tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36835112.post7351555607677212074..comments2023-04-09T03:34:12.677-04:00Comments on William's Ramblings: A British InvasionWilliam Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09779582298787431216noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36835112.post-92346412812369052007-09-04T15:09:00.000-04:002007-09-04T15:09:00.000-04:00Hi William, Nice article. I think the British Inva...Hi William, <BR/><BR/>Nice article. I think the British Invasion has been going on for a long time. :) When all said and done you have had a Brit at the helm of the Enterprise, for it's continuing mission, the iconic US SciFi show and a franchise. There have been a lot of classically trained British actors appearing in a US movies (Christopher Lee, Michael Caine, Ian McKellen, to name but a few) for a long time now.<BR/><BR/>In the movie world, foreign made films have definitely been on the increase in the US market. 28 Days Later, Shaun of the Dead and Descent have been mentioned. Another wonderful movie in recent years that is, in my opinion, up there with Brotherhood of the Wolf, is Dog Soldiers. Definitely worth looking out for that one. <BR/><BR/>The biggest area that the British Invasion is starting to show is on TV. On the comedy side, shows have been remade into 'US' versions, some successfully some not so. Classic example The Office, great UK version and pretty good US version. An example of not so good was the flawed US remake of Coupling. This is, in it's original form, a superbly funny show but when made for US TV just didn't work. Coupling is in fact written and created by Stephen Moffat which brings us nicely onto the relaunched Doctor Who.<BR/><BR/>Doctor Who has been a British institution for many years, in fact nearly 45 years now but whose counting. Remade in 2005 for a modern audience, higher budget, great story lines and maintaining the wonderful concept of episodes that can go anywhere, in any time period, Historical stories, future stories or modern day stories, the show has them all. <BR/><BR/>The new show has done something that everyone thought could never happen again, they have managed to bring a family genre show back to a family audience on a Saturday night (Saturday night being the traditional slot for Dr Who in the UK). People said in the modern times it would be impossible to produce a show that the whole family could enjoy, Dr Who has proved it can still be done, and on a worldwide basis. In the UK there are kids running around the playground pretending to be Daleks, going round asking 'are you are my mummy' (see, another Moffat link there) or marking people with marker pens when they are detected as Human. You also have adults talking at work about the latest episode. <BR/><BR/>It is a period of mixed feelings amongst long standing fans of the series, it's no longer in the domain of the minority fans who kept the flame burning throughout the 90's with books and various audio dramas. The show is now back in the hands of the masses, it's no longer 'our' show, it's everyones again but on the other hand its bloody fantastic. :)<BR/><BR/>BTW Torchwood has been accepted for US TV viewing, it begins on BBC America this coming Saturday (8th) and apparently according to my sources has not been censored or cut other than a few seconds for timing issues. You will see what was seen in the UK (something that can't be said for the SciFi channels showing of Dr Who.)<BR/><BR/>I think the influence of British movies and TV shows will have a long lasting effect with more and more British actors appearing in more and more big Hollywood blockbusters or bringing our own brand of movies and comedy to Hollywood and the TV networks.<BR/><BR/>Regards.<BR/><BR/>TonyTonyKenealyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08799760972929493434noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36835112.post-68366793871276238482007-09-04T15:02:00.000-04:002007-09-04T15:02:00.000-04:00Since BBCA is the only channel i watch anymore, i ...Since BBCA is the only channel i watch anymore, i would have to say that i rather enjoy dr. who. also, you should keep an eye out for the show jekyll. Also a british television show, but very interesting. it's a little brit different.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36835112.post-47551894590414302592007-08-27T08:38:00.000-04:002007-08-27T08:38:00.000-04:0028 Days Later already has a sequel out, 28 Weeks L...<I>28 Days Later</I> already has a sequel out, <I>28 Weeks Later</I> with which is just as good as the first one. <BR/><BR/><I>Doctor Who</I> is hit and miss with me, with some excellent episodes and some not so good. <BR/><BR/>The other British show that comes highly recommended from me is <I>Spooks</I> , although you might all know it as <I>MI5</I><BR/><BR/>David ConyersAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36835112.post-34796368327388645742007-08-24T23:10:00.000-04:002007-08-24T23:10:00.000-04:00Brotherhood of the Wolf the best movie of its kind...Brotherhood of the Wolf the best movie of its kind. The Howling gets everyone going and it is great. But Brotherhood of the Wolf was just spooky.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36835112.post-60134390653621919902007-08-24T12:39:00.000-04:002007-08-24T12:39:00.000-04:00I love the new DR. WHO! I have a friend who has so...I love the new DR. WHO! I have a friend who has some of the originals. I tried them but couldn't stand to watch more than 10 minutes. They just seem dull. I don't like the new Flash either. The actors look like they are right out of the 80's.<BR/><BR/>Now SHAUN I loved and 28 Days. I thought they were better than the remake of Day of the Dead. Another movie I thought was good was The Descent. It isn't a zombie movie, but it is better than some of the stuff I've seen lately.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36835112.post-26483580016330439992007-08-24T12:02:00.000-04:002007-08-24T12:02:00.000-04:00I have not often been a fan of transplanted TV and...I have not often been a fan of transplanted TV and film, especially if the intent is humorous. Shaun of the Dead did work for me, though. I liked it quite a lot.<BR/><BR/>One movie that I absolutely loved, and is among my favorites of all time, is "Brotherhood of the Wolf," which was a French flick. Incredible suspense and action.Charles Gramlichhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02052592247572253641noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36835112.post-36477612283169044012007-08-23T18:54:00.000-04:002007-08-23T18:54:00.000-04:00Jeff,I thought SHAUN OF THE DEAD was a very clever...Jeff,<BR/><BR/>I thought SHAUN OF THE DEAD was a very clever film. I did catch several allusions to previous zombie films, but I'm certain there are fans who caught many more.<BR/><BR/>As for the 1980 version of FLASH GORDON, it was a bit painful overall. It is surprising to see how many actors are in the film, but who don't seem to belong there. Dalton did seem out of place (I wonder if he'll ever appear as Dr Who)? :)William Joneshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09779582298787431216noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36835112.post-70204207869983905882007-08-23T17:50:00.000-04:002007-08-23T17:50:00.000-04:00I've seen SHAUN OF THE DEAD twice and would gladly...I've seen SHAUN OF THE DEAD twice and would gladly watch it again. Great satire.<BR/><BR/>I actually sat through the 1980 FLASH GORDON movie and couldn't stand it. Timothy Dalton's performance was notable -- if I remember, he was trying to play his role with intensity and a straight face, but he must have been terribly embarrassed to be in such a poor film!<BR/><BR/>-JeffAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com