Castle
2x14 The Third Man
[Watch it (again) on Demand 5.]
Friday, 1 June 2012
Articles
Avengers ten-disc Blu-ray collection surfaces
by Mark Langshaw (from Digital Spy)
Oo-ooh! Need to sell my Iron Man, Iron Man 2, Incredible Hulk, Thor and Captain America BDs now...
Primeval series five to air on ITV1 a year after Watch broadcast
by Morgan Jeffery (from Digital Spy)
Well I never. It's nearly 18 months since they aired season four, a year since season five premiered on Watch, and it's been out on DVD & Blu-ray for about that long too, so I didn't think ITV were going to bother -- it can't be a huge ratings draw at this point, especially considering it wasn't that big before. Perhaps that's why they're dumping it in the summer. But I don't mind -- despite it's low quality, last series ended on cliffhangers and I want to know what happened without having to pay for the thing.
by Mark Langshaw (from Digital Spy)
Oo-ooh! Need to sell my Iron Man, Iron Man 2, Incredible Hulk, Thor and Captain America BDs now...
Primeval series five to air on ITV1 a year after Watch broadcast
by Morgan Jeffery (from Digital Spy)
Well I never. It's nearly 18 months since they aired season four, a year since season five premiered on Watch, and it's been out on DVD & Blu-ray for about that long too, so I didn't think ITV were going to bother -- it can't be a huge ratings draw at this point, especially considering it wasn't that big before. Perhaps that's why they're dumping it in the summer. But I don't mind -- despite it's low quality, last series ended on cliffhangers and I want to know what happened without having to pay for the thing.
Collection Count
Collection Count tracks my DVD/Blu-ray collection via a number of statistics every week.
A few sale acquisitions this week -- including The Exorcist on Blu-ray, a film I've been meaning to buy (and see, of course) for God knows how many years -- give a bit of a boost.
The Artist was also out this week. That's on order. I waited until it was out to use a 10% voucher I had (not useable on pre-orders), then the next day found it cheaper still somewhere else. I was able to move the order, but wasted the voucher and needn't have waited. There's a moral in there somewhere.
Number of titles in collection: 1,486 [up 5]
Of which DVDs: 1,154 [no change]
Of which Blu-rays: 332 [up 5]
Number of discs in collection: 3,689 [up 6]
Number of films in collection: 1,574 [up 7]
Number of TV episodes in collection: 5,489 [no change]
See you next week, faithful reader.
A few sale acquisitions this week -- including The Exorcist on Blu-ray, a film I've been meaning to buy (and see, of course) for God knows how many years -- give a bit of a boost.
The Artist was also out this week. That's on order. I waited until it was out to use a 10% voucher I had (not useable on pre-orders), then the next day found it cheaper still somewhere else. I was able to move the order, but wasted the voucher and needn't have waited. There's a moral in there somewhere.
Number of titles in collection: 1,486 [up 5]
Of which DVDs: 1,154 [no change]
Of which Blu-rays: 332 [up 5]
Number of discs in collection: 3,689 [up 6]
Number of films in collection: 1,574 [up 7]
Number of TV episodes in collection: 5,489 [no change]
See you next week, faithful reader.
Thursday, 31 May 2012
Wednesday, 30 May 2012
TV
Mad Men
5x09 Dark Shadows
There seem to be an awful lot of dream/fantasy sequences this season. It must mean something.
Pointless
4x26 (11/7/11 edition) [2nd watch]
And this is where I came in. Back to new episodes next, then.
5x09 Dark Shadows
There seem to be an awful lot of dream/fantasy sequences this season. It must mean something.
Pointless
4x26 (11/7/11 edition) [2nd watch]
And this is where I came in. Back to new episodes next, then.
Films
The Scarlet Claw (1944)
[#46 in 100 Films in a Year 2012]
Being the eighth film to star Basil Rathbone as Sherlock Holmes. It's also, quite coincidentally, five months to the day since I watched the last. I'll try not to leave it so long 'til the next one, but then I've been intending that for years.
[#46 in 100 Films in a Year 2012]
Being the eighth film to star Basil Rathbone as Sherlock Holmes. It's also, quite coincidentally, five months to the day since I watched the last. I'll try not to leave it so long 'til the next one, but then I've been intending that for years.
Tuesday, 29 May 2012
TV
Grandma's House
2x06 The day Simon and his family opened the door to acceptance [season finale]
Suitably downbeat ending. I hope there's going to be more, but this year's ratings have been lower than the first and apparently Amstell doesn't want to do another series anyway.
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
The Making of the Ring
3 Siegfried (of 4)
Third of four half-hours looking behind the scenes of La Fura dels Baus' production of Wagner's Ring Cycle. And just the making of this time, because I didn't have time for a full opera (Siegfried is a good 4½-5 hours) but really do need to clear some space on my V+ box. (Exciting, I know.)
2x06 The day Simon and his family opened the door to acceptance [season finale]
Suitably downbeat ending. I hope there's going to be more, but this year's ratings have been lower than the first and apparently Amstell doesn't want to do another series anyway.
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
The Making of the Ring
3 Siegfried (of 4)
Third of four half-hours looking behind the scenes of La Fura dels Baus' production of Wagner's Ring Cycle. And just the making of this time, because I didn't have time for a full opera (Siegfried is a good 4½-5 hours) but really do need to clear some space on my V+ box. (Exciting, I know.)
Articles
If Paul Chambers’s conviction is allowed to stand, what should we not do in future?
by Schroedinger99 (from Bad Reason)
"the judges can't agree on a verdict. The two High-Court Judges concerned have been thinking about the question I examine in this post for three and a half months and they can't even decide what the law is. This begs the question even more strongly than I beg it in the post below: How on earth are mere mortals, with no legal training, supposed to know how to obey the law on tweeting when it comes to the 2003 Communications Act?"
by Schroedinger99 (from Bad Reason)
"the judges can't agree on a verdict. The two High-Court Judges concerned have been thinking about the question I examine in this post for three and a half months and they can't even decide what the law is. This begs the question even more strongly than I beg it in the post below: How on earth are mere mortals, with no legal training, supposed to know how to obey the law on tweeting when it comes to the 2003 Communications Act?"
Monday, 28 May 2012
TV
How I Met Your Mother
7x14 46 Minutes
[Watch it (again) on 4oD.]
The Voice UK
1x16 The Semi-Final Results
Well well well, who saw that coming? Apart from anyone who read online speculation, of course, where those two upsets were quite clearly signposted. But hey, it keeps it interesting.
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
7x14 46 Minutes
[Watch it (again) on 4oD.]
The Voice UK
1x16 The Semi-Final Results
Well well well, who saw that coming? Apart from anyone who read online speculation, of course, where those two upsets were quite clearly signposted. But hey, it keeps it interesting.
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
Articles
Dirk Gently axed by BBC Four, confirms star Stephen Mangan by Morgan Jeffery (from Digital Spy)
and
Scott & Bailey recommissioned, says star Suranne Jones by David Brown (from Radio Times)
Bad and good news on the TV recommissioning front, here.
The High Court is unable to agree on Twitter Joke Trial appeal
by David Allen Green (from New Statesman)
The quest for common sense goes on. Two judges heard the last case and delivered a split verdict, presumably because one saw sense and the other is an idiot. Next time it'll be three, so fingers crossed enough of them are of the (apparently rare among the judiciary) intelligent variety.
There's also a more personal comment from Green (who is Paul Chambers' solicitor) here.
The Voice creator John de Mol: we need to make the live shows "more exciting"
by Jack Seale (from Radio Times)
Well, it's good they realise it, and they have some definite, sensible ideas for going forward.
and
Scott & Bailey recommissioned, says star Suranne Jones by David Brown (from Radio Times)
Bad and good news on the TV recommissioning front, here.
The High Court is unable to agree on Twitter Joke Trial appeal
by David Allen Green (from New Statesman)
The quest for common sense goes on. Two judges heard the last case and delivered a split verdict, presumably because one saw sense and the other is an idiot. Next time it'll be three, so fingers crossed enough of them are of the (apparently rare among the judiciary) intelligent variety.
There's also a more personal comment from Green (who is Paul Chambers' solicitor) here.
The Voice creator John de Mol: we need to make the live shows "more exciting"
by Jack Seale (from Radio Times)
Well, it's good they realise it, and they have some definite, sensible ideas for going forward.
Sunday, 27 May 2012
TV
The British Academy Television Awards 2012
Rather uncomfortably ceremony this year, I thought. Lots of awkward bits from the awards presenters. Dara did a good job though.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
MythBusters
9x02 Blue Ice
9x04 Carbonated Chaos
Getting close to a year since I last stumbled across some MythBusters on late-night TV, I did the same again. The first of this double bill was very interesting; the second looked kinda cool, hence why I stuck with it, but neither myth was particularly worth bothering with.
Rather uncomfortably ceremony this year, I thought. Lots of awkward bits from the awards presenters. Dara did a good job though.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
MythBusters
9x02 Blue Ice
9x04 Carbonated Chaos
Getting close to a year since I last stumbled across some MythBusters on late-night TV, I did the same again. The first of this double bill was very interesting; the second looked kinda cool, hence why I stuck with it, but neither myth was particularly worth bothering with.
Comics
All Star Western #8 by Justin Gray, Jimmy Palmiotti & Moritat
Unlike Aquaman (below), Gray and Palmiotti consistently pack lead strip Jonah Hex full with action and plot. The story's titular villainous organisation, The August 7, seem to make for a formidable enemy -- I hope they're not too easily defeated too quickly.
Also includes the second part of a Patrick Scherberger-pencilled back-up strip starring Western superheroes Nighthawk and Cinnamon. After the first dealt with the backstory of the former, the second deals with the backstory of the latter. Solid stuff.
Next issue is a Night of the Owls tie-in, so I'll be interested to see if either of the current storylines take a pause for that, or if one is somehow connected to it (if either, I presume it'd be the Hex one), or if they boldly pack three strips into a single issue.
Aquaman #8 by Geoff Johns & Ivan Reis
Meh. Good moments here, but there's so much decompression (there's a couple of unnecessary splash pages, and it's awash with low-panel-count pages and wasted panels) that it borders on frustrating. I criticised it for this last issue too, but it feels even worse here because the story isn't yet as engrossing as the opener. Disappointing.
Unlike Aquaman (below), Gray and Palmiotti consistently pack lead strip Jonah Hex full with action and plot. The story's titular villainous organisation, The August 7, seem to make for a formidable enemy -- I hope they're not too easily defeated too quickly.
Also includes the second part of a Patrick Scherberger-pencilled back-up strip starring Western superheroes Nighthawk and Cinnamon. After the first dealt with the backstory of the former, the second deals with the backstory of the latter. Solid stuff.
Next issue is a Night of the Owls tie-in, so I'll be interested to see if either of the current storylines take a pause for that, or if one is somehow connected to it (if either, I presume it'd be the Hex one), or if they boldly pack three strips into a single issue.
Aquaman #8 by Geoff Johns & Ivan Reis
Meh. Good moments here, but there's so much decompression (there's a couple of unnecessary splash pages, and it's awash with low-panel-count pages and wasted panels) that it borders on frustrating. I criticised it for this last issue too, but it feels even worse here because the story isn't yet as engrossing as the opener. Disappointing.
this week on 100 Films
Just one new review was posted to 100 Films in a Year this week, and it was...
Legion (2010)
This past week also saw the UK TV premiere of Bruce Willis sci-fi movie Surrogates, so I posted my old review to my new blog. You can read it here. If you missed it, don't worry, it's pretty rubbish.
More next Sunday.
Legion (2010)
It’s penned by writers who think speechmaking equates to character. All of the dialogue is appalling; even Big Lines — just before an heroic death, that kind of thing — are irredeemably bad. It’s performed by actors who aren’t even capable of delivering that tosh. They all overact in one way or another, especially a gurning turn from Dennis Quaid. Later on it aims for some kind of epic fantasy stuff, but it manages to be both underdeveloped and overplayed.Read more on my new blog or my classic blog.
This past week also saw the UK TV premiere of Bruce Willis sci-fi movie Surrogates, so I posted my old review to my new blog. You can read it here. If you missed it, don't worry, it's pretty rubbish.
More next Sunday.
Saturday, 26 May 2012
TV
Archer
3x12 Space Race Part 1
Unexpected-cliffhanger-tastic! (It would've been less unexpected if I'd looked this up and seen "Part 1" before watching.) But I'm glad because this is a fun story. Shame next week's is the last of the season.
[Watch it (again) on Demand 5.]
Eurovision Song Contest: Baku 2012
Shame Engelbert did so badly, but I think people must've been after upbeat songs this year. Plus going first was never going to do him any favours. The success of the Serbian entry completely mystifies me though.
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
Have I Got News For You
43x06 (18/5/12 edition; extended repeat)
[Watch the extended version (again) on iPlayer.]
The Voice UK
1x15 The Semi-Final
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
3x12 Space Race Part 1
Unexpected-cliffhanger-tastic! (It would've been less unexpected if I'd looked this up and seen "Part 1" before watching.) But I'm glad because this is a fun story. Shame next week's is the last of the season.
[Watch it (again) on Demand 5.]
Eurovision Song Contest: Baku 2012
Shame Engelbert did so badly, but I think people must've been after upbeat songs this year. Plus going first was never going to do him any favours. The success of the Serbian entry completely mystifies me though.
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
Have I Got News For You
43x06 (18/5/12 edition; extended repeat)
[Watch the extended version (again) on iPlayer.]
The Voice UK
1x15 The Semi-Final
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
Friday, 25 May 2012
TV
Castle
2x13 Sucker Punch
That was... more significant than I was expecting.
[Watch it (again) on Demand 5.]
Episodes
2x02 Episode 2
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
House
8x21a Swan Song
8x22 Everybody Dies [series finale]
And that's it, the end of House! Weird feeling after eight years, and a final season that didn't always feel like it was actually the end (scrapping a major character, introducing two new ones and performing some serious re-organsing at the start of the season didn't help). It was kind of an odd finale, but then House finales often are. I suppose it ultimately worked. Swan Song was a nicely different behind-the-scenes/recap/tribute-thing too.
Maestro at the Opera
Episode 3 (of 3)
The Voice UK
1x14 Results Show 4
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
Would I Lie To You?
6x07 Episode 7
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
2x13 Sucker Punch
That was... more significant than I was expecting.
[Watch it (again) on Demand 5.]
Episodes
2x02 Episode 2
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
House
8x21a Swan Song
8x22 Everybody Dies [series finale]
And that's it, the end of House! Weird feeling after eight years, and a final season that didn't always feel like it was actually the end (scrapping a major character, introducing two new ones and performing some serious re-organsing at the start of the season didn't help). It was kind of an odd finale, but then House finales often are. I suppose it ultimately worked. Swan Song was a nicely different behind-the-scenes/recap/tribute-thing too.
Maestro at the Opera
Episode 3 (of 3)
The Voice UK
1x14 Results Show 4
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
Would I Lie To You?
6x07 Episode 7
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
Collection Count
Collection Count tracks my DVD/Blu-ray collection via a number of statistics every week.
Number of titles in collection: 1,481 [up 2]
Of which DVDs: 1,154 [up 1]
Of which Blu-rays: 327 [up 1]
Number of discs in collection: 3,683 [up 5]
Number of films in collection: 1,567 [up 1]
Number of TV episodes in collection: 5,489 [up 10]
See you next week, faithful reader.
Number of titles in collection: 1,481 [up 2]
Of which DVDs: 1,154 [up 1]
Of which Blu-rays: 327 [up 1]
Number of discs in collection: 3,683 [up 5]
Number of films in collection: 1,567 [up 1]
Number of TV episodes in collection: 5,489 [up 10]
See you next week, faithful reader.
Thursday, 24 May 2012
TV
How I Met Your Mother
7x13 Tailgate
It's back! At last! Hurrah! (It paused way back in January.) OK, I could've been downloading it from the US, and that would've removed the weirdness of watching a snow-caked New Years episode on a baking hot May day, but meh, it's easier this way.
[Watch it (again) on 4oD.]
Not Going Out
5x06 Drunk [season finale]
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
7x13 Tailgate
It's back! At last! Hurrah! (It paused way back in January.) OK, I could've been downloading it from the US, and that would've removed the weirdness of watching a snow-caked New Years episode on a baking hot May day, but meh, it's easier this way.
[Watch it (again) on 4oD.]
Not Going Out
5x06 Drunk [season finale]
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
Articles
Dark Knight Animated Movie Sets Voice Cast
by Borys Kit (from Heat Vision at The Hollywood Reporter)
DC finally announce the voice cast for their forthcoming two-part animated adaptation of Frank Miller's seminal graphic novel The Dark Knight Returns. More exciting is the article comes with eight shots from the film itself, which confirm the style is what one would probably expect it to be: based on the original book, but with the kind of stylistic simplisation and blockier colours animation almost always brings. Looks like it could be good though.
RED 2 Teaser Poster Arrives
by Kevin Melrose (from Spinoff Online)
I enjoyed RED, so I'm certainly looking forward to this one.
by Borys Kit (from Heat Vision at The Hollywood Reporter)
DC finally announce the voice cast for their forthcoming two-part animated adaptation of Frank Miller's seminal graphic novel The Dark Knight Returns. More exciting is the article comes with eight shots from the film itself, which confirm the style is what one would probably expect it to be: based on the original book, but with the kind of stylistic simplisation and blockier colours animation almost always brings. Looks like it could be good though.
RED 2 Teaser Poster Arrives
by Kevin Melrose (from Spinoff Online)
I enjoyed RED, so I'm certainly looking forward to this one.
Wednesday, 23 May 2012
Articles
Interview: Alex Garland
Part One and Part Two
(from Edge)
Novelist and screenwriter Alex Garland talks about his experiences writing a video game and more broadly about the state and future of storytelling in gaming. Most of the latter is in the second part, and for me that was the most interesting stuff in the interview.
Read Every Line of Dialogue Rihanna Says in Battleship
by Sarah Lawson (from Vulture)
Clearly Rihanna's character is a deep and complex one. Who, um, doesn't say anything much.
Part One and Part Two
(from Edge)
Novelist and screenwriter Alex Garland talks about his experiences writing a video game and more broadly about the state and future of storytelling in gaming. Most of the latter is in the second part, and for me that was the most interesting stuff in the interview.
Read Every Line of Dialogue Rihanna Says in Battleship
by Sarah Lawson (from Vulture)
Clearly Rihanna's character is a deep and complex one. Who, um, doesn't say anything much.
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