Christian Cawley's Blog, page 362

Awesome 6.5 inch Vinyl Paradigm Daleks!

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.

As previously reported by Kasterborous, Titan Merchandise has announced new additions to their popular Doctor Who Titans line – larger, 6.5 inch figures to compliment the the current 3.5 inch figure line as part of the celebrations of the show’s 50th anniversary.

Today we have news that Titan has added new figures to the collection, the Doctor’s oldest and most fearsome foes, in the form of the New Paradigm Daleks!

The Strategist, Drone, Scientist, Eternal, and Supreme Daleks will join the line that already includes the Tenth and Eleventh Doctors, the TARDIS, a Weeping Angel and the Statue of Liberty Angel.

Although not currently available for pre-order, the new Daleks will retail for $21.99 and are scheduled for release 26th March 2014. The previously announced figures will be available 10th November 2013.

Keep watching Kasterborous for more information!

The post Awesome 6.5 inch Vinyl Paradigm Daleks! appeared first on Kasterborous Doctor Who News and Reviews.

The New Doctor Writes…

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 latest issue of DWM is packed with photos and information about our brand new Doctor, Peter Capaldi. It also has a special treat: a letter from the newest Doctor himself!

 

In what can be best described as a “love letter to both DWM and the fans, Capaldi talks about the impact the magazine had on him as young fan, as well as how it prepared him for initial meeting with showrunner Steven Moffat.

“We’re still exploring who he is, but every one of the last 50 years of Doctor Who will have helped make him. And DWM’s meticulous chronicling of those years has already made a contribution. Over the last few months I’ve referred to quite a few of the issues and specials to refocus my inner Who…I’m certain I’ll be returning to the pages of the magazine.”

We’ve already established Capaldi as a passionate fan letter writer, dating back to even age 15! It isn’t a surprise to see his affection for the magazine. It will be interesting, though, to see how his DWM research informs his performance. Do you think being a ”mega-fan” will help or hinder his upcoming portrayal of the Twelfth Doctor?

(Via Facebook)

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Is J.K. Rowling Writing a Doctor Who eBook?

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.

The Doctor Who 50th anniversary short story collection – where famous children’s authors were invited to pen eleven short eBooks for each Doctor – has had its fair share of talented, wonderful storytellers adding their considerable talents to the canon.

However one name, perhaps the most famous author working today, has been noticeable by her absence from the monthly collection.

Or has she?

You see, Steven Moffat, a man not afraid to shoot down a suggestion or too (and then jump up and down on said suggestion until it breathes no more) didn’t dismiss the idea – in fact, he made an interesting comment on Wednesday when a member of the audience asked if Harry Potter and pseudonymous crime author J.K Rowling will pen one of the planned short stories:

I can’t confirm that… right now.

The insinuation is clear – J.K Rowling could be confirmed as one of those eleven authors! Start getting excited!

This isn’t the first time the author has been linked with the world of Who.

Back in 2008, former show runner Russell T. Davies confirmed that he had asked Rowling to write an episode of Doctor Who.

In emails published in The Writers Tale and widely publicised at the time Davies commented:

Back in 2004, I asked J.K. Rowling to write an episode of Doctor Who, though she politely declined, and reflecting that we can’t possibly get someone to star in next year’s Christmas Special who’s as famous as Kylie…when all those things coalesced. BAM! I thought, don’t ask J.K. to write a Doctor Who, ask her to be in a Doctor Who! We’ve done Dickens, Shakespeare, Agatha Christie…why should kids think that all great authors are dead?

He went on to explain the decision to not include her in the 2008 Christmas special.

David [Tennant] doesn’t like the J.K. idea, he thinks it sounds like a spoof, so we’ve paused slightly, wondering whether to win him round or just abandon something that he’s not going to be happy with. We’ve got to keep him happy. He keeps us happy. Plus, he might be right. So that idea has parked itself, and I doubt we’d ever get J.K. – she doesn’t need to do it.

Further to this, rumours abounded earlier this year that the world-famous writer would be penning one of these e-shorts, to be compiled in a print book later in the year.

So is this the perfect way to tempt J.K Rowling to contribute to the Doctor Who universe? Which Doctor should she write for? Who wouldn’t want to see her pen an episode of the show itself?

(via Hypable)

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Reviewed: Phantoms of the Deep

Meredith Burdett 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.

Many moons ago, but only recently discussed, Russell T Davies was in talks to bring back Doctor Who to television. Yes, you all know that, but not so many know about the plans that were put to him in the late 1990’s. When he had initially had his meetings regarding Doctor Who and bringing it back, Tom Baker’s name was suggested as the Doctor again. A nonsensical idea of course, but one that Davies entertained for the sake of a conversation with the BBC regarding Doctor Who’s future on television.

In some other universe where Bernard Cribbins was the Fourth Doctor, the Dark Dimension was made and the Ninth Doctor enjoyed a three series span, perhaps Baker did take the role on in an older form. If that were the case, then Phantoms of the Deep by Jonathan Morris would be a solid example of what later 90’s Doctor Who could have been.

Arriving on the submarine Erebus as it explores the deepest point of the Pacific Ocean, The Doctor, Romana and K-9 find themselves the most unlikely of passengers on the Erebus as it discovers the hidden wonders of the Mariana Trench. But this being Doctor Who, there’s absolutely no chance that this will merely be a straightforward exploration and before long it becomes clear that there’s something else in the darkest and deepest depths of the ocean, something that’s been waiting a very long time to get out.

If Doctor Who had achieved its television reinstatement for the BBC in the late 90’s or if the Paul McGann pilot had taken off and become an American series, Phantoms of the Deep would be a sterling example of what could have been achieved, imagine a cross between a base-under-siege Doctor Who story and an episode of Seaquest DSV and you can start to paint the picture. This is a tense, grating and well paced story that keeps the series regulars all incredibly busy whilst allowing suitable time for the guest stars of the adventure to flesh themselves out and breathe.

Baker, as ever, is a delight to listen to. His voice gets more excitable and more youthful with every new Fourth Doctor tale that he takes part in. Mary Tamm flexes her acting muscles with a very raw performance that ranges from dry wit to total fear. The real star of this tale however, is John Leeson as K-9. Not only is the little tin dog responsible for helping save many of the characters along the way, he’s also responsible for getting them into trouble due to the small problem of becoming possessed by the alien entity every now and then. This gives Leeson the opportunity to ‘strut his acting stuff’ by mixing up the good and bad sides of his mechanical nature, which is always fun to listen to.

Comparing Morris’ opening Fourth Doctor story, The Auntie Matter, to this darker and far more sombre story shows the fantastic range the writer has when it comes to scripting Doctor Who. He can offer a Williams era style script, a Hinchcliffe style script or, with the case of Phantoms of the Deep, give us something in-between and brand new.

Let’s hope he dives the depths of his mind again soon.

Phantoms of the Deep is available on CD or via download from www.bigfinish.com now.

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50 Years of Doctor Who at the BBC Audio Collection

spikeombre 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.

50 Years of Doctor Who at the BBC will be the next box set to join the anniversary celebrations, a multi-disc spectacular from AudioGo!

The collection, made up of 16 shiny CDs and spanning more than 17 hours of audio heaven, is a treasure trove of TV and radio trimmings, featuring everything from comedy sketches to news reports. Doctor Who fans’ finely-tuned ears will be able to pick out the dulcet tones of David Tennant, Tom Baker and Terry Nation, as well as a host of other Doctors, companions, and respected voices from the show’s history. Former time travellers Elisabeth Sladen and Louise Jameson will carry out the presenting duties alongside actor Anthony Head, who last appeared in Series 2′s School Reunion.

And as if that wasn’t enough, the box set will also include the full-cast radio plays ‘Regenerations’ by Daragh Carville, ‘Blue Sands and Golden Veils’ by Martyn Wade, and ‘Dalek I Love You’ by Colin Sharpe, as well as an extended version of the 2005 documentary ‘Project Who?’

If you’re a time traveller and never carry money, don’t panic – the collection can be pre-ordered from Amazon, where it will set you back a not-inconsiderable fee of £100, and will be released into the Whoniverse on October 3.

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The Missing Incarnation Confirmed?

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.

Paul Cornell has written a one-off Doctor Who strip for IDW, The Girl Who Loved Doctor Who – and a frame in the preview (illustrated by Jimmy Broxton) seems to indicate that John Hurt’s Doctor is the ninth incarnation, as rumoured by many fans.

It’s been the hot topic ever since The Name of the Doctor ended – just how does John Hurt’s incarnation fit into things? Is he from an alternate reality? Does he predate the First Doctor? Could he be a lost incarnation? The answer might just be below…

John Hurt Doctor Identity Confirmed?

The frame, below, takes the form of an Andy Warhol portrait of the Doctor’s various incarnations, apparently first referred to in Cornell’s novelisation of The Scream of the Shalka (itself out on DVD soon) – another story that features what has since become an alternative incarnation. In the lower-left corner, you should see a single portrait, seemingly in shadows, situated between Doctors eight and nine…

 

(You can see the full page at PaulCornell.com.)

Of course, we can’t take the events of a comic strip as complete canon (although Cornell himself would have something to say on that particular topic!) and it certainly shouldn’t be interpreted as leaking or spoiling what actually unfolds in the 50th anniversary… but then, what other explanation is there?

A the very least, let’s welcome the fact that Paul Cornell has written a new Doctor Who story. It’s been six long years since Human Nature/The Family of Blood, after all…

 

PaulCornell.com: The Girl Who Loved Doctor Who.

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SpearKast from Space!

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.

Usually on the podKast (with a “K”), we talk about stuff then squeeze the recommendations in at the end.

This week, we’re flipping it around, talking about a little bit of stuff at the start (transforming TARDISes, time lapse videos of police box builds, etc.) and filling the rest of the episode up with a massive recommendation – the new Spearhead from Space Special Edition on Blu-ray!

Interestingly, James McLean hasn’t yet seen the new upgraded high definition version, which means that he can be your way in, asking the questions of Christian and Brian as they discuss the upgrade, the extras and the remarkable impact the serial had on Doctor Who back in 1970.

Kasterborous Series 3 Episode 29 Shownotes

TARDIS building time lapse
Transforming TARDIS
Reviewed: Spearhead from Space Special Edition…
Invasion by Robert Holmes
Follow Douglas Adams’ daughter Polly on Twitter
Death’s Head
Corpse Marker by Chris Boucher
Batman Comic

Listen to the PodKast

There are several ways to listen. In addition to the usual player above, we’re pleased to announce that you can also stream the podKast using Stitcher, an award-winning, free mobile app available for Android and iPhone/iPad. This pretty much means that you can listen to us anywhere without downloading – pretty neat, we think you’ll agree! (Note that it can take a few hours after a new podKast is published to “catch up”.)

What’s more, you can now listen and subscribe to the podKast via our Audioboo channel! Head to http://audioboo.fm/channel/doctorwhopodkast and click play to start listening. You can also comment and record your own boos in response to our discussions!

Meanwhile you can use the player below to listen through Audioboo:

You haven’t clicked play yet?! What are you waiting for? As well as our new Stitcher and Audioboo presence you can also use one of these amazingly convenient ways to download and enjoy this week’s podKast.

Use the player in the top right of the Kasterborous home page, or visit the podKast menu link.
Listen with the “pop out” player above, which also allows you to download the podKast to your computer.
You can also take advantage of the RSS feed to subscribe to the podKast for your media player, and even find us on iTunes!

Incidentally, if you are listening on iTunes, please take the time to leave a rating and review and help us to bring in new listeners to the podKast!

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Doctor Who Free Anniversary Party Announced!

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.

We all know that all good things come in pairs; fish fingers and Custard, bow ties and Zfez’s, Amy and Rory… the list goes on. Well now we can add the official 50th Celebration at London’s ExCel to that list as it gets a cool after party to pair up with in the form of ‘The Doc Lands @ 50 Party’.

Organised by Jeremy and Paula Bentham together with Tony Clark, who have held a series of highly popular event parties in London since the show’s return in 2005. The celebratory party will be held at a currently top secret venue in Docklands on Saturday 23rd November, starting around 7pm after the BBC’s Doctor Who 50th Celebration at ExCel has ended that day. Admission is free and open to anyone regardless of whether or not you have attended the ExCel event, but tickets are strictly limited to 1,500 and is for over 18′s only.

Organisers have also declared that should their party coincide with the broadcast of the actual anniversary episode, or indeed any other Doctor Who programming, it will be shown on the venue’s large-screen TV.

To apply for tickets, e-mail Jeremy at jjbentham@aol.com by Monday 9th September, using the subject line ‘Doc Lands ticket applications‘ and stating your name as well as how many people will be in your group. People are urged to think about considerations such as transportation home after the party as its likely to be a late one before applying for tickets.

The lucky 1,500 who manage to snag tickets will be contacted in early November, when they will be given the exact location details for the party and will be sent their tickets too.

(Via Doctor Who News)

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Sylvester McCoy Scheduled for Con Kasterborous 2014!

Drew Boynton 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.

With a name like this, it has to be good.

The convention with the coolest name in the universe (if we do say so ourselves, wink wink), Con Kasterborous, will be back next year. It will be held June 28-29, 2014 at the beautiful Westin hotel in Huntsville, Alabama, USA!

The scheduled special guest is none other than the Seventh Doctor–and very recent birthday boy–Mr. Sylvester McCoy. McCoy, of course, will also be starring in two more upcoming Hobbit films. Other guests of Con Kasterborous will be announced as we get closer to 2014.

Further details such as pricing, directions, and accommodations can be viewed on ConKasterborous.com.  You can also pick up more information on their Facebook page (“Con Kasterborous“) as well.

So, if you are planning on visiting northern Alabama next summer, like the Seventh Doctor will be, why not set your TARDIS (or Tom-Tom? or Thomas-Thomas?) coordinates to the state directly between Georgia and Mississippi and stop by for some new friends and Who-style fun?

But seriously, even though we both share an affinity for the Doctor’s home constellation, Con Kasterborous and Kasterborous.com are not affiliated in any way.

(With thanks to Matthew Kresal)

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Billie Piper Cast in Penny Dreadful

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.

Billie Piper has been cast in the new spookily horrifying Showtime series Penny Dreadful – from the warped minds that brought you the tall tale of terrifying terror, Skyfall…

Billie Piper to star in Penny Dreadful. Although probably not dressed like this.

Rose Tyler herself takes a leading role in the show, joining Josh Hartnett (The Black Dahlia), Eva Green (Casino Royale, Womb) and Rory Kinnear (Black Mirror, Skyfall) her agent confirmed.

Penny Dreadful – named after the sensationalist 19th century serials whose lurid concoction was designed to satiate the growing literacy amongst the working classes – was created by three-time Oscar nominee John Logan (Hugo, The Aviator, Gladiator), who will write and executive produce alongside Sam Mendes and Pippa Harris (Revolutionary Road).

The eight-part series tells the origin stories of literary horror characters such as Victor Frankenstein, Frankenstein’s monster, Count Dracula and Dorian Gray.

David Nevins, Showtime’s President of Entertainment, said:

John Logan and Sam Mendes are two of the great storytellers of our time.

The visual spectacle combined with the psychological insight in their reimagining of these iconic literary characters seems totally mesmerising to me. This promises to be a wholly original television show.

Filming will commence on October 7 at Co Wicklow’s Ardmore Studios and locations around Dublin and continuing until March 2014.

(via RTE)

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