Friday, 29 April 2011
Thursday, 28 April 2011
Sunday, 24 April 2011
My Mysterious Doctor Poster
QMX have released the poster featured in the premiere ep of the new Dr Who series. Not sure I would want it on my wall but hey I guess many would:)
QMX Website
QMX Website
Friday, 22 April 2011
Tron & Tron Legacy
Tron & Tron Legacy
Welcome to my mini-reviews (minor spoilers) and comparison piece for Tron and Tron Legacy two movies which I watched over the weekend on Blu-ray.
We'll kick off with the original Tron which was released back in 1982 starring Jeff Bridges, Bruce Boxleitner and David Warner. It tells the story of Kevin Flynn who while trying to prove his video games were stolen by Ed Dillinger provokes a response from an AI (Master Control Program) which brings him into it's domain. In this world programs are self aware and operate in a social structure and currently the society in fashioned as a totalitarian regime where individual freedoms are removed and dissidents sacrificed in the games.
Kevin in the guise of a "user" befriends the creation of Alan Bradley (Bruce) named Tron a program designed to oversee everything including the Master Control Program and while on the gaming grid they along with Ram played by Dan Shor escape and endeavour to confront and finally eradicate the hold the MCP has over this world.
Tron was released by Disney and directed by Steven Lisberger and at the time was a major step forward in the use of computer animation in movies infact it pushed the limits of what was possible and while it's certainly aged if you can look beyond the issues with merging live actors and CGI it still an impressive piece of work.
Tron Legacy was released last year and despite the long gap between the two movies was able to bridge it very easily and it certainly helped that Jeff and Bruce were able to reprise their roles and the use of cutting edge image manipulation to bring us a "young" Jeff Bridges in the role of "Clu" added something special. In this movie Flynn vanished a couple of decades ago and the Encom corporation has slowly turned into a corporate money grabbing machine despite the best efforts of Alan Bradley and the annual monkey wrench antics of Sam Flynn played by Garrett Hedlund. In the real world time has moved on and in the computer realm a revolution has happened thanks to the influence of Flynn and his constructs but ultimately their system has been corrupted in the same way Encom has been and Flynn unable to "escape" has watched it happen. Sam Flynn in just a unlikely manner as his dad is taken into the electronic world and as before is put on the grid to fight and probably die but he is a "user" and adapts quickly and breaks the stalemate between the opposing forces in this world.
The added ingredient of Quorra played by Olivia Wilde brings more depth to the story and at least partially explains how Flynn senior thought he could changed the world, both worlds in fact and together father and son fight to escape and prevent the invasion of the human world.
Tron Legacy has a much larger ensemble cast than Tron along with those already mentioned we have notable actors namely James Frain ( Jarvis) and Michael Sheen (Zuse) and is infact a much larger movie in terms of scope and story and it goes without saying that it maintains the reputation of the franchise for pushing back the boundaries of what is possible.
One area where is certainly sets the standard is the Daft Punk soundtrack which quite frankly is the best collection of music I've heard and yes owned in years, it is a masterpiece of creation.
To summarise I enjoyed both movies but I have to say that I prefer the original Tron in terms of the story telling, while it is perhaps more basic it's done better and makes more sense than Legacy. On the flipside there is no denying the visual and auditory excellent of Legacy but I don't think it sells it's narrative well enough but I have hopes for a sequel, that could be very special given the groundwork which has been laid.
Welcome to my mini-reviews (minor spoilers) and comparison piece for Tron and Tron Legacy two movies which I watched over the weekend on Blu-ray.
We'll kick off with the original Tron which was released back in 1982 starring Jeff Bridges, Bruce Boxleitner and David Warner. It tells the story of Kevin Flynn who while trying to prove his video games were stolen by Ed Dillinger provokes a response from an AI (Master Control Program) which brings him into it's domain. In this world programs are self aware and operate in a social structure and currently the society in fashioned as a totalitarian regime where individual freedoms are removed and dissidents sacrificed in the games.
Kevin in the guise of a "user" befriends the creation of Alan Bradley (Bruce) named Tron a program designed to oversee everything including the Master Control Program and while on the gaming grid they along with Ram played by Dan Shor escape and endeavour to confront and finally eradicate the hold the MCP has over this world.
Tron was released by Disney and directed by Steven Lisberger and at the time was a major step forward in the use of computer animation in movies infact it pushed the limits of what was possible and while it's certainly aged if you can look beyond the issues with merging live actors and CGI it still an impressive piece of work.
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Tron Legacy was released last year and despite the long gap between the two movies was able to bridge it very easily and it certainly helped that Jeff and Bruce were able to reprise their roles and the use of cutting edge image manipulation to bring us a "young" Jeff Bridges in the role of "Clu" added something special. In this movie Flynn vanished a couple of decades ago and the Encom corporation has slowly turned into a corporate money grabbing machine despite the best efforts of Alan Bradley and the annual monkey wrench antics of Sam Flynn played by Garrett Hedlund. In the real world time has moved on and in the computer realm a revolution has happened thanks to the influence of Flynn and his constructs but ultimately their system has been corrupted in the same way Encom has been and Flynn unable to "escape" has watched it happen. Sam Flynn in just a unlikely manner as his dad is taken into the electronic world and as before is put on the grid to fight and probably die but he is a "user" and adapts quickly and breaks the stalemate between the opposing forces in this world.
The added ingredient of Quorra played by Olivia Wilde brings more depth to the story and at least partially explains how Flynn senior thought he could changed the world, both worlds in fact and together father and son fight to escape and prevent the invasion of the human world.
Tron Legacy has a much larger ensemble cast than Tron along with those already mentioned we have notable actors namely James Frain ( Jarvis) and Michael Sheen (Zuse) and is infact a much larger movie in terms of scope and story and it goes without saying that it maintains the reputation of the franchise for pushing back the boundaries of what is possible.
One area where is certainly sets the standard is the Daft Punk soundtrack which quite frankly is the best collection of music I've heard and yes owned in years, it is a masterpiece of creation.
To summarise I enjoyed both movies but I have to say that I prefer the original Tron in terms of the story telling, while it is perhaps more basic it's done better and makes more sense than Legacy. On the flipside there is no denying the visual and auditory excellent of Legacy but I don't think it sells it's narrative well enough but I have hopes for a sequel, that could be very special given the groundwork which has been laid.
Tuesday, 19 April 2011
Elisabeth Sladen RIP
Elisabeth Sladen best known for her role in the classic Dr Who and later The Sarah Jane Adventures died today at the age of 63, it is believed to have been the result of a long term illness.
BBC News
I remember her alongside John Pertwee (my first Dr) and she crossed over to the uber Tom Baker, her return to the series was an excellent step and while I never really got into her show it was popular and got critical acclaim for CBBC, she will be missed.
BBC News
I remember her alongside John Pertwee (my first Dr) and she crossed over to the uber Tom Baker, her return to the series was an excellent step and while I never really got into her show it was popular and got critical acclaim for CBBC, she will be missed.
Sunday, 17 April 2011
Gatecast 80 "Chain Reaction"
Yes the latest episode from myself and Alan is out in the wild and covers the 15th episode of the fourth season of Stargate namely "Chain Reaction". Have a listen and let us know what you think about the podcast and/or the episode, we'll always try to use any feedback, it's so rare it's highly valued:)
The Gatecast
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| Thanks to GateWorld for the image |
The Gatecast
SyFy summer shows
The US SyFy channel has announced the dates when Eureka, Warehouse 13 and their new show Alphas will come to the small screen. At 80pm on Monday July the 11th Eureka (4.5) will debut followed at 9pm by W13 and then at 10pm the series premiere of Alphas.
I have to say that's a solid lineup for the channel with shows that have a strong following in both male and female demographics, as always they will do a lot better than other Syfy shows have thanks to the weaker network linups over the summer months.
I have to say that's a solid lineup for the channel with shows that have a strong following in both male and female demographics, as always they will do a lot better than other Syfy shows have thanks to the weaker network linups over the summer months.
Saturday, 16 April 2011
Friday, 15 April 2011
Pax Romana - Sneak Peek - Sanctuary-New Episodes
Pax Romana - Sneak Peek - Sanctuary-New Episodes: "Watch a sneak peek of the next all-new episode of Sanctuary. New Episodes start Friday April 15 at 10/9c."
Monday, 11 April 2011
Amber Benson
Amber and Patrick Rothfuss (Name of the Wind) read a sex scene from Ambers novel infront of an audience, very funny:)
Sunday, 10 April 2011
TV - News - Robert Sheehan not returning to 'Misfits'
TV - News - Robert Sheehan not returning to 'Misfits'
Digital Spy and other sites are reporting the news that Robert will not be appearing in
the third season of Misfits. Now the shows writing is pretty strong and it's only a 6
or 7 ep season but there is no doubt that the character of Nathan is the heart and
soul of the show.
A new character is being cast and I'll be tuning in but fear the worse given that story
after the second second finale was getting a major re-jig anyway.
Digital Spy and other sites are reporting the news that Robert will not be appearing in
the third season of Misfits. Now the shows writing is pretty strong and it's only a 6
or 7 ep season but there is no doubt that the character of Nathan is the heart and
soul of the show.
A new character is being cast and I'll be tuning in but fear the worse given that story
after the second second finale was getting a major re-jig anyway.
Monday, 4 April 2011
Sunday, 3 April 2011
GetGlue - Digger Sticker
There are a few stickers offered by GetGlue and their partners that you just want. Now I am a fan of Nascar and even though I can't watch Fox I do get to see their global feed so technically I can grab this sticker with no qualms.
Saturday, 2 April 2011
Stargate SG1 "The Curse"
The latest episode of The Gatecast has been released in which Alan and Mike watch and discuss "The Curse".
Pay a visit to the Gatecast website and have a listen tells us what you think:)
The Gatecast
Check-in on GetGlue
Pay a visit to the Gatecast website and have a listen tells us what you think:)
Check-in on GetGlue
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