Arrow
2x23 Unthinkable [season finale]
They seemed to pile everything on extra thick for the finale -- not only the epic action, but also the cheese. S'all good fun though.
Elementary
2x24 The Grand Experiment [season finale]
Pretty sure there's no experiment in this, grand or otherwise.
Episodes
3x02 Episode 2
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
Gavin & Stacey
1x06 Episode 6 [season finale; 2nd watch]
Friday, 23 May 2014
Films
Doctor Who: Celebrating 50 Years of Fandom
A Kickstarted Who documentary, due for release to mark the 50th anniversary but which finally turned up in the past month or so. It's a somewhat unfocused affair, with a random grab-bag of interviewees sharing their Who-related stories.
When it does hone in on a topic, like the appeal of conventions, or the effect of the revived series, or the gender of fans, it often raises interesting ideas but then fails to explore them further. There are several almost-throwaway remarks from interviewees which have the most potential for genuine interest here, but there never followed up on. It's a shame the filmmakers didn't put that extra effort into their film's construction.
There's a good documentary to be made exploring the details of fandom -- the story of it, the whys of it, the ways in which it's changed, the good and the bad of it -- but, sadly, this only skims the surface.
If you still fancy seeing the documentary, you can buy it on DVD, Blu-ray or HD download here, or stream it for £2.49 from here.
A Kickstarted Who documentary, due for release to mark the 50th anniversary but which finally turned up in the past month or so. It's a somewhat unfocused affair, with a random grab-bag of interviewees sharing their Who-related stories.
When it does hone in on a topic, like the appeal of conventions, or the effect of the revived series, or the gender of fans, it often raises interesting ideas but then fails to explore them further. There are several almost-throwaway remarks from interviewees which have the most potential for genuine interest here, but there never followed up on. It's a shame the filmmakers didn't put that extra effort into their film's construction.
There's a good documentary to be made exploring the details of fandom -- the story of it, the whys of it, the ways in which it's changed, the good and the bad of it -- but, sadly, this only skims the surface.
If you still fancy seeing the documentary, you can buy it on DVD, Blu-ray or HD download here, or stream it for £2.49 from here.
Comics
Rocket Raccoon: Free Comic Book Day by Joe Caramagna, Adam Archer & Ty Templeton
Marvel are very obviously pitching Rocket to be the break-out star of their late summer blockbuster, Guardians of the Galaxy: there's already tonnes of merchandise announced featuring him, there's a new on-going comic coming up, and he was the star of their FCBD offering this year.
In two short 10-page tales (one a reprint), Caramagna demonstrates that it's perfectly possible to tell a decent, self-contained story -- and if he can do it in ten, why the hell can't most comic book writers do it in 20?! OK, so these are simple, fun, all-ages quickies, not the grown-up in-depth tales most comic book fans expect nowadays, but I think the point stands -- it can be done.
Marvel are very obviously pitching Rocket to be the break-out star of their late summer blockbuster, Guardians of the Galaxy: there's already tonnes of merchandise announced featuring him, there's a new on-going comic coming up, and he was the star of their FCBD offering this year.
In two short 10-page tales (one a reprint), Caramagna demonstrates that it's perfectly possible to tell a decent, self-contained story -- and if he can do it in ten, why the hell can't most comic book writers do it in 20?! OK, so these are simple, fun, all-ages quickies, not the grown-up in-depth tales most comic book fans expect nowadays, but I think the point stands -- it can be done.
Articles
Edgar Wright Departs Ant-Man
by James White (from Empire)
Well here's something no one saw coming! Wright's been working on an Ant-Man movie since before the MCU began (with Iron Man in 2008), and had recently cast it and got deep into pre-production. Bet there must be a juicy behind-the-scenes story there...
by James White (from Empire)
Well here's something no one saw coming! Wright's been working on an Ant-Man movie since before the MCU began (with Iron Man in 2008), and had recently cast it and got deep into pre-production. Bet there must be a juicy behind-the-scenes story there...
Thursday, 22 May 2014
TV
Brooklyn Nine-Nine
1x18 The Apartment
[Watch it (again) on 4oD.]
Gavin & Stacey
1x04 Episode 4 [2nd watch]
1x05 Episode 5 [2nd watch]
1x18 The Apartment
[Watch it (again) on 4oD.]
Gavin & Stacey
1x04 Episode 4 [2nd watch]
1x05 Episode 5 [2nd watch]
Comics
Batman Eternal #6 by Ray Fawkes & Trevor McCarthy with Scott Snyder, James Tynion IV, John Layman & Tim Seeley
Apparently the team are setting a bunch of story lines in motion over four or five issues at this point (starting with #4, though that was tied to the main story (or what was apparently the main story) so it was less obvious). The problem with that style of storytelling is nothing seems to be moving forward, and you have to keep track of a ton of things all at once. (I'm certainly not the only one feeling this.)
This issue feels particularly slight, not helped by its style: out of 20 story pages, a ridiculous six are splash pages. Only one or two of those are earned, meaning the rest just pad out an overly-short story.
After an exciting and promising opening salvo, Eternal is losing its way right now. Fingers crossed they can pull it back.
Apparently the team are setting a bunch of story lines in motion over four or five issues at this point (starting with #4, though that was tied to the main story (or what was apparently the main story) so it was less obvious). The problem with that style of storytelling is nothing seems to be moving forward, and you have to keep track of a ton of things all at once. (I'm certainly not the only one feeling this.)
This issue feels particularly slight, not helped by its style: out of 20 story pages, a ridiculous six are splash pages. Only one or two of those are earned, meaning the rest just pad out an overly-short story.
After an exciting and promising opening salvo, Eternal is losing its way right now. Fingers crossed they can pull it back.
Wednesday, 21 May 2014
TV
Arrow
2x21 City of Blood
2x22 Streets of Fire
I happened to read some of a review that said City of Blood felt very much like "Part 1 of 2". The advantage to being a couple of weeks behind is I was able to watch both of these back to back. Unfortunately, it was actually "Part 1 of 3". On the bright side, the finale is on tomorrow -- not too long to wait.
Elementary
2x23 Art in the Blood
Gavin & Stacey
1x03 Episode 3 [2nd watch]
2x21 City of Blood
2x22 Streets of Fire
I happened to read some of a review that said City of Blood felt very much like "Part 1 of 2". The advantage to being a couple of weeks behind is I was able to watch both of these back to back. Unfortunately, it was actually "Part 1 of 3". On the bright side, the finale is on tomorrow -- not too long to wait.
Elementary
2x23 Art in the Blood
Gavin & Stacey
1x03 Episode 3 [2nd watch]
Films
A Beautiful Mind (2001)
[#39 in 100 Films in a Year 2014]
LOVEFiLM didn't bother to send me a replacement disc, so I watched the remaining 90 minutes via an HD download.
[#39 in 100 Films in a Year 2014]
LOVEFiLM didn't bother to send me a replacement disc, so I watched the remaining 90 minutes via an HD download.
Articles
Batman vs Superman movie named Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice
by Greg Laing (from Digital Spy)
If everyone's been calling your film Batman vs Superman, why would you title it Batman v Superman?! It's a silly little difference that just draws attention to itself, as evidenced by the abundance of headlines and tweets like this one.
by Greg Laing (from Digital Spy)
If everyone's been calling your film Batman vs Superman, why would you title it Batman v Superman?! It's a silly little difference that just draws attention to itself, as evidenced by the abundance of headlines and tweets like this one.
Tuesday, 20 May 2014
TV
Castle
3x24 Knockout [season finale]
I knew they were going somewhere with Montgomery, the way they'd been building him up through the last few episodes.
[Watch it (again) on Demand 5.]
Game of Thrones
4x05 First of His Name
Bit of a "move the pieces into place" episode, but hey-ho, you need those sometimes.
Gavin & Stacey
1x02 Episode 2 [2nd watch]
The Mentalist
6x19 Brown Eyed Girls
3x24 Knockout [season finale]
I knew they were going somewhere with Montgomery, the way they'd been building him up through the last few episodes.
[Watch it (again) on Demand 5.]
Game of Thrones
4x05 First of His Name
Bit of a "move the pieces into place" episode, but hey-ho, you need those sometimes.
Gavin & Stacey
1x02 Episode 2 [2nd watch]
The Mentalist
6x19 Brown Eyed Girls
Monday, 19 May 2014
TV
24
8x23 2:00PM - 3:00PM
8x24 3:00PM - 4:00PM [series finale]
Here's a philosophical question for you: if something is made as a last-ever episode -- a series finale -- but then later they bring the series back, is it still a series finale? And does it make a difference if the revival is under a slightly different name?
That shouldn't really be my main concern after an Exciting Two-Hour 24 Finale, really, should it; but the episodes themselves were a little silly, and poorly paced, and the ending saw both the villains vanquished and Jack proved right and Jack having to go on the run because he did wrong. Does that even make sense? Not convinced. Having your cake and eating it, etc. This is what happens when you're desperate to leave things open-ended for the movie you're hoping to make.
Gavin & Stacey
1x01 Episode 1 [3rd watch]
Here's my latest comedy re-watch, then.
8x23 2:00PM - 3:00PM
8x24 3:00PM - 4:00PM [series finale]
Here's a philosophical question for you: if something is made as a last-ever episode -- a series finale -- but then later they bring the series back, is it still a series finale? And does it make a difference if the revival is under a slightly different name?
That shouldn't really be my main concern after an Exciting Two-Hour 24 Finale, really, should it; but the episodes themselves were a little silly, and poorly paced, and the ending saw both the villains vanquished and Jack proved right and Jack having to go on the run because he did wrong. Does that even make sense? Not convinced. Having your cake and eating it, etc. This is what happens when you're desperate to leave things open-ended for the movie you're hoping to make.
Gavin & Stacey
1x01 Episode 1 [3rd watch]
Here's my latest comedy re-watch, then.
Comics
Kill Shakespeare #1 by Conor McCreery, Anthony Del Col & Andy Belanger
Another give-it-a-go cut-price #1 reprint. Didn't care for this as much, though; though not as little as some people did.
Another give-it-a-go cut-price #1 reprint. Didn't care for this as much, though; though not as little as some people did.
Sunday, 18 May 2014
TV
24
8x22 1:00PM - 2:00PM
"There's two episodes left?! Aw crap, we jumped the gun! Right, new big bad..."
The British Academy Television Awards 2014
Hooray Doctor Who!
[Watch it (again) soon on iPlayer.]
Have I Got News For You
47x05 (2/5/2014 edition; extended repeat)
8x22 1:00PM - 2:00PM
"There's two episodes left?! Aw crap, we jumped the gun! Right, new big bad..."
The British Academy Television Awards 2014
Hooray Doctor Who!
[Watch it (again) soon on iPlayer.]
Have I Got News For You
47x05 (2/5/2014 edition; extended repeat)
Films
A Beautiful Mind (2001)
[#39 in 100 Films in a Year 2014]
The first 45 minutes (which is exactly (exactly) the first third of the movie), before my rental disc gave up the ghost. Feels like that's been happening a lot recently...
[#39 in 100 Films in a Year 2014]
The first 45 minutes (which is exactly (exactly) the first third of the movie), before my rental disc gave up the ghost. Feels like that's been happening a lot recently...
Comics
American Vampire #1 by Scott Snyder & Rafael Albuquerque
American Vampire's been going for a few years, lots of people seem to love it, it's by Scott Snyder (who writes an incredible Batman), so when they republished issue 1 for $1* as part of the 'Vertigo Essentials' thing I thought I'd give it a go.
And it is really good. Which means now I want the graphic novel(s), of which there are already five volumes and counting. Eh.
* which somehow ends up being £1 here. C'est la vie.
American Vampire's been going for a few years, lots of people seem to love it, it's by Scott Snyder (who writes an incredible Batman), so when they republished issue 1 for $1* as part of the 'Vertigo Essentials' thing I thought I'd give it a go.
And it is really good. Which means now I want the graphic novel(s), of which there are already five volumes and counting. Eh.
* which somehow ends up being £1 here. C'est la vie.
Articles
Twin Peaks - 'The Entire Mystery' Blu-ray Set: Every Episode, The Movie, New Extras!
by David Lambert (from TVShowsOnDVD.com)
O. M. G.
OK, so I've had the Gold Box for years and I've not watched it (I saw the pilot and season one years ago), but this is so awesome, so full of features, many of them long-awaited, that I'll have to jump on it day one. Feels like a waste, like I should mission through the previous edition now... but if I do that, I won't want to watch the BDs immediately... and oh, all that lovely HD quality...!
Ah well, at least the Gold Box was a present.
by David Lambert (from TVShowsOnDVD.com)
O. M. G.
OK, so I've had the Gold Box for years and I've not watched it (I saw the pilot and season one years ago), but this is so awesome, so full of features, many of them long-awaited, that I'll have to jump on it day one. Feels like a waste, like I should mission through the previous edition now... but if I do that, I won't want to watch the BDs immediately... and oh, all that lovely HD quality...!
Ah well, at least the Gold Box was a present.
this week on 100 Films
One new review was published to 100 Films in a Year this week, and it was...
Visions of Light (1992)
Plus, new to the new blog...
Monsters (2010)
More next Sunday.
Visions of Light (1992)
Initially a whistlestop history of film photography, it segues into analysis of movies the interviewed DPs had shot. Unfortunately, casual film fans may judge it monotopical, while hardened cineastes may find it a haphazard, Hollywood-centric overview.Read more here.
Plus, new to the new blog...
Monsters (2010)
Expecting an epic SF-action movie where soldiers kitted out with futuristic weaponry battle an alien menace? You might be disappointed. Indeed, the relatively low IMDb rating suggests people have been. Monsters isn’t an action movie. It’s barely a sci-fi movie. And that’s not a bad thing.Read more here.
More next Sunday.
Saturday, 17 May 2014
Comics
Batman Eternal #5 by James Tynion IV & Andy Clarke with Scott Snyder, Ray Fawkes, John Layman & Tim Seeley
I'm having to pay slightly over what I normally would to keep up with this as a weekly rather than wait for it as part of my monthly subscription bundle; but as I felt like I'd skipped an issue after just an 11 day gap since I read the last two, I think I'm right to want to keep on top of it.
Engrossing as it is, references to 'recent events' in the Bat-world remind me I really should catch up on the massive pile of backlogged comics I have. (If only I had genuinely kept them all in one convenient pile that I could easily dive in to...)
I'm having to pay slightly over what I normally would to keep up with this as a weekly rather than wait for it as part of my monthly subscription bundle; but as I felt like I'd skipped an issue after just an 11 day gap since I read the last two, I think I'm right to want to keep on top of it.
Engrossing as it is, references to 'recent events' in the Bat-world remind me I really should catch up on the massive pile of backlogged comics I have. (If only I had genuinely kept them all in one convenient pile that I could easily dive in to...)
Collection Count
Collection Count tracks my DVD/Blu-ray collection via a number of statistics every week.
This week, a couple of new-release BDs and sale DVDs give this month's running time a last-minute boost...
Number of titles in collection: 1,673 [up 5]
Of which DVDs: 1,202 [up 3]
Of which Blu-rays: 471 [up 2]
Number of discs in collection: 4,166 [up 5]
Number of films in collection: 1,799 [up 6]
Number of TV episodes in collection: 6,126 [no change]
Number of short films in collection: 409 [no change]
And that monthly running time update...
Total running time of collection (approx.):
298 days, 8 hours, and 17 minutes.
(Up 16 hours and 1 minute from last month.)
See you next week, faithful reader.
This week, a couple of new-release BDs and sale DVDs give this month's running time a last-minute boost...
Number of titles in collection: 1,673 [up 5]
Of which DVDs: 1,202 [up 3]
Of which Blu-rays: 471 [up 2]
Number of discs in collection: 4,166 [up 5]
Number of films in collection: 1,799 [up 6]
Number of TV episodes in collection: 6,126 [no change]
Number of short films in collection: 409 [no change]
And that monthly running time update...
Total running time of collection (approx.):
298 days, 8 hours, and 17 minutes.
(Up 16 hours and 1 minute from last month.)
See you next week, faithful reader.
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