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Reviews
Doctor Who: Human Nature (2007)
One of the best defining episodes for the Doctor as a whole.
This is a highlight, not merely for New Who but Doctor Who as a whole. It is good for not just the character of 10 but the Doctor. Wonderfully written. Thinking this started out as a Fanfiction is incredible. It became one of the best-received Virgin New Adventures, and finally was adapted into a story, which it truly deserved. It inspired the audio Master, which inspired Utopia, which this episode foreshadows. A lot came from Paul Cornell's marvellous work. The acting is good, the plot is good, the themes are good. Having the Doctor disguise himself as a human and think he is was a wonderful idea. There are some minor flaws but they pale in this masterpiece. Series 3 really is the best New Who series so far. This story deserves more recognition as clearly one of the greatest Doctor Who stories ever told.
The Night of the Doctor (2013)
Fitting and poignant
This finally gives McGann his regeneration episode. The Big Finish references are nice, effectively canonising that great set of adventures, and it certainly fits into the character of the Eighth Doctor, now broken down by his experiences. Great to see Karn again, which fits into the New Eighth Doctor Adventures where the Doctor met the Sisterhood. A lot of references but this episode does seem aimed at the more devoted fans. Small but good cast. McGann gives brilliant performance and has a suitably tragic regeneration, giving up being the Doctor after feeling he must become a Warrior instead to help. The story gives a horrible subversion of what would usually happen in this situation, Cass refusing to be saved by a Time Lord and showing how much they have changed, like the Doctor has to change into someone who can fight. Overall great story.
Doctor Who: Journey's End (2008)
Hyped-up, plot swiss cheese, self-indulgent.
This is a bad story, possibly the worst finale by RTD. He tries to replicate the much superior Parting of the Ways but fails. After a slow plot in Stolen Earth here he throws in loads of characters for the sake of it. Rose shows herself to be selfish here, wanting to come back despite the threat to the worlds. The aborted regeneration is stupid, the Meta-Crisis is there to give the Mary Sue her own Doctor, thank Dionysus that grow your own TARDIS was cut. The Doctor-Donna is another dea ex machine. Davros well-acted but the Doctor and the Children of Time do so little overall to help, so many plot threads go nowhere. The story is more like a self-indulgent, poorly written fanfic. I can't understand why this is so liked.
Doctor Who: The Stolen Earth (2008)
Self-indulgent, though ratings-pulling cliffhanger
Not a good episode. A lot of characters crammed in for the sake of it, meaning the episode feels quite self-indulgent. Bringing Rose back in was just pandering to the fans like the Cult of Skarose or using a Mary Sue. The Shadow Proclamation really wasn't needed. Davros returning wasn't much of a reveal, though he is acted well. Harriet Jones gets a good last appearance, the Doctor realising he was wrong in what he did to her. Not explained how Caan was able to enter the Time War. Another case of major barriers just being made to be broken. Time Lock, broken. Barriers between Universes, broken again. Plot that takes too long to go anywhere. The Doctor does so little. There was certainly quite a cliffhanger, but in hindsight it just looks like a way to pull ratings in. Also why does the Dalek death beam suddenly not kill immediately? Why does it glance off?
Merlin (2008)
A new adaption of the Arthurian Stories, where Merlin is the young servant to Arthur and must keep his magic secret
I began watching this show when it first came out and I have not regretted seeing every episode. This show is quite enjoyable. It is quite a different adaption to what you may be used to. It veers behind awkward comedy and rather adult jokes. At times the show can feel weird and silly, and doesn't exactly feel like a Family Show. TV Tropes has quite a page on Ho Yay in Merlin. But I find it a highly entertaining show. The plots are good and their is some quite good characterisation. If all else fails it is fun to watch. It seemed repetitive in the first Series but developed over time, becoming Darker and Edgier and even killing of innocents. By now it feels adult however it is far more enjoyable then the beginning. It is unfortunate that next Christmas Eve Merlin will finally end. But I am looking forward to the Finale, and getting to Series 5 is quite an accomplishment.
Inglourious Basterds (2009)
A group of soldiers are sent to kill Nazis in 1944.
This is a truly awesome film. Tarantino considers this his masterpiece and I can understand why. The film has a great storyline. I like how they don't make all the Nazis two-dimensional villains, though Hitler is still true to form as a ranting maniac. There are some flaws with the Film, but these can be overlooked with ease. The ending where Hitler and Goebbels are machine-gunned by the Bastards may not be historically accurate but this is obvious and it is an awesome scene of an alternate history. It may seem a villain has got away at the end but the Bastards are still able to inflict punishment on him, though he survives. There are some funny moments, like when the Bastards impersonate Italians to get into the Cinema. All in all this is a film I would really recommend, though I agree with the 15 rating.
Metropolis (1927)
A classic sci-fi story showing a Future city of great class-division, Metropolis, and the attempts to bring together and divide further the division
This film is delightful. Fritz Lang may have disliked this, possibly due to Nazi love of the film, but in the present day it truly is one of the greatest and most influential films ever made. The film has one of the most famous robots in all sci-fi, who has become one of the most famous images of the film. Much of the film may have been lost and there have been problems with restoration, but even though I saw the film years ago when much was still missing I still loved it. The ideas of class division may still be relevant in 2026, there can still be great inequality even in the most powerful nations and there are attempts to bring them together. If you think the film is a cliché, remember this established many of the clichés, such as the mad scientist with wild hair and the robot hand. There is basis in H.G Wells and older works, but the way this film is brought together makes it a still enjoyable work out of its own century.
Braveheart (1995)
In a historically inaccurate film, Mel Gibson shows William Wallace's fight against the English
The film may have a memorable quote. It may have a well known actor. But that in my mind does not redeem this film. Here Mel Gibson pushes forth quite extreme prejudices, showing Anglophobic and Homophobic ideas. The Film has a very black and white morality and the villains are quite one- dimensional. It badly alters history, exaggerating what the British did. The myth of Primae Noctis was established by this film. The chronology is quite poor, Isabella was nine when Wallace died and Edward III was born seven years later. William Wallace committed some atrocities in his fight for 'Freedom' and raided England. You could make a good film out of this by showing the moral dubiousness of his actions, but instead a quite one-sided portrayal is given. Not only does it install bad ideas but it increases a quite negative stereotype of the British. Not all Americans think like this, but such films reinforce the stereotype of them thinking in such basic terms. I feel that this film has often been overrated, even as a film it can be quite poor. The only joy the film give me is venting out my rage at those who tarnish history.
The Shawshank Redemption (1994)
A banker convicted for the murder of his Wife and her Lover experiences a brutal and corrupt prison and attempts to change this.
A wonderful film, truly one of the best ever made and deserving of its place among the top films. There may be problems but the clever story line and brilliant actors will distract you from that. Tim Robbins has a good role as Andy Dufresne, the banker convicted for the murder of his wife and her Lover. Morgan Freeman has an absolutely brilliant role with his portrayal of Red, the experienced prison Fixer, in an example of excellent casting. The film shows the corruption within the prison system and has excellent characterisation. The idea of leaving prison is questioned throughout the film, as the characters wonder how beneficial leaving prison will really be. The film is certainly quite violent but the storyline more then makes up for this. The ending is delightful to watch but I won't spoil it. You should watch the film yourself.