Dr Who Series 8 Episode 3: Robot Of Sherwood

You know, technology changes … 

And yet STILL … ?

Still things stay the same.

I ’ve possibly mentioned before now that I’m happy to record stuff that’s on TV: and keep hold of those recording until such time as I’m able to get a suitable DVD box set.

And … ?

Well, up until a few years ago, I’d quite happily record those shows to a blank DVD: and then use HandBrake to transcode the results into something I could watch later: on whatever device I happened to favour.

There’s a FEW settings, before you ask.

At ANY rate, it’s still something I tend to do.

Even thought, these days, the ‘recording’ is on a USB flash memory stick.

I’m still using HandBrake: possibly the most versatile thing of it’s kind doing the rounds.

~≈®≈~

At ANY rate, you’re going to ask me, aren’t you … ?

Why on EARTH have I mentioned HandBrake … ?

Well, it’s my default ripper: for when I’m recording stuff from TV, to either watch later.

Or, at least, until I can get a version on DVD or from an OnDemand service, like iTunes.

The programme in question, of course, was today’s episode of Dr Who: the Mark Gatiss penned, Robot of Sherwood.

I think I can safely say there were no scenes of Daleks getting blown up by Ninja Turtles.

I think I’ll have a disappointed nephew … 

~≈®≈~

Merlin & Robin: Episode 6 and a DVD

You know, I’ve GOT to admit, last night was rather …

Busy …

Yeah, busy seems to be the exact phrase … !

After all, fitting in Movie Night — complete with me, Movie Night Adrian, Squeaky, Big Josh and Kevin D but minus Tootles Sarah — with an episode of Merlin … ?

Hmmm …

Remind me to organise my calendar a bit better … !!

But, either way, it meant — after Movie Night — I think I managed to get to bed long enough after 1 in the morning to make posting this afternoon a sensible idea.

Well …

Sensibleish …

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First things first, though, shall we … ?

Yes, that makes sense, doesn’t it.

First off, though, I’ve got to admit, I’m enjoying the fact that Film4 are doing an entire weekend devoted to the first ten Star Trek movies. I know I’ve an old friend — Sue, over on Facebook — who’s complaining about the amount of cuts made to accommodate the adverts.

Personally, though … ?

I’m not complaining too much.

Not actually owning copies, I’m happy to see they’re on.

And happy to explain, yesterday, to Squeaky, the back-story to Star Trek 2: The Wrath of Khan: generally considered the best of the films, to date, although I’d make a case for Star Trek 6: The Undiscovered Country — you can’t wrong with that many Klingons — or Star Trek: First Contact. You can’t be going wrong with that many Borg, either!

Ahem … !!

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Ooh, but I’ve been meaning to get that out of me system since, oh …

About 7 o’clock, yesterday, just after Wrath of Khan* …

Let’s get cracking on, shall we … ?

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Yes, lets …

And move on to Merlin …

Now, I’ve got to admit, I’m glad I didn’t post up about episode 6 of Merlin — The Changeling — last night. After all, I was a touch rushed.

Last night’s episode centre’s on the arranged marriage of Prince Arthur and and Princess Elena, the daughter of one of King Uther’s neighbours.

The twist, of course, is that Princess Elena has issues …

As you’ve probably guessed from the title …

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Now, I’ve got to admit, The Changeling was another one of the lighter episodes in Series Three. And one that struck me as a possible rerun of series two two-parter, Beauty and the Beast. Although granted, it has enough differences to make it a very different take on the idea of a hijacked wedding. Including the fact that the chief villains in this episode … ?

Were the Merlin take … on the Sidhe: plotting patiently to make sure they had a queen …

»»•««

Now, I’ll admit, I’m not the biggest fan of the lighter episodes of Series 3Merlin. However, this episode, as ever, did throw a darker bone for those of us looking for it. One that saw Katy McGrath’s Morgana realising a thing or two about exactly how Angel Coulby as Guinevere feels about Arthur: one that — to my mind, at least — gets Morgana to thinking …

The other … ?

Is on that sees both Guinevere and Arthur having something of a big discussion …

Both of which I felt added to the on-going story-arc.

Personally, though … ?

I’m waiting for next week’s episode …

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The other thing I managed to catch, last night … ?

Or at least, me and the rest of the movie night gang … ?

Was the DVD director’s cut of Ridley Scott and Russell Crowe’s version of Robin Hood: something I know that I, my ex, Allison, managed to see with Squeaky, back in May.

Now, I’ve got to admit, I was comfortable seeing it the first time around.

Second time around, though, and with the 16 extra minutes the director’s cut included?

I’ve got to admit, I had a case of the serious fidget’s, although I Movie Night Adrian, Kevin D and Squeaky thorough enjoyed it.

What I will say … ?

Is that Robin Hood is probably worth seeing if you’ve not caught before, even with Russell Crowe’s still wandering accent. It did manage to generate quite some discussion about what a Robin Hood movie should be about.

Meself … ?

I just wish I’d managed to talk everyone into catching something else … !!

* The obvious gag to get out of the way, here … ? What do you call the ghost of one of the stars of The Godfather … ? The Wraith Of Caan … Sorry, sorry

Riding through the Glen … OK, Romford … !

OK, I’ve got to confess, here’s where I tell you what I was up to, last night.

Or I should say, Allison, I, and Allison’s niece, Squeaky Sophie, were up to, last night …

Which sounds odd, now I put it that way, doesn’t it … ?

What we actually did was head into Romford to see a movie.

And, as you’ve possibly guessed, we actually ended up in Romford’s Vue cinema, to see the latest offering from director, Ridley Scott, and actor, Russell Crowe.

Robin Hood.

°°°°°

Actually, just as a side point, here, one of the nightclubs owned and operated by Ronnie and Reggie Kray was called The Double R.

LORD knows why that’s springs to mind … !!

°°°°°

Now, I’ve got admit, I’m something of a long time fan of Ridley’s.

You’d possibly not think so, would you … ?

So, when Allison told me she was planning to take Squeaky to see Robin Hood, and asked if I’d like to totter along, I happily said yes.

After all, the last Scott/Crowe collaboration was a bit of a biggy.

Now, Gladiator was an impressive piece of work.

Not my favourite of his, but nonetheless, still impressive*.

Robin Hood, on the other hand …

Hmmm …

Hmmm …

I’m thinking that Robin Hood, isn’t in quite the same league as Gladiator.

But then very few things are.

On the other hand …

Robin Hood sees Crowe as the eponymous hero returning from the Crusades quite literally at the head of Richard Cœur de Leon’s army.

And, as a result of Richard’s death, and an attempt to help Robert Locksley, who was ambushed by the traitorous Godfrey — Mark Strong, at his villainous best — Russell Crowe, as Robin Longstride, has to take Sir Robin Loxley’s ancestral sword home to his father, Sir Walter Loxleyº.

Which is where thing’s get …

Interesting …

To say the least … !!

Now, I’ll leave the plot summery to IMDb, they tend to do these things a touch better than I do.

But as a movie … ?

Robin Hood’s a good film. It’s not necessarily Ridley Scott or Russell Crowe’s best movie.

But it is entertainingª.

And as an attempt to try to do a historical retake on the story, it’s a better attempt than the Antoine Fuqua cut of King Arthur.

Cast List

Actor    Character

Russell Crowe Robin Longstride

Cate Blanchett Marion Loxley

Max von Sydow Sir Walter Loxley

William Hurt William Marshal

Mark Strong Godfrey

Oscar Isaac Prince John

Danny Huston King Richard The Lionheart

Eileen Atkins Eleanor of Aquitaine

Mark Addy Friar Tuck

Matthew Macfadyen Sheriff of Nottingham

Kevin Durand Little John

Scott Grimes Will Scarlet

Alan Doyle Allan A’Dayle

Douglas Hodge Sir Robert Loxley

Léa Seydoux Isabella of Angoulême

* I actually personally believe that Bladerunner was the better of the three movies. But there you go: Gladiator was the one that bagged the Oscars …

º Ably and sympathetically played by Max Von Sydow.

ª You know, I’ve also got to add that, while I’ve not seen the Kevin Costner film, Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves, I know that both Allison and Squeaky Sophie have. Both felt that, while the Scott/Crowe version wasn’t bad, they both preferred — action and feel-wise — the former.