Beijing 2008 Olympics: Closing Ceremony
I'm still not convinced that the Chinese should have the Olympics -- apparently, according to some commentators, the human rights issues seem "long ago" now. Idiots. Anyway, it was lower key than the stunning opening ceremony, but in an of itself you'd never describe it as "low key". Best bit? Boris Johnson, of course. Boris Johnson is always the best bit. The Memory Tower was pretty impressive, though Zhang Yimou's work is somewhat undermined by his recent criticisms of the West actually having human rights. (Watched on the BBC, what with now being back in the UK.)
Marple
3x03 Towards Zero [1st half]
ITV's scheduling of its Marples and Poirots is decidedly odd -- it has at least four of the latter completed but unbroadcast (the last was shown about two years ago), while this Marple premiered in Canada in February 2007, but only just aired here the other week. There's another episode (Nemesis) that also aired in Canada back then, and in Finland (Finland!) in January to boot, as well as Australia, and probably others, which they still haven't scheduled for the UK. They're an odd lot at ITV... (Additionally, these are the last two episodes starring Geraldine McEwan, who has been replaced by Julia McKenzie -- perhaps ITV are just trying to delay the change-over?)
Sunday, 24 August 2008
Films
Hot Shots! (1991)
I've seen Hot Shots! before, though I couldn't say how many times. The last was years ago though, and I've grown up, which seems to have dulled its humour considerably. There are still some funny bits at least.
I've seen Hot Shots! before, though I couldn't say how many times. The last was years ago though, and I've grown up, which seems to have dulled its humour considerably. There are still some funny bits at least.
Saturday, 23 August 2008
TV
Gilmore Girls
4x22 Raincoats and Recipes [season finale]
Mock the Week
6x05 (7/8/08 edition)
Poirot
10x04 Taken at the Flood [season finale]
A weak tale, with a particularly implausible and unengaging plot. Also, the title is meaningless.
Would I Lie To You?
2x07 (22/8/08 edition)
4x22 Raincoats and Recipes [season finale]
Mock the Week
6x05 (7/8/08 edition)
Poirot
10x04 Taken at the Flood [season finale]
A weak tale, with a particularly implausible and unengaging plot. Also, the title is meaningless.
Would I Lie To You?
2x07 (22/8/08 edition)
Films
Flushed Away (2006)
[#57 in 100 Films in a Year 2008]
Still really, really far behind with my reviews...
[#57 in 100 Films in a Year 2008]
Still really, really far behind with my reviews...
Friday, 22 August 2008
TV
Dragons' Den
6x05 (18/8/08 edition)
The most padded show on TV is still great entertainment, a massive intellectual cut above shows like The X Factor despite occasionally sharing some of the same traits. This season there's extra footage available online, though quite why this isn't put into the show at the expense of Evan Davis' repetitive commentary I don't know.
Gilmore Girls
4x20 Luke Can See Her Face
4x21 Last Week Fights, This Week Tights
Mock the Week
6x07 (21/8/08 edition)
A particularly hilarious episode.
Poirot
10x02 Cards on the Table [2nd watch]
[2nd half]
6x05 (18/8/08 edition)
The most padded show on TV is still great entertainment, a massive intellectual cut above shows like The X Factor despite occasionally sharing some of the same traits. This season there's extra footage available online, though quite why this isn't put into the show at the expense of Evan Davis' repetitive commentary I don't know.
Gilmore Girls
4x20 Luke Can See Her Face
4x21 Last Week Fights, This Week Tights
Mock the Week
6x07 (21/8/08 edition)
A particularly hilarious episode.
Poirot
10x02 Cards on the Table [2nd watch]
[2nd half]
Articles
Eon Productions Pass On Devil May Care Film Rights by Matt Weston
and
Broccoli And Faulks Talk Devil Film Rights Snub by Matt Weston
(from CommanderBond.net)
"Eon Productions had passed on the movie rights to Sebastian Faulks’ one-off James Bond novel, Devil May Care... “Devil May Care is a period book which is set in the 1960s, and it really wouldn’t fit as one of the films that Eon has been making recently,” Broccoli [said]... Faulks, meanwhile, raised a valid point: “I would have thought that if you could move Casino Royale from the 1950s you could move Devil May Care from the Sixties.”"
The Movie-Con Blog by Olly Richards
(from BFI Presents the Empire Movie-Con)
Oh new Watchmen footage, how I wish thee could be seen!
Production Stopped On The Sweeney Film by Chris Hewitt
(from Empire Online)
Cancelled by damn Yanks for fear of a lack of international appeal. Damn Yanks. If it was only going to cost $16m, surely it would've made that back in the UK alone; and, if it was any good, it would make enough worldwide to top it up? But hey, what do studio execs know? (Answer: not much.)
"We wanted to join the family of Barry, Bassey, Connery and Craig." by Matt Weston
(from CommanderBond.net)
"Jack White discusses his collaboration with Alicia Keys on [new Bond theme] Another Way To Die." And he sounds like a bit of a cock, to be honest.
Will This Be The Worst Film Ever? by Helen O'Hara
(from the Empire blog)
O'Hara makes a good case for why the forthcoming 'satire' An American Carol may be the most morally repulsive film ever made. See what you think by watching the trailer here.
and
Broccoli And Faulks Talk Devil Film Rights Snub by Matt Weston
(from CommanderBond.net)
"Eon Productions had passed on the movie rights to Sebastian Faulks’ one-off James Bond novel, Devil May Care... “Devil May Care is a period book which is set in the 1960s, and it really wouldn’t fit as one of the films that Eon has been making recently,” Broccoli [said]... Faulks, meanwhile, raised a valid point: “I would have thought that if you could move Casino Royale from the 1950s you could move Devil May Care from the Sixties.”"
The Movie-Con Blog by Olly Richards
(from BFI Presents the Empire Movie-Con)
Oh new Watchmen footage, how I wish thee could be seen!
Production Stopped On The Sweeney Film by Chris Hewitt
(from Empire Online)
Cancelled by damn Yanks for fear of a lack of international appeal. Damn Yanks. If it was only going to cost $16m, surely it would've made that back in the UK alone; and, if it was any good, it would make enough worldwide to top it up? But hey, what do studio execs know? (Answer: not much.)
"We wanted to join the family of Barry, Bassey, Connery and Craig." by Matt Weston
(from CommanderBond.net)
"Jack White discusses his collaboration with Alicia Keys on [new Bond theme] Another Way To Die." And he sounds like a bit of a cock, to be honest.
Will This Be The Worst Film Ever? by Helen O'Hara
(from the Empire blog)
O'Hara makes a good case for why the forthcoming 'satire' An American Carol may be the most morally repulsive film ever made. See what you think by watching the trailer here.
Thursday, 21 August 2008
TV
Friday Night With Jonathan Ross
14x25 (11/7/08 edition) [season finale]
Mock the Week
6x06 (14/8/08 edition)
The first time I've watched something on BBC iPlayer through my Virgin Media TV service. The image quality was below normal, of course, but not noticeably so most of the time. In fact, it all worked pretty darn well.
Poirot
10x02 Cards on the Table [2nd watch]
[1st half]
14x25 (11/7/08 edition) [season finale]
Mock the Week
6x06 (14/8/08 edition)
The first time I've watched something on BBC iPlayer through my Virgin Media TV service. The image quality was below normal, of course, but not noticeably so most of the time. In fact, it all worked pretty darn well.
Poirot
10x02 Cards on the Table [2nd watch]
[1st half]
Films
Gentlemen Prefer Blondes (1953)
[#56 in 100 Films in a Year 2008]
I'm getting really, really far behind with my reviews now...
[#56 in 100 Films in a Year 2008]
I'm getting really, really far behind with my reviews now...
Articles
Review of X-Men (Animated Television Series): Season 1 - Volume 1 DVD by Eamonn McCusker
(from DVD Times)
My God I used to love this show. I can't wait to finally get it on DVD. The theme music is absolutely classic -- all together now: "dododododo do-do, dododododo do-do! Dododododo-do-do... do-do, dooo-do!"
(from DVD Times)
My God I used to love this show. I can't wait to finally get it on DVD. The theme music is absolutely classic -- all together now: "dododododo do-do, dododododo do-do! Dododododo-do-do... do-do, dooo-do!"
Wednesday, 20 August 2008
TV
Friday Night With Jonathan Ross
14x24 (4/7/08 edition)
On which I discovered they're making a film spin-off from The Thick of It, called In the Loop.
Never Mind the Buzzcocks
19x05 (23/11/08 edition) [2nd watch]
Buzzcocks has been so much better since Simon Amstell took over as host (it's been almost two years now). In this episode, a squeaky-voiced pink-shirt-wearing Daniel Bedingfield seems to be trying to out-camp John Barrowman. Ha!
Would I Lie To You?
2x05 (8/8/08 edition)
14x24 (4/7/08 edition)
On which I discovered they're making a film spin-off from The Thick of It, called In the Loop.
Never Mind the Buzzcocks
19x05 (23/11/08 edition) [2nd watch]
Buzzcocks has been so much better since Simon Amstell took over as host (it's been almost two years now). In this episode, a squeaky-voiced pink-shirt-wearing Daniel Bedingfield seems to be trying to out-camp John Barrowman. Ha!
Would I Lie To You?
2x05 (8/8/08 edition)
Articles
Legal Battle Over Watchmen Movie
(from WENN)
Well this came out of nowhere.
Tropic Thunder Topples Dark Knight by Olly Richards
(from Empire Online)
"The Dark Knight may have slipped, but it only went as far as number two, taking another $16.8 million. That's pushed it to $471.5 million domestically, making it the second highest grossing film of all time, after Titanic. Yes, it's surpassed Star Wars, which has earned $461 million in its various releases."
Review of The Jane Austen Book Club by Angie Errigo
(from Empire Online)
Review of Stardust by Dan Jolin
(from Empire Online)
"Patchy but great fun, peppering plenty of black humour into a sweet if silly fairy-tale romance."
Russell Crowe To Play Bill Hicks? by Helen O'Hara
(from Empire Online)
A biopic of Bill Hicks? Could be cool. But really, why not just watch some recordings of his gigs?
(from WENN)
Well this came out of nowhere.
Tropic Thunder Topples Dark Knight by Olly Richards
(from Empire Online)
"The Dark Knight may have slipped, but it only went as far as number two, taking another $16.8 million. That's pushed it to $471.5 million domestically, making it the second highest grossing film of all time, after Titanic. Yes, it's surpassed Star Wars, which has earned $461 million in its various releases."
Review of The Jane Austen Book Club by Angie Errigo
(from Empire Online)
Review of Stardust by Dan Jolin
(from Empire Online)
"Patchy but great fun, peppering plenty of black humour into a sweet if silly fairy-tale romance."
Russell Crowe To Play Bill Hicks? by Helen O'Hara
(from Empire Online)
A biopic of Bill Hicks? Could be cool. But really, why not just watch some recordings of his gigs?
Tuesday, 19 August 2008
Films
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (2007)
[2nd watch]
Better second time round.
The Jane Austen Book Club (2007)
[#54 in 100 Films in a Year 2008]
[2nd watch]
Better second time round.
The Jane Austen Book Club (2007)
[#54 in 100 Films in a Year 2008]
Monday, 18 August 2008
TV
Mock the Week
6x02 (17/7/08 edition)
6x03 (24/7/08 edition)
6x04 (31/7/08 edition)
Would I Lie To You?
2x02 (18/7/08 edition)
2x03 (25/7/08 edition)
2x04 (1/8/08 edition)
6x02 (17/7/08 edition)
6x03 (24/7/08 edition)
6x04 (31/7/08 edition)
Would I Lie To You?
2x02 (18/7/08 edition)
2x03 (25/7/08 edition)
2x04 (1/8/08 edition)
Sunday, 17 August 2008
Saturday, 16 August 2008
TV
Invincible
Behind-the-Scenes
Free behind-the-scenes video for the 'motion comic' made my MTV. Based on the extended preview at the front of this very light-weight "making of", it has the advantage of a full voice cast, but the actual animation is incredibly minimal. Sort of the inverse of...
Watchmen Motion Comics
Chapter I (of 12)
The first Warner Premiere Motion Comic, available through iTunes in the US (it doesn't seem to have turned up in the UK yet). The original comic is brilliant and, aside from a sometimes-iffy narrator (a full voice cast would've been better) this is an excellent rendition. It's surprisingly animated too -- perhaps not quite up to scratch for a fully-animated show (especially with those speech bubbles floating around), but a lot more than just moving things around within the frame or somesuch.
Behind-the-Scenes
Free behind-the-scenes video for the 'motion comic' made my MTV. Based on the extended preview at the front of this very light-weight "making of", it has the advantage of a full voice cast, but the actual animation is incredibly minimal. Sort of the inverse of...
Watchmen Motion Comics
Chapter I (of 12)
The first Warner Premiere Motion Comic, available through iTunes in the US (it doesn't seem to have turned up in the UK yet). The original comic is brilliant and, aside from a sometimes-iffy narrator (a full voice cast would've been better) this is an excellent rendition. It's surprisingly animated too -- perhaps not quite up to scratch for a fully-animated show (especially with those speech bubbles floating around), but a lot more than just moving things around within the frame or somesuch.
Back in the UK!
0!
As this is posted, I should be somewhere in the air, flying Business Class from Newark to Bristol. Oo-ooh, I know. However, thanks to horrendous delays, I'll probably be sat in the Business Lounge at Newark waiting for a flight.
For a full explanation, please see the start of the countdown.
As this is posted, I should be somewhere in the air, flying Business Class from Newark to Bristol. Oo-ooh, I know. However, thanks to horrendous delays, I'll probably be sat in the Business Lounge at Newark waiting for a flight.
For a full explanation, please see the start of the countdown.
TV
Buffy the Vampire Slayer: The Animated Series
Unreleased Promo
Back in 2001 and 2002, Joss Whedon & co tried to get an animated version of Buffy off the ground. A four-minute promo was completed in 2004, but no network picked up the show. Finally, just a few days ago, that promo leaked online. Hurrah! A must-see for anyone who ever liked Buffy -- it looks great, though the voice actress for Buffy sounds nothing like Sarah Michelle Gellar.
Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog
Acts 1 - 3 (of 3)
"#1 Downloaded TV Season on iTunes 3 WEEKS RUNNING!"
And it's funny. Which is the point. So all is good. Surprisingly few songs though. And Whedon can't resist a tragic twist or two.
Unreleased Promo
Back in 2001 and 2002, Joss Whedon & co tried to get an animated version of Buffy off the ground. A four-minute promo was completed in 2004, but no network picked up the show. Finally, just a few days ago, that promo leaked online. Hurrah! A must-see for anyone who ever liked Buffy -- it looks great, though the voice actress for Buffy sounds nothing like Sarah Michelle Gellar.
Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog
Acts 1 - 3 (of 3)
"#1 Downloaded TV Season on iTunes 3 WEEKS RUNNING!"
And it's funny. Which is the point. So all is good. Surprisingly few songs though. And Whedon can't resist a tragic twist or two.
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