Battle of the choirs
Eurovison has announce that it is setting a new contest for choirs. However the United Kingdom which has a strong choral tradition has not entered, though whether is a reflection of disenchantment with the various Eurovison contest is not known.
Tuesday, 28 February 2017
Monday, 27 February 2017
Oscar 2017 aftermath
So in what will one be of the most talked about moments in recent Oscar history Moonlight was declared Best Picture after Faye Dunaway had called out La La Land as the winner. The error was due to Dunaway being given a spare envelope for the Best Actress category which was won by La La Land star Emma Stone hence the scenes of confusion. Among the other awards given out Suicide Squad one of last years most crictily reviled (yet still a massive box office hit) films won Best Make Up.
So in what will one be of the most talked about moments in recent Oscar history Moonlight was declared Best Picture after Faye Dunaway had called out La La Land as the winner. The error was due to Dunaway being given a spare envelope for the Best Actress category which was won by La La Land star Emma Stone hence the scenes of confusion. Among the other awards given out Suicide Squad one of last years most crictily reviled (yet still a massive box office hit) films won Best Make Up.
Sunday, 26 February 2017
From big screen to small screen
This Friday ITV will start showing the TV version of Lethal Weapon. Here are 3 other examples of films downsizing
Buffy The Vampire Slayer
Released in 1992 this little seen flop might have been forgotten about it if was not for the hugely successful TV version which in itself had spinoff in the form of Angel
Westworld
The 1973 film which featured androids running amok in a theme park inspired a TV show though this was after various attempts to do a cinematic remark failed
M*A*S*H
The show inspired by the 1970 film of the same name and ran longer than the war it depicted. It's final episode was seen by one of the largest US TV audiences.
This Friday ITV will start showing the TV version of Lethal Weapon. Here are 3 other examples of films downsizing
Buffy The Vampire Slayer
Released in 1992 this little seen flop might have been forgotten about it if was not for the hugely successful TV version which in itself had spinoff in the form of Angel
Westworld
The 1973 film which featured androids running amok in a theme park inspired a TV show though this was after various attempts to do a cinematic remark failed
M*A*S*H
The show inspired by the 1970 film of the same name and ran longer than the war it depicted. It's final episode was seen by one of the largest US TV audiences.
Saturday, 25 February 2017
Forgotten Oscar winners
The Oscars are just around the corner. Here is a list of the some of the most unlikely winners.
The Ghost and The Darkness
The killer Lion film starring Michael Douglas and Val Kilmer that was blasted by the critics (though I quite like it) won the award for Best Sound Effects in 1997
U-571
Another Best Sound Effects winner (in 2001) U-571 was the film that raised heckles in the UK with it's depiction of Americans capturing an Enmiga machine before the British did when in real life it was the opposite
Peter Capaldi
In 1995 the future Doctor won the award for Best Live Action Short Film for directing Franz Kafka's It's a Wonderful Life
The Oscars are just around the corner. Here is a list of the some of the most unlikely winners.
The Ghost and The Darkness
The killer Lion film starring Michael Douglas and Val Kilmer that was blasted by the critics (though I quite like it) won the award for Best Sound Effects in 1997
U-571
Another Best Sound Effects winner (in 2001) U-571 was the film that raised heckles in the UK with it's depiction of Americans capturing an Enmiga machine before the British did when in real life it was the opposite
Peter Capaldi
In 1995 the future Doctor won the award for Best Live Action Short Film for directing Franz Kafka's It's a Wonderful Life
Friday, 24 February 2017
Boy how time flies by
Nearly a year ago Leicester City were celebrating their shock Premier League victory. And the man behind their triumph Claudio Ranieri has been sacked after a run of poor form. One time LCFC player and fan Gary Lineker said the sacking made him 'shed a tear'. The conclusion from all this is perhaps Ranieri was a victim of own success.
Nearly a year ago Leicester City were celebrating their shock Premier League victory. And the man behind their triumph Claudio Ranieri has been sacked after a run of poor form. One time LCFC player and fan Gary Lineker said the sacking made him 'shed a tear'. The conclusion from all this is perhaps Ranieri was a victim of own success.
Thursday, 23 February 2017
New kind of sports coverage
In what has been trumpeted as the first kind of coverage of it's kind BT Sports has announced it will be showing live matches from the FIFA 17 championship. Viewers will watch competitors play each other on consoles playing FIFA 17. While the idea of watching live video games played may be a new one those who will remember Gamesmaster will not find the experience an unusual one. Eyes will be peeled to see if it takes off.
In what has been trumpeted as the first kind of coverage of it's kind BT Sports has announced it will be showing live matches from the FIFA 17 championship. Viewers will watch competitors play each other on consoles playing FIFA 17. While the idea of watching live video games played may be a new one those who will remember Gamesmaster will not find the experience an unusual one. Eyes will be peeled to see if it takes off.
Wednesday, 22 February 2017
TV Review: SS-GB
Starring Sam Riley, Kate Bosworth, James Cosmo
BBC1 9PM Sunday
After the much noted complaints about mumbling, what is SS-GB like? I would say at this stage one of the best dramas to hit UK TV screens this year. In the first 10 minutes a Spitfire is landed in front of Buckingham Palace by a Luftwaffe ace who is then killed by a British resistance fighter. This sets the tone for the drama of a country that has been conquered and those who are having to adjust life under the Nazis. San Riley plays the main of a police detective who through the investigation of the murder of a supposed back marketeer brings him into a much serious situation than he would like. Riley gives a performance that brings to mind a young John Hurt as someone who has to work with conquerors and walking his own path. In the role of an American journalist Kate Bosworth makes an impression in the short time she appears in the first episode (a much better one than the time she played Lois Lane in Superman Returns) that you are left wondering about her exact nature. SS-GB so far has showed a what could have been perfectly that you are glad history turned out the way it did.
Starring Sam Riley, Kate Bosworth, James Cosmo
BBC1 9PM Sunday
After the much noted complaints about mumbling, what is SS-GB like? I would say at this stage one of the best dramas to hit UK TV screens this year. In the first 10 minutes a Spitfire is landed in front of Buckingham Palace by a Luftwaffe ace who is then killed by a British resistance fighter. This sets the tone for the drama of a country that has been conquered and those who are having to adjust life under the Nazis. San Riley plays the main of a police detective who through the investigation of the murder of a supposed back marketeer brings him into a much serious situation than he would like. Riley gives a performance that brings to mind a young John Hurt as someone who has to work with conquerors and walking his own path. In the role of an American journalist Kate Bosworth makes an impression in the short time she appears in the first episode (a much better one than the time she played Lois Lane in Superman Returns) that you are left wondering about her exact nature. SS-GB so far has showed a what could have been perfectly that you are glad history turned out the way it did.
Tuesday, 21 February 2017
More studio closures
ITV have announced the closures of the London Studios while it is retooled unlike with BBC TV centre there is no chance of programme making making a return. The studios opened the auspices of the old London Weekend Televison and saw a large number of programmes made there including Upstairs, Downstairs,On The Buses and even BBC shows like Have I Got New for You.
ITV have announced the closures of the London Studios while it is retooled unlike with BBC TV centre there is no chance of programme making making a return. The studios opened the auspices of the old London Weekend Televison and saw a large number of programmes made there including Upstairs, Downstairs,On The Buses and even BBC shows like Have I Got New for You.
Wednesday, 8 February 2017
Best of: Agatha Christie's Poirot
David Suchet as the dapper Belgian sleuth who through the use of his little grey cells could solve the most baffling of crimes. This is a list of the 10 best episodes.
1. The ABC Murders
A killer taunts Poirot by killing unconnected people in an alphabetical sequence but there is more to the killings than it seems
2. The Murder of Roger Ackroyd
Poirot moves to the country in order to escape the chaos of the city. But when an industrialist friend is killed he finds himself back investigating.
3. Cards on the Table
When the host of a Bridge night is murdered, one set of guests including Poirot investigate the other set, all of whom have their own dark pasts to hide.
4. One, Two Buckle my Shoe
A dentist is found dead and one of his last patients lies dead everyone thinks the dentist took his own life out or remorse except of course Poirot. Features an early appearance by Christopher Eccleston
5. The Adventure of the Cheap Flat
A young couple move into an new flat not knowing that they have entered a web of intrigue involving the FBI, the Mafia and stolen navel plans. Featuring a pre Miss Moneypenny Samantha Bond.
6. The Clocks
A young typist turns up for her latest assignment only to find a dead body and during the course of the investigation Poirot finds Nazi spies and deception.
7. Cat Among the Pigeons
When the sadistic PE teacher at an all girls school is murdered with a javelin Poirot finds not everyone is what they seem. Adapted by Mark Gatiss and featuring Amanda Abbington
8. Double Sin
Poirot takes Hastings on holiday to the Lake District and find themselves on the trail of stolen antiques while Miss Lemon tries to her missing keys. The most light hearted episode is one of the most enjoyable.
9. The Veiled Lady
Poirot turns cat burglar in his efforts to help a blackmailed aristocrat lady while Inspector Japp tries to crack a jewel robbery case. Are the 2 connected?
10. The Lost Mine
What should have be a routine visit to the bank for Poirot turns into a case involving the Tongs, gambling dens and opium addiction.
David Suchet as the dapper Belgian sleuth who through the use of his little grey cells could solve the most baffling of crimes. This is a list of the 10 best episodes.
1. The ABC Murders
A killer taunts Poirot by killing unconnected people in an alphabetical sequence but there is more to the killings than it seems
2. The Murder of Roger Ackroyd
Poirot moves to the country in order to escape the chaos of the city. But when an industrialist friend is killed he finds himself back investigating.
3. Cards on the Table
When the host of a Bridge night is murdered, one set of guests including Poirot investigate the other set, all of whom have their own dark pasts to hide.
4. One, Two Buckle my Shoe
A dentist is found dead and one of his last patients lies dead everyone thinks the dentist took his own life out or remorse except of course Poirot. Features an early appearance by Christopher Eccleston
5. The Adventure of the Cheap Flat
A young couple move into an new flat not knowing that they have entered a web of intrigue involving the FBI, the Mafia and stolen navel plans. Featuring a pre Miss Moneypenny Samantha Bond.
6. The Clocks
A young typist turns up for her latest assignment only to find a dead body and during the course of the investigation Poirot finds Nazi spies and deception.
7. Cat Among the Pigeons
When the sadistic PE teacher at an all girls school is murdered with a javelin Poirot finds not everyone is what they seem. Adapted by Mark Gatiss and featuring Amanda Abbington
8. Double Sin
Poirot takes Hastings on holiday to the Lake District and find themselves on the trail of stolen antiques while Miss Lemon tries to her missing keys. The most light hearted episode is one of the most enjoyable.
9. The Veiled Lady
Poirot turns cat burglar in his efforts to help a blackmailed aristocrat lady while Inspector Japp tries to crack a jewel robbery case. Are the 2 connected?
10. The Lost Mine
What should have be a routine visit to the bank for Poirot turns into a case involving the Tongs, gambling dens and opium addiction.
Tuesday, 7 February 2017
Monday, 6 February 2017
Filling in the TOTP gaps
As I wrote in a previous blog, watching the repeats of Top of the Pops can be a bit confusing if you do not know that certain episodes can not shown for a varity of reasons. However if you go hunting on Youtube you can find these episode however word of warning some may be edited for copyright reasons. One edition hosted by Mike Smith and Tommy Vance has two videos edited out, Eurythmics 'Sweet Dreams are Made of These ' and the weeks No1 'Total Eclipse of the Heart' by Bonnie Tyler.
As I wrote in a previous blog, watching the repeats of Top of the Pops can be a bit confusing if you do not know that certain episodes can not shown for a varity of reasons. However if you go hunting on Youtube you can find these episode however word of warning some may be edited for copyright reasons. One edition hosted by Mike Smith and Tommy Vance has two videos edited out, Eurythmics 'Sweet Dreams are Made of These ' and the weeks No1 'Total Eclipse of the Heart' by Bonnie Tyler.
Narrative fixing
Reknowed prankster Lee Nelson has talked of his experience on Britain's Got Talent. Nelson went on to audition under the guise of a Rabbi rapper, he claims that every aspect of the process is recreated for television in order to build an narrative for the show. To be honest anybody who has watched the show will know that this has always been the case. The promiance of Susan Boyle being a prime example of this. The next series is due soon and another wannabe(s) will thrust into the spotlight.
Reknowed prankster Lee Nelson has talked of his experience on Britain's Got Talent. Nelson went on to audition under the guise of a Rabbi rapper, he claims that every aspect of the process is recreated for television in order to build an narrative for the show. To be honest anybody who has watched the show will know that this has always been the case. The promiance of Susan Boyle being a prime example of this. The next series is due soon and another wannabe(s) will thrust into the spotlight.
Sunday, 5 February 2017
Where have the boards went?
IMDB have announced that in couple of weeks they will be shutting down their message boards will be shut down. The official explanation was after examining the rate of traffic on the service they have decided to close the service down. Others blame the species known as trolls, for those who do not know trolls mean in this context they are some who regularly post negative messages. A petition has started in order to make IMDB reconsider their position.
IMDB have announced that in couple of weeks they will be shutting down their message boards will be shut down. The official explanation was after examining the rate of traffic on the service they have decided to close the service down. Others blame the species known as trolls, for those who do not know trolls mean in this context they are some who regularly post negative messages. A petition has started in order to make IMDB reconsider their position.
Saturday, 4 February 2017
What if the Axis powers won WWII novels
This month BBC1 will start showing it's adaptation of Len Deighton's novel SS-GB which takes in a Nazi occupied Britain. Amazon Prime currently show The Man in the High Castle based on the Philip K Dick novel in which the USA divided between Germany and Japan. Here a couple of other examples of this extensive sub genre.
'48 by James Herbert
Faced with defeat Hitler embarks on a scorched Earth tactic by having V1 flying bombs filled with viruses and launches them on his enemies. The novel then takes an approach which will be familiar with anyone who has read Richard Matheson's novel I Am Legend and it's subsequent film versions. An American airman who has survived the unleashed plague in London finds himself the target of a group of Nazi's who want bring him to their leader so he can have a blood transfusion that might not work.
Dominion by C J Sansom
Britain surrenders to the Nazis after Dunkirk. A Civil Servant is convinced by the British Resistance to help bring out of the country a man with vital information that could bring to an end to the Nazi dominance. The novel features a Quisling puppet government filled with real life figure, one such person being Enoch Powell the political firebrand. The inclusion of Powell led to noted right wing writer Peter Hitchens to call the novel 'a babyish, historical illiterate slur' and demanded Sansom apologise to Powell's family.
This month BBC1 will start showing it's adaptation of Len Deighton's novel SS-GB which takes in a Nazi occupied Britain. Amazon Prime currently show The Man in the High Castle based on the Philip K Dick novel in which the USA divided between Germany and Japan. Here a couple of other examples of this extensive sub genre.
'48 by James Herbert
Faced with defeat Hitler embarks on a scorched Earth tactic by having V1 flying bombs filled with viruses and launches them on his enemies. The novel then takes an approach which will be familiar with anyone who has read Richard Matheson's novel I Am Legend and it's subsequent film versions. An American airman who has survived the unleashed plague in London finds himself the target of a group of Nazi's who want bring him to their leader so he can have a blood transfusion that might not work.
Dominion by C J Sansom
Britain surrenders to the Nazis after Dunkirk. A Civil Servant is convinced by the British Resistance to help bring out of the country a man with vital information that could bring to an end to the Nazi dominance. The novel features a Quisling puppet government filled with real life figure, one such person being Enoch Powell the political firebrand. The inclusion of Powell led to noted right wing writer Peter Hitchens to call the novel 'a babyish, historical illiterate slur' and demanded Sansom apologise to Powell's family.
Friday, 3 February 2017
First jump victim
Before the new series starts The Jump has claimed it's first victim, model Vouge Williams has pulled out after suffering an knee injury. Her place will be taken by former Miss Great Britain Universe Amy Willerton. The series starts on Sunday and some people will be watching just to if there any more to bow out.
Before the new series starts The Jump has claimed it's first victim, model Vouge Williams has pulled out after suffering an knee injury. Her place will be taken by former Miss Great Britain Universe Amy Willerton. The series starts on Sunday and some people will be watching just to if there any more to bow out.
Thursday, 2 February 2017
Keeping up the fight against crime despite the change.
It has been announce that Kris Marshall will be leaving the starring of Death in Paradise to be replaced by Ardal O'Hanlon. Marshall of course replaced Ben Miller as the star of the show. Here are a couple of other examples of UK crime shows that had major changes.
Taggart
The show that started in 1983 starring Mark McManus as grizzled CID detective Jim Taggart. After McManus died in 1994 the show continued until 2010 bearing the name of McMnus's character even though there was no characters who had that name!
Silent Witness
As I wrote last week Silent Witness started as a starring vehicle for Amanda Burton in the role of pathologist Sam Ryan. Burton left the show in 2004 with Emila Fox's Nikki Alexander being the focus of the show now, Even after over 20 years being on air it still maintains it place as one of the UK's most popular crime shows
It has been announce that Kris Marshall will be leaving the starring of Death in Paradise to be replaced by Ardal O'Hanlon. Marshall of course replaced Ben Miller as the star of the show. Here are a couple of other examples of UK crime shows that had major changes.
Taggart
The show that started in 1983 starring Mark McManus as grizzled CID detective Jim Taggart. After McManus died in 1994 the show continued until 2010 bearing the name of McMnus's character even though there was no characters who had that name!
Silent Witness
As I wrote last week Silent Witness started as a starring vehicle for Amanda Burton in the role of pathologist Sam Ryan. Burton left the show in 2004 with Emila Fox's Nikki Alexander being the focus of the show now, Even after over 20 years being on air it still maintains it place as one of the UK's most popular crime shows
Wednesday, 1 February 2017
When the then present of Doctor Who talked to the soon future.
In 1986 on BBC1's TV discussion programme Open Air members of the Liverpool Doctor Who Appreciation Society were invited on to give their verdict on the season long Trial of Time Lord story. Among their was the man who next year will be the new show runner Chris Chibnal. Referring to the section known informally as Terror of the Veriods Chibnall described it as routine running around a space ship. The Husband and Wife writing team of Pip and Jane Baker who wrote the episodes crictised appeared on a videolink and defend the episodes saying that they were writing for a general audience. And then talking over a telephone line was the show's producer John Nathan-Turner who echoed the Baker's position. Chibnall started writing for Doctor Who in 2007 with the episode 42 which he admits on the DVD commentary for the episode is basically running around a space ship and makes reference to his Open Air appearance. We will have to wait for next year to see what Chris Chibnall brings to Doctor Who in the role of show runner.
The aforementioned clip can be seen on Youtube
In 1986 on BBC1's TV discussion programme Open Air members of the Liverpool Doctor Who Appreciation Society were invited on to give their verdict on the season long Trial of Time Lord story. Among their was the man who next year will be the new show runner Chris Chibnal. Referring to the section known informally as Terror of the Veriods Chibnall described it as routine running around a space ship. The Husband and Wife writing team of Pip and Jane Baker who wrote the episodes crictised appeared on a videolink and defend the episodes saying that they were writing for a general audience. And then talking over a telephone line was the show's producer John Nathan-Turner who echoed the Baker's position. Chibnall started writing for Doctor Who in 2007 with the episode 42 which he admits on the DVD commentary for the episode is basically running around a space ship and makes reference to his Open Air appearance. We will have to wait for next year to see what Chris Chibnall brings to Doctor Who in the role of show runner.
The aforementioned clip can be seen on Youtube
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