2022-12-24

vivdunstan: Test card (television)
2022-12-24 02:46 am

New Christmas spooky stories

On Thursday night we watched the latest Inside No. 9, "The Bones of St Nicholas". And on Friday night we watched the latest Mark Gatiss A Ghost Story for Christmas, with M.R. James's "Count Magnus".

Of the two the first was by far the more successful for me, with a constantly unsettling feel, and more than a few influences from one of my favourite horror films. All the guest cast were strong, but especially Simon Callow, who was extremely good in his role. Good stuff.

Count Magnus was enjoyable, with a largely Swedish and Finnish cast lending it much authenticity. But the lead character as depicted, played by Jason Watkins, was far too buffoonish throughout, which reduced a lot of the scary atmosphere that should have been there.
vivdunstan: Some of my Doctor Who etc books (drwho)
2022-12-24 11:04 am

Doctor Who festive viewing

Missing any new TV Doctor Who this festive season, but thinking of watching an old Christmas special tonight. Currently tossing up between The Snowmen and The Christmas Invasion. Probably going for the former. Many fans will be watching the other one tomorrow night in a mass tweet along. But I’m favouring the darker one.
vivdunstan: Some of my Doctor Who etc books (drwho)
2022-12-24 11:17 pm

Spotting a Doctor Who special in joke 17 years on

We've just rewatched "The Christmas Invasion" again from 2005. And for the first time I spotted that one of David Tennant's Casanova costumes appears in the outfit choosing scene. I watched Casanova just around the time David Tennant was being announced as the 10th Doctor. But only just noticed this! We may be watching Casanova over the coming weeks. Martin has never seen it, and I bought it at low cost on iTunes so we can watch it. Looking forward to it. And I will be pointing out costumes. I remember a conversation with my Dad who was very concerned that David Tennant might not be good in the role. This was before the Christmas special aired. I had seen Casanova, and said no need to worry, he would be fab.