Spaced Out Forum > Media Odds and Sods

Ade

Mar 15 2010, 10:09 PM

QUOTE (maian @ Mar 14 2010, 08:26 PM)

To get us back on topic talking about Media and shit, here are two TV series that I am quite excited about:

From BBC and HBO comes Game of Thrones, an adaptation of George R. R. Martin's novel of the same name. I was first drawn to this when I found out that Tom McCarthy (writer-director of The Station Agent and The Visitor, and recently nominated for an Oscar for his work on Up's screenplay) was directing the pilot. the combination of someone acclaimed for their low-key, humanistic films with big budget fantasy intrigued me, but now that I've started reading the first book in the series, it makes an awful lot of sense.

The books attempt fantasy without the whimsy, creating a massive world and a story full of swords and dwarfs, but also full of incest, child murder and political backstabbing heavily indebted to The War of the Roses. If HBO can apply the same sort of commitment to world building that they did with Rome, Carnivale and Deadwood (though hopefully without the whole "canceling them before their time" thing) then it could be pretty spectacular.

My one concern would be about the future of the show beyond a few seasons, since Martin has only written four of the seven books he has planned, and I imagine it would be difficult to keep that cast around for too long without a definite road map.

I've had the first book of that series for ages, although I've yet to read it. A fellow fantasy-fiction-ophile friend of mine assures me it's an excllent series of the genre, worth getting into. So I'm mildly interested in seeing out how that adaptation turns out.

maian

Mar 15 2010, 10:17 PM

I'm currently reading book 1 and I would highly recommend it to anyone, regardless of whether they like fantasy or not (though fans of the genre will get more out it). It's a really great take on the traditional ideas of fantasy, but it's also just a really great story full of intrigue and excitement.

gulfcoast_highwayman

Mar 16 2010, 07:07 AM

QUOTE (maian @ Mar 15 2010, 10:17 PM)

I'm currently reading book 1 and I would highly recommend it to anyone, regardless of whether they like fantasy or not (though fans of the genre will get more out it). It's a really great take on the traditional ideas of fantasy, but it's also just a really great story full of intrigue and excitement.

You've saved me asking. I've had it sat on my shelf for a couple of years now, after winning it in some competition or other.

empathy-with-beast

Mar 16 2010, 08:01 AM

It also has a very well regarded board game based on it. By the same people who make the equally well regarded board game based on Battlestar Galactica.

Serafina_Pekkala

Mar 16 2010, 09:33 AM

I know nowt about board games but it has Sean Bean in it. I hope he is a baddie.

I may look into the novels as I have never heard of them and they it sound interesting even though I usually dislike fantasy faux-medieval novels aside Tolkein and Mervyn Peake.

Chapman Baxter

Mar 16 2010, 10:41 AM

QUOTE (maian @ Mar 14 2010, 08:26 PM)

My one concern would be about the future of the show beyond a few seasons, since Martin has only written four of the seven books he has planned, and I imagine it would be difficult to keep that cast around for too long without a definite road map.

Three and a half, actually - he decided to split the fourth book into two and published the first half in 2005. At the time he said the second half was practically written and would probably be released in 2006.

Rua

Mar 16 2010, 11:35 AM

So yeah, new National Anthem for us lot then.

maian

Mar 16 2010, 11:40 AM

QUOTE (Chapman Baxter @ Mar 16 2010, 10:41 AM)

Three and a half, actually - he decided to split the fourth book into two and published the first half in 2005. At the time he said the second half was practically written and would probably be released in 2006.

I've just been reading up on that. He spoke about the progress he has made on the book recently and he says it's reached 1300 pages. Hopefully that marks some point close to the end of the writing, but he has also said that he might turn some of it into the beginning of the next book in the series.

logger

Mar 16 2010, 11:58 AM

QUOTE (Rua @ Mar 16 2010, 11:35 AM)

So yeah, new National Anthem for us lot then.

I like it.

Ade

Mar 17 2010, 12:07 AM

QUOTE (Rua @ Mar 16 2010, 11:35 AM)

So yeah, new National Anthem for us lot then.

Duckworth Lewis Method FTW!

Love it.

PrincessKate

Mar 20 2010, 07:56 PM

Poor 'Quita

I think 'Ke$ha' is a twat, too.

Starscream`s Ghost

Mar 20 2010, 08:09 PM

They're both twats.

logger

Mar 20 2010, 09:01 PM

I like Miquita. Don't know who Ke$ha is.

logger

Mar 22 2010, 08:32 PM

Universal passes on PT Anderson's Scientology movie. It's too expensive.

Serafina_Pekkala

Mar 23 2010, 10:05 AM

QUOTE (logger @ Mar 22 2010, 08:32 PM)

Universal passes on PT Anderson's Scientology movie. It's too expensive.

*snorts*

Expensive? Those pretend-alien-worshippers really got it all sewn-up.

I want St Richard of Dawkins to form a group of clever non-God people to secretly smash them to little bits. That would make a good film.

Serafina_Pekkala

Mar 23 2010, 12:55 PM

Sorry to double post but this story is both hilarious and scary.

I'm not the Messiah - says food dude from Golders Green. Can a religion be founded on the work of someone with no actual interest in said religion? Haile Selaisse would say yes.

logger

Mar 24 2010, 08:02 PM

Werner Herzog provides the voice of a plastic bag pondering its own mortality... for 18 minutes

Everlong

Mar 26 2010, 01:15 PM

The Bill Killed

It was dying a death anyway.

NiteFall

Mar 29 2010, 12:12 PM

Claudia Winkleman to take over Film 2010. All together now- what the fuck?

Outatime

Mar 29 2010, 12:18 PM

Oh God no. I think Claudia Winkleman is brilliant on It Takes Two but I can't see her working out on Film 2010. Although her arts show on Radio 2 is not too bad.

logger

Mar 29 2010, 12:18 PM

She has done Sky's Oscar coverage for the last few years, but there are still a few others that would make more sense.

Zoe

Mar 29 2010, 12:27 PM

Oh for fuck's sake!

She is such a insincere, panda-eyed, div. I stopped listening to The Weekender when she took over from Matthew Wright, and I'll do the same here.

Utterly underqualified and spectacularly annoying

Boo!

logger

Mar 29 2010, 12:32 PM

I haven't watched it in years anyway so I don't care.

Starscream`s Ghost

Mar 29 2010, 12:32 PM

And they say there's no dumbing down of television.

Raven

Mar 29 2010, 12:37 PM

Nice to see the BBC getting their April Fool in early . . .

logger

Mar 29 2010, 12:56 PM

Rachel Weisz the next Bond villain...? I like the sound of that but only if she's really evil.

Ade

Mar 29 2010, 01:06 PM

QUOTE (NiteFall @ Mar 29 2010, 01:12 PM)

Claudia Winkleman to take over Film 2010. All together now- what the fuck?

It's the beginning of the end, I tell you.

QUOTE (logger @ Mar 29 2010, 01:18 PM)

She has done Sky's Oscar coverage for the last few years, but there are still a few others that would make more sense.

I'd say that's a big yes. Did you see this year's Sky coverage of the Oscars? I wanted to tear my ears off.

Everlong

Mar 29 2010, 01:25 PM

QUOTE (NiteFall @ Mar 29 2010, 01:12 PM)

Claudia Winkleman to take over Film 2010. All together now- what the fuck?

Fuck. I wanted Kermode in, I'd have thought he was a dead cert.

I'll give her first show a watch but if it's crap, no more. I don't mind seeing her as a guest on stuff and on Panel shows, but giving her Film 2010? terrible idea.

Zoe

Mar 29 2010, 01:26 PM

Listen to this week's Kermode and Mayo podcast if you want to hear why MK isn't taking over.

Everlong

Mar 29 2010, 01:31 PM

QUOTE (Zoe @ Mar 29 2010, 02:26 PM)

Listen to this week's Kermode and Mayo podcast if you want to hear why MK isn't taking over.

Yeah, just read Kermode's article further down the article. Understandable from his perspective really, given it's a BBC One show and needs someone more 'mainstream'.

Still.. Winkleman, this is nuts.

Raven

Mar 29 2010, 02:54 PM

I still think Kermode is the best man for the job.

Okay, so he's not a fan of 3D and he would probably rubbish a lot of mainstream releases, but Barry Norman made a name for himself doing that and having Kermode present it would give the show some credibility.

I'd far rather have someone tell me a film is rubbish and tell me why than have someone fawning over the guest star(s) of the week . . .

Wife Of Rolex

Mar 29 2010, 03:07 PM

Give me the job. I've done media studies. For two months.

That's already more qualifications than Winkleman.*

* I don't actually mind her, but I agree she's totally wrong for this gig. They're clearly looking to replace Ross with a female presenter to make a statement and just plucked her from the higher status batch. Could be worse, though. They could've picked Fearne Cotton.

"James Cameron, welcome to the show. So...what was it like going to the Oscars? I bet it was wicked. Were you mega nervous? I know I would've been." *pulls face*

Ade

Mar 29 2010, 03:07 PM

QUOTE (Raven @ Mar 29 2010, 03:54 PM)

I still think Kermode is the best man for the job.

Okay, so he's not a fan of 3D and he would probably rubbish a lot of mainstream releases, but Barry Norman made a name for himself doing that and having Kermode present it would give the show some credibility.

I'd far rather have someone tell me a film is rubbish and tell me why than have someone fawning over the guest star(s) of the week . . .

My feelings exactly.

Starscream`s Ghost

Mar 29 2010, 03:09 PM

QUOTE (Wife Of Rolex @ Mar 29 2010, 04:07 PM)

"James Cameron, welcome to the show. So...what was it like going to the Oscars? I bet it was wicked. Were you mega nervous? I know I would've been." *pulls face*

Everlong

Mar 29 2010, 03:13 PM

QUOTE (Wife Of Rolex @ Mar 29 2010, 04:07 PM)

"James Cameron, welcome to the show. So...what was it like going to the Oscars? I bet it was wicked. Were you mega nervous? I know I would've been." *pulls face*

Ha, brilliant.

Then she'd spend the rest of the interview brown nosing.

Have to say, perspective tells me Winkleman isn't the worst choice. Cotton or others would kill it.

Sostie

Mar 29 2010, 03:18 PM

QUOTE (Raven @ Mar 29 2010, 03:54 PM)

I still think Kermode is the best man for the job.

Okay, so he's not a fan of 3D and he would probably rubbish a lot of mainstream releases, but Barry Norman made a name for himself doing that and having Kermode present it would give the show some credibility.

I'd far rather have someone tell me a film is rubbish and tell me why than have someone fawning over the guest star(s) of the week . . .

Yup. Norman dismissed almost every horror film he reviewed. He was very narrow minded in some of his view and tastes. I'd rather have Kermode, a man who is known for his film knowledge, upsetting a few apple carts than Winkelman. Kermode may not go for all mainstream movies, but if he sees something of merit within them he'll say so, and he usually comes up with a good and entertaining reason why he doesn't like certain films.

Serafina_Pekkala

Mar 29 2010, 03:18 PM

I like Winkles. Kermode is much better on the radio. They should present it together.

Other strange pairings - Dolly & Wigan & Peter Rabbit

Zoe

Mar 29 2010, 03:24 PM

Winkleman has always struck me as incredibly false, even before I heard not very nice stories about her

When I listened to the podcast I actually thought Kermode was covering up for not being asked. His 'not popularist enough' line seems like bollocks to me. I think he'd have said yes if he was asked.

Even if true, I'd say a better way to go that route would be someone like Alex Zane, who was excellent on MTV's movie show, and has a genuine interest in film.

Claudia Winkleman has a genuine interest in too much eye make-up. I'm amazed she can see the screen with her eyes painted shut like that.

Starscream`s Ghost

Mar 29 2010, 03:27 PM

I think the only choice that could have been possibly worse for this would have been Dawn Porter, who reminds me of Winkleman anyway.

Zoe

Mar 29 2010, 03:30 PM

Good (bad) call. Dawn Porter is a massive nobhead.

As is Anna Richardson, they could be nobhead twins.

Serafina_Pekkala

Mar 29 2010, 03:34 PM

Winkles has all the connections now she is half-related to royality.

Sostie

Mar 29 2010, 03:36 PM

Tom Paulin or Brian Sewell. Like Winkleman, they're not film critics, but it'd be fun to watch.

Jimmay

Mar 29 2010, 03:36 PM

QUOTE (Zoe @ Mar 29 2010, 04:30 PM)

Good (bad) call. Dawn Porter is a massive nobhead.

As is Anna Richardson, they could be nobhead twins.

I thought they were the same person for ages as it would be months between seeing either of them on TV and they seemed to be making identical programmes so my brain saved on space and merged them.

Starscream`s Ghost

Mar 29 2010, 03:39 PM

I'd rather watch Big Suze present it. Not Sophie. Big Suze.

logger

Mar 29 2010, 04:03 PM

They should bring back Vids.

Starscream`s Ghost

Mar 29 2010, 04:04 PM

YES!

empathy-with-beast

Mar 29 2010, 06:58 PM

The Winkleman thing is just like the vanishing point where Film Insert Year Here and Movies Games and Videos meet.

To quote Peter Bainham on Fist of Fun:

The best movie programme on telly, much better than that Barry Norman man who spoils his show by saying he doesn't like some of the films. With this they do the much more sensible thing of just playing the clips sent to them by the movie companies, with the actors saying why their film is brilliant (they should know, they're in it!).

maian

Mar 29 2010, 07:49 PM

What if Saul Bass had directed the titles for Tron and Lost?

logger

Mar 29 2010, 08:02 PM

I like the Lost one.

NiteFall

Mar 30 2010, 12:29 AM

Ricky Martin admits he's gay. Nobody really that surprised.