If the doctor was stuck in the 18th century...

If you've read any of my blogs before you have picked up on the odd little hint that I am quite fond of a little show called Doctor Who? What's that? Obsessive? Maybe.

I first heard about the BBC3 version Casanova this term, from a friend who shares my appreciation of David Tennant's fine acting skills (read: pretty eyes). I heard about it again whilst reading Russell T. Davis's a writer’s tale, and once more while Tumbling... "That’s it", I decided, "I must watch it". So I have.

Casanova IS The Doctor. If I'd been sent to this show and given the preamble that The Doctor was stuck in 18th century Italy, without a companion, or his Tardis, so had renamed himself Casanova and was just going wait it out, I would full on believe it. I know David Tennant is a very capable actor, and can play more than the one part, as seen in Blackpool, and St Trinians 2 and Harry Potter. Likewise, Russell T. Davis is fully capable of writing more than the one character. The 9th doctor is completely different from the 10th. And yet Casanova is completely the same as The Doctor... even down to the way he says "Well..." (You know the way I mean :D)

I'd definitely recommend Casanova to grown up fans of Doctor Who (not one for the kids! Some very grown up scenes), even if they are not usually fans of period drama. It's written in a very modern way to make the characters very relatable to a current audience. Sort of reminds me of the way Desperate Romantics was written... but I think I'm the only person in the world who watched that. What can I say, Aiden Turner rox my sox.

P.S. Just watched the last episode. One of the characters says "Still running?" And I couldn't help but laugh my socks off. Can't be a coincidence. Will investigate further.

Mega Film Weekend: Part 1

I don't usually blog about the films I watch. I don't generally find myself with a lot to say about them, but this weekend is set to be pretty film packed, so I think a little blog might just be on the cards. If you're not interested in the films, I'll be talking about my X-factor predictions down at the bottom. Oh, and bit of Ugly Betty.

Film 1: Law Abiding Citizen. After realising there is ABSOLUTELY NOTHING on the television on a Friday night, my family and I decided a trip to the local DVD rental store was on the cards. Law Abiding Citizen was my Dad's choice of film. It probably wouldn't have been my first choice, but Dad was really excited about it, despite having seen it once already. It was a bit gory, which I wasn't really expecting. I can usually get past it by looking at what's going on from a make-up point of view, trying to figure out how the effect has been done, but there's one scene I really can't abide and it's in a lot of horror movies. It's the bloody warehouse look. Meat hooks, chains, rusty blades, blood splattered everywhere... urgh...
Anyways, before I shared my worst nightmare with you, I had a point. I was expecting a bit more of an intellectual thriller, and I got a dash more horror movie that I was expecting. They were a good mix, the plot was strong, and there's some good actors, so if you can handle the gore, this would be good for you, if not, watch Inception instead. In fact, watch Inception instead anyway. It's awesome.
Just my 2 cents (or 4 pennies :P) on Gerard Butler. Now, I've been told he's hot, but I don't see it! I don't want to be insulting, each to their own, but he looks like a builder! And not the Diet Coke style builders, British builders who stop every 5 minutes for a tea break, who take forever to finish a garage. He'd look better after a shower, a shave and a decent hair cut, but he'd still be far too rugged for me. But Emma loves him. She can have him. More Alex Day for me :P

Film 2: Nine. A joint choice between my mother and I (although she later tried to blame it all on me), was musical Nine. I was expecting something light-hearted, a little Moulin Rouge style. I was wrong. The musical numbers were good. Strong songs and innovative dance routines, but the plot holding them together was abysmal! I really didn't care about main character Guido, and the fact that he can't write a film (although I'm reading A Writers Tale by Russell T. Davis, and I am sick to death of whiny writers!) and I didn't care that he was sick, or if his wife caught him with his mistress. He had no depth and no feeling so I just couldn't empathise. For a film with such an impressive cast, the characters were pretty flat. Each actress had such little screen time, they could barely make in impression. Overall verdict? Watch Moulin Rouge instead.

Film 3: Salt. So I was getting towards the end of Nine, and considering giving up and going to bed, when the phone rang. Ended up going to the cinema to see Salt. It's not really my type of film. Action Spy kind of thing. I didn't really follow it. Too many characters and they get all mixed up. It didn't really help that by the time the film was at its peak, it had passed midnight, the cinema was warm, cosy and comfy and I think I might have dozed off... On a side note, I don't like Angelina Jolie... think I sympathise more with Jennifer Anniston.

TV! X Factor starts again tonight, so I'm hoping to get to see that. Is it starting a little early this year? I think so. Auditions are my favourite part of that show. I think you get some of the best performances, some of the most comedic performances and... well... some of the worst performances. Don't get me wrong, I'm not some evil person who takes joy from watching the pain of others (though I know people who do). No, the joy of the X-Factor is to watch it with other people and cringe at the terrible acts. I'm not sure yet whether I'll stick with it after auditions. I don't usually, but I did last year, just for Jedward. Controversial I know, but they were hilarious! Those boys know how to put on a show, but they just can't sing. I'd love to see them presenting children’s TV, or The X-tra Factor. They've got that kind of energy. They could be the new Ant and Dec or Sam and Mark.
Lastly, the new Season of Ugly Betty started last week. We've reached the last season and I've got a feeling it's not going to be good. They've looped back to the beginning, having Betty become an Editor and resume her "fish out of water" status, even bringing back her Poncho from Season 1. They've done everything on this show and now they are starting to re-use story lines. Only 4 seasons in! Probably a good job it's the last. When the series started there was much speculation over when Betty would get her "why Betty, behind those glasses, you're beautiful" moment. I get the feeling it's coming up soon. Last week started with Betty dreaming of getting her braces off, and in the second episode she gets a new pair of glasses. They've even starting transforming her in previous seasons, which they showed through Marks website of her outfits over the first 3 seasons. The taking off glasses thing really bugs me as a glasses wearer. Film makers seem to assume we wear glasses just for the hell of it, and someone taking them off for us on the way to The Prom will be absolutely fine! No! In reality I would spend the entire night squinting across the room trying to figure out if that person was a friend of mine, or a complete stranger. You can encourage someone to try contact lenses, but you can't just take their glasses away!

Coming Up: The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo, St Trinians 2, Whip It and maybe more :P

Breaking Torchwood News!

Just days after my last lot of Torchwood gossip, Starz have released more detail of their new characters and some teasing hints for the new series, due for release in Summer 2011. Warning... there may be spoilers ahead.

It starts with a synopsis of what the new series will be about. CIA agent Rex Matheson is investigating a global conspiracy which has something to do with the abandoned Torchwood headquarters leading him to search for the only surviving members, the missing Gwen and Jack. This in turn leads to creation of the new Torchwood Team. I quote "the threat is much closer to home, as they realise their greatest enemy is mankind itself"... The Threat from Within? Very Being Human :P Although the theme of the show has always been protecting the earth from aliens... will it lose something from a human threat?

It goes on to give a description of Captain Jack, presumably for those who are new to the series. Nothing new there. What bugs me is the sentence "The only thing that could call Jack Harkness back is his unstated love for Gwen Cooper"... too right it's unstated. I know he had a bit of an infatuation, but she's married to Reese now and he was perfectly happy with Ianto. Him being in "love" so soon would surely cheapen what he had with Ianto and upset a lot of fans. I'm not saying he shouldn't be his typical flirtatious self, but love? Sceptical.

Gwen has gone into hiding with Reese and baby Anwen. Anwen? It's certainly Welsh. "Gun in both hands, baby strapped to her chest, she'll run and fight and never give up". Umm... what? This isn't meant to be a spoof you know Starz. This is serious business!!! I really hope she doesn't end up taking the baby on missions. It's a cliché. "Maybe she loves Captain Jack Harkness just a little too much". Oh flipping heck. They are going to end up having an affair. I think I'll die. And not in the good way. I've always thought of Gwen as happily married.

Rex Matheson sounds like a total Mary-Sue. He's Harvard education, destined for success, seductive, charming, and loved, believes in justice, dangerous, dazzling, reckless, "the best friend (torchwood) could ever have" and "we wish we were him". I hate him already.

Source: http://gallifreynewsbase.blogspot.com/2010/08/torchwood-new-world_18.html

Torchwood Gossip

Just a few short days ago I finished ploughing through seasons 1 to 4 of Doctor Who on DVD and decided it was time to review what was coming up for the Who fans... not a lot to be honest. Russell has revealed that the filming for season 4 of Torchwood will start in January 2011. This means it will probably be shown on UK television during the summer of 2011... A whole two years after the Children of Earth miniseries was on. That's pretty much the same gap as the one between series 4 and 5 of Doctor Who, but whilst Doctor Who gave us specials to keep our interest, we've had nothing from Torchwood. I'm beginning to forget what even happened... JK!
Anyways, I've got the gossip for you. As you should know by now (If not, SPOILERS!), the majority of the Torchwood team as we know it, is dead (of course, this is the Doctor Who universe. They might not stay dead). We've been left with a heavily pregnant Gwen and an absent Captain Jack. Sources suggest the pair will return along with new regular Rex Matheson, a "CIA agent born to make waves with a wicked sense of humour". Sounds a little bit like Owen to me. Also seems the new team is going to be missing a lot of the geek element. More brawn, less brain... Shame. I like the brains. Other recurring characters include Esther Katusi, another CIA agent. Correct me if I'm wrong, but the CIA is an American organisation. Looks like at least two of our new regulars are American then... plus Captain Jack... no wonder they don't want to shoot in Cardiff. Although the roles aren't cast yet, and there's much chance for change before shooting starts. Also ongoing will be Oswald Jones "convicted murderer and paedophile". Certainly controversial... From what I've heard this new information just supports my worries about the collaboration between the BBC and US network "Starz"... only time will tell.

Frequently Asked Questions About Time Travel

I was dubious when I saw this on the i-player, thought it might have been a lengthy documentary about the practicalities and realities of time travel. It's just not as appealing when it's not quickly delivered by a skinny man with messy hair *Dr Who fantasy*. *ahem* Where was I?

Anyways, then I realised it was a film, made by the BBC. I'd never heard of it before, so naturally assumed it couldn't be much good. Then this morning I found myself with an hour and half to fill without much going on. I made myself a coffee and settled down to watch it.

What followed was a laughter filled 79 minutes has changed my view of British Cinema. Yes, it was low budget, yes, it was short, but it had heart! It's got some kind of big names in. Chris O'Dowd gives a great performance as Ray, the "imagineer" (read "Nerd") who lives his life wishing he was a Time Lord (sounds like someone I know...). He's a bit of an English stereotype, insecure and stuttery, never says the right thing, but he's IRISH! Nerdy and Irish. Super cute.

In contrast Anna Faris completely ripped apart the role of Cassie. You see, in the future, everyone is American (umm, dunno why). You might not know the name Anna Faris, but she's the girl from all the Scary Movie films, and My Super Ex-Girlfriend. She plays the typical dippy girl and completely over acts anything... you know, like every other film she's ever been in.

Of course there are a very limited number of actors in Britain, so if you've got any experience with BBC sci-fi (sorry Ray "Science Fiction") you'll recognise Dean Lennox Kelly as Tuly from Being Human, or Shakespeare from Doctor Who. He plays a similar character to Tuly. He's confident and mocks the others for their nerdiness.

Jamie Mathieson, the writer, also wrote an episode of Being Human (the one where George buys a cage and it gives him Tourettes), and it's a very similar kind of humour. You'll also enjoy this if you are a Doctor Who fan. It has the feel of one of those episodes of Doctor Who that is seen from someone outside the Tardis. Like "Love & Monsters", one of my favourite episodes.

There are some charming references to Star Wars, Narnia, Star Trek, Firefly and Terminator, which is nice for a geeky glowy feeling of togetherness... if you're into the geeky stuff. If not, you'll appreciate British humour similar to that of The Boat That Rocked or Four Weddings and Funeral. My brother’s watching it now and he’s laughing away. He’s no-where near as geeky as me. Worth a watch, and currently on the BBC I-Player :D