Mad Men
4x03 The Good News
Words fail me for how good this was -- particularly Don and Lane's night out, and especially the scene in the cinema. Hilarious.
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
Tuesday, 28 September 2010
Articles
Jared Harris to Play Moriarty in Sherlock Holmes 2 by Matt Goldberg
(from Collider)
Following the announcement of Stephen Fry as Mycroft, this is another great bit of casting. Such a notion hadn't occurred to me -- in part because they were bandying around Big Star Names for the role -- but Harris could fit it like a glove. He's an excellent actor, as much as anything. Can't wait.
Virgin Media brings 3D TV to UK living rooms
(from Virgin Media Press Office)
And there's nothing worth watching on it! It looks to be, quite literally, one film a month, and they're all pretty poor. I suppose no one will notice -- hardly anyone has a 3D TV, and I bet those that do have got Sky for their 3D channel.
(from Collider)
Following the announcement of Stephen Fry as Mycroft, this is another great bit of casting. Such a notion hadn't occurred to me -- in part because they were bandying around Big Star Names for the role -- but Harris could fit it like a glove. He's an excellent actor, as much as anything. Can't wait.
Virgin Media brings 3D TV to UK living rooms
(from Virgin Media Press Office)
And there's nothing worth watching on it! It looks to be, quite literally, one film a month, and they're all pretty poor. I suppose no one will notice -- hardly anyone has a 3D TV, and I bet those that do have got Sky for their 3D channel.
Monday, 27 September 2010
TV
Law & Order: UK
3x03 Defence
Another strong and thought-provoking episode, though it might be nice to have an uncompromised happy ending sometime, just for once.
[Watch it (again) on ITV Player.]
The Rob Brydon Show
1x02 (24/9/10 edition)
No, I didn't forget to mention episode one, I just missed it because it wasn't put on Virgin's version of iPlayer (I have downloaded it though, so just need to get round to watching it now).
As for this edition... well, I like the programme in general, but it also confirmed that Mark Ronson is still irritating and largely devoid of discernible talent.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
3x03 Defence
Another strong and thought-provoking episode, though it might be nice to have an uncompromised happy ending sometime, just for once.
[Watch it (again) on ITV Player.]
The Rob Brydon Show
1x02 (24/9/10 edition)
No, I didn't forget to mention episode one, I just missed it because it wasn't put on Virgin's version of iPlayer (I have downloaded it though, so just need to get round to watching it now).
As for this edition... well, I like the programme in general, but it also confirmed that Mark Ronson is still irritating and largely devoid of discernible talent.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Articles
Colin Baker: 'I'll never forget Doctor Who' by Justin Harp
(from Digital Spy)
Going Up River: Inside Apocalypse Now by Bill Hunt
(from The Digital Bits)
An interview with four of the people involved in the Blu-ray release of Apocalypse Now, which is out in a couple of weeks in the US (not seen a UK date mentioned yet). Page 1 is mainly about the remastering of the feature, while page 2 covers the extras, old & new. Interesting details for those who are interested.
SFX Whedon Special Previews by Dave Golder (from SFX)
Exploring Book’s Backstory
and
Serenity 2 Painful To Think About, Says Joss
and
Ripper
SFX have a Joss Whedon-centric special out this Thursday, and their website is currently littered with previews of it. Here are the three that interested me most: some details on the next Firefly/Serenity graphic novel, which finally explores the mystery of Shepherd Book; Joss' thoughts on a Serenity sequel; and Anthony Head on the proposed British Buffy spin-off, Ripper, and why it still hasn't happened.
(from Digital Spy)
"I've enjoyed immensely watching it [since the revival]. However when I left, the ratings were exactly the same, 5 to 6 million, as they are now... I know the television landscape has changed but it's ironic nonetheless."
Going Up River: Inside Apocalypse Now by Bill Hunt
(from The Digital Bits)
An interview with four of the people involved in the Blu-ray release of Apocalypse Now, which is out in a couple of weeks in the US (not seen a UK date mentioned yet). Page 1 is mainly about the remastering of the feature, while page 2 covers the extras, old & new. Interesting details for those who are interested.
SFX Whedon Special Previews by Dave Golder (from SFX)
Exploring Book’s Backstory
and
Serenity 2 Painful To Think About, Says Joss
and
Ripper
SFX have a Joss Whedon-centric special out this Thursday, and their website is currently littered with previews of it. Here are the three that interested me most: some details on the next Firefly/Serenity graphic novel, which finally explores the mystery of Shepherd Book; Joss' thoughts on a Serenity sequel; and Anthony Head on the proposed British Buffy spin-off, Ripper, and why it still hasn't happened.
Sunday, 26 September 2010
TV
Downton Abbey
1x01 Episode One
Rather good, that, as you'd expect from writer/creator Julian Fellowes and such a talented cast, really. The only mystery is what it's doing on ITV -- surely such classy material is the domain of BBC One?
[Watch it (again) on ITV Player.]
QI
8x02 H Anatomy (extended repeat)
"H Anatomy"?! When Fry begins the episode with a list of parts of the anatomy that begin with H -- hands, head, heart, etc etc -- one wonders why it couldn't've been named after those instead.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
1x01 Episode One
Rather good, that, as you'd expect from writer/creator Julian Fellowes and such a talented cast, really. The only mystery is what it's doing on ITV -- surely such classy material is the domain of BBC One?
[Watch it (again) on ITV Player.]
QI
8x02 H Anatomy (extended repeat)
"H Anatomy"?! When Fry begins the episode with a list of parts of the anatomy that begin with H -- hands, head, heart, etc etc -- one wonders why it couldn't've been named after those instead.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Articles
Muse beat The Beatles, Jimi Hendrix, Johnny Cash to win best cover song of all time
(from NME)
Don't disagree with the winner -- or with Mark Ronson featuring in any "worst of" list -- but more interesting are some of these covers I didn't even know existed. Ronan Keating doing Fairytale of New York? Take That's take on Smells Like Teen Spirit? I have to hear these...
Stephen Fry to play Mycroft in Sherlock 2 by Simon Reynolds
(from Digital Spy)
The Guy Ritchie Sherlock Holmes sequel, that is, not the second series of Sherlock. Tsk.
With further apologies to Mr Gatiss, then, I'll say that this is rather perfect casting. Though I still want to see a Fry/Laurie Holmes/Watson at some point, please.
(from NME)
Don't disagree with the winner -- or with Mark Ronson featuring in any "worst of" list -- but more interesting are some of these covers I didn't even know existed. Ronan Keating doing Fairytale of New York? Take That's take on Smells Like Teen Spirit? I have to hear these...
Stephen Fry to play Mycroft in Sherlock 2 by Simon Reynolds
(from Digital Spy)
The Guy Ritchie Sherlock Holmes sequel, that is, not the second series of Sherlock. Tsk.
With further apologies to Mr Gatiss, then, I'll say that this is rather perfect casting. Though I still want to see a Fry/Laurie Holmes/Watson at some point, please.
The Walking Dead: brilliant fan-made opening credits
I'm somewhat excited for the forthcoming TV adaptation of Robert Kirkman and Tony Moore's zombie comic The Walking Dead -- I've never read any of it, nor followed news of the TV version particularly closely, but the comic's meant to be good and there are good people involved in the TV production.
This opening credit sequence was made by a fan -- to stress the point, they're not what we'll be seeing on screen when the series airs -- but they're rather cool, undoubtedly to a professional standard (unlike the vast majority of fan-produced videos, of course) and, I suspect, unlikely to be topped by the final sequence.
Which is a shame, because they've actually made me even more interested.
This opening credit sequence was made by a fan -- to stress the point, they're not what we'll be seeing on screen when the series airs -- but they're rather cool, undoubtedly to a professional standard (unlike the vast majority of fan-produced videos, of course) and, I suspect, unlikely to be topped by the final sequence.
Which is a shame, because they've actually made me even more interested.
this week on 100 Films
2 new feature-film reviews were posted to 100 Films in a Year this week, and they were...
Night at the Museum (2006)
Ocean's Eleven (1960)
Also this week, a review of a short film...
The Met Ball (2010)
More next Sunday.
Night at the Museum (2006)
everything in said museum comes alive at night. This results in largely comical hi-jinx. These are fine — the easily-impressed will love it, the highly cynical will probably despise it, and the rest of us can sit in the middle, being adequately entertained while the film plays but require nothing else from it ever again.
Ocean's Eleven (1960)
It does have its moments [but] this would definitely be for Rat Pack fans only had it not been for the remake… and, really, there’s no reason the remake should change that.
Also this week, a review of a short film...
The Met Ball (2010)
Culled from footage shot while making The September Issue, The Met Ball clearly had no place in the finished film but does work as a piece in its own right... The interest for us normal, sensible folk lies in what it exposes about the fashion world; the ludicrous lengths they go to, the shockingly inflated sense of self importance.
More next Sunday.
Saturday, 25 September 2010
TV
Grand Designs
10x02 Cotswolds: The Stealth House
I have often seen parts of Grand Designs -- mostly the ending -- but not usually enough to make it worth a mention. But this episode promised something unusual: an 'invisible' house, built underground below a barn that couldn't be demolished. It didn't live up to all expectations -- it was quite thoroughly visible on one side -- but the stuff with building under the barn was rather nifty.
[Watch it (again) on 4oD.]
How I Met Your Mother
5x18 Say Cheese
[Watch it (again) on 4oD.]
Merlin
3x03 Goblin's Gold
Considering how daft and puerile this looked, I thought it was a largely entertaining episode. Nice to have a bit of lightness after the very heavy opener.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Michael McIntyre's Comedy Roadshow
2x02 Sunderland
I would say it was a particularly good episode, but every episode seems to be particularly good. Which is nice, because 'undiscovered' stand-ups -- as Russell Howard's series proved week-in-week-out -- can be bloody awful.
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
10x02 Cotswolds: The Stealth House
I have often seen parts of Grand Designs -- mostly the ending -- but not usually enough to make it worth a mention. But this episode promised something unusual: an 'invisible' house, built underground below a barn that couldn't be demolished. It didn't live up to all expectations -- it was quite thoroughly visible on one side -- but the stuff with building under the barn was rather nifty.
[Watch it (again) on 4oD.]
How I Met Your Mother
5x18 Say Cheese
[Watch it (again) on 4oD.]
Merlin
3x03 Goblin's Gold
Considering how daft and puerile this looked, I thought it was a largely entertaining episode. Nice to have a bit of lightness after the very heavy opener.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Michael McIntyre's Comedy Roadshow
2x02 Sunderland
I would say it was a particularly good episode, but every episode seems to be particularly good. Which is nice, because 'undiscovered' stand-ups -- as Russell Howard's series proved week-in-week-out -- can be bloody awful.
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
Articles
Moffat On The Doctor Who Christmas Special And Season Six by Dave Golder
(from SFX)
Title says it all. Just a couple of snippets, hints and teases, mind, nothing astoundingly huge or new.
(from SFX)
Title says it all. Just a couple of snippets, hints and teases, mind, nothing astoundingly huge or new.
Friday, 24 September 2010
TV
Dragons' Den
What Happened Next 2 Duncan Bannatyne
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Gareth Malone's Extraordinary School for Boys
Part 2 (of 3)
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
The Review Show
03/09/2010 edition
...though, if I'm honest, not all of it -- just the bits covering Tamara Drewe, Jonah Hex and CLiNT, and half of This is England '86 (before I got bored of it, having not seen the film or the series).
What Happened Next 2 Duncan Bannatyne
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Gareth Malone's Extraordinary School for Boys
Part 2 (of 3)
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
The Review Show
03/09/2010 edition
...though, if I'm honest, not all of it -- just the bits covering Tamara Drewe, Jonah Hex and CLiNT, and half of This is England '86 (before I got bored of it, having not seen the film or the series).
Articles
How To Reboot Resident Evil by Nathan Ditum
(from Total Film)
This whole article is worth reading just for the comments form "CthuluGonnaCall.com" on page 10. I laughed probably more than it deserved. Also amusing: page 13 on, where the article switches from "largely plausible (if fans were extraordinarily lucky)" to "not gonna happen. Ever."
(from Total Film)
This whole article is worth reading just for the comments form "CthuluGonnaCall.com" on page 10. I laughed probably more than it deserved. Also amusing: page 13 on, where the article switches from "largely plausible (if fans were extraordinarily lucky)" to "not gonna happen. Ever."
Collection Count
Collection Count tracks my DVD/Blu-ray collection via a number of statistics every week.
This week, a few new Blu-rays give a little boost to the numbers. One is technically a DVD upgrade -- Psycho -- but as I own the DVD in a box set it won't be going anywhere. (Plus I think the DVD still has some special features that aren't on the BD, so...)
Another is... well, also a DVD upgrade, actually -- the wondrous Firefly. Somehow, they've stuffed the entire series into one of those slim US Blu-ray cases -- if/when I buy Serenity on (UK) Blu-ray, it'll be in a bigger box than the whole of the TV series. That's madness. Anyway, at the minute I'm keeping hold of the DVD for it's proper-sized, shiny-slipcased, nostalgia-filled loveliness, so Firefly just increases numbers rather than replacing them.
Number of titles in collection: 1,220 [up 4]
Of which DVDs: 1,105 [no change]
Of which Blu-rays: 115 [up 4]
Number of discs in collection: 2,979 [up 6]
Number of films in collection: 1,284 [up 3]
Number of TV episodes in collection: 4,195 [up 14]
Statistic of the week:
Total running time of collection (approx.):
209 days, 17 hours, and 49 minutes.
(Up 1 day, 20 hours, and 21 minutes from last month.)
See you next week, faithful reader.
This week, a few new Blu-rays give a little boost to the numbers. One is technically a DVD upgrade -- Psycho -- but as I own the DVD in a box set it won't be going anywhere. (Plus I think the DVD still has some special features that aren't on the BD, so...)
Another is... well, also a DVD upgrade, actually -- the wondrous Firefly. Somehow, they've stuffed the entire series into one of those slim US Blu-ray cases -- if/when I buy Serenity on (UK) Blu-ray, it'll be in a bigger box than the whole of the TV series. That's madness. Anyway, at the minute I'm keeping hold of the DVD for it's proper-sized, shiny-slipcased, nostalgia-filled loveliness, so Firefly just increases numbers rather than replacing them.
Number of titles in collection: 1,220 [up 4]
Of which DVDs: 1,105 [no change]
Of which Blu-rays: 115 [up 4]
Number of discs in collection: 2,979 [up 6]
Number of films in collection: 1,284 [up 3]
Number of TV episodes in collection: 4,195 [up 14]
Statistic of the week:
Total running time of collection (approx.):
209 days, 17 hours, and 49 minutes.
(Up 1 day, 20 hours, and 21 minutes from last month.)
See you next week, faithful reader.
Thursday, 23 September 2010
TV
Family Guy
8x20 Something, Something, Something, Dark Side [season finale]
Having spoofed A New Hope (which, as I noted before, I watched before this blog began), the Family Guy team latterly turned their attention to The Empire Strikes Back. It's as hit-and-miss as you might expect, effectively retelling Empire with a bunch of non sequiturs and humorous criticisms thrown in.
The Family Guy version of Return of the Jedi, titled It's a Trap!, is due later this year. Wonder if they'll do the prequels...
Mock the Week
9x09 (23/9/10 edition)
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
The South Bank Show
37x01 Andrew Lloyd Webber Revisited
aka The South Bank Show Revisited for the series' final run of ten programmes, which all (unsurprisingly) revisited past subjects. It aired back in March/April/May and I've had half of them on my V+ box ever since. About time I got round to them, I thought. So, um, I am...
8x20 Something, Something, Something, Dark Side [season finale]
Having spoofed A New Hope (which, as I noted before, I watched before this blog began), the Family Guy team latterly turned their attention to The Empire Strikes Back. It's as hit-and-miss as you might expect, effectively retelling Empire with a bunch of non sequiturs and humorous criticisms thrown in.
The Family Guy version of Return of the Jedi, titled It's a Trap!, is due later this year. Wonder if they'll do the prequels...
Mock the Week
9x09 (23/9/10 edition)
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
The South Bank Show
37x01 Andrew Lloyd Webber Revisited
aka The South Bank Show Revisited for the series' final run of ten programmes, which all (unsurprisingly) revisited past subjects. It aired back in March/April/May and I've had half of them on my V+ box ever since. About time I got round to them, I thought. So, um, I am...
Articles
The 33 Greatest Movie Trilogies by Helen O'Hara, Ian Freer & Alastair Plumb
(from Empire)
It's an odd list in places, which is what happens when you ask The Public, but not an uninteresting one.
A knock on Betjeman’s door by David Allen Green
(from The Staggers at New Statesman)
(from Empire)
It's an odd list in places, which is what happens when you ask The Public, but not an uninteresting one.
A knock on Betjeman’s door by David Allen Green
(from The Staggers at New Statesman)
Why the CPS prosecution of Paul Chambers matters.aka #TwitterJokeTrial. The appeal is tomorrow. And it really does matter.
Wednesday, 22 September 2010
TV
Law & Order: UK
3x02 Hounded
A rather good episode, I thought -- yes, it succumbed to 'justice' at the end, but it was never definitively cleared up who committed the central crime (though I'm sure some more simplistic viewers assumed it was by dint of what occurred in the end).
[Watch it (again) on ITV Player.]
Mad Men
4x02 Christmas Comes But Once a Year
Aww, poor Don's Secretary (Whose Name I Don't Even Know).
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
3x02 Hounded
A rather good episode, I thought -- yes, it succumbed to 'justice' at the end, but it was never definitively cleared up who committed the central crime (though I'm sure some more simplistic viewers assumed it was by dint of what occurred in the end).
[Watch it (again) on ITV Player.]
Mad Men
4x02 Christmas Comes But Once a Year
Aww, poor Don's Secretary (Whose Name I Don't Even Know).
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
Films
It Happened Here (1965)
[#98 in 100 Films in a Year 2010]
Plus the extras, including a US trailer that cost more than the film itself(!) and an extended newsreel, in which the production team faked footage of a tank driving by filming it being transported backwards with the camera upside-down, then turning the film the other way up. Don't get much of that sort of ingenuity these days.
[#98 in 100 Films in a Year 2010]
Plus the extras, including a US trailer that cost more than the film itself(!) and an extended newsreel, in which the production team faked footage of a tank driving by filming it being transported backwards with the camera upside-down, then turning the film the other way up. Don't get much of that sort of ingenuity these days.
Tuesday, 21 September 2010
TV
Cheetah Kingdom
1x02 Episode 2
[Watch it (again) on ITV Player.]
Spooks
9x01 Episode 1
They're back! It's all a bit daft now! Some things will never change, I suspect. Until they cancel it, naturally.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
1x02 Episode 2
[Watch it (again) on ITV Player.]
Spooks
9x01 Episode 1
They're back! It's all a bit daft now! Some things will never change, I suspect. Until they cancel it, naturally.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
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