How I Met Your Mother
1x02 Purple Giraffe
Essentially The Pilot: Part 2, so still a bit faltering. Hopefully the next episode is where it finds its feet a bit more.
Mock the Week
7x09 (3/9/09 edition)
A whole week behind with the mocking. Oops.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Thursday, 10 September 2009
Music
West Ryder Pauper Lunatic Asylum by Kasabian
[3rd listen]
Didn't win the Mercury Prize, but this is still the first Kasabian album (of their three) that I've immediately liked.
[3rd listen]
Didn't win the Mercury Prize, but this is still the first Kasabian album (of their three) that I've immediately liked.
Wednesday, 9 September 2009
TV
As Seen on TV
1x08 Episode 8 [season finale]
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Derren Brown: The Events - Live
1x00 How to Win the Lottery
So, as promised, Derren predicted all six of tonight's main Lottery numbers as they were announced. Was it camera trickery? Some impossibly clever (literally) averages? Or is he really magic? We'll find out on Friday...
Making Reel History (aka The Making of Culloden)
1996 documentary about Peter Watkins' Culloden, an innovative and influential TV drama. It offers good insight into Watkins' methods and their impact on the community, as well as briefly providing a forum for some of his views on TV and how it has failed as a medium. Despite being in his late 50s at the time, Watkins' thoughts have all the righteous idealism of a much younger man; unfortunately, they're also just as unrealistic and romanticised.
All round a nice little piece, it's a shame it's not included on the (out of print anyway) BFI DVD. Time for a new release methinks? Masters of Cinema -- already home to two of Watkins' films, Punishment Park and Edvard Munch -- would seem the natural place, though I'm sure there are all sorts of nasty copyright things standing in the way.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Wildest Dreams
Part 7 (of 7)
Not that Anna was an undeserving winner, but I do feel sorry for Alan -- he had the worst life to return to. Hopefully he can use this opportunity to find a career as, at the very least, a wildlife cameraman.
1x08 Episode 8 [season finale]
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Derren Brown: The Events - Live
1x00 How to Win the Lottery
So, as promised, Derren predicted all six of tonight's main Lottery numbers as they were announced. Was it camera trickery? Some impossibly clever (literally) averages? Or is he really magic? We'll find out on Friday...
Making Reel History (aka The Making of Culloden)
1996 documentary about Peter Watkins' Culloden, an innovative and influential TV drama. It offers good insight into Watkins' methods and their impact on the community, as well as briefly providing a forum for some of his views on TV and how it has failed as a medium. Despite being in his late 50s at the time, Watkins' thoughts have all the righteous idealism of a much younger man; unfortunately, they're also just as unrealistic and romanticised.
All round a nice little piece, it's a shame it's not included on the (out of print anyway) BFI DVD. Time for a new release methinks? Masters of Cinema -- already home to two of Watkins' films, Punishment Park and Edvard Munch -- would seem the natural place, though I'm sure there are all sorts of nasty copyright things standing in the way.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Wildest Dreams
Part 7 (of 7)
Not that Anna was an undeserving winner, but I do feel sorry for Alan -- he had the worst life to return to. Hopefully he can use this opportunity to find a career as, at the very least, a wildlife cameraman.
Articles
Top 10 Shows That Were Canceled Too Soon by Stefanie Lee
(from TV.com)
Featuring 14 shows. And, based on the intro, they'd like to make it 18, or more -- actually, why isn't it just a "Top 20"?
(from TV.com)
Featuring 14 shows. And, based on the intro, they'd like to make it 18, or more -- actually, why isn't it just a "Top 20"?
Tuesday, 8 September 2009
TV
The Choir: Unsung Town
Part 2 (of 3)
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Harper's Island
1x01 Whap
1x02 Crackle
Someone on twitter described this as "soap noir replete with the trappings of the slasher film genre". "Soap noir" is clearly a term they've just made up (when before has a soap ever been noir?), but it's not a bad description in fact. The writing's no better than a US daytime soap, for example, though it's then incongruously shot with all the flair of an above-average director. (I say incongruously -- I bet most viewers wouldn't notice, and if you gave US daytime soaps such good direction they'd suddenly consider those a higher form of drama too.) Additionally, the scenery on display is absolutely stunning, especially in HD. I hope the rest of the series can live up to the direction on display here.
Depending who you believe, Harper's Island is either an on-going series cancelled after just one half-length season, or a 13-part murder mystery that was always intended as a one-off. As they only seemed to start saying this once it was cancelled one would suspect the former, but the very format (because it is indeed a 13-part murder mystery) would seem to suggest just a single season.
One other thing -- be wary of that Wikipedia link up top, it contains bags of spoilers (including a complete character-by-character 'death chart'!)
[Watch Whap and Crackle (again) on iPlayer.]
Mercury Prize Live
I ended up seeing the start after The Choir and thought I may as well watch the whole thing. As you can tell, I'm not really fussed about the Mercury Prize -- indeed, I have no idea who the winner, Speech Debelle, is, and the same goes for the majority of the nominees.
Part 2 (of 3)
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Harper's Island
1x01 Whap
1x02 Crackle
Someone on twitter described this as "soap noir replete with the trappings of the slasher film genre". "Soap noir" is clearly a term they've just made up (when before has a soap ever been noir?), but it's not a bad description in fact. The writing's no better than a US daytime soap, for example, though it's then incongruously shot with all the flair of an above-average director. (I say incongruously -- I bet most viewers wouldn't notice, and if you gave US daytime soaps such good direction they'd suddenly consider those a higher form of drama too.) Additionally, the scenery on display is absolutely stunning, especially in HD. I hope the rest of the series can live up to the direction on display here.
Depending who you believe, Harper's Island is either an on-going series cancelled after just one half-length season, or a 13-part murder mystery that was always intended as a one-off. As they only seemed to start saying this once it was cancelled one would suspect the former, but the very format (because it is indeed a 13-part murder mystery) would seem to suggest just a single season.
One other thing -- be wary of that Wikipedia link up top, it contains bags of spoilers (including a complete character-by-character 'death chart'!)
[Watch Whap and Crackle (again) on iPlayer.]
Mercury Prize Live
I ended up seeing the start after The Choir and thought I may as well watch the whole thing. As you can tell, I'm not really fussed about the Mercury Prize -- indeed, I have no idea who the winner, Speech Debelle, is, and the same goes for the majority of the nominees.
Music
Chinese Democracy by Guns N' Roses
[3rd listen]
Just got the CD of this dirt cheap -- yes I legally owned it as an Amazon MP3 download, but it doesn't feel real 'til there's a disc (as I espoused on here).
Only my third listen to the album all the way through, but individual tracks have received more playtime; most notably I.R.S., of which I'm very fond.
[3rd listen]
Just got the CD of this dirt cheap -- yes I legally owned it as an Amazon MP3 download, but it doesn't feel real 'til there's a disc (as I espoused on here).
Only my third listen to the album all the way through, but individual tracks have received more playtime; most notably I.R.S., of which I'm very fond.
Articles
Curtis to pen Doctor Who episode
(from BBC News)
"Screenwriter and film director Richard Curtis has agreed to write an episode of the new series of Doctor Who, his agent has confirmed."
Well there's a turn-up. I suppose in some respects it shouldn't be so surprising: in 1999, Who's new showrunner Steven Moffat wrote a Doctor Who spoof for Comic Relief, which is run by Richard Curtis, so clearly they have links.
Now it'll be interesting to see if the rest of/any others among Series Five/One's writers are Big Names too, or if it's a selection of the usual suspects.
Man Booker shortlist is announced
(from BBC News)
The article spectacularly fails to mention one of the nominees. "Oops."
(from BBC News)
"Screenwriter and film director Richard Curtis has agreed to write an episode of the new series of Doctor Who, his agent has confirmed."
Well there's a turn-up. I suppose in some respects it shouldn't be so surprising: in 1999, Who's new showrunner Steven Moffat wrote a Doctor Who spoof for Comic Relief, which is run by Richard Curtis, so clearly they have links.
Now it'll be interesting to see if the rest of/any others among Series Five/One's writers are Big Names too, or if it's a selection of the usual suspects.
Man Booker shortlist is announced
(from BBC News)
The article spectacularly fails to mention one of the nominees. "Oops."
Monday, 7 September 2009
TV
How I Met Your Mother
1x01 Pilot
I'd paid no heed whatsoever to this in the past, but with E4 just commencing on a from-the-beginning every-night-of-the-week run and the Radio Times praising it as a good Friends-a-like (and I've always liked Friends) it seemed worth a shot.
As first episode's go it's a pretty good one -- they're always awkward beasts, but it managed a good number of laughs among all the setting up. I certainly liked the 2030-set framing device, an unusually bold conceit for a sitcom. Signs are good then.
It might be worth noting that E4 are reportedly cutting the show to fit their pre-watershed timeslot, however. There's a late-night repeat but I've no idea if that's uncut.
Wildest Dreams
Part 6 (of 7)
Well well well, I always thought she'd win it.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
1x01 Pilot
I'd paid no heed whatsoever to this in the past, but with E4 just commencing on a from-the-beginning every-night-of-the-week run and the Radio Times praising it as a good Friends-a-like (and I've always liked Friends) it seemed worth a shot.
As first episode's go it's a pretty good one -- they're always awkward beasts, but it managed a good number of laughs among all the setting up. I certainly liked the 2030-set framing device, an unusually bold conceit for a sitcom. Signs are good then.
It might be worth noting that E4 are reportedly cutting the show to fit their pre-watershed timeslot, however. There's a late-night repeat but I've no idea if that's uncut.
Wildest Dreams
Part 6 (of 7)
Well well well, I always thought she'd win it.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Sunday, 6 September 2009
TV
25 Years of Spinal Tap: Turn It Up To 11
Celebrity fans and people from the music industry discuss what makes This is Spinal Tap so enduringly fantastic. It's certainly more than enough to make you want to watch it again.
Marple
4x01 A Pocket Full of Rye
The new run of mysteries begins, now featuring new Marple Julia McKenzie. I've commented on ITV's odd scheduling of Marple before (so long ago that I can't find the post, what with Blogger's woefully malfunctioning search system) and this is no exception -- it was actually filmed a year or two ago but is only now being shown for the first time.
It's a good'un, with a typically star-packed Marple cast, even if it was missing one of the best bits of Christie adaptations -- the climax where everyone sits round together and the detective explains everything. Who doesn't love those scenes?
[Watch it (again) on ITV Player.]
Celebrity fans and people from the music industry discuss what makes This is Spinal Tap so enduringly fantastic. It's certainly more than enough to make you want to watch it again.
Marple
4x01 A Pocket Full of Rye
The new run of mysteries begins, now featuring new Marple Julia McKenzie. I've commented on ITV's odd scheduling of Marple before (so long ago that I can't find the post, what with Blogger's woefully malfunctioning search system) and this is no exception -- it was actually filmed a year or two ago but is only now being shown for the first time.
It's a good'un, with a typically star-packed Marple cast, even if it was missing one of the best bits of Christie adaptations -- the climax where everyone sits round together and the detective explains everything. Who doesn't love those scenes?
[Watch it (again) on ITV Player.]
new review at 100 Films
Dark Floors (2008)
Read the full review at 100 Films.
There are currently 15 films in the review pipeline at 100 Films. As ever, updates here as and when they're posted.
I can’t help but wonder if in trying to be quite clever Dark Floors ultimately alienates the core horror audience who might pick it up; the people who’ll miss their straightforward scares and gratuitous gore and nudity. By so obviously billing it as “The Lordi Movie” and slapping on quite a lurid cover, the marketers have done nothing to suggest the film might actually benefit from the application of some brain power.
Read the full review at 100 Films.
There are currently 15 films in the review pipeline at 100 Films. As ever, updates here as and when they're posted.
Saturday, 5 September 2009
Articles
One giant slip in Bangladesh news
(from BBC News)
"Two Bangladeshi newspapers have apologised after publishing an article taken from a satirical US website which claimed the Moon landings were faked. The Daily Manab Zamin said US astronaut Neil Armstrong had shocked a news conference by saying he now knew it had been an "elaborate hoax". Neither they nor the New Nation, which later picked up the story, realised the Onion was not a genuine news site."
Gotta love The Onion, but love this even more.
(from BBC News)
"Two Bangladeshi newspapers have apologised after publishing an article taken from a satirical US website which claimed the Moon landings were faked. The Daily Manab Zamin said US astronaut Neil Armstrong had shocked a news conference by saying he now knew it had been an "elaborate hoax". Neither they nor the New Nation, which later picked up the story, realised the Onion was not a genuine news site."
Gotta love The Onion, but love this even more.
Friday, 4 September 2009
new review at 100 Films
Sarah Silverman: Jesus is Magic (TV edit) (2005)
Read the full review at 100 Films.
There are currently 15 films in the review pipeline at 100 Films. As ever, updates here as and when they're posted.
Most of her material seems to be an excuse to say extremely rude or controversial things, and in fact often relies on these things being so rude as to provoke laughter just for that... but there’s nothing inherently funny about a rude sentence — it needs a point, be it satire or surrealism or something else. I have no problem with edgy or ‘offensive’ comedy, but this isn’t it.
Read the full review at 100 Films.
There are currently 15 films in the review pipeline at 100 Films. As ever, updates here as and when they're posted.
Thursday, 3 September 2009
TV
From the Earth to the Moon
Part Seven That's All There Is
Part Eight We Interrupt This Program
Two different episodes after the rather standard Apollo 11 one. The first is an almost comedic covering of Apollo 12 from the perspective of first-time astronaut Al Bean, while the second takes on Apollo 13 from the perspective of the press. It's as much about the dying days of proper journalism and the birth of tabloid trash as it is that particular mission (a decision made by the production team because of Apollo 13 already having covered that story).
A Night at The Office
For no discernible reason, last weekend BBC Two elected to repeat the whole of The Office season one, mixed in with a selection of interview clips from the creators and fans. Having seen the series a couple of times already, I recorded the whole lot and just fastforwarded to the interviews. It's a shame they didn't just show these as a new 30-minute piece really, because they were quite in-depth and I suspect more people would've watched it as a single piece.
[Watch The Office season one again on iPlayer, complete with all the little interview bits. The BBC Comedy microsite also has additional interview clips.]
Part Seven That's All There Is
Part Eight We Interrupt This Program
Two different episodes after the rather standard Apollo 11 one. The first is an almost comedic covering of Apollo 12 from the perspective of first-time astronaut Al Bean, while the second takes on Apollo 13 from the perspective of the press. It's as much about the dying days of proper journalism and the birth of tabloid trash as it is that particular mission (a decision made by the production team because of Apollo 13 already having covered that story).
A Night at The Office
For no discernible reason, last weekend BBC Two elected to repeat the whole of The Office season one, mixed in with a selection of interview clips from the creators and fans. Having seen the series a couple of times already, I recorded the whole lot and just fastforwarded to the interviews. It's a shame they didn't just show these as a new 30-minute piece really, because they were quite in-depth and I suspect more people would've watched it as a single piece.
[Watch The Office season one again on iPlayer, complete with all the little interview bits. The BBC Comedy microsite also has additional interview clips.]
DVD Extras
Alien Nation extras
A pair of rubbish featurettes and a handful of trailers, that's the lot.
A pair of rubbish featurettes and a handful of trailers, that's the lot.
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