8 Out of 10 Cats
7x08 (23/10/08 edition)
The Graham Norton Show
4x03 (16/10/08 edition)
No uncut repeat for this available online, probably because it was scheduled after snooker and I bet it didn't get shown. Bloody sport. Shouldn't be allowed. Especially in these days of red button viewing and whatnot. Hopefully the switch to digital over the next three or four years will mean the death of sporting events preempting proper programming.
Never Mind the Buzzcocks
22x04 (23/10/08 edition)
No Heroics
1x03 Mean Gills
Spooks
6x03 The Kidnap
Go Malcolm! Yay!
Thursday, 23 October 2008
DVD Extras
"The Story" audio commentary on Se7en
One of four different chat tracks on the Se7en DVD, this one features Richard Dyer, author of BFI Modern Classics: Se7en, analysing "the cop-thriller film genre", while director David Fincher, writer Andrew Kevin Walker, editor Richard Francis-Bruce, and New Line President of Production Michael De Luca "discuss the script and project history".
It's not a commentary in the sense you might expect -- these people aren't sat round together watching the film; rather, they're more like interviews, edited together thematically or what have you, usually with minimal or no relation to what's on screen. Arguably it's allowed to be more interesting this way.
What it could do with, however, is subtitles saying who's speaking, which I've seen put to good use on other commentaries that have dozens of people. Yes, there's 'only' five people here, but they've all been recorded separately and some sound quite similar, so it's easy to forget who's who.
One of four different chat tracks on the Se7en DVD, this one features Richard Dyer, author of BFI Modern Classics: Se7en, analysing "the cop-thriller film genre", while director David Fincher, writer Andrew Kevin Walker, editor Richard Francis-Bruce, and New Line President of Production Michael De Luca "discuss the script and project history".
It's not a commentary in the sense you might expect -- these people aren't sat round together watching the film; rather, they're more like interviews, edited together thematically or what have you, usually with minimal or no relation to what's on screen. Arguably it's allowed to be more interesting this way.
What it could do with, however, is subtitles saying who's speaking, which I've seen put to good use on other commentaries that have dozens of people. Yes, there's 'only' five people here, but they've all been recorded separately and some sound quite similar, so it's easy to forget who's who.
Articles
Del Toro, Cuaron do voices in new Bond film
(from Mail.com)
A somewhat bizarre/random story, this one: "Mexican film directors Guillermo del Toro and Alfonso Cuaron will both have voice roles in the new James Bond film Quantum of Solace. Quantum director Marc Foster [sic]... knows both directors and asked them to portray members of a fictional Bolivian army.
No Bond 23 Schedule Yet, Says Daniel Craig by Devin Zydel
(from CommanderBond.net)
Craig cites the current economic climate -- "who knows if we can afford to do another Bond movie anytime soon?" -- which sounds a silly point to me. Of course there's going to be another Bond! The economy might effect how much money Quantum of Solace makes (though, in the year of The Dark Knight, that might seem unlikely), but it will surely do well (in the wake of Casino Royale and all the hype), and all that's likely to be effected is whether Bond 23 is out in two years or three.
(from Mail.com)
A somewhat bizarre/random story, this one: "Mexican film directors Guillermo del Toro and Alfonso Cuaron will both have voice roles in the new James Bond film Quantum of Solace. Quantum director Marc Foster [sic]... knows both directors and asked them to portray members of a fictional Bolivian army.
No Bond 23 Schedule Yet, Says Daniel Craig by Devin Zydel
(from CommanderBond.net)
Craig cites the current economic climate -- "who knows if we can afford to do another Bond movie anytime soon?" -- which sounds a silly point to me. Of course there's going to be another Bond! The economy might effect how much money Quantum of Solace makes (though, in the year of The Dark Knight, that might seem unlikely), but it will surely do well (in the wake of Casino Royale and all the hype), and all that's likely to be effected is whether Bond 23 is out in two years or three.
Wednesday, 22 October 2008
Fiction
Pobby and Dingan by Ben Rice
Chapters One - Sixteen [the end]
An interesting little novella (it's only 90 pages). I like the central idea -- a girl's two imaginary friends go missing, which makes her sick, so her brother, who never believed in them and found his sister's insistence in their existence irritating, must find them to make her better -- but it's written in that too-common "child-narrative" style, which I find quite irritating but seems to keep getting critical praise (see review quotes at the above link), awards (in this case, the 2001 Somerset Maugham Award), and turning up on degree course reading lists (another check).
You may well know what I mean by child-narrative: first-person from the perspective of a pre-teen kid, who speaks in 'authentic kid-like ways' by saying things like "James Blond" instead of "James Bond", or "should of" instead of "should've", or "remember I mentioned him/that earlier", and other such kid-isms; and who observes 'adult events' without understanding them, but describes them well enough that us clever readers can decode them and work out the truth; and so on.
Still, maybe I'll like the film adaptation (Opal Dream, which I'm currently trying to get hold of) better, as I did like the central idea -- remember I mentioned that earlier?
Chapters One - Sixteen [the end]
An interesting little novella (it's only 90 pages). I like the central idea -- a girl's two imaginary friends go missing, which makes her sick, so her brother, who never believed in them and found his sister's insistence in their existence irritating, must find them to make her better -- but it's written in that too-common "child-narrative" style, which I find quite irritating but seems to keep getting critical praise (see review quotes at the above link), awards (in this case, the 2001 Somerset Maugham Award), and turning up on degree course reading lists (another check).
You may well know what I mean by child-narrative: first-person from the perspective of a pre-teen kid, who speaks in 'authentic kid-like ways' by saying things like "James Blond" instead of "James Bond", or "should of" instead of "should've", or "remember I mentioned him/that earlier", and other such kid-isms; and who observes 'adult events' without understanding them, but describes them well enough that us clever readers can decode them and work out the truth; and so on.
Still, maybe I'll like the film adaptation (Opal Dream, which I'm currently trying to get hold of) better, as I did like the central idea -- remember I mentioned that earlier?
Articles
Atheist buses ready to roll across country after making £31,000 in a day by Martin Beckford
(from Telegraph.co.uk)
Two thoughts: "Yay atheism!" and "Stupid Christians."
John McCain 'endorsed by al-Qaeda supporters'
(from Telegraph.co.uk)
"Supporters of al-Qaeda have said they would prefer Republican candidate John McCain to win the US election because he is more likely to continue the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan." Best news ever?
The Original Quantum of Solace Cliffhanger Ending
and
'Quantum' Organization To Return In Future James Bond Films
(both by Devin Zydel, from CommanderBond.net)
A pair of connected Bond stories here. In the first (which isn't as spoilery as it may seem), director Marc Forster reveals that he deleted a scene from the end of Quantum of Solace (after where it ends now) that would have ended the film on a definite cliffhanger and the "producers wouldn’t have had a choice but to make it a trilogy". (This scene will be on the DVD/Blu-ray.) The second article suggests this mightn't've been such a problem, however, as producer Barbara Broccoli confirms the long-held expectation/hope of fans that the secretive Quantum organisation will continue to be a presence in future franchise entries. Hurrah!
Sex and the City: The Movie R1 UCE in December by Dave Foster
(from DVD Times)
"another Ultimate Collector's Edition due before Christmas, and this time it's for a film that was only released on DVD last month." I don't really care either way about the film or the release, but the speed of the re-release is pretty shocking. Extras-packed re-releases are pretty much a given these days, a near-inevitable pitfall of DVD/Blu-ray collecting that are often unpredictable (some very successful films get re-churned-out (see Casino Royale), some relatively unsuccessful ones too (see I Am Legend), while others just don't (see Batman Begins)), but such a speedy re-issue is pretty cruel.
Review of Postal DVD by Eamonn McCusker
(from DVD Times)
In just a few short years (he only really came to prominence in 2005 after game adaptations Alone in the Dark and, previously, House of the Dead) German director Uwe Boll has become pretty widely reviled; genuinely loathed, in some circles. Over-loathed, some might say. And it really is very quickly, when you look at his filmography -- pretty much between a couple of movies, after only making two or three, he was suddenly The Worst Person Ever. Anyway, I've never seen one of his films, but Postal sounds great.
(from Telegraph.co.uk)
Two thoughts: "Yay atheism!" and "Stupid Christians."
John McCain 'endorsed by al-Qaeda supporters'
(from Telegraph.co.uk)
"Supporters of al-Qaeda have said they would prefer Republican candidate John McCain to win the US election because he is more likely to continue the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan." Best news ever?
The Original Quantum of Solace Cliffhanger Ending
and
'Quantum' Organization To Return In Future James Bond Films
(both by Devin Zydel, from CommanderBond.net)
A pair of connected Bond stories here. In the first (which isn't as spoilery as it may seem), director Marc Forster reveals that he deleted a scene from the end of Quantum of Solace (after where it ends now) that would have ended the film on a definite cliffhanger and the "producers wouldn’t have had a choice but to make it a trilogy". (This scene will be on the DVD/Blu-ray.) The second article suggests this mightn't've been such a problem, however, as producer Barbara Broccoli confirms the long-held expectation/hope of fans that the secretive Quantum organisation will continue to be a presence in future franchise entries. Hurrah!
Sex and the City: The Movie R1 UCE in December by Dave Foster
(from DVD Times)
"another Ultimate Collector's Edition due before Christmas, and this time it's for a film that was only released on DVD last month." I don't really care either way about the film or the release, but the speed of the re-release is pretty shocking. Extras-packed re-releases are pretty much a given these days, a near-inevitable pitfall of DVD/Blu-ray collecting that are often unpredictable (some very successful films get re-churned-out (see Casino Royale), some relatively unsuccessful ones too (see I Am Legend), while others just don't (see Batman Begins)), but such a speedy re-issue is pretty cruel.
Review of Postal DVD by Eamonn McCusker
(from DVD Times)
In just a few short years (he only really came to prominence in 2005 after game adaptations Alone in the Dark and, previously, House of the Dead) German director Uwe Boll has become pretty widely reviled; genuinely loathed, in some circles. Over-loathed, some might say. And it really is very quickly, when you look at his filmography -- pretty much between a couple of movies, after only making two or three, he was suddenly The Worst Person Ever. Anyway, I've never seen one of his films, but Postal sounds great.
Websites
Rumours from doctorwhotoys.net
Compare the rumour titled Series 4 & SJA Releases "Confirmed" (dated 21st October 2008) with the one a bit further down, SJA Figures "Return" (dated 14th October 2008), and ponder which seems more likely. The fact that the 21/10 rumour also includes figures that I'd bet cold hard cash they'll never ever make (the complete cast of Midnight? The 'German Woman' who had all of five lines in Journey's End?) makes it seem all the more ludicrous.
On the other hand, the Classic Gift Set rumour (22nd October 2008) sounds very likely -- it overcomes the problem of whether they should be painted black & white or colour (the latter sounds obvious, but it wouldn't be story-accurate now would it) and potentially solves the problem that Doctors 1 and 2 aren't expected to sell well.
Compare the rumour titled Series 4 & SJA Releases "Confirmed" (dated 21st October 2008) with the one a bit further down, SJA Figures "Return" (dated 14th October 2008), and ponder which seems more likely. The fact that the 21/10 rumour also includes figures that I'd bet cold hard cash they'll never ever make (the complete cast of Midnight? The 'German Woman' who had all of five lines in Journey's End?) makes it seem all the more ludicrous.
On the other hand, the Classic Gift Set rumour (22nd October 2008) sounds very likely -- it overcomes the problem of whether they should be painted black & white or colour (the latter sounds obvious, but it wouldn't be story-accurate now would it) and potentially solves the problem that Doctors 1 and 2 aren't expected to sell well.
Tuesday, 21 October 2008
TV
The Micallef P(r)ogram(me)
"Polite Distances" sketch
"English Have a Go" sketch
The find of "Polite Distances" was research for something, and the other a link from that. It turned out to be almost-depressingly close to what I'm writing, though on the other hand it looks pretty old and I doubt anyone else here has seen it, so all should be OK.
The Sarah Jane Adventures
2x04 The Day of the Clown Part Two
Spooks
6x02 The Virus Part 2
Despite indulging in many of the flaws that have best Spooks in 'The Adam Era', this is a pretty cracking episode. Also, the 'on-going storyline' thing is off to a good start, based on the trailer for ep3. On the other hand, the ever-dislikable Ros is showing an unbelievable amount of humanity in her desire to track down Zaf.
"Polite Distances" sketch
"English Have a Go" sketch
The find of "Polite Distances" was research for something, and the other a link from that. It turned out to be almost-depressingly close to what I'm writing, though on the other hand it looks pretty old and I doubt anyone else here has seen it, so all should be OK.
The Sarah Jane Adventures
2x04 The Day of the Clown Part Two
Spooks
6x02 The Virus Part 2
Despite indulging in many of the flaws that have best Spooks in 'The Adam Era', this is a pretty cracking episode. Also, the 'on-going storyline' thing is off to a good start, based on the trailer for ep3. On the other hand, the ever-dislikable Ros is showing an unbelievable amount of humanity in her desire to track down Zaf.
DVD Extras
Casino Royale Deluxe Edition
Currently impossible to find in the shops (well, I had a good look round town yesterday, and couldn't find a single copy nor space in charts for one), this re-release for the last Bond movie lives up to its name with some beautiful presentation. The three discs -- packed with all the extras from the last release plus a slew of new ones, including two audio commentaries -- are in possibly the sturdiest box I've ever seen used for a DVD -- which is a good thing. I do like a nice sturdy DVD box. Plus it has the glossiest booklet I've ever seen within a DVD, with a handful of lovely piccies and a bit of text too.
Yes, this is essentially just a review of how they packaged it. But it's lovely, so there.
Currently impossible to find in the shops (well, I had a good look round town yesterday, and couldn't find a single copy nor space in charts for one), this re-release for the last Bond movie lives up to its name with some beautiful presentation. The three discs -- packed with all the extras from the last release plus a slew of new ones, including two audio commentaries -- are in possibly the sturdiest box I've ever seen used for a DVD -- which is a good thing. I do like a nice sturdy DVD box. Plus it has the glossiest booklet I've ever seen within a DVD, with a handful of lovely piccies and a bit of text too.
Yes, this is essentially just a review of how they packaged it. But it's lovely, so there.
Articles
BitTorrent Watchers Downloading Older Movies
(from Studio Briefing)
Slightly misleading headline, if you ask me, but some very interesting news: "the website TorrentFreak.com claimed that Get Smart, which was released theatrically last June, was the most-downloaded film of the week. It is due to be released on DVD on November 4. Journey to the Center of the Earth, which was released in theaters in July and is due to be released on DVD next week, was the second-most-downloaded movie. Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, which topped the list last week, fell to third place, possibly because the DVD had already hit the stores."
Considering that, once upon a time, it took films a year or more to travel from the cinema to the home ent market, and that window is now down to about four months, could we see the time reduced further still? With opening day/weekend fast becoming the most important part of a film's gross by far, with the ensuing weeks dwindling in import to the extent that many features only play for two or three weeks, could we see films hitting DVD/download within just a month or two of their theatrical debut?
(from Studio Briefing)
Slightly misleading headline, if you ask me, but some very interesting news: "the website TorrentFreak.com claimed that Get Smart, which was released theatrically last June, was the most-downloaded film of the week. It is due to be released on DVD on November 4. Journey to the Center of the Earth, which was released in theaters in July and is due to be released on DVD next week, was the second-most-downloaded movie. Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, which topped the list last week, fell to third place, possibly because the DVD had already hit the stores."
Considering that, once upon a time, it took films a year or more to travel from the cinema to the home ent market, and that window is now down to about four months, could we see the time reduced further still? With opening day/weekend fast becoming the most important part of a film's gross by far, with the ensuing weeks dwindling in import to the extent that many features only play for two or three weeks, could we see films hitting DVD/download within just a month or two of their theatrical debut?
Magazines
Radio Times 25-31 October 2008
For the start of Little Dorrit, the highly anticipated Dickens adaptation made in the same style as the hugely successful 2005 Bleak House, Radio Times have created four "collector's covers". While I'm sure such initiatives sell well for shows like Doctor Who and Ashes to Ashes -- series with built-in, geeky, collector fanbase/market -- I really can't imagine anyone bar the most ardent Dickens admirer/scholar bothering to buy more than one cover. Surely a fold-out would've been a better idea?
Still, it's a bloody starry cast, so there's that at least. The many notable members include (in alphabetical order) Freema Agyeman, Alun Armstrong, Darren Boyd, Ron Cook, Mackenzie Crook, Annette Crosbie, Tom Courtenay, James Fleet, Robert Hardy, Sue Johnston, Ruth Jones, Anton Lesser, Matthew Macfadyen, Eddie Marsan, Eve Myles, Judy Parfitt, Bill Paterson, Maxine Peake, Emma Pierson, Amanda Redman, Andy Serkis, Russell Tovey, and Claire Foy as the titular Amy Dorrit. Phew! (There's at least four new Who alumni in that list, donchaknow, plus a couple more among the less-famous other cast members.)
For the start of Little Dorrit, the highly anticipated Dickens adaptation made in the same style as the hugely successful 2005 Bleak House, Radio Times have created four "collector's covers". While I'm sure such initiatives sell well for shows like Doctor Who and Ashes to Ashes -- series with built-in, geeky, collector fanbase/market -- I really can't imagine anyone bar the most ardent Dickens admirer/scholar bothering to buy more than one cover. Surely a fold-out would've been a better idea?
Still, it's a bloody starry cast, so there's that at least. The many notable members include (in alphabetical order) Freema Agyeman, Alun Armstrong, Darren Boyd, Ron Cook, Mackenzie Crook, Annette Crosbie, Tom Courtenay, James Fleet, Robert Hardy, Sue Johnston, Ruth Jones, Anton Lesser, Matthew Macfadyen, Eddie Marsan, Eve Myles, Judy Parfitt, Bill Paterson, Maxine Peake, Emma Pierson, Amanda Redman, Andy Serkis, Russell Tovey, and Claire Foy as the titular Amy Dorrit. Phew! (There's at least four new Who alumni in that list, donchaknow, plus a couple more among the less-famous other cast members.)
Monday, 20 October 2008
TV
Dead Set TV Trailer
Fantastic concept and seems to have high production values too. This looks like it could be brilliant. See a variety of trailers on the official site.
Heroes Unmasked
3x03 On a Heroic Scale
Spooks
6x01 The Virus Part 1
On to series six somewhat quicker than I was expecting -- normally I'd've waited for the DVD's inevitable price drop to around £15, but with series seven only a week away -- and this season available on DVD already (usually it's not out til the weekend before/after episode one) -- I thought it would be good to catch up in time to watch the new series when it's on.
Wired
Part 2 (of 3)
Fantastic concept and seems to have high production values too. This looks like it could be brilliant. See a variety of trailers on the official site.
Heroes Unmasked
3x03 On a Heroic Scale
Spooks
6x01 The Virus Part 1
On to series six somewhat quicker than I was expecting -- normally I'd've waited for the DVD's inevitable price drop to around £15, but with series seven only a week away -- and this season available on DVD already (usually it's not out til the weekend before/after episode one) -- I thought it would be good to catch up in time to watch the new series when it's on.
Wired
Part 2 (of 3)
Films
After the Sunset (2004)
[#67 in 100 Films in a Year 2008]
Cool poster, shame about the film.
Se7en (1995)
[6th or so watch]
Despite often citing it as my favourite / one of my favourite films, I haven't actually seen Se7en for years (following a spate of watching it far too many times in one go). Luckily, it's still brilliant.
[#67 in 100 Films in a Year 2008]
Cool poster, shame about the film.
Se7en (1995)
[6th or so watch]
Despite often citing it as my favourite / one of my favourite films, I haven't actually seen Se7en for years (following a spate of watching it far too many times in one go). Luckily, it's still brilliant.
Non-Fiction
Three Uses of the Knife by David Mamet
Chapter One
Subtitled On the Nature and Purpose of Drama, if you were wondering what it was about. My word of the day -- not used in this, but thought about it -- is "obfuscate".
Chapter One
Subtitled On the Nature and Purpose of Drama, if you were wondering what it was about. My word of the day -- not used in this, but thought about it -- is "obfuscate".
shameless eBay self-promotion: almost the final update, hopefully
I still have several items for sale on eBay, believe it or not. Anything in bold is being bid on, anything crossed out sold since this was posted; everything else also has a Buy It Now option.
The following ends tonight at 11:43pm:
Sherlock Holmes and the Case of the Silk Stocking
Additionally, there are several items I've re-listed, now at a lower price. Fortunately, several have sold already:
Casino Royale (Penguin Modern Classics edition)
From Russia With Love (Penguin Modern Classics edition)
Live and Let Die (Penguin Modern Classics edition)
On Her Majesty's Secret Service (Penguin Modern Classics edition)
You Only Live Twice (Penguin Modern Classics edition)
And finally, these two aren't listed yet but will be one day:
Doctor Who Empress of the Racnoss action figure
Se7en (2-disc Special Edition)
And that's all for now!
The following ends tonight at 11:43pm:
Additionally, there are several items I've re-listed, now at a lower price. Fortunately, several have sold already:
And finally, these two aren't listed yet but will be one day:
And that's all for now!
Sunday, 19 October 2008
TV
Friday Night With Jonathan Ross
15x07 (17/10/08 edition)
Ian Fleming: Where Bond Began
It's his centenary (still) and Quantum of Solace is nearly upon us. Yep, it's time for another Fleming doco! Luckily this is a really good one. Joanna Lumley is a wonderful host, the biographical details more in depth than usual -- they touch on Fleming's private life as well as his espionage antics -- and there's some nice interludes looking at real-life Bond-style gadgets, his style of research, his methods of writing, and so on. If you missed this, catch it on the iPlayer or something -- it's worth it.
Stephen Fry in America
Part 2 Deep South
I find it reassuring how often I share Stephen Fry's views.
15x07 (17/10/08 edition)
Ian Fleming: Where Bond Began
It's his centenary (still) and Quantum of Solace is nearly upon us. Yep, it's time for another Fleming doco! Luckily this is a really good one. Joanna Lumley is a wonderful host, the biographical details more in depth than usual -- they touch on Fleming's private life as well as his espionage antics -- and there's some nice interludes looking at real-life Bond-style gadgets, his style of research, his methods of writing, and so on. If you missed this, catch it on the iPlayer or something -- it's worth it.
Stephen Fry in America
Part 2 Deep South
I find it reassuring how often I share Stephen Fry's views.
Fiction
Mock the Week: Scenes We'd Like To See by Ewan Phillips, Dan Patterson, Simon Bullivant, Rob Colley, Dan Gaster, Ged Parsons, Giles Pilbrow, Steve Punt & Colin Swash
64. DVDs That Wouldn't Sell
76. Lines You'd Never See in a James Bond Book (Part 1)
83. Lines You'd Never See in a James Bond Book (Part 2)
So is this Fiction or Non-Fiction, hm? As it's Scenes We'd Like To See, I'm going with Fiction. Also, look at that list of authors! And none of them panelists from the show itself. Anyway, the last one in Bond (Part 2) (which is also the last line in the entire book) is very amusing. The others were... intermittent.
64. DVDs That Wouldn't Sell
76. Lines You'd Never See in a James Bond Book (Part 1)
83. Lines You'd Never See in a James Bond Book (Part 2)
So is this Fiction or Non-Fiction, hm? As it's Scenes We'd Like To See, I'm going with Fiction. Also, look at that list of authors! And none of them panelists from the show itself. Anyway, the last one in Bond (Part 2) (which is also the last line in the entire book) is very amusing. The others were... intermittent.
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