Category: Reviews

Big Finish review-Torchwood:Serenity

Welcome to Serenity Plaza, the most prestigious gated community in South Wales. Jack and Ianto have been sent on an undercover mission to investigate rumors of something sinister happening within its walls. The catch? They have to pretend to be a happy, married couple.

As they delve deeper into the seemingly perfect world of Serenity Plaza, Jack and Ianto begin to face the everyday challenges that normal couples do: sharing household chores, participating in the residents’ baking contest, and vying for the title of Best Kept Lawn. But this is no ordinary competition – this is Serenity Plaza, and some residents are willing to go to extreme lengths to come out on top.

James Moran, writer of the series 2 episode “Sleeper,” has crafted a sequel that builds upon the original threat and adds new layers of complexity. With clever writing that plays to the strengths of the audio medium, Moran has created a logical continuation of the story.

Fans of the popular Jack and Ianto relationship will delight in their interactions here, as John Barrowman and Gareth David-Lloyd showcase their chemistry and comedic timing. Ianto’s Stepford Wife-like behavior and exaggerated Welshness add to the hilarity of the situation.

Overall, Torchwood: Serenity is a laugh-out-loud adventure that will keep fans of the series thoroughly entertained. Don’t miss out on this exciting audio drama!

Episode 205: Doctor Who-Dimensions in time (Revisited)

Martyn is joined by returning guest Sam Michael and first time guest, Chris Walker-Thomson. The trio discuss the Doctor Who special ‘Dimensions in Time’.

Dimensions in time was a charity special cross-over, between the British science fiction series Doctor Who and the soap opera EastEnders. The special was shown in two parts on 26 and 27 November 1993.

It was filmed on location at Greenwich and the EastEnders Albert Square set.  It features several of the EastEnders stars of the time. Along with Jon Pertwee (Third Doctor), Tom Baker (Fourth Doctor), Peter Davison (Fifth Doctor, Colin Baker (Sixth Doctor), Sylvester McCoy (Seventh Doctor).

It was Produced for the Children in Need charity, following Doctor Who’s hiatus in 1989 this special was the only dramatisation broadcast in celebration of the show’s 30th anniversary.

But, is it canon? 

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Episode 204: Shaft (2019)

Martyn and Gerrod only had 15mins spare when they recorded this, so here is a very brief review of Shaft (2019).

John Shaft Jr. may be an FBI cyber security expert, but to uncover the truth behind his best friend’s untimely death, he needs an education that only his dad can provide. Absent throughout his childhood, the legendary John Shaft agrees to help his son navigate the heroin-infested underbelly of Harlem, N.Y. Besides, the locked and loaded Shaft has his own score to settle — both professional and personal.

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Review-She’s Missing

This indie drama follows Heidi and her best friend Jane. When Jane vanishes without a trace. Heidi tries to make sense of the situation.

On a personal note, this film really resonated with me. I’ve spent time in small town America and these missing posters are a real life occurrence, especially near towns close to an interstate. People will vanish without a trace. Occasionally these people will re-emerge thousands of miles from home, but more often than not. They’re never found.

She’s missing perfectly captures Heidi’s quiet tedium from her moribund existence and juxtaposes it with Jane’s extremely volatile life. The film shines when it revels in the vastness of its Southwestern setting, which can lead to wide spread oppression and a feeling of utter hopelessness.

Alexandra McGuiness knows how to frame the perfect shot. The entire film felt very David Lynch to me. The back drop would fade from mountains to empty skyline. Accompanied by a somber score, this makes the viewer feel a sense of claustrophobic despondency, which is a stark contrast to the upbeat rodeo setting of the film.

She’s missing is the type of film Hollywood doesn’t really make any more, it’s well worth a watch. The film is a compelling struggle, which I think we can all identify with.

SHE’S MISSING is released on iTunes and On Demand from 1st July on Sky Store, Virgin Media, Google Play, Youtube and Amazon.

Review-The Queen’s Corgi

When the Queen’s favourite dog, Rex, becomes lost, he must make new friends and embrace new adventures in order to find his way back to the palace.

The Queen’s Corgi is clearly trying to emulate the success and charm of The Secret Life of Pets, instead it’s like a dog chasing its own tail.

The humour mostly falls flat, they’ve tried to put in jokes to entertain the parents. But they’ve not got the balance right. Which means it’s full of jokes children won’t relate to and an overly simple plot, that will bore anyone over 3-years old. Avoid at all costs.

Episode 201:Torchwood-Sargasso

In which Martyn flies solo and brings you a review of the latest Torchwood release by Big Finish.

The seas of planet Earth are choked by plastic. Plastic that no-one has a use for and no-one can get rid of. Rhys Williams finds himself stranded on a container ship in a sea of debris. People on board are dying. Because, luckily, someone’s found a solution to Earth’s polluted waters. The Nestene Consciousness can never have too much plastic.

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Check out our other Big Finish reviews.

Torchwood contains adult material and may not be suitable for younger listeners.

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Episode 200: Doctor Who TV Movie

Martyn is joined by stand-up comedian, Sam Michael. The pair discuss the 1996 Paul McGann Doctor Who TV movie.

The Doctor Who TV movie, also known as “The enemy within”-is a 1996 continuation of the long-running British science fiction series, Doctor Who. It was developed as a co-production between BBC Worldwide, Universal Studios, 20th Century Fox and the American TV network Fox.

The film was the first attempt to revive Doctor Who following its suspension in 1989. It was intended as a backdoor pilot for a new American-produced Doctor Who TV series. It introduced Paul McGann as the Eighth Doctor in his only televised appearance as the character until “The Night of the Doctor” in 2013 (though McGann has portrayed the Doctor also in various audio productions). It also marks the final appearance of Sylvester McCoy as the Seventh Doctor, the only appearance of Daphne Ashbrook as companion Grace Holloway, and the only appearance of Eric Roberts‘s version of The Master.

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Interview with Steven Moffat.

 

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Episode 198: Avengers Endgame

As nobody else on the internet is talking about it, Martyn and Gerrod decided to take 19mins and 39 seconds out of their busy schedules. To bring you the only review for Avengers: Endgame, that you’ll be able to find.

Check out our previous Avengers reviews;

Avengers Assemble

Avengers: Age of Ultron

The podcast is available from all good podcast services, such as;

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Film Review-Shazam!

Shazam! is a refreshing addition to the DC universe that brings a fun and lighthearted tone to the typically darker franchise. This origin story and the coming-of-age film follows Billy Batson, a teenage orphan who discovers he is the “chosen one” and gains the power to transform into a buff, adult superhero named Shazam (played by Zachary Levi). Along with his foster brother Freddy (played by Jack Dylan Grazer), Billy must save the world from the evil Dr Thaddeus Sivana (played by Mark Strong) and the seven deadly sins.

The relationship between Billy and Freddy is a standout element of the film, with Freddy serving as a mentor to Billy as he navigates his new powers and identity as a superhero. The other foster siblings also bring charm and personality to their limited roles. While Mark Strong shines as the main antagonist, the representation of the seven deadly sins falls a bit flat in their gargoyle-like redesign.

Beyond the fun superhero action, Shazam! also delivers a heartwarming message about family and belonging. Billy learns that family is not just about blood relations, but about the people who choose to embrace and support us. This coming-of-age story is a great addition to the film’s themes.

Overall, Shazam! is a delightful movie that balances mature themes with humour and camp. It stands out among the other DC films and offers hope for more lighthearted entries in the franchise. With great lead and supporting characters, cameos, and post-credits scenes, it’s worth a watch.

Review-This Time With Alan Partridge

Aha! Smell my cheese. Alan Partridge returns to the BBC after his exile and two decades on digital and satellite radio. He’s temporarily co-hosting a The One Show-esque programme called ‘This time’. The result is, as you might expect, comedy gold. This is easily some of the best Partridge to date.

‘This time’ is the perfect setting for Partridge, much like ‘The Day Today’ and ‘Knowing Me Knowing You’. This Time’s 30-minute episodes plays out in real time. But unlike those shows, we don’t see much of the full broadcast. Instead, we see Alan’s pre-recorded VT’s and off-air conversations between the shows Co-hosts.

This time Co-host Jennie Gresham (Susannah Fielding) is a perfect foil for Alan, she’s as ambitious as he is and often steals his jokes. The frustration boils in Alan, but he internalises it as he knows this could be his last chance at mainstream broadcasting.

If you’ve never seen Alan Partridge before, then this is a great jumping on point. It has references long-term fans will get, but it isn’t bogged down with 25 years worth of continuity.

This is a six episode series, but I wouldn’t be surprised if this is quickly commissioned for a second series.

This Time with Alan Partridge begins on Monday 25th February at 9.30pm, BBC ONE.