Category: Reviews

TV REVIEW-BATES MOTEL:EPISODE 1

There are a few things people don’t know about me. One of those things being that I am a huge fan of thfreddie-highmore-vera-farminga-bates-motel-500-aee movie Psycho. A paper I wrote about the movie, achieved me my A, in a GNVQ English exam.
In 2000, I went on a tour of California and, the only thing I really wanted to do, was go on the Universal studios back lot tour, to see The Bates Motel. I still have an unused Bates Motel flannel, that I bought 13-years ago. I’ve owned Psycho on VHS, DVD and blu ray. So, when I heard A&E were working on a prequel series to my favourite film, I was apprehensive to say the least.
Now, it isn’t really truthful to call Bates Motel a prequel. It really isn’t, it’s mostly inspired by the Robert Bloch novel ‘Psycho’. It’s set in the modern-day and in a different town to the novel and the movie.

We’re first introduced to Norman (Freddie Highmoore) just after he discovers the body of his father in the garage. A cause of death is never given and from Norma’s (Vera Farmiga) reaction it hardly seems accidental. Six months later, Norma and Norman have bought a motel and moved to a new town, White Pine Bay.

Norma’s brutal rape, at the hands of the motel’s former owner kicks off the main story line. Coming home after sneaking out to a party, Norman smashes the rapist on the head, with a blunt object. Whilst Norman gets a first aid kit to attend to his mother’s wounds, the rapist taunts Norma until she stabs him multiple times. Norman wants to call the police, but his mother convinces him to help her cover it up by stating “who would want to stay at the rape/murder hotel. We came here to start our lives over and I Am Starting Over”.

Parallels have been drawn between this and American Horror Story, but Bates Motel has more in common with David Lynch’s twin peaks, than anything else. Everybody in this seemingly idyllic town is connected and they all have secrets.

Everything about this works, the pacing is great, the script is sharp and the musical score is tone setting and completely un-intrusive.
The performances are great, as Norma was a mostly an off-screen character, Farmiga as a lot more to work with than Highmoore. But, he doesn’t let the confines of playing a well-established character hold him back, there are elements of Anthony Perkins in his performance but he manages to make the role his own.

This is a true homage to a classic that leaves you wanting for more and, we’re going to get it. After this episode aired in the US, A&E announced that they’re commissioning another series.

The Bates Motel gets it’s UK premiere on Universal Channel on Thursday September 12th at 9pm.

Big Finish review-Eldrad must die!

The drama is a follow-up to every Doctor Who story aired between 1974 and 1977 that featured an original antagonist, except for three. The story resurrects Eldrad, played by Stephen Thorne, and is the opener for the latest trilogy of audio dramas featuring the Fifth Doctor, Tegan, Turlough, and Nyssa.

While I’m not a big fan of Big Finish’s tendency to exhaust Doctor Who’s past, particularly the Hinchecliffe/Holmes era, I keep an open mind. The Five Companions was enjoyable, The First Sontarans was surprisingly effective, and The Curse of Davros provided a fresh perspective on its titular character. Unfortunately, Eldrad Must Die! falls short of expectations.

Marc Platt, who has delivered some inventive stuff in the past, presents a generic storyline with thin characters that fail to engage. The characters run back and forth, talking about crystals, but nothing seems to go anywhere. While there are some intriguing crystalline images, they are communicated clumsily.

Although the story follows up on some elements of Mawdryn Undead and Turlough’s exile from Trion, they don’t add much to the character. The characters lack the spark that makes the best stories of this companion team work. Most of the drama appears to bide its time until Eldrad shows up, which results in Stephen Thorne shouting a lot. The story then comes to an abrupt end.

Eldrad Must Die! is another audio drama that brings back an old foe and assumes it will be sufficient to pique our interest. Unlike The First Sontarans, this is yet another story that fails to deliver.

Wilfredo Acosta’s incidental music is generic orchestral warbling, but he does a great job with the Kastrian crystals. The sound designer is highlighted on the CD Extras, which is unusual.

However, it is worth noting that while Eldrad Must Die! may have its shortcomings, Mark Strickson’s performance as Turlough is outstanding. He brings depth and nuance to the character, elevating the material and making it more engaging. Strickson is one of the best actors to have portrayed a companion in Doctor Who, and his work on audio is no exception. His performance is a highlight of the drama and a testament to his talent as an actor.

In addition to Mark Strickson’s standout performance, the rest of the cast also do a commendable job with their roles. Peter Davison delivers a solid performance as the Fifth Doctor, balancing the character’s intelligence, wit, and compassion in a way that fans have come to expect. Janet Fielding, Sarah Sutton, and Mark Strickson also slip back into their roles as Tegan and Nyssa effortlessly, capturing the essence of their characters from the television series.

The supporting cast, including Julie Graham as Dr. Carter and Matthew Cottle as Rossiter, also contribute strong performances, bringing energy and personality to their roles.

Overall, the cast of Eldrad Must Die! brings a sense of familiarity and comfort to Doctor Who fans, making the audio drama a worthwhile listen for those who want to spend more time with these beloved characters.

Episode 89: Doctor Who-The Bells Of Saint John

In which we actually discuss Doctor Who, yes, actual Doctor Who. Martyn and new host Mark look at The Bells Of Saint John. It’s also our longest episode to date.

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Episode 87:Jack The Giant Slayer

In which Martyn and Gerrod take a look at the new movie, Jack The Giant Slayer, which is released in the UK on 22/03/13.

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Episode 86: In the Flesh episode 1.

In which Martyn and Gerrod get drunk and turn to ask.fm for the answers. They also take a look at the brilliant new zombie show on BBC3, in the flesh.
Without the calming influence of Pete and/or Ash and the sexual nature of ask.fm, the episode quickly turns filthy, fast.

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Episode 84: From Dusk Till Dawn

In which Martyn, Gerrod, Pete and Ash review the 1996 film ‘From Dusk till dawn’.

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FILM REVIEW-HITCHCOCK

Hitchcock has been promoted as a behind the scenes look at the production of Psycho, but20130207-145740.jpg it’s nothing more than a movie based on speculation and guess work. What follows is a complete mess of a movie that comes across as a GCSE drama group, trying their best.

Anthony Hopkins plays the famous master of suspense and is stuck in a fat suit and the least convincing facial prosthetics, since a 1960’s episode of Doctor Who.

It opens with Hitchcock’s relationship with the public, it then quickly turns into a look at Hitchcock’s private life, which has seemingly just been fabricated by the makers of the film.There’s a scene where Hitch watches Vera Miles (Jessica Beil) undress, through the Norman hole. He also leers at women through a window and has a “special” collection of 8×10 photos. We’re told that Alma (Hellen Mirren) made invaluable contributions to her husband’s work and that they saw each other as collaborators and had equal respect for each other. They then show her to be an attention-starved woman, who is considering an affair with studio hack, Whit (Danny Huston).

Those looking for an interesting biopic into the man’s life, will be bitterly disappointed. It’s interesting that the film makers weren’t allowed to use a frame from Psycho, I believe they weren’t even allowed to use the soundtrack, the famous shower score is the Danny Elfman remix, from the 1998 Psycho remake. It’s also interesting that Hitchcock’s daughter doesn’t feature, she isn’t even mentioned. Wait for this to come on TV.

Hitchcock is released in the UK on February 8th

⭐️

DVD REVIEW-TAKEN 2

Taken 2 sees Liam Neeson reprise his role as Taken 2 DVD coverBryan Mills, the man with a “certain set of skills”. Taken 2 is not a particularly good film, but it’s not THAT bad either.

The action takes place in Istanbul, Bryan is now back on active duty as a private bodyguard for the rich and famous. His ex-wife and daughter decide to fly out and surprise him. The families of the gangsters of the first film, seeking to avenge the people Bryan killed. He and his wife are taken and he then gives his certain set of skills to his daughter, over a mini-phone he keeps in his sock.



There are some intense sequences, but the action is not quite as good as the first film, the writing is generic and the editing pretty convoluted and kinetic, sometimes working and sometimes not. What really hurts the film is the fact that the studio pushed for a lower rating, so there is a lot of ‘cut to gun firing, cut to a body falling on the floor’ moments. The most laughable death occurs when Liam Neeson breaks someone’s neck, simply by putting his arm under the man’s nose.

There are also some huge logic gaps in the film, Bryan and Kim steal a cab, crash through the US embassy and the US embassy just seemingly let Bryan go back to shoot up Istanbul. Strangely the film succeeds in entertaining, I was never bored. If you’re looking for an engaging action film, stick Taken on. If you’re looking for something to watch at the end of a hard day, stick Taken 2 on. Look out for the inevitable Taken 3, where it turns out Kim’s boyfriend is the gangster’s second son, Marco.

DVD extras

  • Extended and Theatrical Versions

Taken 2 is released on DVD on February 4th, 2013.