Christian Cawley's Blog, page 305

Peter Jackson “Serious” About Directing Who!

Andrew Reynolds is a writer at Kasterborous Doctor Who News and Reviews - All the latest Doctor Who news and reviews with our weekly podKast, features and interviews, and a long-running forum.

Peter Jackson, the Oscar winning director of Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit, has given the clearest indication yet that he’ll be directing a Doctor Who episode in the near future.

Speaking to Digital Spy, the director explained that discussions about his involvement are ‘actually kind of serious’ in a Ron Burgundy-esque way.

The director, who’s love for the show extends to both casting the Seventh Doctor as Radagast in The Hobbit trilogy and appearing in the hilarious Doctor Who love letter The Fiveish Doctors went on to add:

“I would be very happy to. I’d love to try my hand at television, because I’ve never had the discipline of having to shoot for those impossibly tiny schedules. I think I could do it okay now.”

Sensing the vibrations of quivering fandom joy, Jackson went on to tease that the potential episode might involve a long-haul flight to a now very Tolkienesque part of the world:

“I did suggest that they did a New Zealand story – something to do with the All Blacks versus the Daleks. There’s a good story in there, although obviously the All Blacks would have to win!”

The Haka of the Daleks, anyone?

With talent filmmaker Ben Wheatley (Kill List, A Field in England) already confirmed for Series 8 and Jackson waiting at a metaphorical terminal 8 to greet the cast of Doctor Who in my dreams, what other outstanding shooters (that’s directors, not snipers; unless they can do both, in which case, good luck on set) should be allowed to play in the Doctor’s Universe?

I nominate Guillermo Del Toro (Pacific Rim), Edgar Wright (Shaun of the Dead), Shane Carruth (Primer), and Ed Wood (Plan 9 from Outer Space).

Jackson’s second Hobbit film The Desolation of Smaug is released this Friday in all good stockist i.e cinemas, which is, presumably, why he spoke to Digital Spy in the first place.

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Cover of the Century: You Voted Dalek!

Nick Kitchen is a writer at Kasterborous Doctor Who News and Reviews - All the latest Doctor Who news and reviews with our weekly podKast, features and interviews, and a long-running forum.

The Professional Publishers Association (PPA) has named the 2005 Radio Times’ Vote Dalek! cover as the Cover of the Century! The vote consisted of a shortlist of 10 of the most notable magazine covers over the last century. The vote itself received 36,000 votes and Vote Dalek! captured 38.5% of the vote.

The image harkened back to the Daleks crossing the Westminster Bridge in The Dalek Invasion of Earth, juxtaposed with the Parliament in the background to signify the 2005 general election and the return of the Daleks to the revived Doctor Who series. Paul Smith, Radio Times Art Editor and creator of the iconic magazine cover had this to say:

“It’s a great honour to win such a prestigious award. Radio Times always tries to go that extra mile, and this particular cover was certainly no exception.  It’s a good example of the imagination and craft that makes Radio Times stand out from the crowd. We managed to reveal the new look Daleks, and combine two very different major television events of that week, into a striking and dramatic re-imagination of an already familiar moment, and that’s a rare opportunity.”

Do you agree that this is Britain’s magazine cover of the century? Here it is in all its glory (click for a bigger image)…The Radio Times has also detailed how the iconic image was constructed. Even back in 2005, you could tell it was something special.

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The Day of the Doctor Released in North America

James Lomond is a writer at Kasterborous Doctor Who News and Reviews - All the latest Doctor Who news and reviews with our weekly podKast, features and interviews, and a long-running forum.

The DVD and Blu-Ray of The Day of the Doctor is hitting North American shelves today, a mere two and a half weeks after the special airs…

The first thing to note is that the adventure can be bought either as a DVD or a combination DVD/ Blu-Ray/ 3D Blu-Ray. It seems that the manufacturer has assumed that those who like their time travel in crystal-clear HD will also be keen on the 3D option!

Extras include a behind-the-scenes feature (Behind the Lens, perhaps?) and “Doctor Who Explained – The entire 50-year history in one hilarious 50-minute special!” Also included are the two minisodes including The Night of the Doctor, which served as an enlightening and intriguing prequel and attracted huge interest for returning Paul McGann to our screens as the Eighth Doctor. The second minisode, The Last Day, is four minutes long, and takes place in Arcadia, the – ahem – “safest place on Gallifrey.” It was initially released online two days before the 50th anniversary.

Both releases also feature the trailers.

The DVD and Blu-ray were released in the UK on 2nd December. Have you picked it up yet…?

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Doctor Who: Dead Man’s Hand Preview

Andrew Reynolds is a writer at Kasterborous Doctor Who News and Reviews - All the latest Doctor Who news and reviews with our weekly podKast, features and interviews, and a long-running forum.

Out now from IDW Publishing, Doctor Who’s most yeehaw-ingist fight for the universe in the finale of Tony Lee’s Dead Man’s Hand.

As an exclusive preview over at Comic Book Resources shows, as Series Three draws to a close, everything is at stake!

The people of Deadwood fighting zombie gunfighters and cross-dimensional alien invaders! Oscar Wilde debating for Earth’s very existence! Wild Bill Hickok, Calamity Jane, and Clara in a suicidal stagecoach attack! Thomas Edison’s redemption!

And the Doctor, sacrificing everything one last time… but is it enough?

Doctor Who: Dead Man’s Hand, written by Tony Lee, with art by Mike Collins and cover by Mark Buckingham, is available now for $3.99 digitally from Comixology and from all good stockists. Pictured here is the variant art by Robert Hack, which we think is rather spiffing too!

Doctor Who Series 3 Volume 4: Dead Man’s Hand, the collected series, is available now to pre-order from Amazon for £10.24.

(Thanks to Paul Bines)

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Doctor Who: Legacy – A Mobile Gaming Phenomenon?

Rebecca Crockett is a writer at Kasterborous Doctor Who News and Reviews - All the latest Doctor Who news and reviews with our weekly podKast, features and interviews, and a long-running forum.

Once again, it seems that the Doctor Who fandom is taking over the world – this time the gaming world, with the new Doctor Who: Legacy from Tiny Rebel Games and Seed Studio.

Since it’s launch on 27th November, fans have flocked to this new game for mobile devices. So far, while there have been a few bugs here and there with the game play and other things, which is very normal for new games – give it to the people and watch them break it – the game has got great reviews and positive reactions from everyone.

EvilGeeks.com says -

I’m truly amazed at how hooked I am on playing it.  The packaging of course has quite a lot to do with that addiction, specifically because it pays such great fanservice to Who-fans.

If you’re a hardcore Who-nut, then you may as well kiss away any free moments you may have in the near future because you’ll be glued to your phone screen for a while.

The Gallifrey Times gives it a 9 out of 10 rating and says -

Overall,  Legacy is far from a sandbox game, but it’s essentially a big sand pit to muck around with your favourite Who characters from your favourite episodes in clever and enjoyable puzzles. To hell with continuity, you can take your team to any point (of the ones that are provided) in Who for battles with a cornucopia of villains. It might be a tad repetitive, but Legacy sure has some legs in it, and is quite the bundle of fun.

Even those with criticisms of the game’s format and content still give it a good review. Many reviews have noted that the game play is similar to a number of other popular games like Match-3, Puzzles & Dragons, and Bejeweled.

Digital Spy says the biggest problem with the game is that it lacks a storyline and dialogue, so the whit and humor of the show is lost to the game. But they still give the game praise -

Doctor Who: Legacy could have easily just been a quick and easy cash-in on a loyal fanbase, offering a game that’s sub-par at best. It has happened before, after all. Instead, fans are treated to engaging and fun puzzle battles featuring most of the characters from the series’ more recent history. It isn’t the complete legacy that the game’s title promises, but it’s a start.

The game has become such a phenomenon that it has now gotten its own Sub-Reddit!

With more levels and characters promised to come, it looks like the game will only continue to gain popularity. They have been quick to roll out the game’s availability to many countries across the globe. According to the game’s Facebook page, there are plans to bring the game to the rest of the online world, for those that don’t have access to a mobile device able to support the game. (Like the writer of this article!)

If you are already playing the game, it would be wise to keep tabs on the Facebook page as they are offering codes for special items in the game through out the Christmas season as well as posting news about updates and bug fixes. The game’s website has lots of other great information including news, gameplay guides, and FAQs.

Let us know in the comments what you think about the game and what you’re most looking forward to with future updates!

(My sources also tell me that Kasterbourites should be on the lookout for an exclusive interview with the game’s creators in this week’s podKast!)

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An Adventure in Space And Time BFI Panel Session Online [VIDEO]

Rebecca Crockett is a writer at Kasterborous Doctor Who News and Reviews - All the latest Doctor Who news and reviews with our weekly podKast, features and interviews, and a long-running forum.

If you weren’t one of those lucky enough to attend the BFI screening and Q&A of An Adventure In Space And Time, then we have a real treat for you. And even if you were, here is a great little bit of that lovely night.

BFI has released a short video of the Q&A session with the docudrama’s writer and executive producer, Mark Gatiss, stars David Bradley and Sacha Dhawan, director Terry McDonough, and William Hartnell’s granddaughter and biographer, Jessica Carney.

Led by writer and BBC presenter Matthew Sweet, the panel spoke about the making of the film, what it was like to step into the world of Doctor Who as well as what it felt like to take those steps back into the history of the show.

Jessica Carney also expressed her feelings about the film and Bradley’s portrayal of her grandfather.

I’d like to thank Mark for creating a wonderful tribute to my grandfather an he would’ve been so thrilled and I’d like to thank David Bradley for playing my grandfather so wonderfully so sensitively. I think he really captured the essence of him.

I think it’s a wonderful piece about the origins of an amazing television program but it also captures everything about what television was like then which is so different from now; it’s all the wonderful period feel, the bits of it…what a lovely piece.

So wonderful to see how much they all enjoyed creating the film and how much it touched Hartnell’s granddaughter. To know that his family approves and are with the rest of us in honoring his legacy and impact of the show is an amazing thing.

And I personally would love to see more with David Bradley in the role… maybe even recreating a few of those lost episodes!

While the BFI link above takes you to a short snippet of the panel, below you can enjoy an audio-only recording of the full Q&A.

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Doctor Who Behind the Lens: The Day Of The Doctor [VIDEO]

Philip Bates is a writer at Kasterborous Doctor Who News and Reviews - All the latest Doctor Who news and reviews with our weekly podKast, features and interviews, and a long-running forum.

Stop what you are doing and watch this.

If you loved The Day of the Doctor – and of course you did – and you miss the brilliant Doctor Who Confidential – and you do – you’ll love this behind-the-scenes video of the 50th anniversary special.

Narrated by Sixie himself, Colin Baker, it features a whole host of Very Cool People including showrunner, Steven Moffat; Doctors Eleven and Ten, Matt Smith and David Tennant; Clara ‘The Impossible Girl’ Oswald, Jenna Coleman; and Kate Lethbridge-Stewart, Jemma Redgrave. It’s a lovely little treat, and makes me shed a tear or two over the sad loss of Confidential. Just think of the wonders we could’ve had if Zai Bennett hadn’t wanted to throw his weight around. A full episode of Jenna’s body-double (who has better legs, apparently, and admit it – you looked); crowds gathering in Trafalgar Flippin’ Square; Steven Moffat confessing that he should be arrested; and, yes, twelve Doctors, looking for home. That’s probably the highlight of the video, seeing them shoot that incredible, heart-warming scene.

Instead, we got Zoe Ball shouting a bit, Rick Off T4 being all Rick Off T4, and, for reasons that escape me, One Direction.

But enough grieving over missed opportunities. Just watch the video below and see Matt gazing at the fans, ready to swing from a TARDIS, saying:

“If this is the end, guys, it’s been a pleasure; it’s been an honour.”

So go on – let’s go Behind the Lens…

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Doctor Who: Say What You See Team Excited By Reaction

Danny_Weasel is a writer at Kasterborous Doctor Who News and Reviews - All the latest Doctor Who news and reviews with our weekly podKast, features and interviews, and a long-running forum.

So hands up how many of you are still trying to unlock Butler Strax on the Great Intelligence level in Doctor Who: Legacy? Good, so it’s not just me then.

But hands up how many of you have gotten the other big hit on the Apple and Google Play stores, Doctor Who: Say What You See?

For those of you who aren’t aware yet Doctor Who: Say What You See is the creation of Big Ideas Digital and puts our favourite Gallifreyans history into their hugely popular puzzle game. If your British you will recognise the format from the classic quiz show ‘Catchphrase’, hence the title, in which you are presented with an image and asked what it represents. For example, picture a tin can holding a car jack and wearing a baseball cap… cap-tin-jack. Get it?

Jon Hamblin, director at Big Ideas Digital, is suitably excited at just how well the game has taken off. In an interview at pocketgamer.biz he said that

We took the game to the Doctor Who Celebration event at Excell last weekend, and the response was amazing. Watching people’s faces as they played the game was brilliant fun – they just light up like a Christmas tree when they get one right.

The game has already hit the number three spot in the iOS chart and shows no signs of slowing down. When asked if he felt they had suffered at all from launching at almost the same time as the gem matching competitor ‘Legacy’ the answer was an emphatic no.

I think we provide different things for different people, and hopefully we compliment each other. Legacy is freemium, and for more casual fans of the show, we’re premium and aimed more at the older, hardcore fan I think.

So have you tried the Doctor Who: Say What You See game? How do you feel it plays? Let us know in the usual way below.

The post Doctor Who: Say What You See Team Excited By Reaction appeared first on Kasterborous Doctor Who News and Reviews.

No Split For Series 8 Says The Moff!

Christian Cawley is a writer at Kasterborous Doctor Who News and Reviews - All the latest Doctor Who news and reviews with our weekly podKast, features and interviews, and a long-running forum.

The news you’ve really been waiting for has been confirmed: Doctor Who Series 8 will be broadcast as a complete run!

Speaking at a BFI event on Sunday December 8th, Steven Moffat revealed that the first run of episodes (13, as far as we are aware) starring Peter Capaldi will be screened as part of a single season, as opposed to the split runs of 2011 and 2012/13, where Series 6 was split across Spring/early Summer and the Autumn, while Series 7 was split across Autumn and Spring/Summer.

Each scenario has proved wholly unsatisfactory for fans used to 13 episode runs from 2005-2008 and again in 2010, where the nuWho series length model became “the norm.”

Let’s hope that we can get back to those days!

(Via Digital Spy.)

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Lovarzi’s Exclusive Dalek Scarf Out Now!

Philip Bates is a writer at Kasterborous Doctor Who News and Reviews - All the latest Doctor Who news and reviews with our weekly podKast, features and interviews, and a long-running forum.

Lovarzi’s specially-designed Dalek scarf has been released, and is the perfect Christmas gift for those special relatives, friends and former regenerations of yourself.

The exclusive scarf (180cm x 35cm) comes soon after the specialist company’s Fourth Doctor Burgundy Scarf and Seventh Doctor Jumper and Scarf, and is available in either grey or petrol blue. Presented in a rather natty-looking gift box, emblazoned with the Doctor Who logo, it’s made from Acrylic (which is resistant to sunlight exposure, meaning you should be able to wear it out and about without fearing the colours will fade), modal and wool.

The Daleks, of course, last appeared in The Day of the Doctor, and will fight the Eleventh Doctor in his swansong story this Christmas, The Time of the Doctor.

Lovarzi was founded in 2007 and has since become a top seller on Amazon UK. Their first Doctor Who release was the multi-coloured Fourth Doctor Scarf last year, which is available alongside their latest products both online and in Forbidden Planet stores nationwide (as well as at the Doctor Who Experience).

The company offers free UK delivery and a 90-day money-back guarantee, so if you’re not happy with the exterminating goodness, you can send it back and receive a full refund.

The Dalek Scarf, priced £36.99, is great for keeping you warm on the frosty atmosphere of Tranquil Repose, snowy slopes of the Dalek Asylum, or, if there’s a fault with your TARDIS’ dematerialisation circuit, Earth.

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