24
7x03 10:00AM - 11:00AM
I'm beginning to get a little worried by the amount of plot that's already been revealed. There's 21 hours to go, guys -- don't make the same mistake as recent seasons and over-cram the story with an unfeasible amount of incident!
Thursday, 21 January 2010
Films
Die Austernprinzessin (1919)
aka The Oyster Princess / My Lady Margarine
[#6 in 100 Films in a Year 2010]
And the accompanying new essay of the same title by Ignatiy Vishnevetsky.
aka The Oyster Princess / My Lady Margarine
[#6 in 100 Films in a Year 2010]
And the accompanying new essay of the same title by Ignatiy Vishnevetsky.
Wednesday, 20 January 2010
TV
National Television Awards 2009
A surprisingly high number of worthwhile winners this year. Not all of them, of course, but what do you expect? It's on ITV after all. So, well done British public.
A surprisingly high number of worthwhile winners this year. Not all of them, of course, but what do you expect? It's on ITV after all. So, well done British public.
Films
Ich möchte kein Mann sein (1918)
aka I Wouldn't Like to Be a Man
[#4 in 100 Films in a Year 2010]
And the accompanying new essay of the same title by Anna Thorngate.
Die Puppe (1919)
aka The Doll
[#5 in 100 Films in a Year 2010]
And the accompanying new essay of the same title by Ignatiy Vishnevetsky.
aka I Wouldn't Like to Be a Man
[#4 in 100 Films in a Year 2010]
And the accompanying new essay of the same title by Anna Thorngate.
Die Puppe (1919)
aka The Doll
[#5 in 100 Films in a Year 2010]
And the accompanying new essay of the same title by Ignatiy Vishnevetsky.
Articles
Marc Webb Will Direct New Spider-Man Reboot by Brad Brevet
(from RopeofSilicon)
This story's all over everywhere, so you can take your pic of who reported it. Quite surprising news though -- a) to have announced a director so speedily, and b) their unproven choice. Could make for an interesting Spider-Man 4... er, 0... or... um...
Spooks, Waking The Dead tipped for axe by Daniel Kilkelly
(from Digital Spy)
And the BBC deny it, of course, but their denial sounds rather false: the original story reports both will end after their next series, the BBC 'denial' just says they've been recommissioned not cancelled... which is true, but because the article says after the next series there's no reason it's not also correct.
It's probably about time though -- Spooks has its moments, but its best years are long gone and they're clearly out of stories; and I've never watched Waking the Dead but it doesn't look much cop.
(from RopeofSilicon)
This story's all over everywhere, so you can take your pic of who reported it. Quite surprising news though -- a) to have announced a director so speedily, and b) their unproven choice. Could make for an interesting Spider-Man 4... er, 0... or... um...
Spooks, Waking The Dead tipped for axe by Daniel Kilkelly
(from Digital Spy)
And the BBC deny it, of course, but their denial sounds rather false: the original story reports both will end after their next series, the BBC 'denial' just says they've been recommissioned not cancelled... which is true, but because the article says after the next series there's no reason it's not also correct.
It's probably about time though -- Spooks has its moments, but its best years are long gone and they're clearly out of stories; and I've never watched Waking the Dead but it doesn't look much cop.
Tuesday, 19 January 2010
TV
24
7x02 9:00AM - 10:00AM
Law & Order: UK
2x02 Hidden
A surprisingly strong episode of L&O:UK, both in terms of its subject matter and its relentlessly twisty storytelling. If only every episode had this much going on.
[Watch it (again) on ITV Player.]
QI
7x08 Germany (extended repeat)
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
7x02 9:00AM - 10:00AM
Law & Order: UK
2x02 Hidden
A surprisingly strong episode of L&O:UK, both in terms of its subject matter and its relentlessly twisty storytelling. If only every episode had this much going on.
[Watch it (again) on ITV Player.]
QI
7x08 Germany (extended repeat)
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Magazines
Radio Times 25-31 January 2010
Sometimes there's nothing to read in the Radio Times, other times I'm virtually reading cover to cover. This week's is the latter, thanks in part to the belated return of Mad Men to BBC Four and BBC HD -- hurrah! If only we didn't have to wait so long for it -- makes it very tempting to acquire it while it's on in the US.
Sometimes there's nothing to read in the Radio Times, other times I'm virtually reading cover to cover. This week's is the latter, thanks in part to the belated return of Mad Men to BBC Four and BBC HD -- hurrah! If only we didn't have to wait so long for it -- makes it very tempting to acquire it while it's on in the US.
Articles
Fox readying U.S. version of Torchwood by James Hibberd
(from the live feed at The Hollywood Reporter)
I'll believe it when I see it. It's not wholly implausible, but there're enough suspicious bits in the article (like they'd allow a "reboot Doctor Who for U.S. audiences") to make it doubt-worthy. Still, a US-set variant of Torchwood could work... maybe...
(from the live feed at The Hollywood Reporter)
I'll believe it when I see it. It's not wholly implausible, but there're enough suspicious bits in the article (like they'd allow a "reboot Doctor Who for U.S. audiences") to make it doubt-worthy. Still, a US-set variant of Torchwood could work... maybe...
Monday, 18 January 2010
TV
10 Minute Tales
Episode 7 The Three Kings
Episode 9 Syncing
If only Syncing had a decent, sense-making ending, it might've been rather good. As it stands, it's a couple of neat sound/image-trickery ideas in search of a story to support them.
24
7x01 8:00AM - 9:00AM
It's been literally years since I last watched a series of 24: you may remember this seventh season was delayed a full 12 months thanks to the Writers' Strike (in the interim we were treated to the season-bridging TV movie Redemption), and season eight has just kicked off in the US (with the UK broadcast beginning next Sunday). Add it all up and it's about two-and-a-half years since I saw the end of season six.
I only missed Day 7 (as some like to call it) when it was on because I didn't have Sky1 then (I say "only" -- I was all prepared to be dishonest, I just didn't get round to it), so it's only now -- prompted, of course, by season eight beginning -- that I'm catching up. Is it the long-awaited return to form some fans claimed? Or just another chapter in the show's descent into overblown unbelievable uber-threats? Well, I'll have to wait and see, but this is certainly a strong start going in the right direction.
Peep Show
1x01 Warring Factions
Everyone goes on about the brilliance of Peep Show, and I've just discovered I can watch it online for free (legally) so thought I'd give it a go. The first-ever episode clearly has potential and a couple of good moments, but it certainly isn't great yet. I presume, therefore, that things only get better, and so I shall continue to watch.
[Watch for free at LOVEFiLM or on 4oD.]
Episode 7 The Three Kings
Episode 9 Syncing
If only Syncing had a decent, sense-making ending, it might've been rather good. As it stands, it's a couple of neat sound/image-trickery ideas in search of a story to support them.
24
7x01 8:00AM - 9:00AM
It's been literally years since I last watched a series of 24: you may remember this seventh season was delayed a full 12 months thanks to the Writers' Strike (in the interim we were treated to the season-bridging TV movie Redemption), and season eight has just kicked off in the US (with the UK broadcast beginning next Sunday). Add it all up and it's about two-and-a-half years since I saw the end of season six.
I only missed Day 7 (as some like to call it) when it was on because I didn't have Sky1 then (I say "only" -- I was all prepared to be dishonest, I just didn't get round to it), so it's only now -- prompted, of course, by season eight beginning -- that I'm catching up. Is it the long-awaited return to form some fans claimed? Or just another chapter in the show's descent into overblown unbelievable uber-threats? Well, I'll have to wait and see, but this is certainly a strong start going in the right direction.
Peep Show
1x01 Warring Factions
Everyone goes on about the brilliance of Peep Show, and I've just discovered I can watch it online for free (legally) so thought I'd give it a go. The first-ever episode clearly has potential and a couple of good moments, but it certainly isn't great yet. I presume, therefore, that things only get better, and so I shall continue to watch.
[Watch for free at LOVEFiLM or on 4oD.]
Sunday, 17 January 2010
TV
Wallander [British]
2x02 The Man Who Smiled
Kurt Wallander is depressed. No change there, you might think, but now he's properly depressed in the wake of shooting Svartman -- sorry, Racist Murderer Guy -- in last week's episode. It feels odd for a series of out-of-sequence novel adaptations to have such a linking thread, but it's a good showcase for Branagh. I imagine it must frustrate some viewers -- "he killed a bad man, why can't he just get over it?" -- but I should imagine murder, even of someone so deserving, isn't that easy to deal with in reality.
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
2x02 The Man Who Smiled
Kurt Wallander is depressed. No change there, you might think, but now he's properly depressed in the wake of shooting Svartman -- sorry, Racist Murderer Guy -- in last week's episode. It feels odd for a series of out-of-sequence novel adaptations to have such a linking thread, but it's a good showcase for Branagh. I imagine it must frustrate some viewers -- "he killed a bad man, why can't he just get over it?" -- but I should imagine murder, even of someone so deserving, isn't that easy to deal with in reality.
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
Films
The Man Who Sued God (2001)
[#3 in 100 Films in a Year 2010]
Probably because it stars Billy Connolly and has a rather quirky subject matter, I'd always assumed this was a British film. But no, it's a very, very Australian one. Which is fair enough.
[#3 in 100 Films in a Year 2010]
Probably because it stars Billy Connolly and has a rather quirky subject matter, I'd always assumed this was a British film. But no, it's a very, very Australian one. Which is fair enough.
Articles
Most Overrated Movie of 2009: Avatar by ShepRamsey
(from MovieChopShop)
Yes. And here's a good explanation of why.
(from MovieChopShop)
Yes. And here's a good explanation of why.
Saturday, 16 January 2010
TV
8 Out of 10 Cats
9x02 (15/1/10 edition)
I wasn't going to bother with this series of 8 Out of 10 Cats, largely because it isn't often that good (I blame people like sex-obsessed Jason Manford and the frankly sporadic and over-praised Sean Lock -- who are both, unfortunately, team captains), but I needed something on the half-hour-comedy end of the spectrum and, with How I Met Your Mother 4 stilldownloading on its way and Mock the Week not back til next week, there wasn't much choice. I expect last week's, with Shappi Khorsandi, would've been better, but 4oD (on the telly) doesn't have series link. Ho hum.
[Watch it (again) on 4oD.]
9x02 (15/1/10 edition)
I wasn't going to bother with this series of 8 Out of 10 Cats, largely because it isn't often that good (I blame people like sex-obsessed Jason Manford and the frankly sporadic and over-praised Sean Lock -- who are both, unfortunately, team captains), but I needed something on the half-hour-comedy end of the spectrum and, with How I Met Your Mother 4 still
[Watch it (again) on 4oD.]
Friday, 15 January 2010
Articles
Lasseter: '2D animation was a scapegoat' by Mayer Nissim
(from Digital Spy)
Very, very true. This is why it's a Good Thing that Pixar are now in charge of Disney.
Laurie "kicking ass" directing House by Dan French
(from Digital Spy)
Nolan: 'Inception a four-dimensional Bond' by Simon Reynolds
(from Digital Spy)
Finally, some idea what it's actually about... and it sounds good.
Tarantino admits dislike for digital cinema by Simon Reynolds
(from Digital Spy)
"Admits"?! Cos he's not been going on about it for years!
Will Red Riding be welcomed home in the US? by Danny Leigh
(from Film Blog at guardian.co.uk)
Interesting piece speculating on the Red Riding Trilogy's imminent US release
(from Digital Spy)
Very, very true. This is why it's a Good Thing that Pixar are now in charge of Disney.
Laurie "kicking ass" directing House by Dan French
(from Digital Spy)
[Hugh Laurie] is a MULTI threat. Actor, Producer, Director, Author, Comedian, Singer, Musician and the man can dance, yo.
Nolan: 'Inception a four-dimensional Bond' by Simon Reynolds
(from Digital Spy)
Finally, some idea what it's actually about... and it sounds good.
Tarantino admits dislike for digital cinema by Simon Reynolds
(from Digital Spy)
"Admits"?! Cos he's not been going on about it for years!
Will Red Riding be welcomed home in the US? by Danny Leigh
(from Film Blog at guardian.co.uk)
Interesting piece speculating on the Red Riding Trilogy's imminent US release
Collection Count
Collection Count tracks my DVD/Blu-ray collection via a number of statistics every week. This week's numbers boosted by a host of released-just-after-Christmas and random-January-sale purchases.
Number of titles in collection: 1,121 [up 10]
Of which DVDs: 1,064 [up 7]
Of which Blu-rays: 57 [up 3]
Number of discs in collection: 2,753 [up 14]
Number of films in collection: 1,164 [up 7]
Number of TV episodes in collection: 3,870 [up 6]
Statistic of the week:
Total running time of collection (approx.):
190 days, 19 hours, and 48 minutes.
(Up 3 days, 23 hours, and 9 minutes from last month.)
See you next week, faithful reader.
Number of titles in collection: 1,121 [up 10]
Of which DVDs: 1,064 [up 7]
Of which Blu-rays: 57 [up 3]
Number of discs in collection: 2,753 [up 14]
Number of films in collection: 1,164 [up 7]
Number of TV episodes in collection: 3,870 [up 6]
Statistic of the week:
Total running time of collection (approx.):
190 days, 19 hours, and 48 minutes.
(Up 3 days, 23 hours, and 9 minutes from last month.)
See you next week, faithful reader.
Thursday, 14 January 2010
TV
FlashForward
1x10 A561984 [midseason finale]
And FlashForward returns in... Christ, I dunno -- ages. Maybe it'll get better...
[Watch it (again) on Demand Five.]
How I Met Your Mother
3x20 Miracles [season finale]
Surprisingly, nearly caught up with E4 now (though only cos they switched from "every weeknight" to "every Thursday").
Survivors [2008]
2x01 Episode 1
After an unsatisfying first season finale, Survivors returns with a bang: loads of info about the shady organisation barely glimpsed previously, lots of other character and plot advancement (well, sort of), and some truly epic sequences on deserted city streets and in a collapsing hospital -- very impressive effects work there as well. Next week also looks heavy on arc plot -- maybe Survivors is shifting from a largely "encounter of the week"-based format into a more serialised one? Ideally, I hope they can strike a better balance between the two.
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
1x10 A561984 [midseason finale]
And FlashForward returns in... Christ, I dunno -- ages. Maybe it'll get better...
[Watch it (again) on Demand Five.]
How I Met Your Mother
3x20 Miracles [season finale]
Surprisingly, nearly caught up with E4 now (though only cos they switched from "every weeknight" to "every Thursday").
Survivors [2008]
2x01 Episode 1
After an unsatisfying first season finale, Survivors returns with a bang: loads of info about the shady organisation barely glimpsed previously, lots of other character and plot advancement (well, sort of), and some truly epic sequences on deserted city streets and in a collapsing hospital -- very impressive effects work there as well. Next week also looks heavy on arc plot -- maybe Survivors is shifting from a largely "encounter of the week"-based format into a more serialised one? Ideally, I hope they can strike a better balance between the two.
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
Articles
Winstone: 'Money problems killed Sweeney' by Simon Reynolds and Stella Papamichael
(from Digital Spy)
It was literally about to start filming when the money pulled out, donchaknow, and was apparently going to be brilliant. Shame.
(from Digital Spy)
It was literally about to start filming when the money pulled out, donchaknow, and was apparently going to be brilliant. Shame.
Wednesday, 13 January 2010
TV
Law & Order: UK
2x01 Samaritan
L&O:UK season one returns, sneakily now being branded as season two by ITV (and whoever it is releasing them on DVD).
Lesson of this week's episode: you can't trust the Police. True that.
[Watch it (again) on ITV Player.]
QI
7x07 Girls and Boys (extended repeat)
According to iPlayer, this week's edition sees "Stephen Fry gallantly grapple with girls and boys". Oh my!
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
2x01 Samaritan
L&O:UK season one returns, sneakily now being branded as season two by ITV (and whoever it is releasing them on DVD).
Lesson of this week's episode: you can't trust the Police. True that.
[Watch it (again) on ITV Player.]
QI
7x07 Girls and Boys (extended repeat)
According to iPlayer, this week's edition sees "Stephen Fry gallantly grapple with girls and boys". Oh my!
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Magazines
Sight & Sound Vol.20 #1
So, I basically read the whole thing, from cover to cover (though not in that order). First time I've read a Sight & Sound; it was more or less what I expected, though not quite as depressingly academic, so that's a good thing.
So, I basically read the whole thing, from cover to cover (though not in that order). First time I've read a Sight & Sound; it was more or less what I expected, though not quite as depressingly academic, so that's a good thing.
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