The British Comedy Awards Nominations Show
Because they never seem to have enough time to present the nominations during the show itself, here's a whole hour-long special dedicated to them. Surprisingly, it works. One thing that seems daft, though, is that every category featured an abundance of potential nominees in clip form… but then only three nominees. Why not the standard four, or even five? Daft.
Also, The Inbetweeners still looks dreadful to me. Why do people like it?
[Watch it (again) on 4oD.]
Fast and Loose
1x01 Episode 1
The BBC's new improvisational -- but, as it turns out, not topical -- stand-up comedy show. Quite funny.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
James May's Toy Stories
1x01 Airfix
These were on in the run up to Christmas-before-last (i.e. in 2009) and at the time I only managed to catch three of the six episodes. Thanks to Dave (where else?), however, I'm now getting a chance to see two I really wanted to see -- first, the one where he built a 1:1 scale Airfix Spitfire. Such fun.
Just Good Friends
2x03 The Evidence/Or His Bottle Went
Thursday, 20 January 2011
Films
The Invention of Lying (2009)
[#6 in 100 Films in a Year 2011]
Well, that was better than anything I've seen by Judd Apatow.
[#6 in 100 Films in a Year 2011]
Well, that was better than anything I've seen by Judd Apatow.
Articles
X-Men: First Class Teaser Poster Arrives by Silas Lesnick
(from SuperHeroHype)
After hearing nothing about the latest X-Men movie for a while, there's been a flurry of news and images in the last few days. So you can also see the first cast photo (in hi-res), some more publicity shots, and some "we're sorry the first photo went down so badly" photos too. Personally, I think it all looks rather promising.
(from SuperHeroHype)
After hearing nothing about the latest X-Men movie for a while, there's been a flurry of news and images in the last few days. So you can also see the first cast photo (in hi-res), some more publicity shots, and some "we're sorry the first photo went down so badly" photos too. Personally, I think it all looks rather promising.
Wednesday, 19 January 2011
TV
Yes Minister
1x04 Big Brother
It's both amusing and depressing how much of Yes Minister is still so true today.
Zen
1x03 Ratking
As entertaining as the others, even if the title is meaningless. I've very much enjoyed this series -- more please, BBC.
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
1x04 Big Brother
It's both amusing and depressing how much of Yes Minister is still so true today.
Zen
1x03 Ratking
As entertaining as the others, even if the title is meaningless. I've very much enjoyed this series -- more please, BBC.
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
Articles
Anne Hathaway as Catwoman and Tom Hardy as Bane in The Dark Knight Rises by Dan Goodswen
(from Total Film)
Headline says it all.
Doctor Who enters the Construction Toy Market by Marcus
(from Doctor Who News Page)
Or, to put it another way, Doctor Who LEGO! Not actual proper LEGO, but the same kind of thing. I think. Could be brilliant...
(from Total Film)
Headline says it all.
Doctor Who enters the Construction Toy Market by Marcus
(from Doctor Who News Page)
Or, to put it another way, Doctor Who LEGO! Not actual proper LEGO, but the same kind of thing. I think. Could be brilliant...
Games
Nintendo 3DS Exclusive Preview Event
Two huge press conference / launch shows were held today for Nintendo's latest handheld console, the 3DS: one by Nintendo of America in New York, the other by Nintendo of Europe in Amsterdam (neat choice of cities there). While NoA just announced some of their news on twitter and what have you, the full Jonathan Ross-hosted European event was streamed live online -- and is still available to view now, if you missed it and you're interested.
Both announced release dates -- 27th March in the US, two days earlier on 25th March in Europe -- though only the US announced a list price -- $250. Which didn't go down that well with some... though they should bloody well stop moaning because, after the European event announced the price would be dictated by retailers, UK shops are selling it for around £220 -- equivalent to over $350! Why is it that the gaming world so often seems to think the exchange rate is £1=$1? (I appreciate not precisely in this instance -- £1 would be $1.14 in this case -- but, hey, you know what I mean.)
Anyway, it looks rather nifty... though at that price tag, I shan't be getting one.
Two huge press conference / launch shows were held today for Nintendo's latest handheld console, the 3DS: one by Nintendo of America in New York, the other by Nintendo of Europe in Amsterdam (neat choice of cities there). While NoA just announced some of their news on twitter and what have you, the full Jonathan Ross-hosted European event was streamed live online -- and is still available to view now, if you missed it and you're interested.
Both announced release dates -- 27th March in the US, two days earlier on 25th March in Europe -- though only the US announced a list price -- $250. Which didn't go down that well with some... though they should bloody well stop moaning because, after the European event announced the price would be dictated by retailers, UK shops are selling it for around £220 -- equivalent to over $350! Why is it that the gaming world so often seems to think the exchange rate is £1=$1? (I appreciate not precisely in this instance -- £1 would be $1.14 in this case -- but, hey, you know what I mean.)
Anyway, it looks rather nifty... though at that price tag, I shan't be getting one.
Tuesday, 18 January 2011
Articles
The King's Speech leads Bafta field
(from BBC News)
Just in case you missed it, the BAFTA nominations were out today. All largely to be expected, though the Rising Star noms are barmy: most of those names are already established -- "risen", if you will.
(from BBC News)
Just in case you missed it, the BAFTA nominations were out today. All largely to be expected, though the Rising Star noms are barmy: most of those names are already established -- "risen", if you will.
Monday, 17 January 2011
TV
Battlestar Galactica [2004]
3x02 Precipice
3x03 Exodus Part 1
3x04 Exodus Part 2
Helluva cliffhanger on Precipice! Luckily, watching on Blu-ray means I can rush straight on to the action-packed Exodus two-parter. Shiny.
The South Bank Show
37x04 Ian McKellen Revisited
Yes Minister
1x02 The Official Visit
3x02 Precipice
3x03 Exodus Part 1
3x04 Exodus Part 2
Helluva cliffhanger on Precipice! Luckily, watching on Blu-ray means I can rush straight on to the action-packed Exodus two-parter. Shiny.
The South Bank Show
37x04 Ian McKellen Revisited
Yes Minister
1x02 The Official Visit
Articles
James Bond book called Carte Blanche
(from BBC News)
"The new James Bond book, written by thriller author Jeffery Deaver, will be called Carte Blanche." The cover was also revealed and can be seen in the photo below. A couple more details -- though not a proper plot description -- can be found in the news article, or on the book's official website, or by following the book's official twitter.
Universal and Sony to change singles release policy
(from BBC Radio 1 Newsbeat)
Singles will now be released to download on the same day they're first played on the radio. A very sensible, piracy-inhibiting tactic. You wonder why they've not done it sooner.
(from BBC News)
"The new James Bond book, written by thriller author Jeffery Deaver, will be called Carte Blanche." The cover was also revealed and can be seen in the photo below. A couple more details -- though not a proper plot description -- can be found in the news article, or on the book's official website, or by following the book's official twitter.
Universal and Sony to change singles release policy
(from BBC Radio 1 Newsbeat)
Singles will now be released to download on the same day they're first played on the radio. A very sensible, piracy-inhibiting tactic. You wonder why they've not done it sooner.
Sunday, 16 January 2011
TV
Battlestar Galactica [2004]
3x00 The Resistance [webisodes 1-10]
3x01 Occupation
It's now, shockingly, almost six months since I last watched any BSG. I was getting through it so fast too! Time (overdue) to dive back in, then, and this is what's next: The Resistance, a series of ten webisodes totalling 26 minutes, detailing some events that occur between seasons two and three. They may still be available for free online to the US, and they're on the US DVDs, but not the UK DVDs, but they are on the Blu-rays everywhere (on disc two of season three -- common sense does not prevail). In case you wondered.
As for the new series proper, bold of the producers to continue their Iraq war analogy by having the Cylons become the occupying force and the sympathetic human characters become insurgents. Can't imagine that went down too well in the US...
Episodes
1x01 Episode One
This has been soundly slagged off in some quarters (coughRadioTimescough), but I rather enjoyed it. In fact, I'm actually looking forward to more -- so that's rather good too then.
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
QI
8x16 History (extended repeat) [season finale]
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
3x00 The Resistance [webisodes 1-10]
3x01 Occupation
It's now, shockingly, almost six months since I last watched any BSG. I was getting through it so fast too! Time (overdue) to dive back in, then, and this is what's next: The Resistance, a series of ten webisodes totalling 26 minutes, detailing some events that occur between seasons two and three. They may still be available for free online to the US, and they're on the US DVDs, but not the UK DVDs, but they are on the Blu-rays everywhere (on disc two of season three -- common sense does not prevail). In case you wondered.
As for the new series proper, bold of the producers to continue their Iraq war analogy by having the Cylons become the occupying force and the sympathetic human characters become insurgents. Can't imagine that went down too well in the US...
Episodes
1x01 Episode One
This has been soundly slagged off in some quarters (coughRadioTimescough), but I rather enjoyed it. In fact, I'm actually looking forward to more -- so that's rather good too then.
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
QI
8x16 History (extended repeat) [season finale]
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
this week on 100 Films
2 new reviews were posted to 100 Films in a Year this week, and they were...
Iron Eagle (1986)
Odd Man Out (1947)
More next Sunday.
Iron Eagle (1986)
an American pilot is captured by Qatar due to flying into their airspace, even though he was hundreds of miles outside it. When he’s sentenced to execution and the US Government refuses to do anything practical to get him back, his teenage son — who he’s been illicitly teaching to fly fighter jets — resolves to steal one and go get his dad. Hells yeah! Or something... daft and implausible.
Odd Man Out (1947)
The consciously episodic story... facilitates the depiction of a cross-section of Northern Irish life, and particularly their reaction to “the organisation” — it doesn’t take a genius to guess what that means... concerned “only with the conflict in the hearts of the people when they become unexpectedly involved”, by leaving out detail of the politically contentious background it perhaps robs the characters’ indecision of any basis.
More next Sunday.
Saturday, 15 January 2011
TV
Primeval
4x04 Episode 4
[Watch it (again) on ITV Player.]
Yes Minister
1x01 Open Government [2nd watch]
Got the complete series of this for Christmas. Not seen it for an absolute age, but it's still brilliant. (Also not sure how much of it I've actually seen before, or how often, so those "2nd watch"es may be a little fluid and based on anything I happen to remember.)
4x04 Episode 4
[Watch it (again) on ITV Player.]
Yes Minister
1x01 Open Government [2nd watch]
Got the complete series of this for Christmas. Not seen it for an absolute age, but it's still brilliant. (Also not sure how much of it I've actually seen before, or how often, so those "2nd watch"es may be a little fluid and based on anything I happen to remember.)
Films
Exam (2009)
[#2 in 100 Films in a Year 2011]
So far this year I've watched two films from 2009. Neither of them were on my 50 I missed in 2009 list, sadly.
Sherlock Holmes (2009)
[2nd watch]
This was #49 in 100 Films 2010, and went on to be listed as my eighth favourite film of the year. Having watched it again, I wonder if I should've placed it even higher.
[#2 in 100 Films in a Year 2011]
So far this year I've watched two films from 2009. Neither of them were on my 50 I missed in 2009 list, sadly.
Sherlock Holmes (2009)
[2nd watch]
This was #49 in 100 Films 2010, and went on to be listed as my eighth favourite film of the year. Having watched it again, I wonder if I should've placed it even higher.
Articles
The best books of 2011 by Alison Flood
(from guardian.co.uk)
Yes, you read that right -- the year that's only 15 days old. Films and games have these "what's to come this year" lists all the time, so why not books? ...is, I suppose, the theory. Not sure it works.
(Came to my attention because it mentions the forthcoming new James Bond novel, still code-named Project X though apparently being launched in Dubai on Monday, so maybe we'll learn the real title then.)
(from guardian.co.uk)
Yes, you read that right -- the year that's only 15 days old. Films and games have these "what's to come this year" lists all the time, so why not books? ...is, I suppose, the theory. Not sure it works.
(Came to my attention because it mentions the forthcoming new James Bond novel, still code-named Project X though apparently being launched in Dubai on Monday, so maybe we'll learn the real title then.)
Friday, 14 January 2011
TV
The Graham Norton Show
8x11 (7/1/11 edition)
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
The Great Outdoors
1x01 Episode 1
This went largely unnoticed on BBC Four last summer (I missed it anyway), but it's a rather good sitcom featuring a host of familiar faces. Recommended. And there's only three episodes, so I do hope they commission more.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
8x11 (7/1/11 edition)
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
The Great Outdoors
1x01 Episode 1
This went largely unnoticed on BBC Four last summer (I missed it anyway), but it's a rather good sitcom featuring a host of familiar faces. Recommended. And there's only three episodes, so I do hope they commission more.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Articles
Jimmy Wales says Wikipedia too complicated for many by Jonathan Fildes
(from BBC News)
Not to read, but to contribute to. They're planning to make it easier in the future.
Quite aside from the mildly sensationalist headline, there's more interesting stuff here from a BBC interview with Wales -- you can tell it's a relatively significant article because it actually has a byline, something the BBC News site is hardly known for.
(from BBC News)
Not to read, but to contribute to. They're planning to make it easier in the future.
Quite aside from the mildly sensationalist headline, there's more interesting stuff here from a BBC interview with Wales -- you can tell it's a relatively significant article because it actually has a byline, something the BBC News site is hardly known for.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)