Martyn is joined by Welsh actor/writer/director Gareth David-Lloyd, who is perhaps best known for his role asIanto Jonesin the Doctor Who spin-off, Torchwood.
Gareth talks about his latest project, Black River meadow, and gives his thoughts on Cardiff Bay’s famous ‘Ianto Shrine’.
Recorded, at MCM London 2017, here’s the full press panel with David Bradley and Claudia Grant.
Both talk about their involvement with An adventure in space and time and Big Finish. David talks about his experiences on the upcoming Christmas special, twice upon a time.
David Bradley is an English actor, known for playing Argus Filch in the Harry Potter film series, Walder Frey in the HBO series Game of Thrones and Abraham Setrakian in The Strain. He is also an established stage actor with a career that includes a Laurence Olivier Award for his role in a production of King Lear.
Claudia Grant is a British Actress, she trained at LAMDA graduating with a degree in Acting. She is perhaps best known for her appearance as Carole Ann Ford in the BAFTA nominated BBC Drama, An Adventure in Space and Time (2013) directed by Terry McDonough and written by Mark Gatiss. As well as Headlongs’ production of Spring Awakening directed by Ben Kidd (2014).
Torchwood: Aliens Among Us 2 is a bold and gripping addition to the Torchwood series. Picking up where Miracle Day left off, the Torchwood team finds themselves in a Cardiff that’s darker and more dangerous than ever before. The four episodes included in this set explore complex storylines and pack an emotional punch, leaving the audience eagerly anticipating what comes next.
The first episode, “Love Rat” by Christopher Cooper, sets the tone for the rest of the set with a complex storyline that brings Captain Jack back from the dead with a surprising twist. The subsequent episodes, “A Kill to a View” by Mac Rogers, “Zero Hour” by Janine H Jones, and “The Empty Hand” by Tim Foley, continue to up the ante with a mix of action, drama, and suspense.
The addition of Yvonne Hartman to the mix adds a layer of intrigue and excitement, with the Torchwood team facing their toughest challenge yet. The writers skillfully weave together the various storylines, and the performances by the cast are top-notch.
The standout episodes of the set are “A Kill to a View” and “Zero Hour,” which delve into the mysterious rift and bring back fan-favourite character Bilis Manger. Murray Melvin’s performance as Manger is nothing short of exceptional, adding depth and complexity to the character and the story.
Overall, Torchwood: Aliens Among Us 2 is a must-listen for fans of the series and newcomers alike. With its intricate plotlines, strong performances, and cliffhanger ending, it leaves the audience eagerly anticipating the next instalment of the Torchwood saga.
After many allegations of sexual harassment, assault and rape against Harvey Weinstein. Writer, director and actor Kevin Smith spoke out on social media in answer to a Twitter prompt.
“He financed the first 14 years of my career – and now I know while I was profiting, others were in terrible pain,” Smith said of the powerful producer in a tweet on Oct. 9. “It makes me feel ashamed.”
He financed the first 14 years of my career – and now I know while I was profiting, others were in terrible pain. It makes me feel ashamed. https://t.co/T0hInW7EqJ
Now, Smith has vowed to donate all future royalties, from his Weinstein-produced films to women in film, a nonprofit organisation.
Smith spoke about his decision, on the latest episode of his Hollywood babble-on podcast. Telling co-host Ralph Garman:
“My entire career is tied up with the man… It’s been a weird f***ing week, man. I just wanted to make some f***ing movies and that’s it. That’s why I came, that’s why I made ‘Clerks.’ And no f***ing movie is worth all this. Like, my entire career, f**k it, take it. It’s wrapped up in something really f***ing horrible.”
Smith hopes the money he’s donating will help women succeed without having to encounter men like Weinstein, in Hollywood.
He added, that even if the Weinstein Company goes under, he’ll donate $2,000 a month, to Women in Film. He has also offered to serve as a mentor to female filmmakers.
“Blade Runner 2049” is a science fiction masterpiece that follows in the footsteps of its predecessor, Ridley Scott’s 1982 cult classic “Blade Runner.” Denis Villeneuve directs this film with a steady hand, and he brings an evocative vision to the screen that harkens back to Scott’s original work. While it may not have been a financial success at the box office, “2049” is a cinematic gem that will undoubtedly be reevaluated by audiences over time.
Ryan Gosling stars as K, a Blade Runner tasked with hunting down rogue replicants in a dystopian Los Angeles. Gosling’s subtle and nuanced performance is perfectly suited to his character’s emotional journey. K’s discovery of a child born from replicants sets in motion a series of events that lead him on a path of self-discovery and realisation.
The film is visually stunning, thanks to the masterful work of cinematographer Roger Deakins and production designer Dennis Gassner. The world of “2049” is a dark and foreboding place, but it is also one of great beauty and wonder. Deakins elegantly captures this world, creating a moody and immersive experience for the audience.
“2049” asks the same timeless question as its predecessor: what does it mean to be human? This theme runs through the film, and it is explored with a depth and complexity that is rarely seen in science fiction. The film’s deliberate pace and methodically structured narrative may not be to everyone’s taste, but those who give themselves over to the film’s world and themes will be rewarded with a truly exceptional cinematic experience.
In the end, “Blade Runner 2049” is a triumph of science fiction filmmaking. It takes risks, has visual ingenuity, and offers a thought-provoking exploration of the human condition. Just like the original “Blade Runner,” it may take time for audiences to fully appreciate the film’s brilliance. But there is no doubt that “2049” is a worthy successor to one of the greatest science fiction films of all time.
Torchwood is back, and this time it is on audio with a brand new boxset, Aliens Among Us. The first volume of Aliens Among Us sets the stage for the new Torchwood, introducing us to new characters, and old favourites.
“Changes Everything” by James Goss “Changes Everything” opens up the new Torchwood, introducing us to the new team of Jack, Gwen, Mr Colchester, and Orr. Mr Colchester, played brilliantly by Paul Clayton, is a grumpy civil servant who has been tasked with managing the new Torchwood. Meanwhile, journalist Tyler Steele, played by Jonny Green, is questioning him. Tyler is a great new character, both likeable and unlikeable at the same time. Through his eyes, we meet the new Torchwood, and this is a really well-written story that sets up the future of Aliens Among Us while remaining self-contained.
“Aliens and Sex and Chips and Gravy” by James Goss This episode takes us on a funny, fast-paced romp that tackles murderous aliens who’ve invaded a hen night. It focuses on Gwen and Colchester and hints about where Gwen is headed in future box sets. What distinguishes this episode from TV Torchwood is that it has a more mature approach to mature subject matters. The title will no doubt remind you of the first series, but this episode deals with adult themes throughout. It is another really strong entry for Aliens Among Us.
“Orr” by Juno Dawson “Orr” introduces us to the titular character, an alien sexual psycho-morph. Similar to “Changes Everything”, this episode is focused almost entirely on Orr’s introduction. The character is played excellently by Samantha Béart, who manages to make the character feel believable. This episode also tackles an adult subject matter with a level of maturity that was unfortunately never seen on TV. This is another stellar episode.
“Superiority Complex” by A.K. Benedict The final episode of the first volume of Aliens Among Us gives the new Torchwood team a chance to shine. A new luxury hotel has appeared in Cardiff, with refugees right outside. The script highlights the problem with another script that, apart from the aliens, feels like it could be a true story. Every member of the team gets a chance to shine here, including Tyler, who keeps popping up. This is a brilliant way to end a brilliant box set, and it ends with an excellent cliffhanger for the second volume.
Overall, Aliens Among Us 1 is a great introduction to the new Torchwood. The boxset shows that Torchwood is at its best on audio. The stories are very politically charged, but each of the three writers on this set delivers amazing stories that feel natural and real. The characters are all well-written, and the new Torchwood team is a great mix of old favourites and new characters. With its compelling storytelling and excellent performances, Aliens Among Us is a must-listen for any Torchwood fan.
This weekend saw thousands of comic book fans attained London film and comic con. However, one fan had dark intentions…
Fantastic beats and where to find them actor Dan Fogler, made an impromptu and unannounced appearance at the Heavy Metal Magazine stand, to promote his new comic book.
Obviously, as soon as Harry Potter fans heard he was there, his line grew very long, very quickly. He signed prints, posed for selfies and all was well.
However, staff were alerted to an individual acting suspiciously in line.
When asked why he was there, he stated he was on a mission to kill Dan Fogler, whom he beloved was the evil wizard Grindelwald using Polyjuice to disguise himself as “Jacob Kowalski”, Fogler’s character from Fantastic Beasts.
Luckily, a quick thinking member of staff was able to convince the deranged fan that Fogler is indeed, just an actor, as Kowalski was from the nineteen-twenties, so couldn’t possibly be at a convention in 2017.
The fan then insisted Grimwald had used a “time turner” to move forward in time. To which, the member of staff reminded him that they only work backwards.
The man then concluded that Dan, must be the grandson of Kowalski and decided to go visit Benedict Cumberbatch instead. He was escorted out of the building by security.
Although Ianto Jones is a beloved character among the Torchwood fandom, most would agree that he was often relegated to the background despite his intriguing backstory and secret cyber-girlfriend. However, the audio revival of the show, with full-cast dramas that focus on individual characters. Has given him and others a chance to shine.
In “The Office of Never Was,” Ianto takes the lead as he investigates a haunted building, displaying impressive deduction skills and carrying the drama with ease.
This is an extremely well-crafted and engaging story. James Goss, the producer and scriptwriter, delivers a dark tale that cleverly addresses one of Torchwood’s central conceits and provides some hard-edged, real-world consequences. The limited cast is used to great effect, allowing for strong character development and building tension as the story progresses. Goss’s nods to “The Avengers” add an extra layer of entertainment value, while his use of humour helps to balance out the story’s darker moments. The script for is a testament to Goss’s talent as a writer and his understanding of Torchwood and its wider universe.
Gareth David-Lloyd, is a skilled voice actor and brings his A-game to this audio. He effortlessly carries the drama on his own for the first few minutes of “The Office of Never Was,” showcasing his talent for conveying Ianto’s internal struggles and thought processes. His performance is nuanced and engaging, capturing the character’s dry humor and emotional complexity.
Overall, “The Office of Never Was” is another smartly directed, strong and entertaining outing for Cardiff’s favourite member of Torchwood.
A stand-up comedian is mostly his or her own writer, director and star performer. Unlike any other art form, there is no safety net and no private rehearsal. In its singular realisation, stand-up comedy only works live on a stage – in front of often-hostile audiences. For most people baring their soul and being heckled would be a life-changing trauma, for stand-ups it’s a nightly hazard.
The very idea of standing on a stage in front of strangers and trying to make them laugh, fills me with utter dread. I imagine it’s the same for most people, and is most likely reason the subject stand-up comedy is so fascinating and rife for a documentary.
Dying laughing is a British produced documentarty, about the life of a stand-up comic and although it sometimes treads familar territory-the loneliness of the road, the anguish of your set dying etc, directors Paul Toogood & Lloyd Stanton achieve a startling level of intimacy in a series of riveting interviews with the masters of comedy. What follows is an in-depth discussion about the emotional andpsychological highs and lows of life on the road.
Dying laughing is an emotional rollercoaster, which fully encapsulates the life of a performer. Chris Rock says comedians are “the last philosophers.” and, to a certain extent, he’s right. We follow this trend, with some of the most loved and respected comedians, whom speak candidly about their loves, their peevs and ultimately, their lust for being a stand-up comedian.
The film can feel a little self-indulgent at times, however that just adds to its charm. At no point do you want the interviews to stop. This is a great film, that gives an insight into the psyche of a wordsmith.
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