Wednesday 3 May 2006
The Exonerated
This play takes the subject of death row detainees in the US, and tells the story of 6 of them, subsequently (and obviously, given the title) released. It's an interesting staging, with just the actors sitting in a line in front of the audience, reading from the script. This opens up two opportunities:
1) You hear the voices - really hear the voices - and notice the actors minor movements, their faces and gestures. Only once, to my recollection, does one of them stand up. But this lack of movement does nothing to detract from the sheer power of the words, and in fact acts like a television or film close up - emphasising the minutae for 90 minutes or more, and ultimately packing a very effective punch.
2) The actors don't need to remember their lines. So they can concentrate harder on making the characterisation believable - and they can come in at short notice. As a result, a wide variety of stellar actors have been involved. The night I went, we saw Martin Freeman, Kate Mulgrew and Mike McShane, amongst others, giving in my opinion the strongest performances of their careers.
It's not a story - it's a combination of actual statements made by those imprisoned, and the associated characters - wives, police officers, lawyers, judges. And it closely scrutinises the concept of state execution. It's breathtaking.
That sounds utterly fascinating. What's the chance it will make it across the Pond? Not high. Sigh.
Friday 13 May 2005
Sanity at last
More4, the new free channel from Channel 4, is to show The Daily Show with John Stewart, er, daily. Until now I've had to get slim pickings from the weekly Daily Show Global Edition, tucked away late at night on Weekends on CNN. But, come the Autumn, it shall be all there. Marvellous.
Does this mean I'll lose my rights over the TV every single day now?!
I can't read the MediaGuardian story you linked to, btw - it sends me to a registration page. I think that's the universe's way of telling you that you have to let ME choose what channel we watch in the evenings. :) x
I love you. Just thought you might like to know... :) xx
Friday 29 April 2005
Don't Panic!
It's all OK.
H2G2 The Movie is good. I would have enjoyed it more if I didn't know the radio series off by heart. For those who've just read the book, I'm sure that it would be more enjoyable.
The storyline makes a lot more sense than the originals; but, then, that was part of their charm.
There are some very nice touches, and the Knitting Director should be very proud. There are a couple of references to the TV show, and Simon Jones - the original Arthur Dent in the Radio & TV series' - here playing a ... well, I won't spoil it - steals the show with what was for me and my compatriots the best joke of the movie.
So, yes. Absolutely. Go see now. That's an order.
I totally want to see this film! Looking forward to it, but I think that Marvin seems a little too.... cute??
I want my very own Marvin now - a little Marvin action figure, perhaps, with moveable head and limbs and when you press his tummy he says things. It would be lovely! You'll get me one, won't you, you darling darling man? x
Monday 11 April 2005
Quiet Storm
Oh, whoopee.
(I'm being sarcastic.)
Head of the Axis of Evil and all-round American media leeches Clear Channel have bought all round Musical good-guys Mean Fiddler.
Not a good day for Britain.
Boo. Booooooooo.
On a brighter note, I've just seen the latest confirmed line up for Glasto - wheeeeeeeee! x
Friday 8 April 2005
It's also all in the Stars
Nice article in the Guardian today about the 20 years of obfuscation that led to the making of the Hitchikers Movie - one of the directors, Simon Jennings seems to have nicely tapped into Douglas Adams' methodolgy in creating the original radio series, before it was polished, analysed and re-written to make sense for the novels.
So it was like when you're a kid telling stories and you go, 'OK, and then a spaceship comes down and then ... Oh shit, how do I get out of this? OK, well then there's a button that you press and it's an improbability button and that means that you can get out of any problem.' And we've tried to keep all of that in the film.
Which is not to denegrate the master, of course.
Sounds like a perfectly sensible method to me; you have no idea how many trials I've won thanks to it!
PS: I love you. xx
Friday 8 April 2005
It's all in the Stars
What with all the hoopla going on with Elections, Dead Popes and Munters Reunited, the world has all but forgotten the passing of another great leader. Therefore, it's nice to see a note in MediaMonkey today (again - no permalinks - what's going on, guys?) about a story that I can only corroborate on a dicky astrology site.
Hollywood arch-roué David Niven says he was once asked by the Prince who of all the female stars was the best in bed. "Grace, of course," replied Niven gallantly - only to see Rainier's suddenly stricken expression. "Grace?" gasped Rainier. "Er... Gracie Fields," corrected Niven smartly.
Thursday 31 March 2005
Boo Who
Excellent, stylish and funny new Doctor? Check.
Top writer with an edge? Check.
More viewers on a Saturday night than any other show? Check.
Commission a second series after just one show goes out? Check.
Re-engage Top writer with an edge? Check.
Re-engage Excellent, stylish and funny new Doctor? Ah.
Christopher Ecclestone has bailed out of Series two of Doctor Who. Most upsetting.
Thursday 17 February 2005
Wheeeeeee!
*bouncebouncebouncebouncebouncebounce*
*bouncebouncebouncebouncebounce*
Stephen Fry as the book! Alan Rickman as Marvin! Bill Bailey as the whale! It doesn't get better than this!
(Thanks Nick)
Do you want me to start queuing for tickets? ;) xx
Friday 4 February 2005
Another Remake
Following a trend that doesn't look as if it will ever end, Now even Bond films are being remade.
Admittedly, Casino Royale was never 'officially' a Bond film; and from utter disaster came an absolute classic. In my opinion. Which counts for nothing. But it'll be a shame to have one actor playing Bond all the way through, and actors actually appearing in the same scenes together (rather than being edited together later, as in the case of Peter Sellers and Orson Welles.) Worse, it may have an understandable plot! Although it is a Bond film, so it'll still be ridiculous.
But I LOVE James Bond! And, believe it or not, I've even read some of the books...including "Casino Royale". I'm as yet undecided over which actor I'd like to see taking over the 007 mantle from the sublime Mr Brosnan, but as long as it's not that bleedin' Colin Farrell I don't mind. x
PS: Bond films have ridiculous plots? Never!
Wednesday 2 February 2005
America?
One of the best bits of this movie was this music, which carries various parental advisories.
Hi Dan. Glad you seem to be writing again but not sure about this purple.....
Wednesday 26 January 2005
Chilled Out Entertainment
Ricky Gervais on the US version of The Office:
"It seems such a long time since The Office was on in England. Just like the second world war, the Americans got involved three years late but have finished the job brilliantly."
I don't know.... I can be the judge of that.
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