Friday, June 24, 2011

Kopic's Doctor Who & Torchwood News

Kopic's Doctor Who & Torchwood News


First Hobbit photos released officially (PHOTOS) - International Business Times

Posted: 23 Jun 2011 01:04 PM PDT


International Business Times

First Hobbit photos released officially (PHOTOS)
International Business Times
Other actors such as James McAvoy, Toby Maguire, David Tennant, and Daniel Radcliffe were also suggested for the role. Ian McKellan is playing the role of Gandalf the Grey, an Istari wizard who lets Bilbo go and undertake the adventure of reclaiming ...

and more »

RUSSELL T DAVIES IN BLAST AT DAVID CAMERON - Daily Star

Posted: 23 Jun 2011 10:11 AM PDT


RUSSELL T DAVIES IN BLAST AT DAVID CAMERON
Daily Star
By Daily Star reporter RUSSELL T Davies last night blasted David Cameron and Nick Clegg as "savage and evil". Russell T Davies said the PM and his deputy had used spending cuts as a smokescreen to slash the BBC budget. He also said Cameron was out of ...

and more »

SPACE HD to Launch July 6 - Channel Canada

Posted: 23 Jun 2011 09:56 AM PDT


SPACE HD to Launch July 6
Channel Canada
Launching Wednesday, July 6 across Canada on Bell Satellite TV (Channel 1746) and Bell Fibe TV (Channel 1632), SPACE HD arrives just in time to deliver the long-awaited premiere of TORCHWOOD: MIRACLE DAY (July 9) leading the way for all of SPACE's ...
SPACE Set to Bring Hi-Def Sci-fi to Canadian Fans from JulyCINEMASPY.COM

all 3 news articles »

Russell T. Davies blasts Cameron and Clegg - ATV Today

Posted: 23 Jun 2011 07:56 AM PDT


Russell T. Davies blasts Cameron and Clegg
ATV Today
In the run up to the General Election in 2010 Davies warned of the danger of the party getting into power. Russell T. Davies successor on Doctor Who, Steven Moffat, has also criticised the Conservatives before as David Tennant.

and more »

City's Doctor Who attraction plan - BBC News

Posted: 23 Jun 2011 07:35 AM PDT


BBC News

City's Doctor Who attraction plan
BBC News
... experience to Cardiff, and we believe that it will draw fans to the Welsh capital from around the world." The attraction includes special effects from the BBC series, new filmed footage of Matt Smith as the Doctor and a recreation of the modern Tardis.

and more »

See Jack's Naughty Bits

Posted: 23 Jun 2011 07:27 AM PDT

Let's be honest, sometimes contributors at Kasterborous Towers, myself included, may write a headline that says one thing but means something altogether different, a tactic intended to coerce you, our faithful reader, into clicking on the article.

Right now this is not the case.

That's right, loyal Kasterborites!  On this rare occasion, you are permitted to take a potentially-scandalous-sounding headline at face value, because Captain Jack Harkness, as portrayed by John Barrowman, will be showing off his man stuff in an unspecified episode of Torchwood: Miracle Day!

And we're not talking about a Children of Earth bum shot this time, no siree.  If what Barrowman himself has said is true, ladies and gentlemen, you're going to see everything.

"I am naked in one episode – I am full-on naked.  I am bumping and grinding in this one.  I am having man sex.  The true die-hard fans know Jack is omnisexual – he likes men and women.  People who tune into this series will just think Jack is gay, because he just has full-on man sex."

It's not just with any man, either.  44-year-old Barrowman will be having his relations with some chap 20 years his junior:

"It was really fun.  One day, I get to shoot a helicopter and save the world, and a couple of days later, I get to have sex with a 24-year-old."

Given the more liberal (and non-government-regulated) nature of premium US networks like Starz as compared to the more-family-friendly-ish conventional spots on the American dial, it now comes as no surprise that Fox passed on the opportunity to co-produce Series 4.  And obvious as this sounds, it's probably worth mentioning that you shouldn't let your kids see this one, unless you don't mind them witnessing one of their beloved Doctor Who companions… er, being someone else's companion.

Torchwood: Miracle Day hits TV sets across America on July 8th on the Starz network, with a BBC One UK kickoff sometime later.

Doctor Who Insider - Issue 4 - The Doctor Who News Page

Posted: 23 Jun 2011 06:42 AM PDT


Doctor Who Insider - Issue 4
The Doctor Who News Page
And that is the thing that Karen and Arthur and Matt hated, because they knew I had a very big secret that I wasn't divulging. OF HATCHES AND PATCHES: Frances Barber talks exclusively to Doctor Who Insider about playing wicked Eye Patch Lady, ...

Doctor Who Insider - Issue 4

Posted: 23 Jun 2011 06:36 AM PDT

The fourth edition of Doctor Who Insider will be available in North America from 7th July.

In this issue, River Song actress Alex Kingston talks about keeping one of Doctor Who's biggest secrets and playing the Doctor's mysterious 'other' woman.
I knew who River was for quite a while and I was sworn to secrecy. And that is the thing that Karen and Arthur and Matt hated, because they knew I had a very big secret that I wasn't divulging.

Also in this issue:
  • OF HATCHES AND PATCHES: Frances Barber talks exclusively to Doctor Who Insider about playing wicked Eye Patch Lady, Madame Kovarian and tells us why baddies are best.
  • SARAH JANE SMITH: To mark the recent loss of Elisabeth Sladen, we take a look at the amazing life and times of the character she created: Sarah Jane Smith.
  • I WAS… STRAX: Actor Dan Starkey has played three separate Sontarans in Doctor Who and he talks exclusively to Insider about what it's like to be inside the suit and body of a clone warrior.
  • NEXUS POINT: We look back at the moment that the Doctor's arch enemy, the Master, came out of hiding.
  • DATA FILE: The First Doctor and his companions are trapped in a nightmarish world of deadly toys, games and nursery rhymes when the Celestial Toymaker lures them to his realm.
  • TIME SCOOP: Ensnared in this issue's Time Scoop is Davros, the crippled, evil genius who created the Daleks.
  • MERCHANDISE: Previews of the latest Doctor Who merchandise, including The Awakening and The Gunfighters on DVD; we speak to stars of the 1996 Doctor Who TV movie, Daphne Ashbrook and Yee Jee Tso about their new roles as UNIT officers in the Tales from the Vault audio drama; and authors James Goss and Steve Tribe tell us all about their new Dalek Handbook and we print an exclusive 'missing chapter' from this essential tome.
  • STORE INSIDER: A round‐up of some of the latest Doctor Who merchandise, including a new range of mugs and some very dapper Doctor Who clothing.
  • FAN ZONE: A selection of photographs sent in by readers of themselves with well known Who celebrities and their own costumes, props and art inspired by Doctor Who.
PLUS! The latest official news and a giant, double‐sided poster of River Song and The Celestial Toymaker!


For subscription information, visit the subscription website.

Dash Direct Searching for Best Body Parts - AVN News (press release)

Posted: 23 Jun 2011 06:21 AM PDT


Dash Direct Searching for Best Body Parts
AVN News (press release)
Cheryl Cole has the prettiest face in England, whilst Doctor Who girl Karen Gillan tops Scotland's celeb legs and opera singer Katherine Jenkins wins Wales' best boobs. Cole's face was combined with Kelly Brook's boobs, Rachel Stevens' bum and Alesha ...

Doctor Who complete reviews: The Runaway Bride - Shadowlocked (blog)

Posted: 23 Jun 2011 05:34 AM PDT


Shadowlocked (blog)

Doctor Who complete reviews: The Runaway Bride
Shadowlocked (blog)
The story's low-key atmosphere works for rather than against it, and Russell T Davies' script achieves the right balance of humour, action and pathos. The production's lovely, and the performances from Catherine Tate and especially David Tennant hold ...

John Barrowman promises full man sex in Torchwood - Musicrooms.net

Posted: 23 Jun 2011 05:07 AM PDT


John Barrowman promises full man sex in Torchwood
Musicrooms.net
Anyone expecting Doctor Who spinoff Torchwood to come back with a bang could well get what they wish for as John Barrowman has told fans to expect "man sex" and "full nudity" in the new series of the sci-fi show. The actor said that, as fans of his ...

and more »

Davies Hasn't Ruled Out Who Return - Doctor Who TV (blog)

Posted: 23 Jun 2011 04:57 AM PDT


Doctor Who TV (blog)

Davies Hasn't Ruled Out Who Return
Doctor Who TV (blog)
Russell T Davies has said he has no current plans to write another episode of Doctor Who, but he hasn't ruled it out either. "Steven [Moffat] is lovely enough to offer me the chance to write it [again] every year," Davies explained to On The Box. ...

Davies Hasn’t Ruled Out Who Return

Posted: 23 Jun 2011 04:42 AM PDT

Russell T Davies has said he has no current plans to write another episode of Doctor Who, but he hasn't ruled it out either.

"Steven [Moffat] is lov Read more ...


Doctor Who Insider #4

Posted: 23 Jun 2011 04:34 AM PDT

The next issue of North America's own magazine for time travelling Whovians, Doctor Who Insider, is out on July 7th – and they're already up to issue four!

IN THIS ISSUE…
"I knew who River was for quite a while and I was sworn to secrecy. And that is the thing that Karen and Arthur and Matt hated, because they knew I had a very big secret that I wasn't divulging."
– Alex Kingston (River Song).

HELLO, SWEETIE!
In an exclusive interview, Alex Kingston tells Insider about keeping one of Doctor Who's biggest secrets and playing the Doctor's mysterious 'other' woman.

OF HATCHES AND PATCHES
Frances Barber talks exclusively to Doctor Who Insider about playing wicked Eye Patch Lady, Madame Kovarian and tells us why baddies are best.

SARAH JANE SMITH
To mark the recent loss of Elisabeth Sladen, we take a look at the amazing life and times of the character she created: Sarah Jane Smith.

I WAS… STRAX
Actor Dan Starkey has played three separate Sontarans in Doctor Who and he talks exclusively to Insider about what it's like to be inside the suit and body of a clone warrior.

NEXUS POINT
We look back at the moment that the Doctor's arch enemy, the Master, came out of hiding.

DATA FILE
The First Doctor and his companions are trapped in a nightmarish world of deadly toys, games and nursery rhymes when the Celestial Toymaker lures them to his realm.

TIME SCOOP
Ensnared in this issue's Time Scoop is Davros, the crippled, evil genius who created the Daleks.

MERCHANDISE
Previews of the latest Doctor Who merchandise, including The Awakening and The Gunfighters on DVD; we speak to stars of the 1996 Doctor Who TV movie, Daphne Ashbrook and Yee Jee Tso about their new roles as UNIT officers in the Tales from the Vault audio drama; and authors James Goss and Steve Tribe tell us all about their new Dalek Handbook and we print an exclusive 'missing chapter' from this essential tome.

STORE INSIDER
A round-up of some of the latest Doctor Who merchandise, including a new range of mugs and some very dapper Doctor Who clothing.

FAN ZONE
A selection of photographs sent in by readers of themselves with well known Who celebrities and their own costumes, props and art inspired by Doctor Who.

PLUS! The latest official news and a giant, double-sided poster of River Song and The Celestial Toymaker!

Don't miss the fourth issue of DOCTOR WHO INSIDER, out July 7, priced just $6.99!

Jo Will Be at Vworp 4 – Will You?

Posted: 23 Jun 2011 03:41 AM PDT

In fact, as you can see from the photo, Jo Grant has even got the keys to the venue, a popular Manchester pub called The Lass O'Gowrie. So let's count this out…

  • A Doctor Who convention
  • In a pub
  • In Manchester
  • With Jo Grant actress Katy Manning

What is there not to like about Vworp 4?

Katy Manning first appeared as Jo Grant back in 1971, and stayed with the show until 1973, when her character went off on a wild adventure with a Welsh scientist, Cliff Jones. Manning appeared on screen with Third Doctor Jon Pertwee, Master actor Roger Delgado and of course the late Nicholas Courtney, who died earlier this year.

Despite some mad fanfic retcon for Grant, Manning has stayed close to Doctor Who whenever she has been living in the UK, with appearances in the Big Finish range as time travelling adventurer Iris Wildthyme and of course last year she appeared in The Sarah Jane Adventures episode Death to the Doctor, returning to the role of Jo Grant on TV for the first time in nearly 40 years.

And if all of that wasn't enough, she knows famous people, really famous people – like Liza Minelli.

If that isn't enough to get you into a pub and pay £19.95 for the privilege, then you're not a Doctor Who fan. Of course, the best thing is, Manning is one of around ten guests attending the Vworp 4 Pubcon on Sunday July 3rd, so you need to get in fast and buy your tickets today rather than risk missing out on the day!

Peter Jackson's The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey - Student Operated Press

Posted: 23 Jun 2011 03:40 AM PDT


Student Operated Press

Peter Jackson's The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey
Student Operated Press
There had been rumors of David Tennant cast to be King Thranduil, and even Leonard Nimoy as the voice of Smaug the dragon. That we`ve been able to accept. The big deal is Orlando Bloom returning as Legolas and Elijah Wood as Frodo. ...

and more »

Russell T Davies: 'Cameron and Clegg are evil' - PinkNews.co.uk

Posted: 23 Jun 2011 03:36 AM PDT


Russell T Davies: 'Cameron and Clegg are evil'
PinkNews.co.uk
Doctor Who writer Russell T Davies has launched an outspoken attack on David Cameron and Nick Clegg over spending cuts to the BBC. Davies, who is one of the BBC's most senior writers, called the leaders "savage and ...

and more »

Torchwood: Miracle Day UK transmission now at least a week after US premiere? - Den Of Geek

Posted: 23 Jun 2011 03:25 AM PDT


BBC News

Torchwood: Miracle Day UK transmission now at least a week after US premiere?
Den Of Geek
It looks like Torchwood: Miracle Day won't be starting in the UK until at least a week after its US premiere. And maybe longer than that... There's been continued confusion over when we can expect the broadcast of Torchwood: Miracle Day in the UK, ...
Torchwood gets iPhone and iPad appseenit.co.uk
John Barrowman tells Torchwood fans: 'Expect man sex and nudity'PinkNews.co.uk
Torchwood: Miracle Day - Welsh PreviewThe Doctor Who News Page
WalesOnline -Metro -The List
all 61 news articles »

Who's looking worse for wear? - The Sun

Posted: 23 Jun 2011 03:11 AM PDT


The Sun

Who's looking worse for wear?
The Sun
KAREN Gillan probably wishes she could go back in time to avoid looking so worse for wear. The Doctor Who star was snapped appearing to be bleary eyed after a night at notorious nightclub The Box in London. The redhead, who plays the Time ...

and more »

Shouldn't you be in the Tardis and not THAT Box? Karen Gillan is latest star ... - Daily Mail

Posted: 23 Jun 2011 03:08 AM PDT


Daily Mail

Shouldn't you be in the Tardis and not THAT Box? Karen Gillan is latest star ...
Daily Mail
By Daily Mail Reporter She can usually be found travelling through time in the Tardis on TV series Doctor Who. But last night Karen Gillan found herself in a different kind of Box as she became the latest celebrity to experience London's hottest ...

and more »

John Barrowman tells Torchwood fans: 'Expect man sex and nudity' - PinkNews.co.uk

Posted: 23 Jun 2011 03:01 AM PDT


PinkNews.co.uk

John Barrowman tells Torchwood fans: 'Expect man sex and nudity'
PinkNews.co.uk
by Staff Writer, PinkNews.co.uk for PinkNews.co.uk Torchwood star John Barrowman says that the show's next series will be the sexiest yet – with "man sex" and "full-on" nudity. The 44-year-old star said ardent fans know his character Captain Jack ...

and more »

The Best Doctor Who Poems In The Universe

Posted: 23 Jun 2011 02:32 AM PDT

The Best Doctor Who Poems In The Universe is a new book to be released by GJB Publishing compiling a collection of poems and limericks from fans around the world. A wealth of subjects are covered, including the Doctor, the Master, Cybermen, Sarah Jane, Donna, K9, The Green Death, The Mara, Gallifrey, Delia Derbyshire, and Rose; plus, what it's like to be a Doctor Who fan!

The anthology is edited by Garry Vaux, who said:
Poetry isn't necessarily something you associate with Doctor Who but since new Who came back it's had an extra emotional element to it and with it's action hero, the heartbreak, the fun, the scares and the thrills, it seems like an ideal subject for poetry.

The artwork is stunning and there are some wonderful poems from some very talented people. I hope it will encourage more wordsmiths and artists to put pen to paper.

I've been a fan of Doctor Who since childhood and it's the only programme these days I watch religiously so I'm delighted to produce something to celebrate it in a different kind of way.
The book is available to buy from the publisher's website.


Read a sample poem here:
Time Loop, by Gerald Riley

In the constellation of Kasterborous,
There lies a special place.
Locked in time through the spoils of war,
One survivor - who changes his face.

He's lived for over nine hundred years,
But perished after four knocks.
His name is heard throughout the universe.
This mad man with a box.

So whenever you travel in time and space,
Through the stars so wild and dangerous,
Listen for the echo of two beating hearts,
In the constellation of Kasterborous.

Torchwood Miracle Day Spoilers: Starz release episode synopses and titles - Unreality TV

Posted: 23 Jun 2011 02:15 AM PDT


Torchwood Miracle Day Spoilers: Starz release episode synopses and titles
Unreality TV
Raising hype around the Doctor Who spinoff even more, were John Barrowman's recent revelations that he will strip off and have proper gay sex during on instalment….if that isn't worth tuning in for, we don't know what is! When death itself comes to a ...

and more »

Sharon Horgan & Robert Sheehan cast in The Borrowers - The Irish Film Television Network

Posted: 23 Jun 2011 01:04 AM PDT


The Irish Film Television Network

Sharon Horgan & Robert Sheehan cast in The Borrowers
The Irish Film Television Network
Other cast in the television movie include Stephen Fry (QI, Bones) as evil Professor Mildeye, Victoria Wood (Dinnerladies), Shaun Dooley (Eden Lake) and Christopher Eccleston (The Others, Heroes). The show is written by Ben Vanstone. ...

and more »

Torchwood gets iPhone and iPad app - seenit.co.uk

Posted: 23 Jun 2011 12:29 AM PDT


seenit.co.uk

Torchwood gets iPhone and iPad app
seenit.co.uk
The app, Torchwood: Web of Lies, will feature what BBC Worldwide describes as "10, three-minute motion comic narratives" which feature the voices of series stars John Barrowman and Eve Myles. The BBC's commercial arm says further 'narratives' and games ...

and more »

Torchwood: Still No UK Air Date

Posted: 22 Jun 2011 11:24 PM PDT

Programme highlights for the week up to 15th July have now been released by the BBC and, surprisingly, Torchwood: Miracle Day is nowhere to be seen Read more ...


Torchwood writer Davies attacks 'savage and evil' Cameron and Clegg - WalesOnline

Posted: 22 Jun 2011 11:21 PM PDT


Torchwood writer Davies attacks 'savage and evil' Cameron and Clegg
WalesOnline
Torchwood and Doctor Who writer Russell T Davies has accused David Cameron and Nick Clegg of being "savage and evil people". The Swansea-born screenwriter, who appeared in his hometown this week for the premiere of the new series of Torchwood, ...

and more »

Torchwood to be sexier than ever - FemaleFirst.co.uk

Posted: 22 Jun 2011 11:16 PM PDT


Torchwood to be sexier than ever
FemaleFirst.co.uk
'Torchwood' star John Barrowman says the new series of the time-travelling show is raunchier than ever. John Barrowman promises the new series of 'Torchwood' will be sexier than ever. The 44-year-old gay actor reprises his role as Captain Jack Harkness ...

and more »

We Want Your Face!

Posted: 22 Jun 2011 11:02 PM PDT

With Graceless 2 on the way, cover designer Alex Mallinson is planning something special for the cover...

"The first box set was rather pleasingly scattered with glitter, but this time around I thought I'd try something a bit darker and have decided to cover the slipcase with a special varnish effect depicting the screaming faces of the many lost souls Abby and Zara failed to save. The twins are trying to atone for their past mistakes in Simon Guerrier's new scripts, so I felt it was an apt motif."

But where to find a crowd of screaming faces? If you want to feature on the slipcase of Graceless 2, simply send a jpeg of your face in a similar pose to the image shown here of Alex, no bigger than 800 pixels along the longest side or 1 megabyte in size, to enquiries@bigfinish.com, marking your email 'Graceless 2 faces'. And be sure to let us know your name so we can thank you in the booklet!

Sadly, we can't guarantee your face will be included as we don't know how many photos we'll receive, but Alex will do his best to feature all who donate their faces!

The catch: Participants do so on the understanding that no fee will be paid for the use of their image and that Big Finish is allowed to manipulate images sent in order to create the packaging required.

Torchwood: the UK wait continues

Posted: 22 Jun 2011 10:42 PM PDT

The BBC Press Office have now released details for Week 28 (9-15 July); however, Torchwood: Miracle Day does not feature amongst the highlights listed for that coming week.

The series is expected to begin in July, with Front Row presenter Mark Lawson announcing: "Torchwood: Miracle Day begins on BBC1 next month, alongside Radio 4's Torchwood drama." after speaking to writer/producer Russell T Davies on the show. However, BBC News muddied the waters somewhat, reporting after the preview of episode one that: "The series will air in the US in early July and be shown later in the summer on BBC One."

Based on the press release it would currently seem that Torchwood won't begin on UK television until at least a week after its premiere in the United States. However, as always, the Press Office states:
Scheduling information in Network TV Programme Information is subject to change.

Katy Manning On Stage

Posted: 22 Jun 2011 10:28 PM PDT


If you're looking for a laugh and a night of pure entertainment, then Death By Fatal Murder is the perfect place to find it.

A comedy twist on classic 'whodunit' murder mysteries like those of Agatha Christie, Ian Dickens Productions presents you with an evening full of slapstick comedy and ribald laughs in the style of "Allo Allo" and "Are You Being Served".

Death By Fatal Murder is the third play in the Inspector Pratt trilogy by Peter Gordon, but it needed no introduction. Inspector Pratt's foolishness made you take an instant liking to the character. With an all star cast there was no doubt that it would be a fun filled, entertaining evening.

When David Callister first made an appearance as Pratt, the whole stage lit up with his cracking performance. His charming, but somewhat idiotic character fills the story with cheeky innuendos and almost cringe worthy jokes that never fail to receive a snigger from the audience.

Accompanied by Christopher Elderwood playing PC Thompkins (or Napkins as Pratt continually, to much laughter, accidentally called him), Pratt returns to Bagshot House to investigate the disappearance of Constable Atkins and finds himself in the middle of something much more complicated and chaotic.

Where is the lady of the house's estranged husband? What is she hiding? Is the barmy Welsh medium really conversing with dead spirits? And what happened to that mysterious cheese sandwich!?

Alongside actors Leslie Grantham, more commonly known as Eastenders' Dirty Den who plays Enzo Garibaldi and Richard Gibson, the brilliant Herr Flick from "'Allo 'Allo" as Squadron Leader Roger Allwright, Death By Fatal Murder stars Michelle Hardwick from "The Royal" as Nancy Allwright and Katy Manning from classic Doctor Who as the eccentric Blodwyn Morgan.

I would recommend this play to anyone who wants an evening of risqué jokes, raucous laughs and quality, unadulterated entertainment. A fantastic play if you're new to trips to the theatre.


Katy Manning's performance was always going to be the thing I adored the most, and I have to say that she didn't disappoint. She has this fantastic ability to effortlessly change her voice to suit any character she's playing in an instant.

When I caught up with her after the show, she told me that she had only had only been given the script two weeks before the show opened in Blackpool at the end of May. She's currently working on a film, The Haunting of Harry Payne, to be released in 2012 and took on Death by Fatal Murder in between.

If any of you are big fans of Katy, like myself, you'll be pleased to hear that she's thinking about taking her one woman show, Not a Well Woman, on stage in the UK.

Death by Fatal Murder can be seen until the 25th June in Lincoln,
5th-9th July, Wolverhampton
12th-16th July, Malvern
18th-23rd July, Derby
2nd-6th Aug, Swansea
12th-17th Sept, Colchester
29th Sept-1st Oct, Horsham
4th-8th Oct, Lichfield
10th-15th Oct, Chelmsford
18th-22nd Oct, Worthing
8th-12th Nov, Billingham
15th-19th Nov, Crewe
22nd-26th Nov, Basingstoke

How one nurse put her Faith into action - Belfast Telegraph

Posted: 22 Jun 2011 09:46 PM PDT


How one nurse put her Faith into action
Belfast Telegraph
After a few settled years, in which Faith had two daughters, Sarah-Jane and Marianne, in 1992 the couple decided to sell everything and go to Uganda to carry on their work. Her youngest daughter was only seven months old at the time. ...

Review: Paradise Towers - DVD

Posted: 22 Jun 2011 08:23 PM PDT

Manufacturer: BBC DVD / 2|Entertain

Written By: Stephen Wyatt

RRP: &ound;20.42

Release Date: 18th July 2011

Reviewed By: Da le Who for Doctor Who Online

Review Posted: 23rd June 2011

Mel, as played by Bonnie Langford, wants to go for a 453 appendix 1 subsection 6 swim. If this were everyday drama, she would, and that would be that. However this is Doctor Who and things rarely go according to any sort of plan the main characters have, in this 1987 story, remastered and released on this single disc DVD from the BBC / 2|Entertain team of Caretakers.

The Doctor (Sylvester McCoy) pilots the TARDIS to Paradise Towers - a "remarkable architectural achievment" promising a clean, lovely, comfortable living experience, and with a swimming pool on the roof. Accordingly, Mel can paddle whilst the Time Lord can have a (512 appendix 2 subsection 9) look around and investigate things. However upon exiting the now materialised time machine they discover a much different world of uncared for spaces, unexplained disappearances, and unfriendly inhabitants in all shapes and sizes… and something truly horrific in the basement.

Paradise Towers is one of those stories that you may remember as being not terribly good; but happily it's not the case at all. Despite a few cases of acting so wooden it puts the section 9/41, subsection 12c props to shame, it's a clever tale of high-rise horror and society meltdown in a confined area. It manages to feel tight and claustrophobic, and the script and wordplay used are first rate. Cleaned up and remastered in a way the Towers never were, this first season McCoy story manages to succeed on many levels - probably due to the Kangs pressing the buttons for all the floors on the alleviator again..

The special features on this release are well thought out and worthy of a 178 appendix 13 subsection 7 round of applause:

Horror on the High Rise - Mark Ayres takes a look at the making of the story, with contributions from writer Stephen Wyatt, script editor Andrew Cartmel, incidental music composers Keff McCulloch and David Snell, and actors Richard Briers, Catherine Cusack, and Howard Cooke. Clever, insightful and revealing, it shows the story's roots, along with the strengths and weaknesses of the tale. Entertaining and informative, with some accurate and amusing views on the way some of the actors chose to protray their characters.

Girls! Girls! Girls!: The Eighties - Presented by Doctor Who stalwart Peter Purves, this riotously funny and entertaining featurette has Sophie Aldred, Sarah Sutton and Janet Fielding discussing the highs and lows, the trials and tribulations, and the ins and outs of being a Doctor Who assistant. Fielding especially is brilliantly funny, her acidic humour never crossing the line into nastiness, but still demonstrating some of the slightly less eviable things the 80s female companions were expected to put up with, from high fabshion disasters to stereotyping after leaving the show. Defintely a winner, and a team that should be assembled again to discuss all things Who.

Deleted and Extended Scenes - From the first edit of the story, some trims and edited sequences that never made the transmitted version of the show; and there are some very good scenes in there too.

Audio Options - Not only does this DVD have the usual available 304 subsection 12 commentary, hosted by Mark Ayres again, with Judy Cornwell, Stephen Wyatt and Dick Mills, it also has something of a rarity - an entire second incidental music score.

The original score by David Snell was vetoed by showrunner John Nathan-Turner back in the day, and Keff McCulloch was commissioned to do a very quick replacement. Both of these versions are available on the DVD, with Snell's score in particular giving a dark, more menacing feel to the story.

Continuity - The linking announcements for the BBC1 transmission, together with plugs for some of the Doctor Who VHS tapes avaialbe at the time. Notable for an announcer getting the name of one story wrong, and for one link cutting off a mere second before being exposed to the "hilarity" that was "Hi-De-Hi".

Casting Sylvester - A very short piece from Clive Doig explaining his working relationshop with Sylvester McCoy and how he helped with Sylvester being chosen to play the seventh incarnation of The Doctor.

Coming Soon Trailer - The Coming Soon section itself has had a 915 appendinx 8 subsection 2 makeover. Gone is the vworping TARDIS, and in it's place is a slick little end sequence after a great trailer for the next release.

The TARDIS arrives on Pluto, to find Citizen Cordo about to take a header off the roof as he can't pay the taxes levied by Gatherer Hade and a small venomous leech called "The Collector". Can the Fourth Doctor, Leela and K-9 lead a work unit revolution, or has the Time Lord's life expectancy overdrawn? The Sunmakers DVD is out in August.

With the usual Photo Gallery, Radio Times listings, Subtitles for those who may need them and the Production Notes and Info Text giving you facts and trivia along the way, Paradise Towers is an enjoyable Doctor Who story well worth watching again, on pain of a 327 appendix 3 subsection 9 death.

+ Compare Prices for this product on CompareTheDalek.com!

New 'Torchwood: Web of Lies' Motion Web Comic App Announced

Posted: 22 Jun 2011 08:00 PM PDT

BBC Worldwide and Starz have announced the production of an i nteractive app tied to “Torchwood: Miracle Day.”

The app, titled “Torchwood: Web of Lies”, will feature 10, three-minute motion comic narratives providing clues to “Torchwood: Miracle Day.” The app and first motion comic narrative will be available for download on iTunes prior to the premiere of “Torchwood: Miracle Day” - produced by BBC Worldwide Productions, airing this summer in the UK on BBC One and in the U.S. on Starz. Additional narratives and games will be available for download following each week’s broadcast transmission.

Torchwood: Web of Lies” is an episodic interactive experience for iOS that fuses together motion comic and gameplay elements to tell an original and digitally exclusive Torchwood story. Players will participate in a parallel storyline to “Torchwood: Miracle Day” that includes lead characters Captain Jack Harkness and Gwen Cooper – voiced by John Barrowman and Eve Myles.

"Torchwood: Web of Lies" runs alongside weekly premieres of “Torchwood: Miracle Day”, providing fans with a way to engage in the world of Torchwood between episodes. It reveals a past day in the lives of Captain Jack Harkness and Gwen Cooper - a day they’ve both forgotten. The events of that day fuel a modern day conspiracy-laced treasure hunt, as Holly Mokri, voiced by Eliza Dushku (“Dollhouse,” “Tru Calling,” “Buffy The Vampire Slayer& ;rdquo;), labors to uncover the secrets of Miracle Day. Each week a new episode unlocks, allowing players to access another piece of original motion comic narrative and game which ties into and extends plot developments of the show, as well as providing new twists in its own narrative.

The first narrative and game will be released promotionally and the remaining nine can be purchased inside the app in packs of three, each for 59p. A special bundle for all 10 narratives and game can be purchased for &ound;1.79.

Developed by BBC Worldwide Productions and BBC Worldwide Digital Entertainment and Games, “Torchw ood: Web of Lies” is written by “Torchwood: Miracle Day” writers Jane Espenson and Ryan Scott. The motion comic and app is published by BBC Worldwide, with Double Barrel (“Tron: Legacy,” “Repo Men,” “Spartacus: Blood and Sand”) producing the motion comic and Powerful Robot (“Star Wars,” “Green Lantern,” “Scooby Doo,” “Total Drama”) producing the app.

[Source: BBC Worldwide]

Another Miracle Day Preview

Posted: 22 Jun 2011 07:38 PM PDT

With the change of scenery, a new cast and yet another change to the format it would be unwise not to approach Torchwood: Miracle Day with caution. However, as you might have seen from our own preview, it looks as though the show has pretty much survived its migration to the USA.

This is backed up by Den of Geek who have an early spoiler-free review that makes the case for the confident, new cross-Atlantic hub of Torchwood.

The review is quick to praise the ambition of series creator and writer Russell T. Davies whose writing gets the balance of outlining the big themes behind this seasons threat – the human race suddenly finds itself immortal – with a broader canvas and characteristic humour.

Anyone worried about the 'Americanisation' of the show can align their fears:

"It's Americanised to an extent, but mainly in the sense that that's where the story's primarily taking place. And it boasts a series of sequences that instantly manage to show off the increased bank balance behind the show. The money, thus far, has been well spent. And filming action sequences in Wales does wonders for the wind-swept look, clearly."

While hamstrung by potential spoilers the review offers some careful praise of the new cast- particularly Alexa Havin's Esther Drummond- who bags the lion share of the episodes funniest moments.

But it's the old guard of John Barrowman's Captain Jack, Eve Myles' Gwen Cooper and Kai Owen's Rhys that impress the most:

"Owen mixes humour with an earnest, and a real sense of drive about keeping his character's marriage in tact. Barrowman has immense presence in pretty much every scene he's in, here, and pitches his character expertly, as you'd expect. And Eve Myles? She's just brilliant. Whoever Hollywood producers cast in the planned reboot of the Tomb Raider movie franchise, I'm fully confident that Myles could kick their ass. Twice. Before breakfast."

While its still a case of all these wheels finding traction there's enough in this first episode to suggest that the game being set up by Davies will be worth sticking with over the coming ten weeks:

"The opening of Miracle Day sees Torchwood in confident form. There are big themes developing here, in an episode that's very much setting the scene for what's to come. And Davies gets his mix right. It feels slightly different from Torchwood of old, but then that's what it should be. The goalposts have changed, the production has escalated, and the ambition of the show's storytelling has increased with it.

I, for one, am really looking forward to seeing what's coming next. For after this opening episode, I'm fully on board."

And so, for all, are we!

Tories: worse than the Daleks? - The Guardian (blog)

Posted: 22 Jun 2011 06:53 PM PDT


Tories: worse than the Daleks?
The Guardian (blog)
Former Doctor Who screenwriter Russell T Davies has pulled no punches in his latest salvo at the coalition government. According to the Daily Mail, Davies described David Cameron and Nick Clegg as "savage and evil people" over the government-enforced ...

and more »

Procrastinate and Destroy!

Posted: 22 Jun 2011 06:38 PM PDT

T-shirts see to be all the rage these days, particular ones with a really good slogan and image combination. You might just be in luck with this new design from www.604republic.com, clearly designed to appeal to the geekier Doctor Who fans.

The website that describes itself as "designed for geeks and gamers" has a rather cute picture of a Dalek taking some all-important time out to sit back and relax from a heavy work schedule of killing the Doctor, hence the tagline "Procrastinate".

We're already having a whip-around at Kasterborous Towers to raise funds for a t-shirt each for the team here, which should at the very least provide us with a visual clue as to what we should do when there is no news to report!

Available in a navy colour, the t-shirt comes in sizes ranging from Small to Extra-Large and can be bought for as little as £19.95 (roughly £12.30).

No comments: