The Wire

I have all five seasons of The Wire on DVD and am having a rewatch. It is a fanatstic show. Intelligent. Uncompromising. Dynamic. I like that elements put in place in one episode will become relevant somewhere in the future. I like the fact that the characters are three dimensional and are not cliches. There are good elements to the portrayal of the criminals and flaws in the characters who are good. The acting is always excellent. The visuals are always cinematic.

Which leads me to debate the premise that has been posited about this show. Is it the greatest TV show ever? It is undoubtedly up there. I would have The West Wing up there as one of the best shows ever. The original series of Star Trek. Not that every episode was brilliant, but because it paved the way for so many barriers being broken and serious issues being explored. The new iteration of Battlestar Galactica is great.

The one thing The Wire perhaps has over and above other shows is that it is consistently good from episode to episode.

Why am I writing this post about The Wire? Well I saw Idris Elba interviewed on a chat show today. And it was strange to hear him speaking in an English accent. I knew that he is English, but hearing him speak in a Cockney accent makes you realise how well he portrayed the character of Stringer Bell. And of course Dominic West is also English. Isn't it curious that two major characters in one of the best ever US shows are both from this Isle? Isn't it also pretty damn good!

Great moments in panels

What are some of the greatest moments in comic books? When I was growing up I received a Spider-Man annual one Christmas. In it was the story featuring the death of Gwen Stacey. Even at that age, which must have been about eight or nine, I realised that this was not your run of the mill storyline. It was only a number of years later that I got hold of the trade paperback of the whole story and realised that Marvel really pushed the boat out. I wasn't aware, because the first few issues weren't in the annual, that Harry Osbourne was hooked on drugs. This revelation makes the story even more powerful and intense. I guess including that in a book that sold at Yule time, for kids, wouldn't have been a sensible marketing plan. But then, how many parents' would have actually read it anyway? It is still a story that resonates today and is legendary in Marvel lore.

The next great moment is surely the first appearance of Death in The Sound of her Wings in The Sandman. Pretty much everything in The Sandman is awesome for that matter. Neil Gaiman created something unique and literary and downright brilliant. Many people cite Watchmen as being at the pinnacle of comic books. I would disagree. Sandman is, for me, at the summit. It has so many layers and is so intricate it doesn't matter how many times you return to the many pages, there is always something you have missed waiting. A work of genius.

Speaking of Alan Moore, The Killing Joke is a slim, but effective Batman one shot. The Dark Knight Returns is a great tale. Frank Miller created another iconic moment which was the murder of Elektra by Bullseye; an image virtually replicated identically in the Daredevil film. The director's cut of which is actually a good film and far better than the theatrical cut.

Finally The Crow is a powerful, romantic and tear jerking comic. It has stark visuals, a heartbreaking narrative is violent as hell, but is a very human and personal tale. I always seem to take something new away from it when it is re-read.

And just to finish off, why have I spelt Sandman, Sandamn every time tonight? Obviously, I have corrected this post!!

RIP

I heard the sad news today that the author J G Ballard had passed away.

Riding through the glen

The Adventures of Robin Hood starring Errol Flynn is probably the best Robin Hood film ever made. Disney made an entertaining version starring animals. Robin and Marion with Sean Connery was good. Robin of Sherwood was an intriguing new spin on the mythos. Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves, dodgy accents aside, was fun and enjoyable. The current BBC version of Robin Hood can only be described by using derogatory swear words about substances that emerge from bottoms. This week they plummeted to an even lower low by having a villainous character named Ruthless Rufus. I kid you not. Does any more need to even be said?

So, it is with hope and anticipation that I await the new film version of Robin Hood to wash the stain of the BBC's **** away. The first picture has been posted online. Ridley Scott, director of some of the most iconic and brilliant films, is calling the shots. The masterful Russell Crowe is Robin Hood. Crowe is without doubt one of the finest actors working today. This will be their fifth collaboration together after Gladiator, A Good Year, American Gangster and Body of Lies. If this version of Robin Hood can rise to the highs of Gladiator, and also Ridley Scott's vastly underrated Kingdom of Heaven (especially the Director's cut), then we could have a cracker on our hands.

Writing about Ridley Scott makes me think about Alien. Happy Sigh. And Blade Runner. Happier sigh.

Sky- why oh why?

First they outbid the BBC and bought 24. Then they outbid Channel 4 and bought Lost. Then they outbid Five and bought Prison Break. All shows that I really enjoy and watched regularly. So, what have Sky gone and done now? Yes, you guessed it, they have outbid Five and purchased Season 5 of House. I don't have Sky. I can no longer watch any of these shows when they air. I have to buy the DVD box sets if I want to watch them. Viewing figures on Sky are substantially lower than on terrestrial TV, but because they have money Sky can claim exclusivity for their programming. Every time Sky does something like this it makes me more determined not to buy a dish and subscribe to a monthly package because then I would be funding a machine of pure greed. Instead I will either have to do without or wait for the shiny discs. I want to cry.

Holiday working

I am off work at the moment. Yet, I have spent most of today having to do work in preparation for going back to work on Monday next week. I still have more to do. It kind of defeats the object of having a holiday if you have to work. What we do to pay the bills.

At least I have some time to read Lee Child's new Jack Reacher thriller, Gone Tomorrow. You know exactly what you are going to get with a Reacher novel, but they are fantastically entertaining and Reacher is a great character. It may not be classic literature, but by golly, I like it!

Also, when I have checked my blog traffic stats, it seems my blog has been viewed the grand total of six times. It is a start and not bad for a blog that has only been in existence for five days. I am hoping that the six views haven't just been as a result of me clicking on my blog page. Which would be the equivalent of getting a number one single because your family members have bought all the copies because they feel sorry for you. Sort of.

By a snout

It has to be said that most werewolf movies leave something to be desired. Given that, there are some classics. So, what is the best werewolf movie ever made? The leading candidates will obviously include An American Werewolf in London. It is atmospheric, funny and has those groundbreaking special effects. It still stands proudly as one of the classics of the horror genre. But, it is surely closely matched by The Howling. Joe Dante, who was responsible for directing Gremlins a few years later, has made a very underrated film. Like American Werewolf, the film has some effective special effects. It is visually strong and shows a healthy understanding of how the horror genre works. The film has some knowing nods to werewolf lore and other werewolf films. There are clips from The Wolf Man and a subtle nod to that film's director George Waggner in the final scene in the TV studio. I would say The Howling just pips American Werewolf by a whisker.

But, my favourite werewolf movie is...

Drum roll please...

The Wolf Man. Another of Universal's classic monster movies. Made in 1941 and starring Lon Chaney Jr this film is the grandaddy of all werewolf films. Everything in the film works with a charm and grace. From the production design to the music to the acting, the film has stood the test of time. I think it is a horror film which stands alongside Dracula, Frankenstein and Bride of Frankenstein and The Invisible Man as one of the all time greats. And the best werewolf movie.

Okay, must go, I hear the children of the night. What sweet music they make.

Green Orion Slave Girls...

...are supposed to be irresistible to man. The question I am asking is whether the same will be true of the new Star Trek movie. With only a month or so to go the first reviews are very positive. So, why do I still have great concerns over the film? JJ Abrams has a good track record as a show creator: Alias and Lost. Mission Impossible III was a solid film for his directorial debut. Yet, I am still wary.

I grew up watching the original series and have the three seasons on DVD. They aren't quite in pride of place because I have the bulky plastic cases which need a sturdy shelf beneath them. I have seen all the episodes numerous times. For me the characters are iconic and have been developed over the span of the first six Trek films as well. The actors and the characters have proven to be a perfect match. Now I can appreciate the argument that other characters have been played by a multitude of actors. For example, James Bond, Batman, Superman, Hulk, Dr Who and so forth. On the other hand some characters are so tied up with the actor that to reboot with a different actor seems wrong. Would anyone else play Indiana Jones as well as Harrison Ford? (Isn't commutation testing fun?)

I could understand a relaunch of the Trek franchise with a new cast and a new direction, but to recast iconic roles that have been established for 43 years is, to my mind, a strange decision. To reboot the franchise is, however, more likely to be financially viable for the studio. They have an existing universe, characters and ships. To start from scratch with everything shiny and new would be a tougher sell and a bigger risk. They have an existing fan base and brand recognition by using existing lore in an origin story.

The trailer looks action packed and the consensus from reviews is that the film is fast paced and, yes, action packed. The one thing that is also mentioned is that there is not much room in the film for issues of morality and humanity to come through and that these elements are likely to be seen in a sequel. But, I would argue that one of the key components of Trek in it's many incarnations is the ability to look at the human condition through the prism of SF. I worry that in going for a mass appeal and targeting a mainstream demographic the filmmakers will have dumbed down some of the reasons Trek has had such a lasting legacy.

I understand that the film has many nods to established lore and things that fans will enjoy. Obviously, the involvement of Leonard Nimoy as an older Spock indicates that the film has some legitimacy. Whether it is an advantage or not that Abrams wasn't a Star Trek fan remains to be seen. In some respects he has the advantage of approaching the material from a fresh and unbiased perspective. The possible downside of this is that the essence of what makes the original so special might be diluted.

It would be too easy to nitpick things like the Enterprise being assembled on Earth and so on before I have seen the film. So, I am trying to keep an open mind. I want to be wowed and feel the same affinity and passion for a new version of Star Trek as I do for the old. Let's face facts the franchise has constantly managed to reinvent itself and adapt to the times. The Next Generation moved the universe forward and made Trek even more popular. DS9 took things off on interesting tangents and a dramatic new directions. Voyager, well... Even Enterprise had some very strong episodes. Star Trek won't ever die and that is something to be grateful for. It existed before I was born and will continue to seek out new worlds and new civilisations long after I am space dust.

My fingers and toes are crossed. I want the film to be a success. I don't want it to spoil what Trek is all about. We will always have the original series. It is always there. But I hope this is a loving and respectful reboot that is worthy of the name

STAR TREK

The War of the Worlds

Somehow it has taken me a long time to actually watch the 1952 version of The War of the Worlds. It is a fantastic film which still stands up well today. Admittedly some of the acting is a little ropey, but the effects still look reasonable. And there is something about practical effects that give films a charm that isn't always there with CGI.

Castle Howard

A couple of weekends ago my girlfriend and I visited Castle Howard, a few miles outside York. Neither of us had been before. It was an amazing building and the grounds and gardens were beautiful. Obviously, the location has been used for both the TV and film versions of Brideshead Revisited. Inside great reference was made to these productions. Also worth mentioning was a painted mural done for the film which had two awesome winged skeletons as angels of death. As a huge Stanley Kubrick fan it was, however, disappointing that no reference was made to the exteriors being used for Barry Lyndon. Curious. Another thing worth seeing were some of the children's books on display which had illustrations by Arthur Rackham. This was interesting as Guillermo Del Toro has mentioned Rackham in interviews and you can see some stylistic influences between the illustrations and images in Del Toro's films.

Planet of the Dead

I have a real love/ hate relationship with the new incarnation of Doctor Who. I watched the Easter special and it definitely fell into the hate category. Why? It was nothing special. It seemed to be a mish-mash of Lara Croft, Mission Impossible, Pitch Black and other films and TV shows.

My first moment of oh dear occured when the security guards at the gallery appeared and marched, in unison, to the gold cup on display. They had guns. In a gallery? They had laser beams protecting the exhibit. And they all cleverly faced outwards. The theif then came from above; where there was no security.

The episode then proceeded to be, quite frankly, very silly. The police couldn't catch a bus in a chase. A mobile phone worked across the galaxy. The sonic screwdriver has become a cool gadget with no purpose other than to be a cool gadget. Yes, it was funny for about one second to see the Doctor change his glasses into sunglasses. But the screwdriver has become an easy plot device. Locked in a room. Point the screwdriver. Need something fixing. Point the screwdriver. You get the point. Need to free someone from handcuffs. You guessed it.

Lady Christina needed to turn off a force field. Lo and behold there is a big red off button just above the field. The wormhole had spread to ten miles in diameter, but on screen was a little bigger than the tunnel.

As for the characters... Ladt Christina was okay. Lee Evans as the scientist was okay. The character of the UNIT commander was embarrassing. Saluting the Doctor for the first time whilst speaking to him on the phone! The characters on the bus were not really characters and as for the psychic lady, well she was only there for the prediction at the end of the episode.

And let's not get started on the silliness with the flying bus.

It also felt like David Tennant was sleepwalking through this episode. Normally he is excellent. Though, he can only work with what is scripted.

There have been some very good episodes of Doctor Who. This wasn't one of them.

I respect that RTD has returned Who to our screens and very successfully, but more often than not, his episodes seem to be the weakest ones. I could go on and deconstruct this episode further, but suffice to say that it was disappointing.

It can, and has, been argued that Who is for a family and mainstream audience and that, as such, it should be taken with a fair amount of suspension of disbelief. I have nothing against silliness (I am a huge fan of Farscape which had some incredibly silly episodes), but the silly moments should at least make sense. SF can be light, but still retain some consistency in the rules of the world or universe it is set in. Certain episodes of Star Trek, in all it's incarnations, had humour and silliness. Buffy and Angel often did. Yet Who seems to have silly moments for the sake of having them rather than for any story related purpose.

Doctor Who should be consistent and should have rules that guide the fictional universe in which it is set. It can be fun, but it doesn't have to be dumb.

I suppose that I had higher expectations for a special that had a longer running time than a normal episode. This one fell into the hate category. Oh well, maybe The Waters of Mars will restore my faith.

Or not.

And so it begins...

So, here it is. My very first post on my very first blog. I have been considering setting up a blog for a while and have finally taken the plunge. Why? Good question. Do I have anything of value to say? Is anybody actually interested in what I have to say? I don't know, but here I am anyway!

To quote a famous song lyric, 'Please allow me to introduce myself...' My name is Anthony. I work for a living. I love and adore reading and have far too many books. Although one can never actually have far too many books. I am a huge film fan. I enjoy writing. I own a cat. I have a wide taste in music. I attempt to play the guitar. I enjoy visiting places of historical interest and the countryside and the seaside. I have a PS1, PS2 and 360 and would like to be better at being a gamer. I am a geek and am passionate about all thing SF, fantasy, horror and weirdness.

I don't know if this will end up being a regular blog, a semi-regular blog or an irregular blog. My main aim is to discuss the things that interest me. Books I have read, films that I have watched and the suchlike. I may rant, I may not rant. I may be posting random insanities that no-one cares about. But, on the off chance I am not, enjoy reading and please feel free to drop by and post comments.