The Woman in Profit

Posted on January 29, 2012 by Martyn

Update: I decided to ask Jane Goldman about this via Twitter and she says:

Truly, I’d challenge anyone to spot the difference – literally 3 shots are 1 or 2 seconds shorter and 2 audio stings turned down :) To clarify, not a single shot different or missing & the rumours don’t accurately represent the situation, so no need for distress!

So essentially we are getting the movie they intended to made – and according to a forum poster on IMDb message baords, the director stated that the audio stings were turned down purely to avoid being distracted by what is going on visually.

So there you have it. I’m just annoyed that this whole BBFC thing got out of hand.

Believe me, this is better than some of the posters released for this film..

Well, now I’ve discovered that Jane Goldman’s adaptation of Susan Hill’s gothic horror (so no, not a prequel or sequel to the Gene Wilder movie) The Woman in Black has been given a 12A instead of the expected 15 rating due to particular content that the American MPAA seem to be okay with, but the BBFC aren’t – I don’t think I’ll be seeing this in the cinema as I smell the opportunity for the film company to release a 15-rated or even an unrated version of the film after the theatrical release window has expired.

So that means I could then watch the film – with all 6 seconds (yes, I know) intact – in the comfort of my own home. Yet I would dearly love to see this in the best possible place to watch a film – a cinema. So unless the film company then decides to re-release the film back in the cinemas with it’s original 15 rating I’ve just have to lump any extras in the comfort of my home, albeit with a much smaller screen and stereo sound system.

Of course having a 12A cert means that you’re going to get more bums on seats during the theatrical release. But for those of us that appreciate a higher rating – perhaps if only to filter out the less mature members of the cinema going public – then we’re screwed. 6 seconds is nothing to worry about, but it’s the fact that the film company did not contest or allow for the higher rating when confronted with the BBFC. Profits before artistic merit.

I know making films isn’t cheap, but COME ON. Treat your audience with some respect for God’s sake. Just because Daniel-sodding-Radcliffe is in this doesn’t automatically entitle you to cash in on the Harry Potter franchise, reduce the certificate to get more screaming girls in, and then count all the money at the expense of treating ALL the audience like rabid Potter fans.

This is why I won’t see this film – Hammer seem to lack any spine. For a horror company that’s screamingly awful.

Posted in Fail, Film | Leave a comment

Weekend viewing from the world of Netflix..

Posted on January 27, 2012 by Martyn

I’m doing a bit of virtual travelling this weekend.

First up, all three Robocop films from Netflix UK. I haven’t seen Robocops 1, 2 or 3 for *years* and the last time I did was the Criterion DVD release of the first film (with extended cut which is even more bloody and violent than the theatrical release!). A damn shame Criterion didn’t release many of their titles over here in the UK in region 2 format as they produced excellent value-for-money discs.

I may then watch Starship Troopers. Again, haven’t seen it in years, but still a good film.

Then I’m hoping across the pond to Montreal where I’ve got Gentlemen Broncos to watch from Netflix Canada:

This is one bonkers movie, but it appeals to me strangely enough. It’s from the husband and wife team that brought us the excellent Napoleon Dynamite, so it should be good.

Then I’ll leap across the Canadian border to the US where I’ll watch Trollhunter through Netflix US.

And if there is any more time left, I’ll stay in the US to continue watching Farscape series 1.

Posted in Film, Netflix, Television | Leave a comment

It’s that time of year, now that award shows are in the air..

Posted on January 25, 2012 by Martyn

What with the Oscar nominations, BAFTA shortlists and whatnot being flung about left, right and centre, it’s time to dust down the archives and watch the Spitting Image Movie Awards!

Posted in Awards, Film | Leave a comment

Switching VPN providers and Netflix content elsewhere..

Posted on January 23, 2012 by Martyn

While I have generally found Tunnelbear to be excellent, I’ve not been able to make successful PPTP connections on the iPad to Netflix US. Consequently I’ve switched to Hide My Ass! which is slightly more expensive, but gives me granular control over my tunnel’s endpoint. Indeed, it’s not just the US I can connect to, but to Canada and many other locations!

Hide My Ass! works spectacularly well with Netflix US, and it’s also opened up Netflix Canada which in some cases has even better content availability than the US. So I can now access Netlix UK, US and Canada, I have an unbelievably good selection of films and television programs that will last me years to

But don’t think simply bypassing regionalisation makes me a greedy so-and-so. As somebody who happily spends money on regularly visiting the cinema, buying Blu-Rays, renting through iTunes, etc. much of the availability now allows me to sample the non-HD content of TV shows and films. I’m now VERY tempted to buy the Blu-Ray boxset of Farscape thanks to me watching it on Netflix US. The same has to be said of Star Trek: The Next Generation. I can only imagine how good things look having been remastered. I could happily re-watch Farscape series 1 over and over again and not be bored – I love that show. What I really like about Netflix is that it offers no extras, no commentaries, nothing. If you want those – you buy the DVD or Blu-Ray (if available). It’s a great way of being entertained and acting a try-before-you buy in the same way that Spotify is a similar model for music (whether or not you’re on the free, £4.99 or £9.99 package) – there has been albums and tracks that I’ve bought regardless because I want to support the artist/label as well as having a permanent copy of the music. Even with the purchase music/movies/TV shows, I can still use Netflix on devices and my computer as and when the whim takes me (rather than having to switch on the fixed TV and insert a Blu-Ray).

Interestingly looking at the Netflix blog about the Canadian launch, many people lambasted Netflix for having an initial poor catalogue. Yet from my PoV, the catalogue the Canadians have now is really rather good – nothing to complain about at all. If the UK service goes the same way as Canada, we Brits will be able to access – without VPNs or physically travelling to these places – a similarly excellent range of content within a few months.

In the mean time: using a VPN is a good halfway house. It’s not ideal and the rights holders might not like it too much, but if it helps Netflix UK to actually determine who is accessing which content from abroad – perhaps this might help prioritise what they’ll negotiate next to add to the UK catalogue. At the very least the stats generated from this would make for interesting reading.

Posted in Consumerism, Netflix | Leave a comment