Archive for the ‘TV’ Category
Posted on July 11, 2009 - by John
Torchwood: Children of Earth Review
I am not the only person to think that Torchwood’s “Children of Earth” mini-series is up there with the best of Battlestar Galactica. The Guardian’s Daniel Martin thinks so, and heaps praise on the series. And rightly so. I have rarely seen science fiction encompass all aspects of drama, but CoE has a fair amount of well placed humour, action but most importantly horror. The subject matter is the definition of horrific, and the choices made by the main protagonists cast virtually everyone (apart from Gwen and Ianto) in a poor light. And that includes Captain Jack Harkness.
The Doctor Who spin-off really hits it’s stride after a lukewarm first series ramped up into a very enjoyable second. Last series, the team lost two of it’s mainstays, leaving the enigmatic Captain Jack, Gwen and Ianto behind. After last series’ Who finale, we were half expecting a slew of guest stars but they kept the core cast for CoE to a minimum. And it works well (without giving spoilers) to let the remaining three breathe a little.
The story follows a plot by an alien race only known as the ‘456′ to exchange the threat of annihilation for a ‘gift’. We learn that the Torchwood brethren have a history with them, and we flesh out some misdeeds along the way. But, strikingly, the story is wholly original in the way that it’s subject matter is the most unpalatable aspect. Some scenes were disturbing to anyone who has a child, and the stark reality depicted in the story is in contrast to the somewhat glossy look and feel of previous episodes (and Doctor Who to boot).
This was a show for adults in its subject matter opposed to the first series which seemed over the top in it’s display of sex and bad language. It represents the best of recent Doctor Who and Torchwood in its execution, direction and acting, but more importantly sets a very high standard for British drama in general. Children of Earth doesn’t wimp out at the end, which is always a worry with shows of this ilk, and maintains a firm grip on the subject matter. I thoroughly recommend this to anyone seeking a good story, very well told. 5 out of 5!
Posted on March 5, 2009 - by John
I am not updating my blog
I am just too busy being academic. See you in April…
But Being Human ended well didn’t it?
Posted on February 23, 2009 - by John
Being Human – Action At Last!
At last I think BBC3’s vampire/werewolf/ghost story is coming of age – and only in the penultimate episode too! The impending war of the vampires that was touted in the original pilot seems to be taking off, and the “taking sides” angle has borne fruit. The only issue left is whether or not this is going to turn into Angel…or something else.
I can’t see it going full scale sci-fi though. The slow burning pace has worked for most of the episodes and the title’s premise of exploring our characters ‘being human’, and even with the impending doom our three reluctant humans face, I doubt there will be any Buffy type action. Or even Twilight for that matter.
Being Human has been quirky and genuinely funny. Although slightly selective with Vampire mythologies, it still works quite well. Mitchell the vamp is a bit sensitive to daylight, but it does not seem to post much of a problem, and we don’t know about garlic or crosses either. However, a good old stake in the heart still does the trick, and it is only in the fifth episode that we see a vampire busy count begin.
The only downside to the series is that all three characters don’t seem to be that special – maybe I am missing the point somewhat but the werewolf transformations only occur every other episode, and poltergeist spookiness was a bit of a damp squib. So anyone looking for a British Buffy will be disappointed. That said ‘Being Human’ is far too intelligent with its drama and humour. It will be a shame when it finishes, but overall I have been really enjoying it. Let’s just hope that the final episode packs a bite.
Posted on August 16, 2008 - by John
Prayer Hour
Check this out…it is nigh on awful. Something called The Prayer Hour which is a parody on the evangelical TV pastors that you can fund festering the corners of satellite TV. The Gary Busey one is hilarious. Apparently Bible stands for “Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth”.
Posted on July 17, 2008 - by John
Anne Robinson
This couldn’t have happened to a nicer person…
Yep, Anne Robinson today had some element of comeuppance and was banned for speeding today. Not that she could be bothered to attend court of course. She just sent her lackey lawyer to issue her apologies. Yep, Anne. We believe you. Just know this…Wales will never forget!!
Posted on July 5, 2008 - by John
Doctor Who?
I cannot wait the few hours until we find out…are we getting a new Doctor? Apparently not. Tennant has been seen filming the Xmas Special already so I think the cliffhanger at the end of last week’s episode was a red herring. But a good one never the less.
It’s amazing though that this storyline could make the national news. The ending was everywhere, and they had Doctor Who specialists on BBC news this morning discussing the merits of Tennant’s outing in the pantheon of previous Doctors. Is this really news? Well…yes. Of sorts.
But anyway…c’mon BBC1…get the damn tennis over with!
Posted on January 20, 2008 - by John
Charlie Jade
Right after Dexter finished, UK’s FX Channel had a problem.
They needed a slightly off beat, adult oriented programme to keep that timeslot busy. Enter Chalie Jade.
I didn’t know much of Chalie Jade, other than it “looked right up my street”. But first impressions didn’t get me very far, and now, some 12 episodes in, I am still not sure about it, however compulsive it seems to be to me. And it doesn’t help that Xmas got in the way and my Sky+ decided to stop recording the sodding thing…thanks Sky+. You can already chop the end off a programme with ease…now you just demonstrate a complete lack of intelligence! But that’s another story…
