Lark Rise to Candleford
2x09 Episode 9
By turns hilarious for good reasons (Minnie!) and hilarious for bad reasons (the sickening sentiment, such as when the two villages make up).
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Orangutan Diary
2x02 Episode 2 [2nd half]
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Tuesday, 10 March 2009
Non-Fiction
101 Sonnets edited by Don Paterson
Introduction
The Ode Less Travelled by Stephen Fry
Chapter Three: II-X (selections from)
Having to jump ahead, I'm afraid, in order to find bits relevant to the essay I was writing. Will resume normal service shortly.
Introduction
The Ode Less Travelled by Stephen Fry
Chapter Three: II-X (selections from)
Having to jump ahead, I'm afraid, in order to find bits relevant to the essay I was writing. Will resume normal service shortly.
Articles
7 Films That Must Be Saved From Development Hell by James White
(from Total Film)
I'm not convinced they all deserving saving, but some sound crackin'.
6 Unforgettable Opening Credits Sequences by James White
(from Total Film)
Several good choices, several key omissions.
Alex Proyas Describes How He Would Treat Dark City Sequel by Brian Warmoth
(from MTV Movies Blog)
Dark City is amazing and massively underrated. Consequently, a sequel would be amazing.
Eurovision bans Georgia's anti-Putin song by Leigh Holmwood
(from guardian.co.uk)
Shame.
LEGO Watchmen minifigs by Sir Nadroj by Andrew
(from The Brothers Brick)
I wish these were real. I want them.
Times fails to overturn 'internet publication rule' in court case by Afua Hirsch
(from guardian.co.uk)
Bloody Europe, meddling to ill effect again.
(from Total Film)
I'm not convinced they all deserving saving, but some sound crackin'.
6 Unforgettable Opening Credits Sequences by James White
(from Total Film)
Several good choices, several key omissions.
Alex Proyas Describes How He Would Treat Dark City Sequel by Brian Warmoth
(from MTV Movies Blog)
Dark City is amazing and massively underrated. Consequently, a sequel would be amazing.
Eurovision bans Georgia's anti-Putin song by Leigh Holmwood
(from guardian.co.uk)
Shame.
LEGO Watchmen minifigs by Sir Nadroj by Andrew
(from The Brothers Brick)
I wish these were real. I want them.
Times fails to overturn 'internet publication rule' in court case by Afua Hirsch
(from guardian.co.uk)
Bloody Europe, meddling to ill effect again.
Monday, 9 March 2009
TV
Law & Order: UK
1x03 Vice
A rather good episode, though it's somewhat worrying how 'rape victims' in dramas are almost always faking it. I'm sure it seems like a good twist to the writers, but it does little to support real life rape cases (in which it is already near impossible to earn a conviction).
[Watch it (again) on ITV Player.]
Orangutan Diary
2x02 Episode 2 [1st half]
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
1x03 Vice
A rather good episode, though it's somewhat worrying how 'rape victims' in dramas are almost always faking it. I'm sure it seems like a good twist to the writers, but it does little to support real life rape cases (in which it is already near impossible to earn a conviction).
[Watch it (again) on ITV Player.]
Orangutan Diary
2x02 Episode 2 [1st half]
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Fiction
The Melancholy Death of Oyster Boy & Other Stories by Tim Burton
This falls into Poetry as much as Fiction: its a selection of narrative poems by film director Tim Burton, of varying length and able to be slotted into the nonsense tradition. All are written poetically, though one would describe his observance of form as lax at best -- even when he seems to be fitting a loose style, he frequently breaks it. While that's theoretically fine, most of the pieces read very rhythmically; some of his breaks actually support the rhythm, others shatter it.
My personal favourite was Anchor Baby -- it has a couple of serious flaws, but is otherwise brilliant. Stain Boy was also good. The titular tale is possibly the darkest of the lot, belying (as many do) the child-like nursery-rhyme style of the Burton's verse. But then, most of the best children's tales are, in their original form, surprisingly dark.
Perhaps the biggest flaw is Burton's tendency to repeat himself; not just with plots (they almost exclusively concern children who are born with some bizarre deformity and so remain outsiders -- working through his own childhood, perhaps?) but concepts. For example, there are two pieces about people afflicted by being pin cushions. Others are brief to the point of pointlessness, the prime offender being Jimmy, the Hideous Penguin Boy.
The whole text can be read online for free here. I have no idea if this is a legal copy or not.
This falls into Poetry as much as Fiction: its a selection of narrative poems by film director Tim Burton, of varying length and able to be slotted into the nonsense tradition. All are written poetically, though one would describe his observance of form as lax at best -- even when he seems to be fitting a loose style, he frequently breaks it. While that's theoretically fine, most of the pieces read very rhythmically; some of his breaks actually support the rhythm, others shatter it.
My personal favourite was Anchor Baby -- it has a couple of serious flaws, but is otherwise brilliant. Stain Boy was also good. The titular tale is possibly the darkest of the lot, belying (as many do) the child-like nursery-rhyme style of the Burton's verse. But then, most of the best children's tales are, in their original form, surprisingly dark.
Perhaps the biggest flaw is Burton's tendency to repeat himself; not just with plots (they almost exclusively concern children who are born with some bizarre deformity and so remain outsiders -- working through his own childhood, perhaps?) but concepts. For example, there are two pieces about people afflicted by being pin cushions. Others are brief to the point of pointlessness, the prime offender being Jimmy, the Hideous Penguin Boy.
The whole text can be read online for free here. I have no idea if this is a legal copy or not.
Non-Fiction
The Making of a Poem by Mark Strand & Eavan Boland
The Sonnet (p.55-58)
Blank Verse (p.101-112)
The Heroic Couplet (p.121-134)
IV: Open Forms - Overview (p.259-260)
Another selection of randomised tidbits from this mighty tome. Theoretically in the name of essay writing, but it's actually very interesting -- brief enough to not be boring (unlike its introductions!), but detailed enough to be informative. Also simply explains the rules of writing various poetic forms, which is extremely handy.
The Sonnet (p.55-58)
Blank Verse (p.101-112)
The Heroic Couplet (p.121-134)
IV: Open Forms - Overview (p.259-260)
Another selection of randomised tidbits from this mighty tome. Theoretically in the name of essay writing, but it's actually very interesting -- brief enough to not be boring (unlike its introductions!), but detailed enough to be informative. Also simply explains the rules of writing various poetic forms, which is extremely handy.
Articles
3D TV by Christmas, hints Sky by James Sherwood
(from Register Hardware)
Seriously.
Watchmen Inspired Cocktails
(from Isotope)
Watchmen Takes Top Spot At US Box Office by Chris Hewitt
(from Empire)
I know I reported on this yesterday, but here a few interesting comments:
"Critics of the movie have suggested that the figure [$55.7 million] is something of a disappointment, pointing out that it’s significantly less than the $70 million 300 opened to in the same spot two years ago. But let’s put it all in a little perspective... Although 300 was, like Watchmen, based on a cult comic book, it benefited from a strong marketing campaign which contained an already iconic catchphrase... and a clear delineation of the film’s unique visual style and simple plot: 300 guys versus the world.
"Watchmen’s marketing, although bold and effective, had a harder job of conveying the intricacies of a convoluted plot and multiple characters to an audience that, for the most part, wouldn’t have heard of the source material... Despite that, and despite reviews which ranged from wildly positive to dismissive... it’s the second-highest opening of all time for a DC property, ahead of Batman Begins, Superman Returns and Swamp Thing."
Beating films of that size (if we ignore Swamp Thing, anyway) is certainly nothing to be sniffed at. It's also the biggest opening of 2009 so far and was the top film internationally this weekend ($27.5 million).
(from Register Hardware)
Seriously.
Watchmen Inspired Cocktails
(from Isotope)
Watchmen Takes Top Spot At US Box Office by Chris Hewitt
(from Empire)
I know I reported on this yesterday, but here a few interesting comments:
"Critics of the movie have suggested that the figure [$55.7 million] is something of a disappointment, pointing out that it’s significantly less than the $70 million 300 opened to in the same spot two years ago. But let’s put it all in a little perspective... Although 300 was, like Watchmen, based on a cult comic book, it benefited from a strong marketing campaign which contained an already iconic catchphrase... and a clear delineation of the film’s unique visual style and simple plot: 300 guys versus the world.
"Watchmen’s marketing, although bold and effective, had a harder job of conveying the intricacies of a convoluted plot and multiple characters to an audience that, for the most part, wouldn’t have heard of the source material... Despite that, and despite reviews which ranged from wildly positive to dismissive... it’s the second-highest opening of all time for a DC property, ahead of Batman Begins, Superman Returns and Swamp Thing."
Beating films of that size (if we ignore Swamp Thing, anyway) is certainly nothing to be sniffed at. It's also the biggest opening of 2009 so far and was the top film internationally this weekend ($27.5 million).
Art
TR Non-Review Review: Watchmen
There's a review-ish thing of the film here, but the art's the thing -- in the style of classic, noir-ish movie posters. Sumptuous.
There's a review-ish thing of the film here, but the art's the thing -- in the style of classic, noir-ish movie posters. Sumptuous.
Sunday, 8 March 2009
TV
Mad Men
2x01 For Those Who Think Young
Mad Men's return does its best to be as confusing as can be. Clearly a long time has passed, but this is barely even referenced; in fact, it's only thanks to having read a couple of preview articles that I know the time difference is something like 18 months to 2 years. All part of the fun, I guess -- it's certainly a different way of doing a time leap, when most shows (for example, 24) spend their whole premiere episode at pains to inform you of what's occurred in between.
2x01 For Those Who Think Young
Mad Men's return does its best to be as confusing as can be. Clearly a long time has passed, but this is barely even referenced; in fact, it's only thanks to having read a couple of preview articles that I know the time difference is something like 18 months to 2 years. All part of the fun, I guess -- it's certainly a different way of doing a time leap, when most shows (for example, 24) spend their whole premiere episode at pains to inform you of what's occurred in between.
Non-Fiction
The Making of a Poem by Mark Strand & Eavan Boland
Introductory Statement
On Becoming a Poet by Mark Strand (p.xvii-xx)
I: Verse Forms - Overview (p.1-4)
The Villanelle (p.5-20)
The Ballad (p.73-98)
My reading of "On Becoming a Poet" was cut short because, quite frankly, I got bored. This isn't wholly the article's fault -- as mentioned previously, I'm struggling to get enough work done to finish (and, to be honest, start) an essay, which makes everything feel twice as long and ten times as frustrating -- but I'm not certain it's wholly my fault either... Certainly, I skipped the rest of the introductions (there are three in all, including the one-and-a-half I read) and jumped to more relevant sections.
Have discovered I find it very natural to write ballads -- at last, a form to latch on to for the rest of my work!
Introductory Statement
On Becoming a Poet by Mark Strand (p.xvii-xx)
I: Verse Forms - Overview (p.1-4)
The Villanelle (p.5-20)
The Ballad (p.73-98)
My reading of "On Becoming a Poet" was cut short because, quite frankly, I got bored. This isn't wholly the article's fault -- as mentioned previously, I'm struggling to get enough work done to finish (and, to be honest, start) an essay, which makes everything feel twice as long and ten times as frustrating -- but I'm not certain it's wholly my fault either... Certainly, I skipped the rest of the introductions (there are three in all, including the one-and-a-half I read) and jumped to more relevant sections.
Have discovered I find it very natural to write ballads -- at last, a form to latch on to for the rest of my work!
Articles
Billion Dollar Batman by Brandon Gray
(from Box Office Mojo)
Shame it took so long to get there, as I completely missed this story (it's over two weeks old). Dark Knight is still playing at some sites in the US (and round the world, I presume) so its final tally may even go up a teeny bit more yet, though it seems Warner Bros have stopped counting.
Doctor Who - Skins Actress For New Companion? by Cameron K McEwan
(from Den of Geek!)
It's only from Den of Geek -- and via News of the World at that! -- so don't take it too seriously, but there are worse people they could pick.
Kindle 2 Review: Sheeeyah, More Like Kindle 1.5 by Wilson Rothman
(from Gizmodo)
Amazon have updated the Kindle... not that it matters to us Brits, as they still haven't bothered to bring it over here.
Meanwhile, at the US box office...
Watchmen Busts Out on Opening Day by Brandon Gray
(from Box Office Mojo)
"Watchmen pulled in an estimated $25.1 million... including an estimated $4.55 million from its first midnight shows. That ranks as the eighth-highest grossing opening day for a superhero movie and 32nd among all movies... Among R-rated movies, Watchmen's opening day was fifth behind The Matrix Reloaded, 300, Sex and the City and The Passion of the Christ. 300... holds the overall March record for opening weekend ($70.9 million)."
How will Watchmen have fared over the weekend as a whole? [Well, look below to see! I wrote this last night. But I'll include it for posterity...] Fairly well, I expect; possibly even better than the opening day would suggest, as I wouldn't be surprised if some were put off a Friday-evening showing by the epic running time and will instead have caught it on Saturday or Sunday. Plus, it seems to me that word-of-mouth reaction has been better than the majority of widely-seen reviews, so perhaps it will gain a slightly delayed audience from that. Of course, while it may not be a record-breaker, it's still done rather well!
Weekend Report: Watchmen Rages in the Top Spot by Brandon Gray
(from Box Office Mojo)
"Watchmen clocked in with a vibrant estimated $55.7 million... handily topping a weekend where overall business was up around ten percent over last year but a relative cool down compared to 2009's prior blistering pace. [It] notched the 12th highest-grossing opening weekend for a comic book movie... With the biggest theater count ever for an R-rated movie, Watchmen had the sixth-highest grossing R-rated start... Among Alan Moore adaptations, it doubled the openings of V for Vendetta and The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen."
For even more statisticy information, check out the full article.
(from Box Office Mojo)
Shame it took so long to get there, as I completely missed this story (it's over two weeks old). Dark Knight is still playing at some sites in the US (and round the world, I presume) so its final tally may even go up a teeny bit more yet, though it seems Warner Bros have stopped counting.
Doctor Who - Skins Actress For New Companion? by Cameron K McEwan
(from Den of Geek!)
It's only from Den of Geek -- and via News of the World at that! -- so don't take it too seriously, but there are worse people they could pick.
Kindle 2 Review: Sheeeyah, More Like Kindle 1.5 by Wilson Rothman
(from Gizmodo)
Amazon have updated the Kindle... not that it matters to us Brits, as they still haven't bothered to bring it over here.
Meanwhile, at the US box office...
Watchmen Busts Out on Opening Day by Brandon Gray
(from Box Office Mojo)
"Watchmen pulled in an estimated $25.1 million... including an estimated $4.55 million from its first midnight shows. That ranks as the eighth-highest grossing opening day for a superhero movie and 32nd among all movies... Among R-rated movies, Watchmen's opening day was fifth behind The Matrix Reloaded, 300, Sex and the City and The Passion of the Christ. 300... holds the overall March record for opening weekend ($70.9 million)."
How will Watchmen have fared over the weekend as a whole? [Well, look below to see! I wrote this last night. But I'll include it for posterity...] Fairly well, I expect; possibly even better than the opening day would suggest, as I wouldn't be surprised if some were put off a Friday-evening showing by the epic running time and will instead have caught it on Saturday or Sunday. Plus, it seems to me that word-of-mouth reaction has been better than the majority of widely-seen reviews, so perhaps it will gain a slightly delayed audience from that. Of course, while it may not be a record-breaker, it's still done rather well!
Weekend Report: Watchmen Rages in the Top Spot by Brandon Gray
(from Box Office Mojo)
"Watchmen clocked in with a vibrant estimated $55.7 million... handily topping a weekend where overall business was up around ten percent over last year but a relative cool down compared to 2009's prior blistering pace. [It] notched the 12th highest-grossing opening weekend for a comic book movie... With the biggest theater count ever for an R-rated movie, Watchmen had the sixth-highest grossing R-rated start... Among Alan Moore adaptations, it doubled the openings of V for Vendetta and The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen."
For even more statisticy information, check out the full article.
Saturday Morning Watchmen
Can't believe I neglected to post this a day or two ago! Watch and enjoy...
Saturday, 7 March 2009
TV
Damages
2x03 I Knew Your Pig
Flashbacks too! Yay! Still not hitting season one's heights, but it's early days yet. Incidentally, for those who haven't noticed, the episode titles are always drawn from a line of dialogue within the episode. They do like to pick odd and obscure ones, it seems.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Let's Dance for Comic Relief
Episode 3 (of 4)
Dances not as funny as the previous two weeks, sadly, but some surprisingly good. Next time, the final! Still want Robert Webb to win.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
2x03 I Knew Your Pig
Flashbacks too! Yay! Still not hitting season one's heights, but it's early days yet. Incidentally, for those who haven't noticed, the episode titles are always drawn from a line of dialogue within the episode. They do like to pick odd and obscure ones, it seems.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Let's Dance for Comic Relief
Episode 3 (of 4)
Dances not as funny as the previous two weeks, sadly, but some surprisingly good. Next time, the final! Still want Robert Webb to win.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Non-Fiction
The Ode Less Travelled by Stephen Fry
Chapter One: II (p.33-54)
Still not getting through it fast enough, considering when my self-reflexive essay is due on my poetry module. At the same time, struggling to do any worthwhile work from it (not the fault of the book, I hasten to add). Still, my failure might give me something to write about in that essay.
Chapter One: II (p.33-54)
Still not getting through it fast enough, considering when my self-reflexive essay is due on my poetry module. At the same time, struggling to do any worthwhile work from it (not the fault of the book, I hasten to add). Still, my failure might give me something to write about in that essay.
Articles: Watchmen
Once again, they're all about one film...
6 Really Bad Watchmen Sequel Ideas by James White
(from Total Film)
Deliberately humourous (hence the "really bad"), but not all that funny (hence the "really bad"?) Contains major spoilers right from the start.
Watchmen cupcakes
(from Cupcakes Take the Cake)
Aww! I want.
What if Woody Allen Had Directed Watchmen? by Dan Kois & Ashley Quigg
(from Slate)
Also imagines it as done by Judd Apatow, Tyler Perry, Sofia Coppola, Pedro Almodovar and Quentin Tarantino. With the exception of the Tarantino bit, which presents a slightly sideways look at things and therefore is quite clever, this is like Total Film's article: not as funny as you'd hope.
6 Really Bad Watchmen Sequel Ideas by James White
(from Total Film)
Deliberately humourous (hence the "really bad"), but not all that funny (hence the "really bad"?) Contains major spoilers right from the start.
Watchmen cupcakes
(from Cupcakes Take the Cake)
Aww! I want.
What if Woody Allen Had Directed Watchmen? by Dan Kois & Ashley Quigg
(from Slate)
Also imagines it as done by Judd Apatow, Tyler Perry, Sofia Coppola, Pedro Almodovar and Quentin Tarantino. With the exception of the Tarantino bit, which presents a slightly sideways look at things and therefore is quite clever, this is like Total Film's article: not as funny as you'd hope.
Watchmen 2: a couple of suggestions
Recently posted at 100 Films...
Head here to read the full piece and all 12 suggestions.
After finding Total Film's humourous suggestions for a Watchmen sequel a little lacking in the funniness department, I thought I'd jot down a few myself. It doesn't mean they're actually any better, obviously, but it kept me amused for a few minutes.
Betcha can'tspot all the references...
The Watchmen Strike Back
In which the Watchmen form a rebel alliance to fight crime and try to repeal the Keene Act! Sounds depressingly plausible...
Head here to read the full piece and all 12 suggestions.
Friday, 6 March 2009
TV
Moving Wallpaper
2x02 Episode 2
Not the best episode, which does raise the question: with show-within-show Renaissance already shooting, what are the behind-the-scenes team going to do for most of the series? It's still funny, though only sporadically. I hope it gets another recommission, but Must Try Harder if it's going to.
[Watch it (again) on ITV Player.]
Not Going Out
3x06 Speech
Simple pleasures.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Orangutan Diary
2x01 Episode 1
Since the advent of iPlayer, the BBC's website has really gone downhill -- series that previously had dedicated sites now just have pages with iPlayer-esque links, like this one for Orangutan Diary. Series 1 had a proper site! (Archive here.)
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
2x02 Episode 2
Not the best episode, which does raise the question: with show-within-show Renaissance already shooting, what are the behind-the-scenes team going to do for most of the series? It's still funny, though only sporadically. I hope it gets another recommission, but Must Try Harder if it's going to.
[Watch it (again) on ITV Player.]
Not Going Out
3x06 Speech
Simple pleasures.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Orangutan Diary
2x01 Episode 1
Since the advent of iPlayer, the BBC's website has really gone downhill -- series that previously had dedicated sites now just have pages with iPlayer-esque links, like this one for Orangutan Diary. Series 1 had a proper site! (Archive here.)
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Films
Watchmen (2009)
[#9 in 100 Films in a Year 2009]
Watchmen is turning out to be a real "love it or hate it" film, with both critics and audiences. Depending on what day you're looking on and what site you're looking at, you're likely to be left thinking it's either utterly brilliant or utterly dreadful. Incidentally, this isn't a "fans love it / non-fans hate it" split either -- it seems to afflict both sides equally. So the truth, as I say, is that it more or less divides people.
Personally, I found a few flaws with it; but, as Danny Boyle recently said (about a different film), "it's imperfect; which every film should be". Yep, I'm firmly in the "loved it" camp.
[#9 in 100 Films in a Year 2009]
Watchmen is turning out to be a real "love it or hate it" film, with both critics and audiences. Depending on what day you're looking on and what site you're looking at, you're likely to be left thinking it's either utterly brilliant or utterly dreadful. Incidentally, this isn't a "fans love it / non-fans hate it" split either -- it seems to afflict both sides equally. So the truth, as I say, is that it more or less divides people.
Personally, I found a few flaws with it; but, as Danny Boyle recently said (about a different film), "it's imperfect; which every film should be". Yep, I'm firmly in the "loved it" camp.
Watchmen in Top 250
Poem of the Week: Ozymandias
by Percy Bysshe Shelley
You know, I've had this poem lined up since November -- that's almost four months ago. Why so long? Well, that's when I found it, and realised it would be a good enough choice for today -- Watchmen Day. It's not necessarily got a great deal to do with said comic adaptation, but that does have a major character called Ozymandias, and some of the poem's imagery is appropriate...
It was written in December 1817 (published January 1818) as part of a writing competition with Shelley's friend, Horace Smith. So guess what I'll be publishing on Monday...
You know, I've had this poem lined up since November -- that's almost four months ago. Why so long? Well, that's when I found it, and realised it would be a good enough choice for today -- Watchmen Day. It's not necessarily got a great deal to do with said comic adaptation, but that does have a major character called Ozymandias, and some of the poem's imagery is appropriate...
I met a traveller from an antique land
Who said:-- "Two vast and trunkless legs of stone
Stand in the desert. Near them, on the sand,
Half sunk, a shatter'd visage lies, whose frown
And wrinkled lip and sneer of cold command
Tell that its sculptor well those passions read
Which yet survive, stamp'd on these lifeless things,
The hand that mock'd them and the heart that fed.
And on the pedestal these words appear:
"My name is Ozymandias, king of kings:
Look on my works, ye mighty, and despair!"
Nothing beside remains: round the decay
Of that colossal Wreck, boundless and bare,
The lone and level sands stretch far away.
It was written in December 1817 (published January 1818) as part of a writing competition with Shelley's friend, Horace Smith. So guess what I'll be publishing on Monday...
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