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bookzombieJust to make a change from the Worry and the Whinge, a few bits and pieces on the entertainment front.
(Some spoilerish stuff in here, so .
I'm currently part way through Star Wars Lego II: The Original Trilogy on the PC. I've completed all the story missions and I'm now going through to pick up all the bits I've missed. Essentially it is just a platformer, but it's Star Wars. In Lego! And in places it is drop-dead funny, perfectly willing to play with the characters. And all done in mime, so you don't get the awful dialogue. It is also mainly aimed at kids so it isn't too difficult - which is a bonus for someone of my limited reaction speeds! Recommended to any gamer with a sense of humour.
We're almost at the end of season 1 of Supernatural. It has grown on me. I like the relationship between the brothers (so much like real siblings I know) and it is enjoyable enough. But.
Most new shows that you stick with and rave about do something during their first season to make you go 'Wow'. BSG, Farscape, House, Veronica Mars, B5 all did this at some point. Supernatural just hasn't at any point made me go 'Wow!' yet. There is a singular lack of originality in the storytelling; you can pretty much guess most of the plot turns as you go along. Also the episodic 'road trip' nature of the stories means that you don't develop the supporting cast of recurring characters that helps round out a show. As much as anything else, the show reminds me of some of those episodic shows of the 1970s like Kung Fu or The Incredible Hulk. While we will certainly watch Season 2 when it is broadcast, I don't think we will be buying any more DVDs.
So, Torchwood. I'm not really quite sure about this yet, based on the first two episodes. I like Gwen (she has a wonderful line in wide-eyed empathy) and Owen may be sleazy but is also rather fun. I hope that as it goes on they let Captain Jack be Captain Jack a bit more. The reason people fell in love with him in Doctor Who was his charm and humour. I understand that to be the lead in a new series they need to tone it down a bit, but let's not overdo it, yes? And for goodness sake give Toshika a personality.
The first couple of episodes were okay though, like Supernatural, there is nothing terribly original about them. There are some nice moments of humour, but it needs to lighten up a bit. Overall I liked it, but I didn't love it and I really wanted to. Still, it's early days yet so I'm happy to carry on giving it a chance.
Nothing too exciting on the book reading front recently. I finally finished K.J. Parker's Devices and Desires: an interesting story with some nice black humour. But jeez, does she like to wear her research on her sleeve!
(Some spoilerish stuff in here, so .
I'm currently part way through Star Wars Lego II: The Original Trilogy on the PC. I've completed all the story missions and I'm now going through to pick up all the bits I've missed. Essentially it is just a platformer, but it's Star Wars. In Lego! And in places it is drop-dead funny, perfectly willing to play with the characters. And all done in mime, so you don't get the awful dialogue. It is also mainly aimed at kids so it isn't too difficult - which is a bonus for someone of my limited reaction speeds! Recommended to any gamer with a sense of humour.
We're almost at the end of season 1 of Supernatural. It has grown on me. I like the relationship between the brothers (so much like real siblings I know) and it is enjoyable enough. But.
Most new shows that you stick with and rave about do something during their first season to make you go 'Wow'. BSG, Farscape, House, Veronica Mars, B5 all did this at some point. Supernatural just hasn't at any point made me go 'Wow!' yet. There is a singular lack of originality in the storytelling; you can pretty much guess most of the plot turns as you go along. Also the episodic 'road trip' nature of the stories means that you don't develop the supporting cast of recurring characters that helps round out a show. As much as anything else, the show reminds me of some of those episodic shows of the 1970s like Kung Fu or The Incredible Hulk. While we will certainly watch Season 2 when it is broadcast, I don't think we will be buying any more DVDs.
So, Torchwood. I'm not really quite sure about this yet, based on the first two episodes. I like Gwen (she has a wonderful line in wide-eyed empathy) and Owen may be sleazy but is also rather fun. I hope that as it goes on they let Captain Jack be Captain Jack a bit more. The reason people fell in love with him in Doctor Who was his charm and humour. I understand that to be the lead in a new series they need to tone it down a bit, but let's not overdo it, yes? And for goodness sake give Toshika a personality.
The first couple of episodes were okay though, like Supernatural, there is nothing terribly original about them. There are some nice moments of humour, but it needs to lighten up a bit. Overall I liked it, but I didn't love it and I really wanted to. Still, it's early days yet so I'm happy to carry on giving it a chance.
Nothing too exciting on the book reading front recently. I finally finished K.J. Parker's Devices and Desires: an interesting story with some nice black humour. But jeez, does she like to wear her research on her sleeve!
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Date: 2006-10-26 09:53 pm (UTC)Also: why doesn't YouTube have any Torchwood, dammit?
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Date: 2006-10-27 08:10 pm (UTC)Yes, do watch the 1st season as well. There's some good stuff in there, especially the two-part Stephen Moffat story (the one that won the Hugo this year). It is probably the best thing the series has done so far.