Mr Gold to reveal he knows his own real identity by bribing him with a stolen item, but because he knows his real identity he also knows all he has to do is say "please" and she'll do whatever he wants, so why doesn't he just say "give it back please" and be done? If you're going to have rules, stick to them -- especially when you've reminded us of them by using it several times in the episode already!
Suburgatory
1x01 Pilot
New-to-the-UK sitcom about a single father and his daughter who move from New York to the suburbs. It's actually quite good.
[Watch it (again) on 4oD.]
Superstar
1x09 Episode Nine
[Watch it (again) on ITV Player.]
1x12 Skin Deep
This week, OUaT recasts Beauty and the Beast with Rumplestiltskin as the Beast. And as with everything this series does, it's very much based on the Disney version.
Can't escape it's regular penchant for low-level awfulness, though: the Mayor/Queen persuades Mr Gold to reveal he knows his own real identity by bribing him with a stolen item, but because he knows his real identity he also knows all he has to do is say "please" and she'll do whatever he wants, so why doesn't he just say "give it back please" and be done? If you're going to have rules, stick to them -- especially when you've reminded us of them by using it several times in the episode already!
Suburgatory
1x01 Pilot
New-to-the-UK sitcom about a single father and his daughter who move from New York to the suburbs. It's actually quite good.
[Watch it (again) on 4oD.]
Superstar
1x09 Episode Nine
[Watch it (again) on ITV Player.]
this week on 100 Films
This week has seen 100 Films in a Year go a bit Batman crazy in anticipation of the release of The Dark Knight Rises, including both new reviews and old ones re-posted to the new blog.
The headline piece, now, is my spoiler-free initial thoughts on The Dark Knight Rises. Other than that, click through for reviews of...
The Batman Series
Featuring new reviews of Batman (1989), Batman Returns, Batman Forever, Batman & Robin, Batman Begins and The Dark Knight.
Batman (1966)
Batman: Gotham Knight (2008)
Batman: Year One (2011)
The Dark Knight (2008)
My original review from 2008.
The Dark Knight: The IMAX Experience (2008)
My thoughts on seeing The Dark Knight in its intended IMAX format back in 2008, sadly something I won't be able to repeat for The Dark Knight Rises.
More next Sunday, including new-to-new-blog reviews of M and four Wallander films going up later today.
The headline piece, now, is my spoiler-free initial thoughts on The Dark Knight Rises. Other than that, click through for reviews of...
The Batman Series
Featuring new reviews of Batman (1989), Batman Returns, Batman Forever, Batman & Robin, Batman Begins and The Dark Knight.
Batman (1966)
Batman: Gotham Knight (2008)
Batman: Year One (2011)
The Dark Knight (2008)
My original review from 2008.
The Dark Knight: The IMAX Experience (2008)
My thoughts on seeing The Dark Knight in its intended IMAX format back in 2008, sadly something I won't be able to repeat for The Dark Knight Rises.
More next Sunday, including new-to-new-blog reviews of M and four Wallander films going up later today.
Saturday, 21 July 2012
TV
Wallander [British]
3x02 The Dogs of Riga
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
Yes, Prime Minister
2x03 A Diplomatic Incident
3x02 The Dogs of Riga
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
Yes, Prime Minister
2x03 A Diplomatic Incident
Articles
The Dickensian Aspects of The Dark Knight Rises
by Forrest Wickman (from Brow Beat at Slate)
This is spoilery, but if you've seen the film it's worth a read.
by Forrest Wickman (from Brow Beat at Slate)
This is spoilery, but if you've seen the film it's worth a read.
Collection Count
Collection Count tracks my DVD/Blu-ray collection via a number of statistics every week.
Number of titles in collection: 1,507 [up 3]
Of which DVDs: 1,163 [up 2]
Of which Blu-rays: 344 [up 1]
Number of discs in collection: 3,723 [up 4]
Number of films in collection: 1,590 [up 3]
Number of TV episodes in collection: 5,566 [no change]
See you next week, faithful reader.
Number of titles in collection: 1,507 [up 3]
Of which DVDs: 1,163 [up 2]
Of which Blu-rays: 344 [up 1]
Number of discs in collection: 3,723 [up 4]
Number of films in collection: 1,590 [up 3]
Number of TV episodes in collection: 5,566 [no change]
See you next week, faithful reader.
Friday, 20 July 2012
TV
The Graham Norton Show
11x03 (27/4/12 edition)
Oh yeah, I may be three months behind, but I'm still watching it.
How I Met Your Mother
7x22 Good Crazy
[Watch it (again) on 4oD.]
The Newsroom
1x02 News Night 2.0
This is beginning to feel really quite silly, but fun. It feels like tonally it should be going for The West Wing, but has wound up as Studio 60 by way of something altogether cheaper (the women are all histrionic and relationship-obsessed, for example).
Superstar
1x08 Episode 8
"We're back tomorrow with two elimimiminations! Two! TWO!" Is Amanda Holden the worst presenter of a (relatively) major TV series ever?
[Watch it (again) on ITV Player.]
11x03 (27/4/12 edition)
Oh yeah, I may be three months behind, but I'm still watching it.
How I Met Your Mother
7x22 Good Crazy
[Watch it (again) on 4oD.]
The Newsroom
1x02 News Night 2.0
This is beginning to feel really quite silly, but fun. It feels like tonally it should be going for The West Wing, but has wound up as Studio 60 by way of something altogether cheaper (the women are all histrionic and relationship-obsessed, for example).
Superstar
1x08 Episode 8
"We're back tomorrow with two elimimiminations! Two! TWO!" Is Amanda Holden the worst presenter of a (relatively) major TV series ever?
[Watch it (again) on ITV Player.]
Films
The Dark Knight Rises (2012)
[#58 in 100 Films in a Year 2012]
Fantastic. My full spoiler-free initial thoughts are here.
[#58 in 100 Films in a Year 2012]
Fantastic. My full spoiler-free initial thoughts are here.
Thursday, 19 July 2012
TV
Parents
1x03 Episode Three
Well that was... surprisingly better.
Superstar
1x07 Episode Seven
Amanda Holden is an incredibly laughable presenter. "Do not call after lines have closed (surprised face) or your vote will not be counted! (frowny face) And you may still be charged!" It's literally like she's trying to tell it to a two-year-old.
[Watch it (again) on ITV Player.]
1x03 Episode Three
Well that was... surprisingly better.
Superstar
1x07 Episode Seven
Amanda Holden is an incredibly laughable presenter. "Do not call after lines have closed (surprised face) or your vote will not be counted! (frowny face) And you may still be charged!" It's literally like she's trying to tell it to a two-year-old.
[Watch it (again) on ITV Player.]
Films
Batman: Mask of the Phantasm (1993)[#57 in 100 Films in a Year 2012]
Just time enough to drop this in to my schedule of Batman viewing. If you don't know, it's a theatrically-released spin-off from the acclaimed Batman: The Animated Series animated series, which Those In The Know have long hailed as one of the best Bat-films of any kind.
And by golly, they're right! It's bloody brilliant. Not sure where I'd place it in the overall scheme of Batman movies, but then that's always hard because they have such different styles anyway. Though I don't think it's far from the truth to say it has one of the absolute best, most complex storylines for the character of Bruce Wayne -- certainly better than anything in the Burton films, better than Batman Forever, and more original than the familiar vengeance arc offered in Begins. The nearest similarity may be parts of the Bruce-Rachel story in The Dark Knight and its (apparent) continued effect in The Dark Knight Rises. But even then, this may have the edge.
Add to that stunning design and animation, including multiple barnstorming action sequences, and it all adds up to fantastic entertainment. And for an American animation, it's stunningly mature/adult/grown-up, while also remaining kid-friendly. Outstanding.
Non-Fiction
Holy Franchise, Batman! by Gary Collinson
Part 1: Live-Action Batman - Batman on hiatus (1997-2003) (pages 120-124)
Part 1: Live-Action Batman - Aborted spin-offs (pages 169-175)
Part 2: Animated Batman - The Dark Knight in the DC Animated Universe - Batman: Mask of the Phantasm (1993) (pages 189-191)
Part 2: Animated Batman - The further animated adventures of the Caped Crusader - The Batman vs Dracula: The Animated Movie (2005) (pages 217-219)
Part 3: Batman of the Future (pages 242-244) [the end]
I am nothing if not thorough in listing exactly what I've read.
Part 1: Live-Action Batman - Batman on hiatus (1997-2003) (pages 120-124)
Part 1: Live-Action Batman - Aborted spin-offs (pages 169-175)
Part 2: Animated Batman - The Dark Knight in the DC Animated Universe - Batman: Mask of the Phantasm (1993) (pages 189-191)
Part 2: Animated Batman - The further animated adventures of the Caped Crusader - The Batman vs Dracula: The Animated Movie (2005) (pages 217-219)
Part 3: Batman of the Future (pages 242-244) [the end]
I am nothing if not thorough in listing exactly what I've read.
Wednesday, 18 July 2012
TV
Parents
1x02 Episode Two
I have a suspicion this is going to get increasingly dire rather than any better.
Superstar
1x06 Episode Six
[Watch it (again) on ITV Player.]
1x02 Episode Two
I have a suspicion this is going to get increasingly dire rather than any better.
Superstar
1x06 Episode Six
[Watch it (again) on ITV Player.]
Films
The Dark Knight (2008)[3rd watch]
I was, oddly, a little nervous sitting down to watch TDK for the first time in four years. I'd had such an incredible experience viewing it in the cinema (twice) and, by not watching it since, it had built up some kind of aura in my mind. But I dismissed such silliness and damn well got on with it.
It's interesting watching this directly after Begins. While Nolan's first film isn't even close to being as all-out fantasy as the earlier entries, it errs more in that direction than this one, in my opinion. Begins has a kind of fantastical warmth to it, alongside the more urban-realism aspects. I say "warmth" probably because of the sepia/brown hues of the sequences set in the Narrows and so on. The Dark Knight, by comparison, is set in the cold grey-blue steel world of skyscrapers and the modern metropolis, inspired by towering architecture in its visual style and by epic crime-thrillers in its plotting.
Begins is, at heart, still a superhero action-adventure; Dark Knight is a crime thriller that happens to take place in a world with superheroes. Does that make it inherently better? No. But it does make it more unusual for the genre. And as Nolan & co pull off the crime thriller style and feel so damn well, it flat out makes it a great film.
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