Mon, 21 February 2011 it’s bedlam
Sky has been promoting its new supernatural show called Bedlam, and I decided to tune in for an episode. The premise is simple: an asylum that has been in the Bettany family for hundreds of years has been re-fitted into flats for Yuppies and creepy things begin to happen. This ain’t a new concept, but [...]
Thu, 03 February 2011 Skins 5
A few years back I watched a chunk of episodes from the 1st series of British teenage drama Skins late one night. I had previously decided based on the trailers that I wouldn’t care for it, and was quite surprised at the quality of the writing, acting and the character development.
I then watched Season 2, [...]
Wed, 12 January 2011 ordinary unordinary lives
A new American television series, No Ordinary Family, has just begun broadcast on this side of the Atlantic. Its premise is simple: an ‘ordinary’ family – wife, husband, daughter and son – with the the usual moderate middle class disfunctionality gain super-powers and must adjust to them. I’ve seen two episodes, and will probably watch [...]
Fri, 24 December 2010 seeing the strange
I took this photo in the woods about a week ago. Of course it’s a desiccated thistle head, but it also looks like there’s a winged creature escaped from a fantasy world – such as The Dark Crystal – perched on top of it.
Seeing the world at a slant can lend wonder to the most [...]
Thu, 23 December 2010 Little Crackers
Over the past couple of years the satellite broadcaster Sky has been venturing into commissioning original television programmes, which is generally a good thing as I’m always happy to see screenwriters getting work. Even though Sky is part of the Murdoch MegaCorp, it can have its benefits (as long as you avoid the news channels).
This [...]
Wed, 08 December 2010 healthy competition?
I’ve noted before that I’m fond of the BBC Masterchef series in all its incarnations. My main reason is that I enjoy seeing people who are passionate about their hobby/profession demonstrating their skill, as well as watching their talent being nurtured over the course of the programme. Not all reality TV shows do that.
Often [...]
Tue, 12 October 2010 brains on your tie
I’ve been a fan of Fringe since season 1. It had a shaky start, but I gave it leeway because there is nothing I like better than a television program showcasing capable women, mad scientists and weird events.
From the beginning it was clear the show rotated around the character of Olivia Dunham (Anna Torv), and [...]
Fri, 08 October 2010 Nikita episode 1
Last night I watched the début episode of the new television series Nikita. I’m intrigued how the core concept of this story has persisted and been remade.
Its first incarnation was as a French action film in 1990, also called Nikita, which was written and directed by Luc Besson. The plotline is that Nikita is a [...]
Mon, 16 March 2009 good and stupid news
Last night I heard from Amal El-Mohtar and Jessica P. Wick, the editors of Goblin Fruit, that they are buying my poem, “The Solace of Dark Places”, for their Spring 2010 issue. I will also do a recording of the poem for the web site.
I’m pleased to sell another poem to such a fabulous market.
I [...]
Thu, 12 March 2009 the Force won’t prevent ladders in your tights
Another Thursday, another piece of fiction in exactly 140 characters. Today I’m feeling the science fiction vibe:
You gasp, “So close!”, as your ship explodes. Only your words return from the dark. Your remains are scattered across stars, your true love.
I was watching an episode of Star Wars: Clone Wars recently, which is pretty decent juvenile [...]
