1. THE LORD OF THE RINGS TRILOGY (Peter Jackson, 2001/2002/2003)
2. MULHOLLAND DRIVE (David Lynch, 2001)
3. HANNIBAL (Ridley Scott, 2001)
4. AMERICAN PSYCHO (Mary Harron, 2000)
5. WALL-E (Andrew Stanton, 2008)
6. BATMAN BEGINS (Christopher Nolan, 2005)
7. AMELIE (Jean-Pierre Jeunet, 2001)
8. ZODIAC (David Fincher, 2007)
9. CHILDREN OF MEN (Alfonso Cuaron, 2006)
10. UP (Pete Docter and Bob Peterson, 2009)
11. PAN'S LABYRINTH (Guillermo Del Toro, 2006)
12. A HISTORY OF VIOLENCE (David Cronenberg, 2005)
13. MEMENTO (Christopher Nolan, 2000)
14. BLACK BOOK (Paul Verhoeven, 2006)
15. FINDING NEMO (Andrew Stanton and Lee Unkrich, 2003)
16. ATONEMENT (Joe Wright, 2007)
17. OLDBOY (Chan-wook Park, 2003)
18. THE BOURNE SUPREMACY (Paul Greengrass, 2004)
19. THE DESCENT (Neil Marshall, 2005)
20 MONSTERS, INC. (Pete Docter, David Silverman and Lee Unkrich)
Special "Jury Prize" for Film Fun: SERENITY (Joss Whedon, 2005)
Honourable mention: AUDITION (Takashi Miike, 1999) - released theatrically in the UK in 2001.
Thursday, 31 December 2009
BOOK BOOTY!
Just received "The Pixar Touch: The Making of a Company by David A. Price" (PB) in the post from Amazon UK. Should be a fascinating read :)
Wednesday, 30 December 2009
Tuesday, 29 December 2009
Monday, 28 December 2009
Friday, 25 December 2009
VIDEO GAME COLLECTION #??
Rock Band 2Platform: Wii
Region: UK (PAL)
Developer: Pi Studios
Publisher: MTV Games & EA
Retail Release: 9/10/2009
Wednesday, 23 December 2009
Monday, 21 December 2009
Friday, 18 December 2009
Monday, 14 December 2009
Sunday, 13 December 2009
TRUE BLOOD - SEASON 2
USA: Various Directors, 2009 (Created by Alan Ball)Another highly enjoyable horror inspired season. I particularly liked the attempts in the script to delve deeper into the vampire lore at the heart of the show and the glimpses of wider 'vamp' society. However, despite being initially intriguing I felt Season 2's main narrative arc, revolving around the 'demonic' possession of Sookie's home town, veered too much toward the absurd and laughable rather than genuinely scary.
However, it's in my blood now (groan!) so onto Season 3!
Score: 8/10
IMDB reference
Friday, 11 December 2009
DVD COLLECTION ??
ScroogedDirector: Richard Donner
DVD Release: 6/11/2006
Region: 2 (UK)
Label: Paramount
Thursday, 10 December 2009
DVD COLLECTION ??
Val Lewton Horror Collection6-disc set with Martin Scorsese Documentary
Director(s): Gunther von Fritsch, Jacques Tourneur, Kent Jones, Mark Robson and Robert Wise
DVD Release: 29/1/2008
Region: 1 (USA)
Label: Warner
This Box Set set contains:
- Cat People/The Curse of the Cat People
- I Walked with a Zombie/The Body Snatchers
- Isle of the Dead/Bedlam
- The Leopard Man/The Ghost Ship
- The Seventh Victim/Shadows in the Dark (Val Lewton documentary)
- Martin Scorsese presents Val Lewton (documentary)
Sunday, 6 December 2009
INSIDE THE FEAR FACTORY (DVD) ***
UK: Carl Daft and David Gregory - producers, Blue Underground, 2003
IMDB reference
IMDB reference
Wednesday, 2 December 2009
30 ROCK - SEASON 1 (8/10)
USA: Various Directors, 2006-2007 (Created by Tina Fey)Despite my initial doubts regarding whether this hit US Show would suit my comedic tastes, I am now a bona-fide 30 ROCK fan. In each episode Tina Fey has created a short (and regular) but oh so sweet package of easy entertainment sprinkled with some fantastic wit. Having recently completed watching the first season, I am delighted to know that more laughs await me with the likes of Liz Lemon, Tracy Jordan, Kenneth Parcell. Jack Donaghy and Jenna Maroney. In fact these characters are so amusingly conveyed in such a playful way that I now consider them as friends and the perfect week-night accompaniment to my evening meal.
IMDB reference
Tuesday, 1 December 2009
Wednesday, 25 November 2009
MAD MEN - SEASON 1 (7/10)
USA: Various Directors, 2007 (Created by Matthew Weiner)After what felt like ages, I've completed my screenings of MAD MEN - Season One. The production design of this show is authentically immaculate. However, for me it was a real case of style of substance until well over half-way through as I was left wondering what all the fuss was about after a few shows in. But I'm glad I stuck with it as the finale had me totally hooked. So yes a slow burner but ultimately a rewarding one with a great script and fine performances throughout.
IMDB reference
Monday, 23 November 2009
TALES FROM THE CRYPT - SEASON 1: DIG THAT CAT... HE'S REAL GONE (TV) **½
USA: Richard Donner, 1989
IMDB reference
IMDB reference
DVD COLLECTION ??
From Beyond The GraveDirector: Kevin Connor
DVD Release: 15/10/2007
Region: 2 (UK)
Label: Warner
Sunday, 22 November 2009
Saturday, 21 November 2009
DVD COLLECTION ??
Torture GardenDirector: Freddie Francis
DVD Release: 17/10/2005
Region: 2 (UK)
Label: Sony
Wednesday, 18 November 2009
Tuesday, 17 November 2009
Monday, 16 November 2009
Friday, 13 November 2009
DVD COLLECTION ??
Race To Freedom: The Story of the Underground Railroad (TV)Director: Don McBrearty
DVD Release: 3/2/2001
Region: 1 (USA)
Label: Xenon
Tuesday, 10 November 2009
DEAD SET (TV) ****
UK: Yann Demange, 2008Just watched Charlie Brooker's miniseries for Channel 4, 'DEAD SET'. Very impressive Romero inspired zombie horror. Rare quality genre TV!
IMDB reference
DVD COLLECTION ??
A Christmas Carol (TV)Director: Clive Donner
DVD Release: 6/11/2006
Region: 2 (UK)
Label: Fox
Sunday, 8 November 2009
Saturday, 7 November 2009
Friday, 6 November 2009
Wednesday, 4 November 2009
Monday, 2 November 2009
DVD COLLECTION ??
BraveheartBlu-ray 2-disc Collector's Edition
Director: Mel Gibson
Blu-ray Release: 2/11/2009
Region: B (UK)
Label: 20th Century Fox
Sunday, 1 November 2009
Saturday, 31 October 2009
Friday, 30 October 2009
VIDEO GAME COLLECTION #??
Wii Fit PlusPlatform: Wii
Region: UK (PAL)
Developer: Nintendo
Publisher: Nintendo
Retail Release: 30/10/2009
Thursday, 29 October 2009
Wednesday, 28 October 2009
Tuesday, 27 October 2009
Monday, 26 October 2009
Sunday, 25 October 2009
Friday, 23 October 2009
VIDEO GAME COLLECTION #??
Grand Theft Auto IVPlatform: PlayStation 3
Region: UK (PAL)
Developer: Rockstar
Publisher: Rockstar Games
Retail Release: 29/4/2008
Sunday, 18 October 2009
Saturday, 17 October 2009
Thursday, 15 October 2009
VIDEO GAME COLLECTION #??
Dead SpacePlatform: PlayStation 3
Region: UK (PAL)
Developer: Visceral Games
Publisher: EA
Retail Release: 14/10/2008
Wednesday, 14 October 2009
TRUE BLOOD - SEASON 1
USA: Various Directors, 2008 (Created by Alan Ball)Great cast, great script and a commitment to dark, adult themes. Fantastic opening season.
Score: 9/10
IMDB reference
Saturday, 10 October 2009
Friday, 9 October 2009
Thursday, 8 October 2009
VIDEO GAME COLLECTION #??
ScribblenautsPlatform: Nintendo DS
Region: USA (NTSC)
Developer: 5th Cell
Publisher: Warner Bros.
Retail Release: 15/9/2009
Wednesday, 7 October 2009
Sunday, 4 October 2009
Saturday, 3 October 2009
Friday, 2 October 2009
VIDEO GAME COLLECTION #??
FIFA 10Platform: PlayStation 3
Region: UK (PAL)
Developer: EA
Publisher: EA
Retail Release: 2/10/2009
Sunday, 27 September 2009
Friday, 25 September 2009
VIDEO GAME COLLECTION #??
Professor Layton And The Diabolical Box aka Professor Layton And Pandora's BoxPlatform: Nintendo DS
Region: USA (NTSC)
Developer: Level-5
Publisher: Nintendo
Retail Release: 24/8/2009
Thursday, 24 September 2009
Wednesday, 23 September 2009
Tuesday, 22 September 2009
BATTLESTAR GALACTICA - SEASON 1 (8/10)
USA/UK: Various Directors, 2004-2005 (Created by Glen A. Larson)After hearing so much hype around this series it could have easily left me cold. However, I soon found myself totally addicted to BSG and have managed to watch all 13 episodes of Season 1, including the Miniseries Pilot shows, in little over a week. The Season one finale was thrilling and it has left me breathless for the next season.
IMDB reference
Monday, 21 September 2009
Friday, 18 September 2009
VIDEO GAME COLLECTION #??
Guitar Hero 5Platform: Wii
Region: UK (PAL)
Developer: Vicarious Visions
Publisher: Activision, RedOctane
Retail Release: 11/9/2009
VIDEO GAME COLLECTION #??
Batman: Arkham AsylumPlatform: PlayStation
Region: UK (PAL)
Developer: Rocksteady Games
Publisher: Eidos Interactive, DC Entertainment, Warner Bros.
Retail Release: 28/08/2009
VIDEO GAME COLLECTION #??
BioShockPlatform: PlayStation
Region: UK (PAL)
Developer: 2K Games
Publisher: 2K Games
Retail Release: 17/10/2008
Sunday, 13 September 2009
ALIAS - SEASON 1
USA: Various Directors, 2001-2002 (Created by J. J. Abrams)I certainly enjoyed this first season of ALIAS and I am pleased I took the time to sit down and watch it. Jennifer Garner is very engaging with real screen presence. However, I must say that the show does straddle the fence of action-drama and plain nonsense. The 'Rambaldi' storyline is central to this whole season and I did find the more science-fiction inspired plotting at a jar with the more 24-lite espionage and action sequences. Anyway, it pack enough easily digestible and silly entertainment for me to commit to watching the next season.
Score: 7/10
IMDB reference
Saturday, 12 September 2009
Friday, 11 September 2009
Sunday, 6 September 2009
Saturday, 5 September 2009
Tuesday, 1 September 2009
VIDEO GAME COLLECTION #??
Walk With Me - Do You Know Your Walking Routine?Platform: Nintendo DS
Region: UK (PAL)
Developer: Nintendo/ Creatures Inc.
Publisher: Nintendo
Retail Release: 5/6/2009
THE WIRE - SEASON 3
USA: Various Directors, 2004 (Created by David Simon)Finished my watch through of THE WIRE Season 3. For my money the best season of this quality TV Show I've seen so far with some gripping drama and top notch acting. Stringer I'll miss you...
Score: 8/10
IMDB reference
Sunday, 30 August 2009
VIDEO GAME COLLECTION #??
Command & Conquer: Red Alert 3 - Ultimate EditionPlatform: PlayStation 3
Region: UK (PAL)
Developer: EA
Publisher: EA
Retail Release: 27/3/2009
VIDEO GAME COLLECTION #??
Uncharted: Drake's FortunePlatform: PlayStation 3
Region: UK (PAL)
Developer: Naughty Dog
Publisher: Sony
Retail Release: 7/12/2007
Saturday, 29 August 2009
Wednesday, 26 August 2009
Tuesday, 25 August 2009
VIDEO GAME COLLECTION #??
Battlefield 1943Platform: PSN
Region: UK (PAL)
Developer: EA
Publisher: EA
Retail Release: 9/7/2009
Sunday, 23 August 2009
MYSTERY SOLVED!
I've finally completed the quite excellent Professor Layton and the Curious Village. For my money this is the pinnacle of gaming offered on Nintendo DS. Really looking forward to the forthcoming sequel due for release next month.
Friday, 21 August 2009
Thursday, 20 August 2009
NO INTRODUCTION NECESSARY
The better half treated me to a welcome surprise today. INFAMOUS for PS3. Played an hour or so far - gripping 'Heroes' vibe.
VIDEO GAME COLLECTION #??
InFamousPlatform: PlayStation 3
Region: UK (PAL)
Developer: Sucker Punch Productions
Publisher: Sony
Retail Release: 29/5/2009
DOLLHOUSE - SEASON 1
USA: Various Directors, 2009 (Created by Joss Whedon)I've been working my way through Joss Whedon's latest television show DOLLHOUSE over the past few months. Having finally seen both the unaired Pilot episode "Echo" and the postponed/unaired finale episode "Epitaph One" I'm happy to say that this was one of the best - albeit flawed - new TV shows I've seen in years.
DOLLHOUSE has an engaging premise and showcases some fine acting talent to deliver Whedon's sublime dialogue. Ok, it is no FIREFLY but it marks a strong entry in original science-fiction drama. I'm definitely looking forward to the recently announced second season as after a few decidedly average episodes this opening season was excellent.
To be perfectly honest, DOLLHOUSE season finale "Epitaph One" was both bold and baffling. It didn't feel part of the rest of the aired episodes. Whilst I can only admire Joss Whedon's confidence to take risks, I am surprised he would move the story arc in such a new direction this early in the development of the programme. I also think there was more mileage to be wrought out of the 'brainwashed operatives' evolution of self-awareness and the existence of the 'Dollhouse conspiracy'. What now for Season 2? A near-future set dystopia with the titular 'Dollhouse' of the title no more? The rag band of fugitives introduced in this final episode certainly provided a telling self-referential nod towards FIREFLY!
Score: 8/10
IMDB reference
Wednesday, 19 August 2009
Wii Sports Resort - High Scores - Basketball
I've just achieved some new high scores in some of my favourite events - YES!
Event: Basketball
Game Mode: 3-Point Contest
Score: 26 (new personal best)
Comments: Yes, I shoot to the top of the leader boards and lay claim to best Wii Sports Resort Basketball player in our house!
Event: Basketball
Game Mode: 3-Point Contest
Score: 26 (new personal best)
Comments: Yes, I shoot to the top of the leader boards and lay claim to best Wii Sports Resort Basketball player in our house!
Wii Sports Resort - High Scores - Frisbee
Event: Frisbee
Game Mode: Frisbee Dog
Score: 1300 (new personal best)
Comments: Eat my circular disc of plastic one and all!
Game Mode: Frisbee Dog
Score: 1300 (new personal best)
Comments: Eat my circular disc of plastic one and all!
Wii Sports Resort - High Scores - Power Cruising
Event: Power Cruising
Game Mode: Slalom Course Beach
Score: 200.5 (new personal best)
Comments: I'm improving slowly. Great event to play this one.
Game Mode: Slalom Course Beach
Score: 200.5 (new personal best)
Comments: I'm improving slowly. Great event to play this one.
Tuesday, 18 August 2009
24 - SEASON 7
USA: Various Directors, 2009 (Created by Joel Surnow and Robert Cochran)I've recently been gorging myself on the latest season of 24. Yes, the show has certainly eroded its once cutting-edge premise of taking place over twenty-four hours with events unfolding in real-time but hey it is slick entertainment in an addictive package.
This season (I've only got the season finale to go now) has been a tremendous ride with Jack his moody and explosive best at its heart. Not only has the season's first half got a blistering pace, the supporting cast captures an impressive balance of old and new faces (as for the latter Annie Wersching and Jeffrey Nordling a.ka. Michael Douglas dead ringer are both great). As the episodes have come and gone this group of characters have really knitted well - far better than in previous years. The obligatory lunacy plot-wise has been turned up to eleven and the Tony Almeida dance between good/bad guy setting a new head-slappingly silly high. But, for at least it's fun again.
I had given 24 a long berth up until my better half introduced me to the show a few years back. At that point she was up to Season 4 and she kindly went back to the beginning and we have watched each season 1 through 6.
Then came 24: Redemption, a decidedly average, if plain dull, feature length story linking the events of Season 6 with the new seventh season. If anything, 24: Redemption stopped my waning enthusiasm point blank. I had sat through the sublime highs of Season 1 and 2 (well the first half at any rate, which ranks as the most satisfyingly realised story arc in the whole 24 canon in my opinion). Then came the middling and stuttering efforts of Seasons 3 and 4. By Season 5, the whole thing was starting to get too rich for my palette and then Season 6 brought me back in to appreciate the pure entertainment and engaging drama 24 can rustle up when your not expecting it.
However, like I said before, the move length episode was just too damn bland for me to stomach. So I decided to take a break from 24 and didn't watch the show when it originally aired. Taking my time to come back to the table for another blockbuster helping with my expectations at an all-time low. This trick worked with 24: Redemption as having finally managing to sit through the whole thing now, I realise it was adequate rather than a total failure. I feel this is the thing with 24. On the one hand it lends itself, like much 'TV on DVD', to marathon viewing sessions but can actually reward the viewer for taking a much needed break for oxygen between seasons.
In case of 24 Season 7, my theory has proven correct. The more ridiculous aspects of the season's lurches from one plot-line to another would have angered and annoyed me straight off the back of an overdose of the show. However, since I've not thought about 24 for a significant amount of time, I've been able to overlook the flaws and just enjoy the ride. My girlfriend's evident delight in watching anywhere between four to eight episodes a day over the past couple of weeks has no doubt contributed to my upbeat assessment.
Bring on the finale!
Update: Having now seen the season finale I would say overall the season was strong and enjoyable. The last episode served up some more nonsensical twists and turns but it also had a nod to a deeper thematic resolution in regards to Jack's 'deathbed confession'. The season also offered fleeting moments of emotional drama which were genuinely affecting.
Score: 8/10
IMDB reference
Wii Sports Resort - High Scores - Wakeboarding
Event: Wakeboarding
Difficulty: Beginner
Score: 1630 (new personal best)
Comments: People are getting over 3,000 on this event (Colin and Jack I'm talking about you) I must be doing something wrong! Good to finally beat the missus at something though, lol!
Difficulty: Beginner
Score: 1630 (new personal best)
Comments: People are getting over 3,000 on this event (Colin and Jack I'm talking about you) I must be doing something wrong! Good to finally beat the missus at something though, lol!
Wii Sports Resort - High Scores - Power Cruising
Event: Power Cruising
Game Mode: Slalom Course Beach
Score: 198.9
Comments: Reminiscent of Wave Race 64 and all the better for it. Controls are excellent.
Game Mode: Slalom Course Beach
Score: 198.9
Comments: Reminiscent of Wave Race 64 and all the better for it. Controls are excellent.
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