Mock the Week
9x06 (29/7/10 edition)
The tradition best-of/outtakes mid-series show, as MtW takes a month(-ish) break for the Fringe.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Sherlock
1x02 The Blind Banker
Another enjoyable episode. Apparently this didn't go down as well as the first with some viewers/bloggers. I'd agree it wasn't as good, but it follows up one of the best bits of TV in a long time -- in itself, it's still a perfectly good tale.
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
Monday, 2 August 2010
Articles
Matthew Vaughn Talks Kick-Ass DVD/Blu-Ray, Deleted Scenes, And Kick-Ass 2 by Rick Marshall
(from MTV Splash Page)
Well, I think that title pretty much has it covered.
(from MTV Splash Page)
Well, I think that title pretty much has it covered.
Twilight spoof, yay!
It's taking the piss out of Twilight! Yay!
On the other hand, all the jokes are either obvious or rubbish. Though the use of a spade near the end very nearly redeems the whole thing.
On the other hand, all the jokes are either obvious or rubbish. Though the use of a spade near the end very nearly redeems the whole thing.
Sunday, 1 August 2010
TV
Dragons' Den
8x03 Episode 3
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
Wallander [Swedish]
2x12 Indrivaren (aka The Collector)
If I didn't know better, I'd think this was the last one.
But it isn't.
Would I Lie To You?
4x02 (30/7/10 edition)
Having heard Ruth Jones tell the story about her tortoise before, it was a particular joy to see the other team flounder in their disbelief. Lee Mack's genuine shock when the truth is revealed was, of course, especially amusing...
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
8x03 Episode 3
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
Wallander [Swedish]
2x12 Indrivaren (aka The Collector)
If I didn't know better, I'd think this was the last one.
But it isn't.
Would I Lie To You?
4x02 (30/7/10 edition)
Having heard Ruth Jones tell the story about her tortoise before, it was a particular joy to see the other team flounder in their disbelief. Lee Mack's genuine shock when the truth is revealed was, of course, especially amusing...
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
this week on 100 Films
2 new reviews were posted to 100 Films in a Year this week, and they were...
Get Smart (2008)
Mulan (1998)
Plus, with today being August 1st, there's the July update. Shiny.
More next Sunday.
Get Smart (2008)
mostly quite good fun. Not all the jokes hit home, but enough do to keep it amusing — which is better than some comedies manage. Even after three Austin Powers films it seems there’s enough left to do with the spy genre to keep a comedy rolling along. And to make sure things don’t get dull, there’s a few action sequences that are surprisingly decent too
Mulan (1998)
The thing that stands out about Mulan, particularly now, is how very Americanised it is. That’s nothing new for Disney, of course, but it feels a little odd these days. When we’re so used to increased attempts at appropriate cultural reverence from Hollywood movies, it’s almost uncomfortable to hear such American accents from clearly Chinese characters.
Plus, with today being August 1st, there's the July update. Shiny.
More next Sunday.
Saturday, 31 July 2010
TV
Battlestar Galactica [2004]
2x17 The Captain's Hand
2x18 Downloaded
2x19 Lay Down Your Burdens Part 1
2x20 Lay Down Your Burdens Part 2 [season finale]
Nearly a fortnight off and then a four-episode binge to end the season? Yup, that's my way. Still, I'll take a break before commencing season three (or rather, before that, The Resistance webisodes), just to try to separate them a bit in my mind.
Helluva conclusion though: after spending a miniseries and two whole seasons following the fleet for nine months, the series jumps forward twelve in a single cut. And then, after setting up a radically different status quo, it immediately wipes it out with a nice big twist/cliffhanger. Splendid stuff.
2x17 The Captain's Hand
2x18 Downloaded
2x19 Lay Down Your Burdens Part 1
2x20 Lay Down Your Burdens Part 2 [season finale]
Nearly a fortnight off and then a four-episode binge to end the season? Yup, that's my way. Still, I'll take a break before commencing season three (or rather, before that, The Resistance webisodes), just to try to separate them a bit in my mind.
Helluva conclusion though: after spending a miniseries and two whole seasons following the fleet for nine months, the series jumps forward twelve in a single cut. And then, after setting up a radically different status quo, it immediately wipes it out with a nice big twist/cliffhanger. Splendid stuff.
Friday, 30 July 2010
Films
No TV today, but a significant boost to my film viewing...
Ministry of Fear (1944)
[#70 in 100 Films in a Year 2010]
Panic in the Streets (1950)
[#71 in 100 Films in a Year 2010]
Terminator Salvation: Director's Cut (2009)
[#72 in 100 Films in a Year 2010]
Ministry of Fear (1944)
[#70 in 100 Films in a Year 2010]
Panic in the Streets (1950)
[#71 in 100 Films in a Year 2010]
Terminator Salvation: Director's Cut (2009)
[#72 in 100 Films in a Year 2010]
Articles
Steven Moffat interview: Sherlock, writing modern TV, and Doctor Who series 6 by Simon Brew
(from Den of Geek!)
Think that title has it covered! Though do note it's not as long as that lengthy list likely implies.
The UK Film Council is dead. Let's give the British Film Institute a chance by Dave Calhoun
(from Time Out London)
Or, why the closure of the UKFC isn't necessarily a bad thing. Well argued and a good counterpoint to all the clamour that shutting down the UKFC means the end of British cinema.
(from Den of Geek!)
Think that title has it covered! Though do note it's not as long as that lengthy list likely implies.
The UK Film Council is dead. Let's give the British Film Institute a chance by Dave Calhoun
(from Time Out London)
Or, why the closure of the UKFC isn't necessarily a bad thing. Well argued and a good counterpoint to all the clamour that shutting down the UKFC means the end of British cinema.
Collection Count
Collection Count tracks my DVD/Blu-ray collection via a number of statistics every week.
Not that you'd know it from the final numbers, but this week the total of films went down a little (since levelled out by new purchases) and TV went up instead. Not because of new purchases, but while going through my collection to compile next week's Statistic of the Week, I discovered some miniseries I'd somehow mislabelled as being 1 film instead of 6 episodes of TV. But then, like I say, some new films levelled it out, so it just looks like I bought some new TV series. Thrilling, eh...
Number of titles in collection: 1,194 [up 4]
Of which DVDs: 1,096 [up 2]
Of which Blu-rays: 98 [up 2]
Number of discs in collection: 2,932 [up 6]
Number of films in collection: 1,253 [no change]
Number of TV episodes in collection: 4,160 [up 38]
Statistic of the week:
Total running time of collection (approx.):
206 days, 5 hours, and 22 minutes.
(Up 1 day and 50 minutes from last month.)
See you next week, faithful reader.
Not that you'd know it from the final numbers, but this week the total of films went down a little (since levelled out by new purchases) and TV went up instead. Not because of new purchases, but while going through my collection to compile next week's Statistic of the Week, I discovered some miniseries I'd somehow mislabelled as being 1 film instead of 6 episodes of TV. But then, like I say, some new films levelled it out, so it just looks like I bought some new TV series. Thrilling, eh...
Number of titles in collection: 1,194 [up 4]
Of which DVDs: 1,096 [up 2]
Of which Blu-rays: 98 [up 2]
Number of discs in collection: 2,932 [up 6]
Number of films in collection: 1,253 [no change]
Number of TV episodes in collection: 4,160 [up 38]
Statistic of the week:
Total running time of collection (approx.):
206 days, 5 hours, and 22 minutes.
(Up 1 day and 50 minutes from last month.)
See you next week, faithful reader.
Thursday, 29 July 2010
DVD Extras
Sam & Max: Freelance Police - The Complete Animated Series Extras
Because I'm too lazy to type them out in full, I found myself semi-accidentally watching all the extras on the Sam & Max DVDs. Not that there are many, but in fairness to producers Shout! Factory, I don't imagine they had a huge budget to churn out a super-deluxe set considering the size of interest this was likely to generate.
And, actually, they didn't do badly at all: as well as all the episodes (obviously), there's a half-half-dozen animated shorts that were also made for TV, an interview with creator Steve Purcell, a featurette on the birth of Telltale Games (who now make the episodic Sam & Max PC games), a surprisingly-interesting 24-page series bible, and concept art.
Seems I could be bothered to type it out after all.
Because I'm too lazy to type them out in full, I found myself semi-accidentally watching all the extras on the Sam & Max DVDs. Not that there are many, but in fairness to producers Shout! Factory, I don't imagine they had a huge budget to churn out a super-deluxe set considering the size of interest this was likely to generate.
And, actually, they didn't do badly at all: as well as all the episodes (obviously), there's a half-half-dozen animated shorts that were also made for TV, an interview with creator Steve Purcell, a featurette on the birth of Telltale Games (who now make the episodic Sam & Max PC games), a surprisingly-interesting 24-page series bible, and concept art.
Seems I could be bothered to type it out after all.
Articles
Running on empty: culture in the silly season by Mark Lawson
(from guardian.co.uk)
Interesting article that uses the summer broadcast of the well-received Sherlock to consider why Art is seen to exist in seasons. Just, for the sake of your sanity and blood pressure, don't go near the comments.
(from guardian.co.uk)
Interesting article that uses the summer broadcast of the well-received Sherlock to consider why Art is seen to exist in seasons. Just, for the sake of your sanity and blood pressure, don't go near the comments.
surely this means a crossover is imminent...
From @steven_moffat...
Benedict Cumberbatch as Sherlock Holmes; Steven Moffat as Sherlock co-creator and Doctor Who exec producer Steven Moffat; and Matt Smith as the 11th Doctor.
Benedict Cumberbatch as Sherlock Holmes; Steven Moffat as Sherlock co-creator and Doctor Who exec producer Steven Moffat; and Matt Smith as the 11th Doctor.
Wednesday, 28 July 2010
Articles
Inception Infographic by dehahs
(from ~dehahs on deviantART)
Thought the final act of Inception was actually quite easy to follow? Well it wasn't, apparently -- look at this and become even more confused.
(from ~dehahs on deviantART)
Thought the final act of Inception was actually quite easy to follow? Well it wasn't, apparently -- look at this and become even more confused.
Tuesday, 27 July 2010
TV
How I Met Your Mother
5x09 Slapsgiving 2: Revenge of the Slap
[Watch it (again) on 4oD.]
Mock the Week
9x05 (22/7/10 edition)
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Stand Up for the Week
1x05 (23/7/10 edition)
[Watch it (again) on 4oD.]
5x09 Slapsgiving 2: Revenge of the Slap
[Watch it (again) on 4oD.]
Mock the Week
9x05 (22/7/10 edition)
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Stand Up for the Week
1x05 (23/7/10 edition)
[Watch it (again) on 4oD.]
Monday, 26 July 2010
TV
Sherlock
1x01 A Study in Pink
Excellent, in every respect. So many respects I can't even be bothered to list them all. If you didn't watch it for any reason, you really should.
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
1x01 A Study in Pink
Excellent, in every respect. So many respects I can't even be bothered to list them all. If you didn't watch it for any reason, you really should.
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
Sunday, 25 July 2010
Articles
Comic-Con, Day 3: Where the fans are by Todd VanDerWerff
(from The AV Club)
Sick of the rabid love of Comic-Con? Here's a wonderful, realist's antidote. And it's a must-read even if you are a fan of the uber-con. (Hm, Uber-Con... good name...)
(from The AV Club)
Sick of the rabid love of Comic-Con? Here's a wonderful, realist's antidote. And it's a must-read even if you are a fan of the uber-con. (Hm, Uber-Con... good name...)
this week on 100 Films
3 new reviews were posted to 100 Films in a Year this week, and they were...
1945-1998 (2003)
Sherlock Holmes (2009)
Sherlock Holmes (2010)
More next Sunday.
1945-1998 (2003)
Is 1945-1998 actually a film? Or is it a piece of video Art? Or just another online video? Its setup is quite simple: it charts every nuclear explosion between the titular years; the total, by-the-way, is 2,053. These explosions play out as flashing dots on a world map; different colours indicate which country was responsible for the explosion, accompanied by running totals.
Sherlock Holmes (2009)
Ritchie brings something special to the director’s chair, believe it or not — you may think he’s sold out into blockbusterdom to revive his flagging and repetitive career, but the touches he brings suggest the mind of someone who has control of his material, his camera and his edit, and wants to use them all to try something a bit different, not just another hack-for-hire
Sherlock Holmes (2010)
in The Asylum’s favour, their Sherlock Holmes doesn’t hide what it is. Yes, it’s called simply Sherlock Holmes rather than Sherlock Holmes and the Implausible CGI Monsters, but at least said monsters are plastered all over the DVD cover. If you see that and still expect something faithful to Conan Doyle, more fool you. That said, at times it’s surprisingly faithful to Doyle’s spirit.
More next Sunday.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)