I would like to say I've been rather too lazy of late to write, but the truth is for once I've been too busy (and/or without my trusty laptop). Reports on No Man's Land and Xmas TV surely to follow (how fascinating).
But for now, lots of sitting around with lempsips and nicely plodding my way through the Gormenghast trilogy...
Happy Crimble x
Showing posts with label Ramblings. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Ramblings. Show all posts
Saturday, December 27
Wednesday, November 12
I'm making lots of pointless and uninteresting "I can't *believe* it's mid-November!" comments at the moment. Most evenings seem to be whizzing by without anything to distinguish them from one another, except maybe the TV schedule. But maybe that's just bad weather and the occasional winter bug for you.
November 5th however was enticing enough to get many of us out and about for Bonfire Night. Time Out had identified about half a dozen big displays on the Wednesday, and we'd picked Southwark Park for supposedly having it all - fireworks, food, entertainment etc. In actuality it had a display that seemed to last about 3 mins (including a very slow beginning), three hot food vans with huge queues, and nothing whatsoever to keep you in the park once the fourth minute came along. Very very dissapointing :-(. I've never been more nostalgic to the old evenings at my primary school!
So with all these nights in front of the box, what's been going on? Breaking Bad came to an abrupt halt (writer's strike, or just a short season?) which is going to leave my Sunday evenings a bit desolate.
Dead Set was great fun, grade A gore, and hats off to whoever okayed the nightly space in the schedule. Charlie Brooker's name is certainly becoming known in wider circles. All the Big Brother cameos were brilliant, although I was happy not to notice most of them :D
Heroes carries on like a bad holiday season : yet another surprise family relation is rolled out each episode, haha. My funny bone was definitely tickled by Hiro's canteena reference a couple of weeks back, the puppet-guy brought a nicely creepy element to the rogue's gallery, and it's always nice to see Peter running around playing the bad-ass with his shirt off. Afraid to say though that I was unconvinced by Sylar's volte-face, and the Suresh storyling is too much of a rip-off of The Fly for me (okay, let's call it an 'homage'). Tall Blonde Hero Girl, in whatever incarnation she is in this season, still seems a weak link compared to all the fun of the fair possible with the Parkman character. Anyone who wasn't A-list in high school though is surely delighted at the knowledge that the Cheerleader will in years to come be embracing her inner goth.
I've been tuning into Grey's Anatomy s.4 a bit more recently, but it's a love-hate thing as Meredith's tritevoiceovers piss me off *almost* as much as Carrie's in SATC.
But then, I never miss a Holby City, so maybe my opinion doesn't rate in most people's eyes :D.
November 5th however was enticing enough to get many of us out and about for Bonfire Night. Time Out had identified about half a dozen big displays on the Wednesday, and we'd picked Southwark Park for supposedly having it all - fireworks, food, entertainment etc. In actuality it had a display that seemed to last about 3 mins (including a very slow beginning), three hot food vans with huge queues, and nothing whatsoever to keep you in the park once the fourth minute came along. Very very dissapointing :-(. I've never been more nostalgic to the old evenings at my primary school!
So with all these nights in front of the box, what's been going on? Breaking Bad came to an abrupt halt (writer's strike, or just a short season?) which is going to leave my Sunday evenings a bit desolate.
Dead Set was great fun, grade A gore, and hats off to whoever okayed the nightly space in the schedule. Charlie Brooker's name is certainly becoming known in wider circles. All the Big Brother cameos were brilliant, although I was happy not to notice most of them :D
Heroes carries on like a bad holiday season : yet another surprise family relation is rolled out each episode, haha. My funny bone was definitely tickled by Hiro's canteena reference a couple of weeks back, the puppet-guy brought a nicely creepy element to the rogue's gallery, and it's always nice to see Peter running around playing the bad-ass with his shirt off. Afraid to say though that I was unconvinced by Sylar's volte-face, and the Suresh storyling is too much of a rip-off of The Fly for me (okay, let's call it an 'homage'). Tall Blonde Hero Girl, in whatever incarnation she is in this season, still seems a weak link compared to all the fun of the fair possible with the Parkman character. Anyone who wasn't A-list in high school though is surely delighted at the knowledge that the Cheerleader will in years to come be embracing her inner goth.
I've been tuning into Grey's Anatomy s.4 a bit more recently, but it's a love-hate thing as Meredith's tritevoiceovers piss me off *almost* as much as Carrie's in SATC.
But then, I never miss a Holby City, so maybe my opinion doesn't rate in most people's eyes :D.
Saturday, November 1
Novembrrrr
Well, the world continues to implode : financial meltdown, DR Congo erupting again, bombs in India etc.etc. In all this you might be worried that a little bickering about a phone prank by overpaid manchilds might not get the coverage it deserves. Fear not Britain, it's been nicely settled on the front pages for a week, and our justice-seeking journalists have ensured that Mr Brown is aware of the nation's outrage.
(Actually Ian Hislop had a nice little sound bite about how all this complete toss is evidencing democracy in action on Have I got News for you. Catch the repeat if you can, if not for that than for Tom Baker's fantastic hosting).
Out (briefly) on the town last night the conversations pretty much went:
"Well, so what do you think of all this with Ross and Brand?"
"I don't give it a second's thought really"
"Yes, yes of course there are more important things-"
"Yes"
"-*but*, that aside, if we imagine ourselves living within the microcosm of the media world, do you think they should have been fired?"
(Silence as I try and shake the revulsion of imagining myself living within the microcosm of the media world)
But then another guy in the bar started hurling glasses at the barman's face, so everyone rushed to gawp at Real Life for a second. Unluckily for the poor bloodied barman (London Ambulance services and the police were ridiculously quick to respond, hurrah for them on a Friday-night Halloween in Islington. The bouncers were initially more Dawdlers).
---
I watched Sunset Blvd for the first time this week. Hey, don't yell, I am but young and have a way to go on the (irritatingly changeable) "films to see before you die" list. Of course, it was fantastic, and of course it emphasised (as if it were needed) just how crap most of the big releases are these days. We all know this already, but it didn't stop us from watching Transformers did it? In literature, music, TV and film there will always be the Art with Depth and the superficial Guilty Pleasure. The trick is trying to keep the balance of right. Recent news items, let alone viewing figures,seem to suggest we're still for style over substance, bowing and scraping for a bit of glamour, our own tragic Norma Desmond.
----
It's grey, raining and feels effing cold (by recent British autumnal standards, I'm not saying it's Muscovite conditions out there). I declare that the only effective remedy is an extensive regimen of eating out, more hot Mochas and cake (rather than refrigerated beer with crappy little lime), and evenings basking in the warm glow of the cinema screen. So say we all, haha.
(Actually Ian Hislop had a nice little sound bite about how all this complete toss is evidencing democracy in action on Have I got News for you. Catch the repeat if you can, if not for that than for Tom Baker's fantastic hosting).
Out (briefly) on the town last night the conversations pretty much went:
"Well, so what do you think of all this with Ross and Brand?"
"I don't give it a second's thought really"
"Yes, yes of course there are more important things-"
"Yes"
"-*but*, that aside, if we imagine ourselves living within the microcosm of the media world, do you think they should have been fired?"
(Silence as I try and shake the revulsion of imagining myself living within the microcosm of the media world)
But then another guy in the bar started hurling glasses at the barman's face, so everyone rushed to gawp at Real Life for a second. Unluckily for the poor bloodied barman (London Ambulance services and the police were ridiculously quick to respond, hurrah for them on a Friday-night Halloween in Islington. The bouncers were initially more Dawdlers).
---
I watched Sunset Blvd for the first time this week. Hey, don't yell, I am but young and have a way to go on the (irritatingly changeable) "films to see before you die" list. Of course, it was fantastic, and of course it emphasised (as if it were needed) just how crap most of the big releases are these days. We all know this already, but it didn't stop us from watching Transformers did it? In literature, music, TV and film there will always be the Art with Depth and the superficial Guilty Pleasure. The trick is trying to keep the balance of right. Recent news items, let alone viewing figures,seem to suggest we're still for style over substance, bowing and scraping for a bit of glamour, our own tragic Norma Desmond.
----
It's grey, raining and feels effing cold (by recent British autumnal standards, I'm not saying it's Muscovite conditions out there). I declare that the only effective remedy is an extensive regimen of eating out, more hot Mochas and cake (rather than refrigerated beer with crappy little lime), and evenings basking in the warm glow of the cinema screen. So say we all, haha.
Tuesday, October 28
Darkness descends..
..and other such observations to enthuse you as we get dragged kicking and screaming (literally, if the Hallowe'en costumes are any good) into November.
As we leave work in the dark, the temptation to start the TV/DVD-viewing-wrapped-up-on-sofa-with-hot-drinks-and-optional-blanket the minute you get in at night is only going to get worse. For me, it was pretty bad anyway but then I'm a bit geeky. It really doesn't help if you're in any kind of on-line DVD rental scheme because that little envelope will be jumping up and slobbering on you, yapping for attention, the second you push open the door (now that's what I call 'special features'). "Watch me, watch me!" comes the muffled-by-packaging cry, "because if you get me back in the post tomorrow you can have *another one* the next day! F*ck Christmas, this rocks!".
It really, really doesn't help if your rental list is full of sci-fi series because each disc will have a cosy 3 or 4 hours of viewing time rather than the good ol' 90-120 mins film. Luckily for everyone, I recognise that Stargate remains either a)completely uninteresting to the average TV viewer or b) watched ad nauseum by the real fans, so I won't bother commenting on my attempts to get throught the 'backlog' of season 10. 'Scapers will understand the continuing interest.
Box-sets are evil things, and I must add, not helpful image-wise for singletons. Mad Men sits stylishly and patiently waiting for us to get to episode four (flatmates are useful things for stopping you gorging yourself in one sitting). The Wire was a faithful friend, but having to watch the final season on Sky+ carries the irritating ads and reminder (as you scroll through the menu) that there really are *other things to watch*. I've just been handed Arrested Development. Good gods, and this is addition to the joys of the new Autumn/Winter season.
It all rather begs the questions:
1) What on earth is anyone going to get me for Christmas with this abundunce of goodies already to hand?
2) How much blame for my TV addition can be put onto people who keep cancelling proper, sociable, public-place plans on me? (she says in jest. Sort of.) Some are born geek, some achieve geekness, and some have geekness thrust upon them.
Must. get. life. pronto.
As we leave work in the dark, the temptation to start the TV/DVD-viewing-wrapped-up-on-sofa-with-hot-drinks-and-optional-blanket the minute you get in at night is only going to get worse. For me, it was pretty bad anyway but then I'm a bit geeky. It really doesn't help if you're in any kind of on-line DVD rental scheme because that little envelope will be jumping up and slobbering on you, yapping for attention, the second you push open the door (now that's what I call 'special features'). "Watch me, watch me!" comes the muffled-by-packaging cry, "because if you get me back in the post tomorrow you can have *another one* the next day! F*ck Christmas, this rocks!".
It really, really doesn't help if your rental list is full of sci-fi series because each disc will have a cosy 3 or 4 hours of viewing time rather than the good ol' 90-120 mins film. Luckily for everyone, I recognise that Stargate remains either a)completely uninteresting to the average TV viewer or b) watched ad nauseum by the real fans, so I won't bother commenting on my attempts to get throught the 'backlog' of season 10. 'Scapers will understand the continuing interest.
Box-sets are evil things, and I must add, not helpful image-wise for singletons. Mad Men sits stylishly and patiently waiting for us to get to episode four (flatmates are useful things for stopping you gorging yourself in one sitting). The Wire was a faithful friend, but having to watch the final season on Sky+ carries the irritating ads and reminder (as you scroll through the menu) that there really are *other things to watch*. I've just been handed Arrested Development. Good gods, and this is addition to the joys of the new Autumn/Winter season.
It all rather begs the questions:
1) What on earth is anyone going to get me for Christmas with this abundunce of goodies already to hand?
2) How much blame for my TV addition can be put onto people who keep cancelling proper, sociable, public-place plans on me? (she says in jest. Sort of.) Some are born geek, some achieve geekness, and some have geekness thrust upon them.
Must. get. life. pronto.
Tuesday, October 21
Urgh.
Thursday - too many oreos
Friday - gigging and wandering
Saturday - oversleeping and housepartying
Sunday morning - thinking it's a hangover
Sunday afternoon - realising this may not be a hangover
Monday morning - nope, really was a more run-of-the-mill feeling ickiness
Tuesday morning - recovered, but like a Duracell bunny on sainsburys standard AAA...
Exciting tales and updates will have to wait.
Friday - gigging and wandering
Saturday - oversleeping and housepartying
Sunday morning - thinking it's a hangover
Sunday afternoon - realising this may not be a hangover
Monday morning - nope, really was a more run-of-the-mill feeling ickiness
Tuesday morning - recovered, but like a Duracell bunny on sainsburys standard AAA...
Exciting tales and updates will have to wait.
Tuesday, October 14
Happy viewing
Today I am boring and can't be bothered to describe birthday celebrations (not mine, but good fun), or upcoming plans (film festival, gigs, dinners, parties). I haven't watched the news in days, so no astute or enlightening commentary available from me. I also won't admit that I spent all of glorious Sunday's weather sitting in trying very hard not to finish Season Four Battlestar Galactica (which is as good as if not better than the Wire. Oh yeah. Now you're interested.) I've also neglected to install my rather run-of-the-mill picture editing software, so I still haven't done anything to this really boring layout. Oops.
But, instead, my views on new-ish TV:
After three episodes I'm happy to confirm for you all that Breaking Bad (currently showing on FX) is fantastic and you should all be watching it. Yes, I know it doesn't look sleek and glamorous. Or even uber-gritty. In fact, yes, it conveys all the dry and dusty drudgery of middle-class white New Mexico suburbia. You may also have noticed that it follows the continuing adventures of (fanfare) a middle-aged high school Chemistry teacher called Walter. Played by the Malcolm-in-the-Middle dad. Did I mention Walter also has terminal lung cancer? Sexy starting point, huh? Well, as soon as our teacher decides that he might as well start using his skills to make crystal meth (better than all the other amateurs in town), it gets well...think Falling Down rumbling rage, with a dose of Very Bad Things calamity, and a smidgen of American Beauty frustration and wit. Or maybe, just think about one of those nights we all get once in a while when things just keep getting worse and you have only yourself to blame. If you really appreciate a show that will take the time and energy to portray a hastening descent into chaos of one man with a jet-black sense of humour (episode three opens with the two main characters wrapped up in marigolds and aprons cleaning the floor. Oh wait, they're cleaning up the quasi-liquified remains of a meth-dealer. Which fell through the ceiling when the bath of acid ate through itself. Because someone didn't pay attention in chemistry class), then please tune in. It only promises to get better as episode three introduces flashbacks of vibrant, passionate Walter in his younger days, juxtaposed with his current grim and sober choices of his middle-aged dying self, to fabulous effect. The acting is great, the script is fantastic, and hey you'll learn stuff about Chemistry. And that “coin-flip is sacred!”
John Adams is sweeping us along nicely. The contrast of Adams' blundering attempts at diplomacy in the European political arena, with the rallying passion and defiance that shaped the Declaration of Independence in last week's episode is well played. After watching Adams' rising influence over previous episodes we share his discomfort with suddenly being sidelined from the action. The sense of family sacrifice reaches a well-developed climax.
I read about Eli Stone a while back : Johnny Lee Miller stars as a lawyer with visions. Sans dancing babies, but still with singing popstars. Just more saving-the-world (but not in a pending-apocalypse Dead Zone way). Okay, so yes it's a bit like a Boston Legal/Ally McBeal/Medium mega-mix just with the classic Sci-fi elements thrown in (sidekick with sagely words and advice on the new 'powers', the need for secrecy and the awkward/guess-it's-just-geeky-me-Clark-Kent moments that come when that secrecy is threatened). But despite the slightly annoying presence of Victor Garber playing his usual authority figure, and the question mark over whether a girl who looks like Natasha Henstridge would every really go out with a guy who looks like Johnny Lee Miller (with slicked down hair, and an undeniable geeky air despite his former 'hot shot' status), I like it. Yes I know I like a lot of crap that ends up on Sci-Fi. But this seems very self-aware of it's own clichés, it's got a good pace, and some surprisingly sharp lines and good banter among all the fluff (Episode 3's discussion of how Eli's car had been towed, continued to note that he called it the 'Millennium Falcon' and always made the appropriate 'zooming' noises as he changes lanes. Shamelessly referential, and I like it). I'll keep watching, even if some of the 'visions' and subsequent 'oh shit how do I explain my strange behaviour' moments might be worthy on occasion of the Sky+ fast forward.
Tune in next week. Ha. Ha.
But, instead, my views on new-ish TV:
After three episodes I'm happy to confirm for you all that Breaking Bad (currently showing on FX) is fantastic and you should all be watching it. Yes, I know it doesn't look sleek and glamorous. Or even uber-gritty. In fact, yes, it conveys all the dry and dusty drudgery of middle-class white New Mexico suburbia. You may also have noticed that it follows the continuing adventures of (fanfare) a middle-aged high school Chemistry teacher called Walter. Played by the Malcolm-in-the-Middle dad. Did I mention Walter also has terminal lung cancer? Sexy starting point, huh? Well, as soon as our teacher decides that he might as well start using his skills to make crystal meth (better than all the other amateurs in town), it gets well...think Falling Down rumbling rage, with a dose of Very Bad Things calamity, and a smidgen of American Beauty frustration and wit. Or maybe, just think about one of those nights we all get once in a while when things just keep getting worse and you have only yourself to blame. If you really appreciate a show that will take the time and energy to portray a hastening descent into chaos of one man with a jet-black sense of humour (episode three opens with the two main characters wrapped up in marigolds and aprons cleaning the floor. Oh wait, they're cleaning up the quasi-liquified remains of a meth-dealer. Which fell through the ceiling when the bath of acid ate through itself. Because someone didn't pay attention in chemistry class), then please tune in. It only promises to get better as episode three introduces flashbacks of vibrant, passionate Walter in his younger days, juxtaposed with his current grim and sober choices of his middle-aged dying self, to fabulous effect. The acting is great, the script is fantastic, and hey you'll learn stuff about Chemistry. And that “coin-flip is sacred!”
John Adams is sweeping us along nicely. The contrast of Adams' blundering attempts at diplomacy in the European political arena, with the rallying passion and defiance that shaped the Declaration of Independence in last week's episode is well played. After watching Adams' rising influence over previous episodes we share his discomfort with suddenly being sidelined from the action. The sense of family sacrifice reaches a well-developed climax.
I read about Eli Stone a while back : Johnny Lee Miller stars as a lawyer with visions. Sans dancing babies, but still with singing popstars. Just more saving-the-world (but not in a pending-apocalypse Dead Zone way). Okay, so yes it's a bit like a Boston Legal/Ally McBeal/Medium mega-mix just with the classic Sci-fi elements thrown in (sidekick with sagely words and advice on the new 'powers', the need for secrecy and the awkward/guess-it's-just-geeky-me-Clark-Kent moments that come when that secrecy is threatened). But despite the slightly annoying presence of Victor Garber playing his usual authority figure, and the question mark over whether a girl who looks like Natasha Henstridge would every really go out with a guy who looks like Johnny Lee Miller (with slicked down hair, and an undeniable geeky air despite his former 'hot shot' status), I like it. Yes I know I like a lot of crap that ends up on Sci-Fi. But this seems very self-aware of it's own clichés, it's got a good pace, and some surprisingly sharp lines and good banter among all the fluff (Episode 3's discussion of how Eli's car had been towed, continued to note that he called it the 'Millennium Falcon' and always made the appropriate 'zooming' noises as he changes lanes. Shamelessly referential, and I like it). I'll keep watching, even if some of the 'visions' and subsequent 'oh shit how do I explain my strange behaviour' moments might be worthy on occasion of the Sky+ fast forward.
Tune in next week. Ha. Ha.
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