Brooklyn Nine-Nine
1x03 The Slump
[Watch it (again) on 4oD.]
Elementary
2x13 All in the Family
So they sent Bell off to a new department, that it looked like Sherlock and Joan were going to get involved with... only to bring him straight back. Why?
Friends
7x23 The One with Chandler and Monica's Wedding Part 1 [4th or so watch]
7x24 The One with Chandler and Monica's Wedding Part 2 [season finale; 4th or so watch]
Veronica Mars
3x16 Un-American Graffiti
This is where VM ditches the over-arching murder/crime plots in an attempt at greater casual viewer friendliness... but, of course, on-going romantic/personal plots stay. Funny how audiences are accepting of one but find the other a problem... or is it just that network execs think they are?
Monday, 3 February 2014
Fiction
Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell by Susanna Clarke
Volume I: Mr Norrell, Chapters 12-13
When I pause reading a book it usually means I've accidentally quit it, but this one I hadn't forgotten -- even if it'd been three weeks.
Volume I: Mr Norrell, Chapters 12-13
When I pause reading a book it usually means I've accidentally quit it, but this one I hadn't forgotten -- even if it'd been three weeks.
Sunday, 2 February 2014
TV
Friends
7x22 The One with Chandler's Dad [4th or so watch]
Stella
3x01 Episode 1
Hmm. Feels like it wants to be a reboot but can't let go of previous stories either, and like it was trying a bit too hard to be kooky now.
7x22 The One with Chandler's Dad [4th or so watch]
Stella
3x01 Episode 1
Hmm. Feels like it wants to be a reboot but can't let go of previous stories either, and like it was trying a bit too hard to be kooky now.
this week on 100 Films
It's now February, which means it's time to look back on what January 2014 brought for 100 Films in a Year. My monthly summary is here, which this time includes a look at the sci-fi & fantasy films of Tom Cruise.
On regular duties, just one new review was published this week...
Premium Rush (2012)
But there were two new to the new blog...
Blood Diamond (2006)
First Blood (1982)
More next Sunday.
On regular duties, just one new review was published this week...
Premium Rush (2012)
The emphasis is firmly on “action” during the film’s brisk hour-and-a-half running time, the plot primarily an excuse for bike-related chases and stunts. You don’t need to be a cycling nut to enjoy what’s on display here... There aren’t many (or any?) action flicks based around pushbikes, so the whole thing comes across as pretty original.Read more here.
But there were two new to the new blog...
Blood Diamond (2006)
Its most impressive achievement is mixing important real-life information with a compelling narrative in a way that does not feel preachy. It also doesn’t compromise on its moral messages for the sake of a twist, and has some great action sequences to boot.Read more here.
First Blood (1982)
“Rambo” has become a byword for violent excess. But, as many film fans know, the first film has marginally nobler aims: here, the not-yet-titular hero is a Vietnam vet dealing with a mixture of PTSD, unresolved service issues, and poor treatment from the ‘folks back home’. Taken in by an unreasonable police department, he finally snaps…Read more here.
More next Sunday.
Saturday, 1 February 2014
TV
Outnumbered
5x01 The Hamster
The final series begins! Considering the kids are all now Old (it's almost two-and-a-half years since the last series, so no wonder they all seem massively older), that's probably for the best.
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
The Voice UK
3x04 The Blind Auditions 4
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
5x01 The Hamster
The final series begins! Considering the kids are all now Old (it's almost two-and-a-half years since the last series, so no wonder they all seem massively older), that's probably for the best.
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
The Voice UK
3x04 The Blind Auditions 4
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
Films
Oblivion (2013)
[#7 in 100 Films in a Year 2014]
I watched this late last night, so it does count as the final film of January. FYI.
[#7 in 100 Films in a Year 2014]
I watched this late last night, so it does count as the final film of January. FYI.
Collection Count
Collection Count tracks my DVD/Blu-ray collection via a number of statistics every week.
Just one addition this week. The prediction for next week is "none", so...
Number of titles in collection: 1,653 [up 1]
Of which DVDs: 1,197 [no change]
Of which Blu-rays: 456 [up 1]
Number of discs in collection: 4,133 [up 2]
Number of films in collection: 1,780 [up 1]
Number of TV episodes in collection: 6,102 [no change]
Number of short films in collection: 406 [no change]
See you next week, faithful reader.
Just one addition this week. The prediction for next week is "none", so...
Number of titles in collection: 1,653 [up 1]
Of which DVDs: 1,197 [no change]
Of which Blu-rays: 456 [up 1]
Number of discs in collection: 4,133 [up 2]
Number of films in collection: 1,780 [up 1]
Number of TV episodes in collection: 6,102 [no change]
Number of short films in collection: 406 [no change]
See you next week, faithful reader.
Friday, 31 January 2014
TV
Friends
7x21 The One with the Vows [5th or so watch]
aka The One with All the Clips About Monica and Chandler's Relationship.
Room 101
14x01 Episode 1
Veronica Mars
3x14 Mars, Bars
3x15 Papa's Cabin
7x21 The One with the Vows [5th or so watch]
aka The One with All the Clips About Monica and Chandler's Relationship.
Room 101
14x01 Episode 1
Veronica Mars
3x14 Mars, Bars
3x15 Papa's Cabin
Thursday, 30 January 2014
Fiction
William Shakespeare's Star Wars by Ian Doescher
Acts IV-V
Afterword
Sonnet 1138 [the end]
See yesterday.
Acts IV-V
Afterword
Sonnet 1138 [the end]
See yesterday.
There let our heroes rest free from attack,
Till darkness rise and Empire striketh back.
Wednesday, 29 January 2014
TV
Death in Paradise
3x03 Episode 3
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
Friends
7x19 The One with Ross and Monica's Cousin [4th or so watch]
aka The One Where Joey Has to Make a Foreskin (Not That Anyone Uses That Word).
Yonderland
1x06 The Idiot King
3x03 Episode 3
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
Friends
7x19 The One with Ross and Monica's Cousin [4th or so watch]
aka The One Where Joey Has to Make a Foreskin (Not That Anyone Uses That Word).
Yonderland
1x06 The Idiot King
Fiction
William Shakespeare's Star Wars by Ian DoescherActs I-III
aka William Shakespeare's Star Wars: Verily, A New Hope
I've had this for a while, and with two sequels on the way felt it was really time I got round to reading it.
It's not laugh-out-loud hilarious, which you might believe from some reviews, but it is all good fun -- and surprisingly poetic and deep in places, too. It's clearly been crafted with a love and understanding of both the Bard and the Beard, making it suitable for fans of either.
Plus, R2-D2 -- who speaks in beeps and whistles to the characters, but shares intelligent asides with the audience -- is magnificent.
Tuesday, 28 January 2014
TV
Friends
7x18 The One with Joey's Award [4th or so watch]
Veronica Mars
3x12 There's Got to Be a Morning After Pill
7x18 The One with Joey's Award [4th or so watch]
Veronica Mars
3x12 There's Got to Be a Morning After Pill
Comics
Coffin Hill #1-3 by Caitlin Kittredge & Inaki Miranda
The latest in my array of comics to read, assess, and make a decision about continuing. (You may think there are a lot. You're right. Nearly done, though.)
This one is a genuinely creepy (to me, anyway) witchcraft/horror book. I'd say it falls somewhere between the stools of the others I've been assessing: it's not a definite must-read like Red Sonja or Pretty Deadly, but nor do I feel close to giving up on it like Satellite Sam or Velvet. However, I may just stick out the first arc (which runs to #6) -- that'll be time for another decision on its future.
(Side note: Sonja, Deadly and Coffin are by female writers (and one a female artist too). Sam and Velvet are all male. Dunno if that says anything; might just be coincidence; but there we go.)
The latest in my array of comics to read, assess, and make a decision about continuing. (You may think there are a lot. You're right. Nearly done, though.)
This one is a genuinely creepy (to me, anyway) witchcraft/horror book. I'd say it falls somewhere between the stools of the others I've been assessing: it's not a definite must-read like Red Sonja or Pretty Deadly, but nor do I feel close to giving up on it like Satellite Sam or Velvet. However, I may just stick out the first arc (which runs to #6) -- that'll be time for another decision on its future.
(Side note: Sonja, Deadly and Coffin are by female writers (and one a female artist too). Sam and Velvet are all male. Dunno if that says anything; might just be coincidence; but there we go.)
Articles
Deconstructing Doctor Who: a fashion expert analyses Peter Capaldi's new skinhead style
by Anna Fielding (from Radio Times)
You probably heard about the BBC releasing a picture of the new Doctor's costume. And you probably think a fashion expert analysing it sounds like an awful idea. But actually, this article was quite interesting. (And better than Digital Spy's version, where someone from a fashion mag said, "we like it!", and not much else.)
by Anna Fielding (from Radio Times)
You probably heard about the BBC releasing a picture of the new Doctor's costume. And you probably think a fashion expert analysing it sounds like an awful idea. But actually, this article was quite interesting. (And better than Digital Spy's version, where someone from a fashion mag said, "we like it!", and not much else.)
Monday, 27 January 2014
TV
8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown
5x04 (24/1/14 edition)
[Watch it (again) on 4oD.]
Elementary
2x12 The Diabolical Kind
The National Lottery: Who Dares Wins
7x03 (18/1/14 edition)
5x04 (24/1/14 edition)
[Watch it (again) on 4oD.]
Elementary
2x12 The Diabolical Kind
The National Lottery: Who Dares Wins
7x03 (18/1/14 edition)
Comics
Pretty Deadly #1-2 by Kelly Sue DeConnick & Emma Rios
I kinda wasn't expecting to like this -- I almost didn't buy it, even -- but something, I forget what, convinced me to go ahead and get it... and I'm glad I did, because I really enjoyed it. It's a five-part arc, but these first two feel like a two-part opener -- as noted on Red Sonja, I like it when longer story lines still work in smaller chunks, considering that's how they're put out (you wanna tell a story that needs all six parts at once, release a bloody book).
I've already got the next issue, but I think I'll hold off on it a little. It's already managed what Satellite Sam and Velvet look not to've, and I don't want to rush through it.
I kinda wasn't expecting to like this -- I almost didn't buy it, even -- but something, I forget what, convinced me to go ahead and get it... and I'm glad I did, because I really enjoyed it. It's a five-part arc, but these first two feel like a two-part opener -- as noted on Red Sonja, I like it when longer story lines still work in smaller chunks, considering that's how they're put out (you wanna tell a story that needs all six parts at once, release a bloody book).
I've already got the next issue, but I think I'll hold off on it a little. It's already managed what Satellite Sam and Velvet look not to've, and I don't want to rush through it.
Sunday, 26 January 2014
Comics
Velvet #1-2 by Ed Brubaker & Steve Epting
A Cold War-set espionage action-thriller with a kick-ass female hero? Thought this looked right up my street. Unfortunately, after two issues I'm not wholly sold. It's by no means bad, I'm just not quite on board with the characters or where the story's going; and there's always that query from mainstream comics: is there actually enough going on each issue to justify the $3 price tag?
Plus, it's an ongoing -- great for developing and paying off things long-term, but who knows how long you'll have to wait for those answers? A wait can be fine, but more of an issue is: I'm looking to cut my pull list, not keep expanding it -- something's gotta give. Question is, do I give it one more issue to sway me, or just ditch it now?
With such thoughts, this (along with practically-gone-already Satellite Sam) is on shaky ground.
A Cold War-set espionage action-thriller with a kick-ass female hero? Thought this looked right up my street. Unfortunately, after two issues I'm not wholly sold. It's by no means bad, I'm just not quite on board with the characters or where the story's going; and there's always that query from mainstream comics: is there actually enough going on each issue to justify the $3 price tag?
Plus, it's an ongoing -- great for developing and paying off things long-term, but who knows how long you'll have to wait for those answers? A wait can be fine, but more of an issue is: I'm looking to cut my pull list, not keep expanding it -- something's gotta give. Question is, do I give it one more issue to sway me, or just ditch it now?
With such thoughts, this (along with practically-gone-already Satellite Sam) is on shaky ground.
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