WOW, I must say everything came together well for the conclusion of this two part story. Without saying too much, the tensions are ramped up as it concludes with fire, heights and mistaken identies (whose idenity is mistaken is obvious). The only annoyance I had from this was the fact that there seems to be no explanation as to why Nyssa has a near-twin; she just does. I understand it was necessary for the story, but it seems to be way to much of a coincidence. Still, it was fabulously enjoyable!
9/10
D
Friday, 29 August 2008
DW 1917 Black Orchid 1 [1of2]
It feels overdue that Peter Davison finally gets to play cricket. An historical yarn, there appears to be very little alien intervention thus far. One of the strangest parts of the story is the identical lady to Nyssa. But that part, just like the cheauffer waiting for the Doctor at the station all just seems far too convenient. It is also convenient that they have arrived just in time for a summer party. There is a mysterious man in the basement who is bound; conveniently at the party some people are indeed wearing masks… I can see where this is going before the party even begins.
So the figure, dressed in the Doctor’s cloths, tries to abduct Ann (but kills the butler after he intervenes). I saw this coming, as to who it is though, I am uncertain…
Things seem to flow well, and the story is better than others of the same series but something just doesn’t feel right…
6/10
D
So the figure, dressed in the Doctor’s cloths, tries to abduct Ann (but kills the butler after he intervenes). I saw this coming, as to who it is though, I am uncertain…
Things seem to flow well, and the story is better than others of the same series but something just doesn’t feel right…
6/10
D
DW 0239 The Time Meddler 4 Checkmate [4of4]
The monk is intent on using the Vikings for his own purposes apparently. What these purposes are exactly and how he intends to do it; it all seems a little sketchy to me. There is a lot of double crossing goes on towards the end with the Doctor being in charge, then the Vikings, then the Monk, but the Doctor has the last laugh. The production values were high in this serial although the any sense of tension was consistently let down by Hartnell’s playful portrayal of the Doctor who doesn’t seem to be taking the situation seriously.
6/10
D
6/10
D
DW 0238 The Time Meddler 3 A Battle of Wits [3of4]
This episode is quickly becoming a story in which any excuse to travel between the monestry and village is taken. So far the Doctor has travelled to the village, monastry, village and has now decided to head back to the monastry. Stevan and Vikki have done the same number of trips in the opposite order and have managed to miss the Doctor. It is still enjoyable though and there is a sense of pending doom…
7/10
D
7/10
D
AA 0118 Raja at Sixteen [Finale]
This is the ultimate finale of Aliens in America and it is quite clear that the producers weren’t aware of its end until after this episode as everything is left in the air… Another Islam confronting episode, this looks at the dating rituals to be expected of Raja and Sadika (one of the few Muslim girls in Medora). This is another great episode although with an alarmingly abrupt ending to the show. I am left wanting more Aliens in America.
10/10
D
10/10
D
AA 0117 Wake at the Lake
This is another classic episode of Aliens in America. When the show confronts Islam it is funny. When the show confronts High School ideas and themes it is also highly funny. This episode is of the second variety.
Raja joins SADD (Students Against Drink Driving) and is given the job of organising the annual event; a fake funeral for a student who was killed in a drunk driving accident. The chosen victim is tradionally the school’s most popular student however with Raja being Raja, he chooses Justin. Thus, Dan Archer (the most popular guy in school) decides to throw his own funeral and a popularity match ensues as all scope is lost.
10/10
D
Raja joins SADD (Students Against Drink Driving) and is given the job of organising the annual event; a fake funeral for a student who was killed in a drunk driving accident. The chosen victim is tradionally the school’s most popular student however with Raja being Raja, he chooses Justin. Thus, Dan Archer (the most popular guy in school) decides to throw his own funeral and a popularity match ensues as all scope is lost.
10/10
D
AA 0116 Smutty Books
When Justin’s class study Madame Bovary, the PTA decides to campaign to ban smutty books from the school curriculum leading to Justin and Franny to read the books for the first time… Things go comically too far with Claire getting out of reading Pride and Prejudice by claiming it should also be banned. The best comedy from the show was when Justin is discovered for drawing naked women for years and turns to a bewildered, perplexed and nervous Raja for help.
9/10
D
9/10
D
AA 0115 The Muslim Card
This show just keeps getting better and better; and it is always at its best when it tackles the Muslim and connotations that go with it; in this episode Raja befriends an annoying girl who has a crush on him (Mindy). Raja claims that he cannot date her because he is a Muslim and she is not. Raja is normally very careful about using his faith as an excuse and in this case it backfires; the next day Mindy shows up in a burka and tells Raja she has converted to Islam so they can be together. Comedy ensues as Raja is forced to tell Mindy the truth. In the opposite side of the episode Gary and Franny get friendly with the new neighbours, Ted and Leslie. They are shocked when Ted informs them that they must notify all his neighbours that he is a registered sex offender. HA!
10/10
D
10/10
D
PC 0102 In Which Sam Receives an Unexpected Visitor
I emphasise the comedy has been ramped up. This episode begins with Cooper, Violet and Pete gatecrash Addison’s house to watch Sam’s reaction (her neighbour and work colleague) when he realises that someone has ordered a stripper. Hmmm. This is not normal behaviour. Turns out the stripper is sick and gets treatment from the clinic.
The first enjoyable health story was with Sam’s patient who was being poisoned. It pushed the idea of ethics and what exactly one should do if it is beneficial to the patient if they simply do not know what is making them ill… Addison also deals with a surrogate baby; whose prospective parents are all arguing and Addison makes them realises that both the baby and the surrogate mother almost died. “And it’s a girl, even though none of you asked.” Go Addison.
I am finding it hard to like it as Addison’s character still good but was far better and much more well complimented by Grey’s Anatomy characters. Go back to Seattle, Addison!
6/10
D
PC 0101 In Which We Meet Addison, A Nice Girl From Somewhere Else
This new show is – well – very new and I am not sure how much I like it as everything is just a little too perfect to enjoy. Addison moved to California because there was nothing left for her in Seattle and she seems alarmingly happy; perhaps the weather is as good as I have heard.
The comedy seems to have been significantly ramped up; within the first minute of the show Addison has been seen naked by her work colleague (Sam). Sam, Cooper and Violet are all annoying. Sam is condescending and comes across as if he is better than everyone else, Cooper is a nymphomaniac but sort of the nymph that a twelve year old boy would write about if they were attempting a novel whilst Violet seems to be going through the motions of being a stalker; and you pity her as she is clearly going through the motions of a bad break up. Come to think of it, Sam’s ex wife, Naomi who can’t deal with the fact that her ex husband is working in the same building. She seems cold and – just has the annoying corporate American woman down to a tee!
Pete and Dell are two of the likeable characters; Dell being the surfer hunk with the weird nipples and Pete being Addison’s love interest.
I hope it improves as it is coming from a great show…
3/10
D
SH 0416 [Finale]
Following a run of exquisite episodes the finale of the series doesn’t quite hit the mark. Monica’s pregnancy story arc is brought to a close but the whole episode feels like a normal episode; nothing special. That combined with Frank’s fifteen minute psychedelic trip into his subconsciousness made the whole show feel just a little trying. That isn’t to say that the episode wasn’t enjoyable with Kelly seeming to become a permanent member of the Maguires; I think she’ll fit in just well…
5/10
D
5/10
D
V 1999 10 Things I Hate About You
This movie is so old. So old! The clothes, music, hair and slang that is being used is so dated now. It is clearly being made in a post Clueless world in terms of fashion and style.
10 Things cleverly uses stereotypes to quickly draw us into the characters before turning them on their head and we realise that the Kat Stratford (Styles) isn’t the hard-nosed bitch that she wants to be but in fact a warm woman who has been scarred from past experiences. Bianca Stratford (Oleynik), Kat’s sister we start off with her being a popularity obsessed bitch and we learn can also be caring.
The men in their lives are Patrick Verona (Heath) and Cameron James (Gordon-Levitt). Both the male leads are very good in their roles, especially Gordon-Levitt who is scene stealing; being a wimp and a dork is hard to do and garner respect; but he does make you emphasise with him.
It is a modern teenage classic that should be watched by anyone who gets the chance.
10/10
D
10 Things cleverly uses stereotypes to quickly draw us into the characters before turning them on their head and we realise that the Kat Stratford (Styles) isn’t the hard-nosed bitch that she wants to be but in fact a warm woman who has been scarred from past experiences. Bianca Stratford (Oleynik), Kat’s sister we start off with her being a popularity obsessed bitch and we learn can also be caring.
The men in their lives are Patrick Verona (Heath) and Cameron James (Gordon-Levitt). Both the male leads are very good in their roles, especially Gordon-Levitt who is scene stealing; being a wimp and a dork is hard to do and garner respect; but he does make you emphasise with him.
It is a modern teenage classic that should be watched by anyone who gets the chance.
10/10
D
V 2006 Batman Begins
With The Dark Knight now out at the screens, I decided to revisit the first film in the revamped franchise.
Nolan’s direction of this movie here deserves a commendation; it is not easy to turn comic strip heroes into filmic joy as the cheesy and corny-ness often wins through. Nolan follows other recent comic – movie conversions and goes for the “dark” feeling which especially suits Batman owing to the primary character coming from a dark place. Even though the idea of a darker take on a super hero has been done before, Nolan has produced the best results.
Right from the beginning where Bruce falls into a cave and he encounters a swarm of bats to viewing the underworld of Gotham City, the film is dark and he has designed the sets to show the main roads and railways are above the ground level at which is the genuine underworld in more than one sense.
Cillian Murphy as Dr Jonathan Crane aka the Scarecrow is truly scary. One thing I do enjoy in any comic book movie is the backstory given to the villains and heroes. I always love seeing them doing normal everyday things which I always find makes them much more shocking when they become a maniac and the same is true with Scarecrow, battling with Rachel (Holmes) about the movement of prisoners before his true (sadistic) tendencies are shown. Amazing.
As for Holmes, her performance here is wet to say the least. Annoying is another word. I am aware lawyers have to be self righteous however her high-horse ranting whiter than white just doesn’t wash in a city which is black to its soul. Caine’s performance as a butler is almost perfect whilst Freeman as the helpful man in the Science and Technology department of Wayne Enterprises is enjoyable but I found him annoying; Freeman’s performances are always very similar i.e. his acting style is quite rigid and his voice is so rich in character (which is a good thing) but it steals the show when acting alongside Bale.
Bale’s characterisation of Bruce/Batman is fabulously wooden. I wouldn’t have thought that this would have been good if someone had described that to me, but anybody who has seen what he has seen, grown up as he has and done what he has done is likely to be introverted and subsequently appear wooden.
The ending is mildly annoying; why do movies today need to leave a direct prospect for a sequel; they are not definite that they will happen. Admittedly, this movie was great and was always going to get a sequel but what if it hadn’t? The ending with the joker card would have been a what if. But that small annoyance/fault pales in significance compared to the overall quality and enjoyment of the movie.
10/10
Nolan’s direction of this movie here deserves a commendation; it is not easy to turn comic strip heroes into filmic joy as the cheesy and corny-ness often wins through. Nolan follows other recent comic – movie conversions and goes for the “dark” feeling which especially suits Batman owing to the primary character coming from a dark place. Even though the idea of a darker take on a super hero has been done before, Nolan has produced the best results.
Right from the beginning where Bruce falls into a cave and he encounters a swarm of bats to viewing the underworld of Gotham City, the film is dark and he has designed the sets to show the main roads and railways are above the ground level at which is the genuine underworld in more than one sense.
Cillian Murphy as Dr Jonathan Crane aka the Scarecrow is truly scary. One thing I do enjoy in any comic book movie is the backstory given to the villains and heroes. I always love seeing them doing normal everyday things which I always find makes them much more shocking when they become a maniac and the same is true with Scarecrow, battling with Rachel (Holmes) about the movement of prisoners before his true (sadistic) tendencies are shown. Amazing.
As for Holmes, her performance here is wet to say the least. Annoying is another word. I am aware lawyers have to be self righteous however her high-horse ranting whiter than white just doesn’t wash in a city which is black to its soul. Caine’s performance as a butler is almost perfect whilst Freeman as the helpful man in the Science and Technology department of Wayne Enterprises is enjoyable but I found him annoying; Freeman’s performances are always very similar i.e. his acting style is quite rigid and his voice is so rich in character (which is a good thing) but it steals the show when acting alongside Bale.
Bale’s characterisation of Bruce/Batman is fabulously wooden. I wouldn’t have thought that this would have been good if someone had described that to me, but anybody who has seen what he has seen, grown up as he has and done what he has done is likely to be introverted and subsequently appear wooden.
The ending is mildly annoying; why do movies today need to leave a direct prospect for a sequel; they are not definite that they will happen. Admittedly, this movie was great and was always going to get a sequel but what if it hadn’t? The ending with the joker card would have been a what if. But that small annoyance/fault pales in significance compared to the overall quality and enjoyment of the movie.
10/10
BK Pratchett, T. (1986) The Light Fantastic [Discworld 02]
Another enjoyable romp through Discworld in this direct sequel to The Colour of Magic. Pratchett doesn’t need to set up shop thus the action begins immediately and the jokes ensue.
I found the second instalment much funnier than the first (and TCOM was very funny). We join the two main characters (Rincewind & Twoflower) as they are falling off the edge of the Discworld. A spell lodged in Rincewind’s head just happens to be one of the eight most important spells of Discworld from the Octavo magic book manages to save Rincewind (and subsequently Twoflower’s life). Meanwhile, the wizards of the Unseen University Discworld discover that Discworld will soon be destroyed unless the eight spells of the Octavo are read thus the story’s purpose begins. They must find Rincewind. One of the wizards from the university, Trymon, is Rincewind’s former classmate and seems to want to know the spells for ulterior motives.
The action is fast-paced and there is a definite feeling of going on a journey. I found Cohen the Barbarian as a character hilarious – the idea that he is still barbarian-ing into his late nineties is outrageous in the extreme; there’s a whole host of gags to be used from false teeth, hip issues etc etc. My favourite character however by far is Luggage. I think Pratchett realised what a role the non-speaking box with legs had as Luggage was given a much more prominent role than in the first book.
At the end of the book after a suitably climactic near-cataclysmic ending, I was genuinely sad to see some characters appear to leave the book for good; I genuinely wanted to explore more of their lives and their worlds…
But I do want to read on.
8/10
I found the second instalment much funnier than the first (and TCOM was very funny). We join the two main characters (Rincewind & Twoflower) as they are falling off the edge of the Discworld. A spell lodged in Rincewind’s head just happens to be one of the eight most important spells of Discworld from the Octavo magic book manages to save Rincewind (and subsequently Twoflower’s life). Meanwhile, the wizards of the Unseen University Discworld discover that Discworld will soon be destroyed unless the eight spells of the Octavo are read thus the story’s purpose begins. They must find Rincewind. One of the wizards from the university, Trymon, is Rincewind’s former classmate and seems to want to know the spells for ulterior motives.
The action is fast-paced and there is a definite feeling of going on a journey. I found Cohen the Barbarian as a character hilarious – the idea that he is still barbarian-ing into his late nineties is outrageous in the extreme; there’s a whole host of gags to be used from false teeth, hip issues etc etc. My favourite character however by far is Luggage. I think Pratchett realised what a role the non-speaking box with legs had as Luggage was given a much more prominent role than in the first book.
At the end of the book after a suitably climactic near-cataclysmic ending, I was genuinely sad to see some characters appear to leave the book for good; I genuinely wanted to explore more of their lives and their worlds…
But I do want to read on.
8/10
Apologies
My apologies for the delay, I have been very busy recently. I have still being watching TV (albeit not as much) and writing reviews down in longhand.
I will be pasting them in here over the next few days...
D
I will be pasting them in here over the next few days...
D
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