Jodie for the BAFTA
When awards season comes round next year one performance should been taken notice, Jodie Comer as Russian assassin Villene. What could have been a standard femme fatale role (just think of the numerous bad ladies who think they have James Bond number but it turns he has theirs) is given a fresh spin by Comer. She gives her role an almost child like out look which her actions all the more unsettling. One example being when Villene concocts a perfume designed to bring out a fatal asthma attack, when the murder is carried out Villene just watches and says to her victim 'Bye bye'. Comer's co-star Sandra Oh was nominated for an Emmy but lost to Clarie Foy for The Crown but in my view Comer should win the Best TV Drama Actress award for her Killing Eve role.
Sunday, 30 September 2018
Thursday, 27 September 2018
Best of: The Professionals
Martin Shaw and Lewis Collins are Ray Doyle and William Bodie who under the command of Gordon Jackson's George Cowley are agents of CI5 all forms of bad guys. These are the ten best episodes.
1. Runner
A terrorist seeks revenge on Doyle for the death of his brother by planning to unleash chaos on the streets of London. The terrorist is played by Michael Kitchen nowadays best known for his role as the noble Christopher Foyle in Foyle's War.
2. The Ojuka Situation
Bodie and Doyle find themselves assigned to the protection of a disposed African (played Clarke Peters) leader but find that they may some one close the leader who working those who want to kill him. Playing the leader of a group of South African hitmen is Charles Dance
3. Stopover
A missing presumed dead British agent reappears. He comes with news of a high ranking KGB agent wishing to defect. But are things as they seem
4. Heroes
A group of have a go heroes find themselves marked for death by the hitmen whose latest killing they interrupted. Bodie and Doyle work with an unstable agent to stop them.
5. The Purging of CI5
The bombing of Cowley's own office signals the start of a wave of deadly bombing against CI5 itself. The motive goes back to Cowley's past
6. A Man Called Quinn
Quinn a British agent left mentally broken by years of torture breaks out of the alysunm where he is being treated leading to Bodie and Doyle to go on his trail. Steven Berkoff plays a Soviet bad guy just like Octopussy and Rambo: First Blood Part II
7. Hijack
A crime boss leans of a forgien government making sercertive shipment from one of it's embassy workers. So he decide to help himself and end coming to CI5's attention
8. Blood Sports
When the son of South American dictator is killed. Bodie and Doyle are assigned to protect the sister. Doyle ends up falling for her. Featuring an early appearance by Pierce Brosnan
9. First Night
An Israeli government official is kidnapped in broad daylight. However the kidnappers have non political demands
10. Spy Probe
Retired British agents are targeted for death by hitmen. Bodie and Doyle find that a mole in the highest echelons of British Intelligence is covering his tracks.
Martin Shaw and Lewis Collins are Ray Doyle and William Bodie who under the command of Gordon Jackson's George Cowley are agents of CI5 all forms of bad guys. These are the ten best episodes.
1. Runner
A terrorist seeks revenge on Doyle for the death of his brother by planning to unleash chaos on the streets of London. The terrorist is played by Michael Kitchen nowadays best known for his role as the noble Christopher Foyle in Foyle's War.
2. The Ojuka Situation
Bodie and Doyle find themselves assigned to the protection of a disposed African (played Clarke Peters) leader but find that they may some one close the leader who working those who want to kill him. Playing the leader of a group of South African hitmen is Charles Dance
3. Stopover
A missing presumed dead British agent reappears. He comes with news of a high ranking KGB agent wishing to defect. But are things as they seem
4. Heroes
A group of have a go heroes find themselves marked for death by the hitmen whose latest killing they interrupted. Bodie and Doyle work with an unstable agent to stop them.
5. The Purging of CI5
The bombing of Cowley's own office signals the start of a wave of deadly bombing against CI5 itself. The motive goes back to Cowley's past
6. A Man Called Quinn
Quinn a British agent left mentally broken by years of torture breaks out of the alysunm where he is being treated leading to Bodie and Doyle to go on his trail. Steven Berkoff plays a Soviet bad guy just like Octopussy and Rambo: First Blood Part II
7. Hijack
A crime boss leans of a forgien government making sercertive shipment from one of it's embassy workers. So he decide to help himself and end coming to CI5's attention
8. Blood Sports
When the son of South American dictator is killed. Bodie and Doyle are assigned to protect the sister. Doyle ends up falling for her. Featuring an early appearance by Pierce Brosnan
9. First Night
An Israeli government official is kidnapped in broad daylight. However the kidnappers have non political demands
10. Spy Probe
Retired British agents are targeted for death by hitmen. Bodie and Doyle find that a mole in the highest echelons of British Intelligence is covering his tracks.
Tuesday, 18 September 2018
Sunday, 16 September 2018
Dudley Sutton (1933-2018)
The death has been announced of the Dudley Sutton. Over the course of his career he racked up many notable credits. Probably the most famous of them being Tinker cohort and mentor to the titular character in the TV series Lovejoy starring Ian MacShane. They were guest spots in the likes of The Saint, Porridge, The Sweeney to name just a few. His film credits include Ken Russell's contervisal The Devils. There are 3 productions that Sutton worked on still awaiting public distribution including a modern day version of A Midsummer's Night Dream. With his unique features and talent to back it up Dudley Sutton was an unforgettable presence.
Dudley Sutton R.I.P.
The death has been announced of the Dudley Sutton. Over the course of his career he racked up many notable credits. Probably the most famous of them being Tinker cohort and mentor to the titular character in the TV series Lovejoy starring Ian MacShane. They were guest spots in the likes of The Saint, Porridge, The Sweeney to name just a few. His film credits include Ken Russell's contervisal The Devils. There are 3 productions that Sutton worked on still awaiting public distribution including a modern day version of A Midsummer's Night Dream. With his unique features and talent to back it up Dudley Sutton was an unforgettable presence.
Dudley Sutton R.I.P.
Saturday, 15 September 2018
No longer watching Brother any more.
After a period of speculation Channel 5 has confirmed that it is dropping Big Brother. The station picked up the show after Channel 4 dropped it in 2010. Some cynics said it was because then C5 owner Richard Desmond needed content for another of his outlets the Daily Star newspaper. The recent celebrity hit the headlines over a bust up between 2 of the house mates. The announcement was made on the day on what will be the final series started. Endemol the production company that makes Big Brother have said they hope to find an new home for the show though that remains to be seen.
After a period of speculation Channel 5 has confirmed that it is dropping Big Brother. The station picked up the show after Channel 4 dropped it in 2010. Some cynics said it was because then C5 owner Richard Desmond needed content for another of his outlets the Daily Star newspaper. The recent celebrity hit the headlines over a bust up between 2 of the house mates. The announcement was made on the day on what will be the final series started. Endemol the production company that makes Big Brother have said they hope to find an new home for the show though that remains to be seen.
Wednesday, 12 September 2018
Henry may not be super anymore
Reports have emerged that Henry Cavill may be no longer playing the Kal-El the last son of Krypton otherwise better known as Superman. He first played the role in 2013's Man of Steel which was followed by Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice and the following year's Justice League. The latter 2 suffered from negative critical reactions, the latter from having to use CG to cove Cavill's facial hair that he grown for his role in Mission Impossible: Fallout. The next bid film to be based on a DC Comics is Aquaman starring Jason Momoa out this December.
Reports have emerged that Henry Cavill may be no longer playing the Kal-El the last son of Krypton otherwise better known as Superman. He first played the role in 2013's Man of Steel which was followed by Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice and the following year's Justice League. The latter 2 suffered from negative critical reactions, the latter from having to use CG to cove Cavill's facial hair that he grown for his role in Mission Impossible: Fallout. The next bid film to be based on a DC Comics is Aquaman starring Jason Momoa out this December.
Tuesday, 11 September 2018
TV ratings 10-09-2018
Last night saw the lunch of 2 heavily promoted drama production. ITV's Hong Kong set Thriller Strangers was seen by just over 4 million viewers meanwhile BBC2's Black Earth Rising which dealt with the weighty topic of the Rwanda genocide was seen by just over a million viewers. It seems that BBC1's Bodyguard is more than satisfying viewer drama demands. The next big drama launch is BBC1's Killing Eve which has already gone out in the US and earned one of the stars Sandra Oh an Emmy nomination.
Last night saw the lunch of 2 heavily promoted drama production. ITV's Hong Kong set Thriller Strangers was seen by just over 4 million viewers meanwhile BBC2's Black Earth Rising which dealt with the weighty topic of the Rwanda genocide was seen by just over a million viewers. It seems that BBC1's Bodyguard is more than satisfying viewer drama demands. The next big drama launch is BBC1's Killing Eve which has already gone out in the US and earned one of the stars Sandra Oh an Emmy nomination.
Monday, 10 September 2018
TV Ratings 09-09-2018
BBC1's Bodyguard continued it's impressive run with over 7 million viewers. Meanwhile ITV's Vanity Fair was seen by less than 3 million viewers, one effect of it's failure is that it could jeopardised a future production of Pride and Prejudice being made by the same production company.
BBC1's Bodyguard continued it's impressive run with over 7 million viewers. Meanwhile ITV's Vanity Fair was seen by less than 3 million viewers, one effect of it's failure is that it could jeopardised a future production of Pride and Prejudice being made by the same production company.
Sunday, 9 September 2018
The curious career of Hugo Blick
Starting on Monday night on BBC2 is Black Earth Rising a drama about the genocide in Rwanda, the cast includes John Goodman. It is written and directed by Hugo Blick who has a varied career to say the least. He started out as an actor where one of his first roles was in 1989's Batman where he played the young Jack Napier who in adulthood becomes The Joker as played by Jack Nicholson. However in 1997 Blick stepped behind the camera to co-write, direct and produced Operation Good Guys which pioneered the mockumentary genre that was popularised by The Office. Following a special Police unit Operation Good Guys is a bit more outlandish than those that followed in it's path both in terms of plot (the team have to deal with a cult the forbids the use of toilets) and celebrity cameos including as themselves Jude Law and Johnny Lee Miller follow the team for an upcoming film. Blick followed this Marion and Geoff where Rob Brydon played the titular Geoff a taxi driver who video records his memories of his failed marriage. Then came Blicks turn to more dramatic territory with Sensitive Skin starring Joanna Lumley as a woman going through life changing events. This was followed by the crime drama The Shadow Line. And prior to Black Earth Rising there was The Honourable Woman starring Maggie Gyllenhaal which centred on the Israel-Palestine situation. And now with Black Earth Rising Blick adds to his varied resume.
Starting on Monday night on BBC2 is Black Earth Rising a drama about the genocide in Rwanda, the cast includes John Goodman. It is written and directed by Hugo Blick who has a varied career to say the least. He started out as an actor where one of his first roles was in 1989's Batman where he played the young Jack Napier who in adulthood becomes The Joker as played by Jack Nicholson. However in 1997 Blick stepped behind the camera to co-write, direct and produced Operation Good Guys which pioneered the mockumentary genre that was popularised by The Office. Following a special Police unit Operation Good Guys is a bit more outlandish than those that followed in it's path both in terms of plot (the team have to deal with a cult the forbids the use of toilets) and celebrity cameos including as themselves Jude Law and Johnny Lee Miller follow the team for an upcoming film. Blick followed this Marion and Geoff where Rob Brydon played the titular Geoff a taxi driver who video records his memories of his failed marriage. Then came Blicks turn to more dramatic territory with Sensitive Skin starring Joanna Lumley as a woman going through life changing events. This was followed by the crime drama The Shadow Line. And prior to Black Earth Rising there was The Honourable Woman starring Maggie Gyllenhaal which centred on the Israel-Palestine situation. And now with Black Earth Rising Blick adds to his varied resume.
Friday, 7 September 2018
Before Alec as Donald there was Peter
Alec Bladwin is currently receiving plaudits for his impression of US President Donald Trump British actor/performer Peter Serafinowicz did an even better one. Peter had a sketch show that ran for one series on BBC2 in 2007. One sketch had the future President firing contestants on reality show The Apprentice with the words 'I hope you get cancer' in his usual abrasive manner. Other sketches in the show include Herclue Poirot and Miss Marple enjoying a torrid affair, Noel Edmonds fighting off a zombie and the World's worst lawyer. You will probably will have to hunt around to find a DVD copy of The Peter Serafinowicz Show but if you do find one you will be in for a very long time laughing.
Alec Bladwin is currently receiving plaudits for his impression of US President Donald Trump British actor/performer Peter Serafinowicz did an even better one. Peter had a sketch show that ran for one series on BBC2 in 2007. One sketch had the future President firing contestants on reality show The Apprentice with the words 'I hope you get cancer' in his usual abrasive manner. Other sketches in the show include Herclue Poirot and Miss Marple enjoying a torrid affair, Noel Edmonds fighting off a zombie and the World's worst lawyer. You will probably will have to hunt around to find a DVD copy of The Peter Serafinowicz Show but if you do find one you will be in for a very long time laughing.
Thursday, 6 September 2018
Wednesday, 5 September 2018
Who is going to Sunday
After much speculation it has been confirmed that the next series of Doctor Who will going out on Sunday. For many the show has always been a Saturday night staple though there have been 2 spells in the 1980s when it went out on week nights. Between 1982-84 for the whole of Peter Davison's reign and the start of Colin Baker's saw it go out twice, this was trial run for a future soap that in the end turned out to be Eastenders. However the next time time it happened was far more contervisal and still rankles with Whovians to this day, Sylvester McCoy for his entire reign found himself against Coronation Street when it was at it's ratings peak. Some fans claim this was a ploy to justify the axing of the show. In 1989 what is known as Classic Who ended and for 16 years (apart from 1996 TV movie and a couple of charity specials) Doctor Who was off TV screens. No new as yet on what time it is going out but given the current weak ITV line up on that night should offer some hope.
After much speculation it has been confirmed that the next series of Doctor Who will going out on Sunday. For many the show has always been a Saturday night staple though there have been 2 spells in the 1980s when it went out on week nights. Between 1982-84 for the whole of Peter Davison's reign and the start of Colin Baker's saw it go out twice, this was trial run for a future soap that in the end turned out to be Eastenders. However the next time time it happened was far more contervisal and still rankles with Whovians to this day, Sylvester McCoy for his entire reign found himself against Coronation Street when it was at it's ratings peak. Some fans claim this was a ploy to justify the axing of the show. In 1989 what is known as Classic Who ended and for 16 years (apart from 1996 TV movie and a couple of charity specials) Doctor Who was off TV screens. No new as yet on what time it is going out but given the current weak ITV line up on that night should offer some hope.
Tuesday, 4 September 2018
TV ratings 03-09-2018
The second episode of ITV's Vanity Fair was watched by under 3 million viewers. This is some what of an embarrassment for the broadcaster given the heavy promotion they gave the production. With 5 more episodes to go ITV have given BBC1 an open goal. Vanity Fair may go down as a proper vanity project as ITV controller Kevin Lygo said one of the reasons he commissioned the production was the novel was one of his Mum's favourites!
The second episode of ITV's Vanity Fair was watched by under 3 million viewers. This is some what of an embarrassment for the broadcaster given the heavy promotion they gave the production. With 5 more episodes to go ITV have given BBC1 an open goal. Vanity Fair may go down as a proper vanity project as ITV controller Kevin Lygo said one of the reasons he commissioned the production was the novel was one of his Mum's favourites!
Monday, 3 September 2018
TV ratings 02-09-2018
Last night saw a clash of 2 heavily hyped dramas however there was only 1 winner. BBC1's thriller Bodyguard was seen by 6 and a half million viewers while ITV's period drama Vanity Fair was watched by barley over 3 million. This is some what of an embarrassment for ITV giving the heavy promotion they gave to their production. The second episode of Vanity Fair goes out tonigtht faces some what easier factual opposition on BBC1. Weather or not Vanity Fair can stage a ratings come back remains to be seen.
Last night saw a clash of 2 heavily hyped dramas however there was only 1 winner. BBC1's thriller Bodyguard was seen by 6 and a half million viewers while ITV's period drama Vanity Fair was watched by barley over 3 million. This is some what of an embarrassment for ITV giving the heavy promotion they gave to their production. The second episode of Vanity Fair goes out tonigtht faces some what easier factual opposition on BBC1. Weather or not Vanity Fair can stage a ratings come back remains to be seen.
Sunday, 2 September 2018
How many times Becky?
Tonight ITV will showing the first episode of it's adaptation's of William Thackeray's novel Vanity Fair, the tale of social climber Becky Sharp. This will be the fourth screen version of the novel in 31 years, prior to this year's ITV version the BBC made it for TV in both 1987 and 1998 while there was a big screen version starring Reese Witherspoon. Why some pieces of text get made over and over and again tends to get the same answer, it has something to about the day they were made. Now in the 1980s you could make the case of equating Becky with the Prime Minister of the Margaret Thatcher but other than that it seems just tired thinking. Here is a thought to finish on it has taken over a century after it was first published for a period accurate version of H G Wells classic War of the Worlds even with the advances of VFX in the last 30 years.
Tonight ITV will showing the first episode of it's adaptation's of William Thackeray's novel Vanity Fair, the tale of social climber Becky Sharp. This will be the fourth screen version of the novel in 31 years, prior to this year's ITV version the BBC made it for TV in both 1987 and 1998 while there was a big screen version starring Reese Witherspoon. Why some pieces of text get made over and over and again tends to get the same answer, it has something to about the day they were made. Now in the 1980s you could make the case of equating Becky with the Prime Minister of the Margaret Thatcher but other than that it seems just tired thinking. Here is a thought to finish on it has taken over a century after it was first published for a period accurate version of H G Wells classic War of the Worlds even with the advances of VFX in the last 30 years.
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