The Mentalist
4x17 Cheap Burgundy
[Watch it on Demand 5 from Friday 13th April. Probably.]
Pointless
6x32 (28/3/12 edition)
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Scott & Bailey
2x03 Episode 3
[Watch it (again) on ITV Player.]
Watson & Oliver
1x06 Episode 6 [season finale]
[Watch it (again) In HD on iPlayer.]
Sunday, 1 April 2012
Comics
Batman #7 by Scott Snyder & Greg Capullo
Some fantastic twists and revelations as Batman's battle against the Court of Owls continues. The Night of the Owls crossover is coming, and it's set to be exciting.
That said, some kind of "previously on" mightn't go amiss from time to time. When it's a month between issues it can be tough to remember little details, and when things hark back to stuff published six or more months ago it can get even tougher. And, mainly, I have no idea who the girl in the opening scene is, but we clearly should. Grr.
Still: see also this article, by Nathan Birch at Gamma Squad: 9 Reasons Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo's Batman is the Best Bat-Book in Decades. I'm not qualified to make such a bold assertion, but I concur with all the reasons why it's awesome. Reading this arc, it feels like you're watching a classic in the making.
Nightwing #7 by Kyle Higgins, Eddy Barrows & Geraldo Borges
It's a shame that Batman and Nightwing are published in the same week -- the end of this issue duplicates a scene from Batman #7, but elements of it make much more sense coming after the earlier events of this instalment (which wraps up the relaunched series' first arc ahead of the Night of the Owls), so it would have been better to have read this first. Both issues do work regardless... though having read Batman first, the scene in question feels somewhat transplanted from there to here... despite, like I said, feeling I should have read this first. Weird.
I started buying Nightwing because, as The New 52 kicked off, there were comments that it would be closely tied to Batman. It seemed obvious how at first -- there was a Big Thing at the end of Batman #1 -- but then that went away quite quickly. I stuck with it, though, because it was a good tale in its own right... and now I'm very glad I both started and kept it up, because it turns out the whole thing (both so far and, especially, going forward) is pretty closely tied to the Court of Owls storyline. And, as we have established, that's awesome.
Some fantastic twists and revelations as Batman's battle against the Court of Owls continues. The Night of the Owls crossover is coming, and it's set to be exciting.
That said, some kind of "previously on" mightn't go amiss from time to time. When it's a month between issues it can be tough to remember little details, and when things hark back to stuff published six or more months ago it can get even tougher. And, mainly, I have no idea who the girl in the opening scene is, but we clearly should. Grr.
Still: see also this article, by Nathan Birch at Gamma Squad: 9 Reasons Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo's Batman is the Best Bat-Book in Decades. I'm not qualified to make such a bold assertion, but I concur with all the reasons why it's awesome. Reading this arc, it feels like you're watching a classic in the making.
Nightwing #7 by Kyle Higgins, Eddy Barrows & Geraldo Borges
It's a shame that Batman and Nightwing are published in the same week -- the end of this issue duplicates a scene from Batman #7, but elements of it make much more sense coming after the earlier events of this instalment (which wraps up the relaunched series' first arc ahead of the Night of the Owls), so it would have been better to have read this first. Both issues do work regardless... though having read Batman first, the scene in question feels somewhat transplanted from there to here... despite, like I said, feeling I should have read this first. Weird.
I started buying Nightwing because, as The New 52 kicked off, there were comments that it would be closely tied to Batman. It seemed obvious how at first -- there was a Big Thing at the end of Batman #1 -- but then that went away quite quickly. I stuck with it, though, because it was a good tale in its own right... and now I'm very glad I both started and kept it up, because it turns out the whole thing (both so far and, especially, going forward) is pretty closely tied to the Court of Owls storyline. And, as we have established, that's awesome.
this week on 100 Films
No new reviews this week -- I've gotten very lax -- but there is the March update (also on the classic blog here).
Saturday, 31 March 2012
TV
Just a Minute [2012]
1x01 Episode 1
1x02 Episode 2
I used to hate playing Just a Minute on those occasions on which it came up as a game at school, but it's jolly good fun to watch the pros have a go.
[Watch episodes one and two (again) on iPlayer.]
Mad Men
5x01 A Little Kiss Part 1
5x02 A Little Kiss Part 2
It's been a long time coming, but hurrah at last for the return of Mad Men! And a feature-length/double-bill opener, too. You spoil us.
The Voice UK
1x02 The Blind Auditions 2
Not sure if I loved or loathed the continuity announcer introducing this with a reference to its ratings success, but it was certainly unlike the Beeb. Also uncommon: Danny turning round before anyone else once or twice! I know it's only the second episode, but it didn't seem like something he'd ever do. That said, he still spent plenty of songs trying to work out if anyone else was going or not.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
1x01 Episode 1
1x02 Episode 2
I used to hate playing Just a Minute on those occasions on which it came up as a game at school, but it's jolly good fun to watch the pros have a go.
[Watch episodes one and two (again) on iPlayer.]
Mad Men
5x01 A Little Kiss Part 1
5x02 A Little Kiss Part 2
It's been a long time coming, but hurrah at last for the return of Mad Men! And a feature-length/double-bill opener, too. You spoil us.
The Voice UK
1x02 The Blind Auditions 2
Not sure if I loved or loathed the continuity announcer introducing this with a reference to its ratings success, but it was certainly unlike the Beeb. Also uncommon: Danny turning round before anyone else once or twice! I know it's only the second episode, but it didn't seem like something he'd ever do. That said, he still spent plenty of songs trying to work out if anyone else was going or not.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Films
Megamind (2010)
[#33 in 100 Films in a Year 2012]
This seems to have been lost in the wake of the similarly-themed and well-received Despicable Me (which was released about two months earlier). I've not seen that, but this I enjoyed.
[#33 in 100 Films in a Year 2012]
This seems to have been lost in the wake of the similarly-themed and well-received Despicable Me (which was released about two months earlier). I've not seen that, but this I enjoyed.
Articles
Game of Thrones showrunners on season 2, splitting Book 3 and their hope for a 70-hour epic
by James Hibberd (from Inside TV at EW.com)
Title pretty much covers what's in this one, then. Interesting though, but with kinda-spoilers for season one.
by James Hibberd (from Inside TV at EW.com)
Title pretty much covers what's in this one, then. Interesting though, but with kinda-spoilers for season one.
Collection Count
Collection Count tracks my DVD/Blu-ray collection via a number of statistics every week.
More minor tweaks this week, upgrading a DVD to a two-film BD set.
Number of titles in collection: 1,459 [no change]
Of which DVDs: 1,149 [down 1]
Of which Blu-rays: 310 [up 1]
Number of discs in collection: 3,616 [up 1]
Number of films in collection: 1,548 [up 1]
Number of TV episodes in collection: 5,449 [no change]
See you next week, faithful reader.
More minor tweaks this week, upgrading a DVD to a two-film BD set.
Number of titles in collection: 1,459 [no change]
Of which DVDs: 1,149 [down 1]
Of which Blu-rays: 310 [up 1]
Number of discs in collection: 3,616 [up 1]
Number of films in collection: 1,548 [up 1]
Number of TV episodes in collection: 5,449 [no change]
See you next week, faithful reader.
Friday, 30 March 2012
TV
Pointless
6x31 (27/3/12 edition)
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Sport Relief 2012
Part 3
The final chunk, including Absolutely Fabulous, QI and Mock the Week, amongst others.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
6x31 (27/3/12 edition)
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Sport Relief 2012
Part 3
The final chunk, including Absolutely Fabulous, QI and Mock the Week, amongst others.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Thursday, 29 March 2012
TV
Archer
3x08 Lo Scandalo
So, instead of episode four, we get episode eight. What? Still, s'a good'un. No idea what they made available on Demand 5 (the title is episode four's, but that doesn't mean the content is), but here's a link anyway.
[Watch an episode of Archer (again) on Demand 5.]
Castle
2x05 When the Bough Breaks
Nice use of music in this one, every time "a certain British secret agent" came up.
[Watch it (again) on Demand 5.]
Onion News Network
2x05 Exposed, Brooke Alvarez
Pointless
6x30 (26/3/12 edition)
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
The Sarah Millican Television Programme
1x03 Episode 3
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Sport Relief 2012
Part 2
The 40-minute BBC Two bit, featuring Twenty Twelve and Never Mind the Buzzcocks.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
3x08 Lo Scandalo
So, instead of episode four, we get episode eight. What? Still, s'a good'un. No idea what they made available on Demand 5 (the title is episode four's, but that doesn't mean the content is), but here's a link anyway.
[Watch an episode of Archer (again) on Demand 5.]
Castle
2x05 When the Bough Breaks
Nice use of music in this one, every time "a certain British secret agent" came up.
[Watch it (again) on Demand 5.]
Onion News Network
2x05 Exposed, Brooke Alvarez
Pointless
6x30 (26/3/12 edition)
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
The Sarah Millican Television Programme
1x03 Episode 3
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Sport Relief 2012
Part 2
The 40-minute BBC Two bit, featuring Twenty Twelve and Never Mind the Buzzcocks.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Wednesday, 28 March 2012
TV
Onion News Network
2x02 Missing Baby Kate
2x03 Fantasy Brainwall
2x04 Dead Reporter
Sky Arts have moved quite swiftly on the second series of ONN (the first only concluded in February), though the shift in time slot meant I unfortunately missed the first one. Boo.
Pointless
6x29 (22/3/12 edition)
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Sport Relief 2012
Part 1
As Sport Relief has become essentially Comic Relief with added sports personalities, so a worthy cause has also become actually worth watching. Highlights in these first three hours include hilarious new sketches from Outnumbered and Miranda.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
2x02 Missing Baby Kate
2x03 Fantasy Brainwall
2x04 Dead Reporter
Sky Arts have moved quite swiftly on the second series of ONN (the first only concluded in February), though the shift in time slot meant I unfortunately missed the first one. Boo.
Pointless
6x29 (22/3/12 edition)
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Sport Relief 2012
Part 1
As Sport Relief has become essentially Comic Relief with added sports personalities, so a worthy cause has also become actually worth watching. Highlights in these first three hours include hilarious new sketches from Outnumbered and Miranda.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Tuesday, 27 March 2012
Monday, 26 March 2012
TV
Pointless
6x26 (19/3/12 edition)
6x27 (20/3/12 edition)
[Watch the 20/3/12 edition (again) on iPlayer.]
The Voice UK
1x01 The Blind Auditions 1
The BBC's big new talent show was actually pretty entertaining. Thing to watch for: will Danny ever turn his chair round before someone else?
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
6x26 (19/3/12 edition)
6x27 (20/3/12 edition)
[Watch the 20/3/12 edition (again) on iPlayer.]
The Voice UK
1x01 The Blind Auditions 1
The BBC's big new talent show was actually pretty entertaining. Thing to watch for: will Danny ever turn his chair round before someone else?
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Saturday, 24 March 2012
Articles
The Bigger Picture: Mass Effect 3, Mutant Turtles, and The New Tyranny of the Fan-trum
by Drew McWeeny (from Motion Captured at HitFix)
"we are in the midst of The Age Of Fan-Fiction", argues McWeeny, because fans have too much say in things. I agree wholeheartedly.
by Drew McWeeny (from Motion Captured at HitFix)
"we are in the midst of The Age Of Fan-Fiction", argues McWeeny, because fans have too much say in things. I agree wholeheartedly.
Friday, 23 March 2012
TV
Archer
3x01 Heart of Archness Part 1
3x02 Heart of Archness Part 2
3x03 Heart of Archness Part 3
Archer finally returns to the UK... and the advantage of holding back a week is that I get to watch the opening three-parter in one feature-length chunk. Hooray!
And unlike the US, where this three-parter aired in September before a four-month gap before the rest of the series in January, it'll just continue next week over here. Double hooray!
[Watch Heart of Archness parts one, two and three again on Demand 5.]
3x01 Heart of Archness Part 1
3x02 Heart of Archness Part 2
3x03 Heart of Archness Part 3
Archer finally returns to the UK... and the advantage of holding back a week is that I get to watch the opening three-parter in one feature-length chunk. Hooray!
And unlike the US, where this three-parter aired in September before a four-month gap before the rest of the series in January, it'll just continue next week over here. Double hooray!
[Watch Heart of Archness parts one, two and three again on Demand 5.]
Collection Count
Collection Count tracks my DVD/Blu-ray collection via a number of statistics every week.
Number of titles in collection: 1,459 [up 1]
Of which DVDs: 1,150 [no change]
Of which Blu-rays: 309 [up 1]
Number of discs in collection: 3,615 [up 2]
Number of films in collection: 1,547 [up 1]
Number of TV episodes in collection: 5,449 [no change]
Plus this week it's time for a running time update, so...
Total running time of collection (approx.):
260 days, 10 hours, and 50 minutes.
(Up 17 hours and 11 minutes from last month.)
See you next week, faithful reader.
Number of titles in collection: 1,459 [up 1]
Of which DVDs: 1,150 [no change]
Of which Blu-rays: 309 [up 1]
Number of discs in collection: 3,615 [up 2]
Number of films in collection: 1,547 [up 1]
Number of TV episodes in collection: 5,449 [no change]
Plus this week it's time for a running time update, so...
Total running time of collection (approx.):
260 days, 10 hours, and 50 minutes.
(Up 17 hours and 11 minutes from last month.)
See you next week, faithful reader.
Thursday, 22 March 2012
TV
Let's Dance for Sport Relief 2012
Episode 5 (of 5)
Twenty dances were performed, and now the eight acts judged the best (and, this year, most of them actually were!) fight it out for... well, something... infamy, I guess... Still, there was a deserving winner -- that makes four-for-four in that regard. Better than most talent shows manage.
Pointless
6x25 (16/3/12 edition)
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Episode 5 (of 5)
Twenty dances were performed, and now the eight acts judged the best (and, this year, most of them actually were!) fight it out for... well, something... infamy, I guess... Still, there was a deserving winner -- that makes four-for-four in that regard. Better than most talent shows manage.
Pointless
6x25 (16/3/12 edition)
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Films
The Last Airbender (2010)
[#31 in 100 Films in a Year 2012]
I'm not prone to hyperbole when it comes to the quality of films -- I hate it when people declare something "the worst film I've ever seen" when it's actually passable or only a little below average -- but this is unbelievably bad.
[#31 in 100 Films in a Year 2012]
I'm not prone to hyperbole when it comes to the quality of films -- I hate it when people declare something "the worst film I've ever seen" when it's actually passable or only a little below average -- but this is unbelievably bad.
Comics
Batman and Robin #7 by Peter J. Tomasi & Patrick Gleason
On the one hand, this is just one big long fight; on the other, it's a fitting climax to the story. Looking forward to the next one.
Wolverine and the X-Men #7 by Jason Aaron & Nick Bradshaw
Fun fun fun. I hope AvX taking over all the related books doesn't ruin this for months on end.
On the one hand, this is just one big long fight; on the other, it's a fitting climax to the story. Looking forward to the next one.
Wolverine and the X-Men #7 by Jason Aaron & Nick Bradshaw
Fun fun fun. I hope AvX taking over all the related books doesn't ruin this for months on end.
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