Review: Doctor Who - Before The Flood

'Under The Lake' dived straight into the adventure but did the momentum continue when we went back to 'Before The Flood'...?

 

'Doctor, such an honour. I've always been a huge admirer. This is really a delight. Finally! Someone worth talking to.'

Monthly Mini-Reviews: December - Christmas Special

Well, it's that time again. Christmas has come and gone and it's literally only just turned New Year...
Oh, I can't lie. I'm afraid there's been a technical mishap here at Scribble Creatures HQ. This post, my Monthly Mini-Reviews Christmas Special, should have gone out in the first days of January but that doesn't seem to have occurred. I do apologise - I've no idea how that happened. It seems there is a Ghost of Christmas Past in the machine...
And speaking of ghosts in machines:

Black Mirror: White Christmas

It was only natural that Charlie Brooker's techno-paranoia anthology series would get a Christmas special. After all, what says Christmas more than a reminder that the future is just around the corner? Acting as the series' usual trilogy of stories all in one, this feature-length episode serves us three interconnected tales from a chilling near-future (all based around Jon Hamm and Rafe Spall who both give terrific performances). First and foremost, Brooker's writing is once again on top form - the bleakness and the strangeness are cleverly ofset by the razor-sharp wit and satire that runs throughout. The second segment is the weakest and I have to say I saw some of the twists coming but that does not take away from the... enjoyment seems like the wrong word to attach to something so grim. So was it a white Christmas, after all? No, No, it was black. So very black.

Good Omens (radio series)

Following on from the terrific radio series of Neil Gaiman's Neverwhere it was a no-brainer to adapt Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman's comedy about the end of the world as a festive treat.
The story  - a distinctly British way of approaching the apocalypse - transitions well to the medium, ably helped by the drama's amazing cast. Comedians Peter Serafinowicz and Mark Heap are great choices for the roles of angel/demon partnership Aziraphale and Crowley (though I imagine many are still holding out for Benedict Cumberbatch and Tom Hiddleston if the story ever makes it to film) and are well supported by Merlin's Colin Morgan, Paterson Joseph and Louise Brealey amongst others. Overall, I may have preferred Neverwhere but this was still a wonderful slice of alternative Christmas entertainment. Well, you can't get more 'alternative Christmas' than the Antichrist.

The Golden Compass

I've been avoiding The Golden Compass for years now due to its lacklustre reputation for being a poor adaptation of Phillip Pullman's popular His Dark Materials books. This Christmas, however, I gave in and gave it a go. Sadly the general consensus is right. Clearly made in an attempt to create another Lord of the Rings or Harry Potter franchise, the film has neither the flair nor confidence of those films and on top of that struggles to adapt Pullman's plot to the screen. That said, there are some pluses- if the script and direction are a bit lacking the visuals are terrific as Lyra's alternate world is brought to life with a vivid psuedo-Steampunk feel. Likewise, Nicole Kidman exudes icy evil as Miss Coulter and Dakota Blue Richards makes for quite a good Lyra. Despite these successes, though, The Golden Compass is not quite pointing in the right direction.

The Sleeper and the Spindle

Leaving behind the Christmas viewing, we turn to something I was lucky enough to get for Christmas - Neil Gaiman's latest book! In it, Gaiman weaves together two traditional tales to form an original feminist fairy tale. As the book's blurb says 'no one is waiting for a prince to appear on his trusty steed here' - it is a queen who risks life and limb to save the sleeping beauty in this story. Gaiman's prose is as crisp and as evocative as ever but in truth the book belongs to both author and illustrator as Chris Riddell's illustrations, beautifully rendered in monochrome and gold, are as equally impressive as the writing. I have been a fan of Riddell since reading The Edge Chronicles when I was younger so am over the moon he is now Neil Gaiman's resident illustrator. A true piece of art, The Sleeper and the Spindle is a proper old-fashioned storybook that takes us back to once upon a time...

Vids of the Month!

Settle down on the sofa and grab some popcorn cos it's Easter Saturday, its sometime in the morning it's...

VIDS OF THE MONTH!


1.Doctor Who Season Seven trailer

Although we still have months to wait for the Ponds' final adventures with the Doctor this Autumn, at least we now have a mouth-watering trailer to gawp at in the absence of any new episodes. Based on the evidence below, we've got tonnes to look forward to! WILD WEST! DALEKS! ROBOT COWBOYS! You can even see Rupert 'Lestrade' Graves in the corner of one shot if you squint!

2. Creepy Watson

Without saying too much, this is somehow one of the funniest yet scariest things you'll see in a while. You wont be able to see Holmes' faithfu friend in the sme light again...

3. Dark Shadows trailer

As a massive Burton fan, I've been eagerly awaiting his - one of two  - new film(s) this year 'Dark Shadows', a film version of a cult US gothic drama from the 70s. I didn't really know much about it other than it starred Johnny Depp as a vampire. Well, untill I saw this. Hmm, it's not really what I expected...I'll still watch it though.

4. Dalek Relaxation

Peter Serafinowicz shows once again why he's one of the funniest comedians around with this inventive suggestion of what the Daleks may have been working on during their sabactical from Who. Ready, everyone? Sit back, close your eyes and relax...

5. Lego Sherlock

And to finish us off this month - one of the greatest scenes on televsion EVER restaged with Lego figurines! What's not to love? It may just be me, but despite the funny visuals, the soundtrack played over it still packs an emotional punch. That's the power of Sherlock for you. See you next time!

Vids of the Month!

Hello and welcome to the first installment of 'Vids of the Month!'

*Pause for canned applause*

Here I showcase a random group of five videos from Youtube that I think you should take a look at. Get the popcorm ready and enjoy the vids...


BEING HUMAN IS BACK!

Long time readers of my blog (alright, the long-time reader. Alright, my mum) will know that I'm a big fan of BBC3's supernatural drama 'Being Human' (It really annoys me when people call it 'supernatural comedy' which just dismisses the drama. It's as funny as Doctor Who which no one describes as a 'Sci-Fi comedy'). Well, this month it has returned to our screens and as per usual, prequels have been released online to fill out the back story of the series' new characters. The best of them this year is effectively creepy introduction to the Old Ones, the fabled lead vampires who are soon to wreaking havoc in Barry Isalnd (where the show is set). See if you recognise the guest star at the end.

THE MANY D'OHS OF HOMER SIMPSON

And now for something completely different. Here's a five minute run through every single 'd'oh' Homer utters in the first twenty seasons of the show. It might induce some sort of seizure, turn you insane or perhaps you may have a spiritual epiphany but try and make it to the end.

DISCLAIMER: any ill effects you may suffer as your mind dribbles out your ears while watching this are not the fault of me. Ok, now we've got that sorted. Go ahead and watch.

MEN'S FIRST STEPS ON THE MOON - DOCTOR WHO STYLE

I'm afraid the thumbnail rather ruins the twist of this vid, Oh well, enjoy!

CLASSIC BUTTERFIELD!

If you haven't seen any of Peter Serafinowicz' inept businessman here's you chance. He appeared on Serafinowicz' sketch show a few years ago and the man himself has talked of a film being made on the character. Butterfield even has his own Twitter account on which at the moment he is campaigning to get himself appointed the new England manager.

THE DARK KNIGHT RISES!

You most probably have seen this by now if you're a Batman fan (and there are a lot of us) but here's an excuse to watch it again. Bane! Catwoman! It's out this summer! Can't wait!

Well folks that's all we have time for today. We'll be back with another volume of videos to make you laugh, cry and skip if you don't like them.

Till next time!

*Perpetual waving until credits roll*