The Horror Of...The Lair of the White Worm (1988)

Even though it is Spring, it's still an ideal time for some HORROR. And what better than a story that gets us out and walking in nature? A story about an altogether unnatural bit of nature? A story with sex and violence and a bit of Doctor Who to it?

So while I could go about in these ever warming temps and look for some snakes, let's look for a serpent of a different scale all the way back in 1988. Yes. It is time to delve into the rather strange tale of The Lair of the White Worm.

Celebrating 50 Years of Doctor Who: By pen and maquette.

It's still the 50th Anniversary of the Doctor. So, be sure to enjoy people's hard work to celebrate and share their love.

A short animation for the anniversary, enjoy the passage of the Doctor through the decades, from one face to another. It is quite lovely. Enjoy.

Doctor Who 50th Anniversary Project from Chang Dai on Vimeo.

And then there's Doctor Puppet. I have noted it before, but it uses stop motion to take the 11th Doctor on an adventure that brings him in contact with his previous selves, and leaving them in growing peril. It's cute and interesting to watch. (There are 5 episodes at present.)
The First Episode - The Red X

The Second Episode - The Conjunction of Eleven

And, the Making Of, with Alisa Stern. (There are a total of 4 parts at present.)

Part 1 - From Script to Screen

Part 2 - Puppets are Cool

Trailers in Short - Sherlock, Noah', and some more Doctor Who

Time for some more trailers. It's almost time for the return of Sherlock. Will the Ark float? And the day of the doctor may have passed, but what of the Christmas of the Doctor(s)?


Sherlock

It's almost time for Sherlock to return. And Watson has a mustache? Maybe that's why Sherlock took his time coming back, having second thoughts. But I'm ready for it to be back.

50 Years of Doctor Who - Prelude to a Time War *UPDATED*

The Time War. It has hung over the new series of Doctor Who. It meant the seeming end of two almost godlike species, whose power made the universe shudder. But the seeds and early shots of the war go back to the very earliest days of Doctor Who, in 1963.

50 Years of Doctor Who - Remembrance of the Daleks - Talking to the Hand

For a final episode to look back to, for the 50th Anniversary, I decided I wanted to look at the 1988 Remembrance of the Daleks. You may wonder why. Well, first, it's a favorite of mine (But I have a love for most all of the 7th Doctor era.). Second, it's the episode that was meant to celebrate the 25th Anniversary, the halfway point to this year's anniversary. Yeah, it's been that long.

50 Years of Doctor Who, The Five Doctors - Or is it three? Two? Four? *UPDATED*

So we've now seen how Doctor Who set off, grumpy, kidnapping some teachers, and landing them who knows where. What a start. But the show grew from there.

Old companions would go. New companions would join up. Old Doctors would fall. New Doctors would arise. It was a process. One that would go on for decades. Leading us to the 20th year the show was on the air. 1983.

50 Years of Doctor Who, An Unearthly Child - In the Beginning

Now that we're introduced to Doctor Who, let's look how it all started, with "An Unearthly Child".

 Now, I won't be looking at all the parts of the story, rather focusing on the first episode, in which we are introduced to the characters and the TARDIS. I hope you won't mind, and take it as an excuse to check this first full story out. See how they all survive a brush with the Stone Age.

50 Years of Doctor Who, An Introduction

It’s finally upon us.

The anniversary week of Doctor Who. 50 years. That’s quite a legacy.

Doctor Who - "An Unearthly Child"

But I am conflicted about whether I should take the time now to introduce the show? It’s been 50 years. Can I explain that? Should I try? Well, I would like to write a little on the anniversary, so maybe I should.

So let’s just introduce some of the basics of what we are talking about when fans bring up Doctor Who.

Trailers in Short: Superheroic Edition - Doctor Who, Captain America, Justice League, X-Men, Robocop, and...Maleficent? And something curious.

Time for some more trailers, and some more goodies. And let's look at what the heroes are up to.

Let's jump into the old TV time machine, and witness the birth of Doctor Who. See Captain America, the Justice League, and the X-Men strut there stuff. Get ready for Robocop to reboot, let's hope his OS isn't buggy.

But maybe we have room for some baddies as well. Could it be? Has Maleficent risen? And what really happen to Walter White?

DOCTOR WHO: Before The Day Can Come, The Night of the Doctor Must Fall

We still are waiting for the 50th anniversary event of Doctor Who. It is more than a week away still.

But that doesn't mean there aren't sights to see! Pictures of the show are being released. The trailers are coming out. And...we have a short movie, acting as a prelude to the anniversary.

And it's a prelude that brings back an old face you may have assumed you'd never see again.







Squee! So much nostalgia in this opening to our anniversary!




We return to Karn. We return to the Sisters of the Flame. And, we return to the Time War. The horrible war that destroys all.

But better than all of this we return to the 8th Doctor (played still by Paul McGann). It was a pleasant sight. I had assumed we'd be taken to Matt Smith or John Hurt's Doctors. But no. We go back to the moment things start happening going wrong (Or darkly.). The Doctor, as a Timelord, is feared and hated. And the Doctor has tried to avoid a war he can't bare. But he can no longer stand aside, the outsider.

And I like how they bothered to tie him into his audio book adventures!!!


____
For those that don't follow that stuff, Big Finish, a producer of a wide array of audio books, has for years been producing audio adventures. It's been going on since well before the return of Doctor Who to TV. They have also regularly turned to the voice work of the people that played the Doctor, and other cast from the show.

Among their stories produced have been the continuing adventures of the 8th Doctor. He'd last been seen in a FOX TV movie back in 1996. It went nowhere, and he was gone. But Big Finish gave us him back. And along the way he made friends and gained new companions.

And, in the short above, before he changes, he gives them all a shout out in remembrance. It was great to see. The short also ties in his changed look and added sonic screwdriver, further cementing the Big Finish stories into the Doctor Who universe. (Whether you like it, or not.)


____
After all of this time we finally get to see how McGann's Doctor meets him end. Not the most grand death. But he wasn't conked on the head or gun down by a gang either. He was trying to save a life that he learns feared him more than eminent death. It's a little tragic. And it sets him on his path to change.

Also, it's interesting to see that when he becomes John Hurt's Doctor (the War Doctor), he is young. How long on bloody will his Doctor's era be. (Granted we won't see most all of it...Unless they start putting out Big Finish audios and/or BBC books.)

Trailers in Short: Almost Human, The Day of the Doctor, and The Hobbit 2 (Plus Rifftrax Bonus)

Time for more trailers. Two new shows (Okay, one is a special.) and one new sequel. (Plus a mention of Rifftrax.) Thankfully, they are all good news, as I am actually looking forward to all of them.

Coming Soon. The Doctor's An Adventure in Space and Time

The Doctor and his granddaughter Susan, at the controls
of the TARDIS.

Along with the upcoming The Day of the Doctor for the upcoming 50th anniversary, we will also be seeing an interesting docudrama. An Adventure in Space and Time.

The docudrama is being made by Mark Gatiss. It will look at the start of Doctor Who. We will see the efforts of Verity Lambert. Also the work of William Hartnell, and the rest of the cast that started it all.


Here are some of the images from on set and behind the scenes.

Barbara and Ian

David Bradley is playing William Hartnell, the actor who portrayed the First Doctor. And he looks great in the role. As does the rest of the cast. It is almost eerie how nicely they fit. Claudia Grant plays Carole Ann Ford, who played Susan on the show. Jemma Powell plays Jacqueline Hill, who played Barbara on the show. Jamie Glover plays William Russell, who played Ian on the show. Jessica Raine plays Verity Lambert, one of the show's producers. Brian Cox is playing Sydney Newman, the head of BBC Drama.

Director Waris Hussein and Producer Verity Lambert

And it's nice to have Verity Lambert get some love, with all the work she did in the early years to help establish Doctor Who.

The Doctor's first appearance on screen.

It will be interesting to see the finished product.

And it does kind of make you wish they'd make some episodes of the First Doctor. Sacrilege!

After 50 years, now comes the Day of the Doctor. *UPDATED*

It's closing in on November (but there's plenty of October left). And with November will come the grand 50th anniversary of Doctor Who.

It will also give us a special meeting of Doctors in The Day of the Doctors.



The Day is set. November 23rd.

At long last it's time for the Doctor to face the Day. It's time for him to save it.

____

BBC's Doctor Who website points out their favorite 11 shout outs in the trailer.

Funny thing happen while I street viewed around London.

If you haven't seen this...

Google, as they like, has had some nerdy fun with one of their services. In this case, with Google Maps.

Going here, will place you in front of an old early 20th century London police box.

This is, if you know too much about Doctor Who, is a police box that has been placed outside of the Earl's Court tube station. Nice to get your picture in front of.

But, if you don't live there, or can't travel there, it is little use to you. But Google has come up with a way to experience it. First, it can be gone to on Street View. And, yes, I have gone places through Street View (novel, sad, you decide). But once you go to it, like via the link above, you can "enter" it. And you will be aboard the current manifestation of the TARDIS (from Doctor Who).

And there you can wonder around the control room.

So try it out and just root around.

Little more with the new Doc, Peter Capaldi

Let's talk about Peter Capaldi just a bit more.

As I mentioned in my last post, seeing pics of him walking out for the reveal, it struck me it would be interesting to see him play a Doctor in the vein of the 3rd Doctor, Jon Pertwee. He just has a tall lanky build and is an "older" (as much as that means today) gentleman, much like Pertwee.

And for the "head canon" of some, it would fit well...maybe. It is a matter of what each regeneration means, in the show. (Sure their is the logic of the producers to retool the show with each new Doctor. But...) Someone along the way came up with the after the fact view of regenerations that they reflect on how each Doctor's era comes to an end.

The idea is that the experiences affect the seemingly random regenerations that the Doctor goes through.

• The 3rd Doctor after his time on Earth, stuck, and confined by UNIT and the Time Lords, became a bohemian joker. 
• After so many years of travel, the 4th Doctor chose to take on a far more youthful and innocent form. 
• After all his loses and a long poisoned death, the 5th Doctor took on a new form as a harder and more closed off Doctor. 

...For the 7th and 8th Doctor...it's more a mess...I blame FOX (for the 8th).

• The 9th Doctor was a way to mourn what he had did in the Time War.
• The 10th Doctor was his way to reconnect with the universe, and better open to Rose.
• And the 11th Doctor, after how far the 10th went by the end, was a way to step back.

(It's head canon.)
So, next. Where does he go next?

He's going from the kid to the grey hair. He's travelling, and will for the foreseeable future, be travelling with young ladies. He's going from the possible bf/best mate to more father figure figure/uncle (non-creepy kind). He's going from the boyish form to the authority figure. And he's being taken up by an actor who can leap into a fierce argument, and flip over into a heavy dose of charm.

Since the Wedding. Their has been some idea of the Doctor stepping back out of the limelight (to some extent). Maybe come Christmas the Doctor will like a new face to take charging back into the light.

Whatever comes, I trust they will be taking advantage of the resources they've know repurposed into the 12th Doctor.

Dr Who - A New Who, An Old Friend. Quite a way to celebrate a 50th birthday.

So the news is out. We have a new Who.

I don't feel like I've discussed Doctor Who much on this blog, and I should sometime lay out how I feel about it, it's history, and what it does mean to me. Not to mention, for those that don't watch the show, why we have a new Doctor, and what the Doctor is. But for now, I am going to assume if you are still reading this you know something of Doctor Who.

Back to today. We have a new Doctor to lead the show.

Source

I had thought of talking about the old ritual that happens when we learn their will be a change of Doctors.

The whole...:

1. Who's that?
2. They're different, I don't like them.
3. Is that how they'll look on the show?
4. Oh, I like that look from the leaked photos from set.
5. It looks like this could be fun.
6. This is my favorite Doctor ever.

And that's the positive response.

But here we have something a little different. We have Peter Capaldi. The 12th Doctor.

I guess we know what Malcolm Tucker got up to after getting the sack.

"Fires of Pompeii" is also the first appearance of
Karen Gillian (Amelia Pond) on Doctor Who.

Peter Capaldi. Interesting choice. Like Tom Baker back in the 70's, he comes in as something of a known quantity (Not to put down any of the other actors to become the Doctor). He is well known for  at least one show he recently starred in.). Also, like Colin Baker, he's well known by Doctor Who fans. He's been a guest star five years back in an episode of Doctor Who, "Fires of Pompeii". The next year he played a quasi-baddie in Torchwood's Children of Earth.

My reaction has to be that I am pleased. He is a good actor and fan. From the various roles I've seen him in, he has range. He's been a vicious foul mouthed public servant. He's been the softhearted father. And I can't help, but be eager to see what they plan for him as the Doctor.

Though looking at him at the introduction today, with his greying hair, suit, and thin figure, I kind of would like to see a play off of the Third Doctor, Jon Pertwee. A dandy adventurer. I don't know, maybe it is an odd passing fancy.

But however they want to take the character, we should see Matt Smith regenerate into Capaldi by the end of the year, at the Christmas Special.

"I trust you left the keys in the ignition, Matt?"

A new Doctor before the New Year...well two, with John Hurt appearing in the 50th Anniversary show in November (But we can get to that in another post.)

Trailers in Short: Lego Movie, Lone Ranger, and The Hobbit 2

Trailers are the eyes of the soul of a movie...or something. Really, sometimes they are a wonderful promise of things to come, or dire warnings of dreadful things. Other times they're lying bastards. So I thought it might be interesting to look at some trailers for upcoming movies...Okay, one is already out...

But I haven't seen it!

So I think we are good. I could entitle this The Good, the Bad, and the Meh. But Let's see what we are dealing with first.

16-bit Doctor

16-bit Doctor Who, as if a game from the old Nintendo Entertainment System.

This hilarious and too true video never gets old, it gets more nostalgic.



If only someone would do a SNES version for the new season of Doctor Who.

Starting off the new year with positive memories of the last.

Last year had it's definite ups and downs. Your own monthage may vary. Still, at all times it is important to draw the positives that can from any event or time (Then start addressing the negatives, fill out the critique, etc.). So I want to end/start the year going over some of things I'm thankful for this last year. ...Gods! Another list, Jaded Skeptic? ...Well, yeah. I didn't get this done by Thanksgiving, or by Christmas! So here we are. Likewise, resolutions only go so far and often are just ways to verbalize regret. (I'll get to a plan of action for 2013 tomorrow, or today, depending on how long it takes me to finish this post.) Rather, let's talk what helped carry us through to year's end, and what we can call back next year to buoy us at dark times, or share with others to shore them up.

So! Let's talk about the good that came from the last year.

Why don’t we begin in politics, which brings out my cynicism and sarcasm, but has had certain moments and vistas to appreciate.

First, I’m thankful that President Obama has been reelected. I know there are issues with positions he’s taking and orders he's given for many liberals/progressives, but I can’t afford to be blind to what else has happened. The Affordable Care Act will continue, and health care access will expand. No global gag order reinstated. Supreme Court nominees for the next four years will not be in the frame of Anthony Scalia. An interest (at least) in green energy, green jobs, and environmental protection. And, restating, the basic point, NO NUTTERS in the White House. No folk who thinks they are prophesied leaders. No Ayn Rand acolytes. No pizza merchants. No sweater vest wearing internet sex jokes. That is something we should be thankful for. (And, yes, then we can get into what can and should move on to what can be done better.)

Also in this year's election, we saw the likes of Allen West and Scott Brown booted out. I can only hope we won’t see them on the news or as pundits this coming year. But at least they aren't voting in Congress.

Source

In 2012 we also had a lot of good and important work being done by groups not in government. These groups have and will continue to strive to make a positive impact on the world. Planned Parenthood is fighting the good fight to try and guarantee women have access to reproductive knowledge and medicine, along with aiding women with getting cancer screenings. It has been a back and forth struggle, where some states have taken large strides towards driving them from their borders. But PP fights on, and saves the lives of so many woman, and makes certain many families have a brighter future. Likewise the ACLU continues to work to be sure we all have our 1^st Amendment rights. I may not always agree with every fight they take on, but I applaud the principle they work towards. And we also can’t miss out on appreciating what the Occupy Movement has done. This year, among other efforts, they've been working to keep people in their homes, or getting people into one. Also they've done amazing work in the wake of the hurricane that struck the east coast. If you don’t know what they've been accomplishing, you ought to read up on it. There are plenty more groups acting as well, feel free to note and praise them in the comments so others (like me) can learn.

But now, let’s get into some of the more recreational pleasures of the last year.

In particular let’s get into the more merry and jolly…and things that end in -olly. 

What has helped me through some of my dark moments, something that has lifted my mood. Terry Pratchett and Discworld. I do love it. I already mentioned Hog Father on my list of great thing to watch at Christmas. But I also enjoy that miniseries anytime of the year. In fact, as I was feeling low today, I put it on, on my phone, as I worked. It does lighten one's mood. This also stands for the other series that have been produced recently (Colour of Magic and Going Postal) and the older animated work. Also, obviously, the actual written works of Terry Pratchett covering the various people and events of the Discworld (from the Unseen University to the witches to Death to the City Watch to the Post Office and so on).  There is something special in the mad logic and humor of the Discworld. It just connects with my often lost sense of whimsy and wonder. I know it’s not for everyone, but it is worth trying out and getting lost in.

Dark Knight Rises

ParaNorman

Movies are another fun escape. There have been some more serious and sober pieces that are worth talking about, but…I’m in more an escapist mood now. So let’s look at some of the movies that came out this year which gave took me to my happy place. The Avengers. I have noted before that I have some issues with the movie. But as pure superhero team up, with escalating danger and Whedon snark, it's hard to beat. Better, to my mind, was The Dark Knight Rises (I know, a controversial opinion.). The end of the Nolan Batman trilogy hit all the right marks and will be a movie I go back to for years to come. And Hathaway's work as Catwoman was everything I've hoped to see in a rendition of that character. Now, just as we end the year, The Hobbit has come out, and it was a treat (Many disagree.). Glad to be able to look forward to this new trilogy of films (I plan to soak in all the details from the book or added by Jackson over the next two years. I may be alone in that.  Dredd, was also fun. Not for everyone, this violent post-apocalyptic scifi cop adventure hits many of the fun aspects of 2000 AD. Much of this was missed in the last attempt at a Judge Dredd movie. ParaNorman was another enjoyable film to catch. It went way to quick from the theaters, and unlike Dredd, I didn't get to see it until the disc for it came out. Spooky and humorous, I am glad I saw it. For me, this makes a good double feature with the animated movie, Monster House. Wreck-It Ralph was another animated pleasure. It offered a fun story and characters, and plenty of arcade nostalgia. Brave, also an animated affair, gave us another great adventure with a daughter and mother at its core. We need more of this. Heck we need more of all of this stuff.

Once Upon A Time -
Emma Swan

Leverage

On TV, I have also gotten so needed escape (what a shocker). Sherlock has proven a fun translation of the old characters. And while it only gives a handful of mysteries each series, they've been pitch perfect, as far as I’m concerned. Also this year, I've finally started watching Once Upon a Time. It’s been a very palatable surprise. Fairy Tale characters trapped in our reality is proving a joy. I look forward to watching the second season this month. Community, while coming to an end, has also been a good laugh. It will be missed. As will Leverage, a great bad guys gone good heist show, which has been cancelled. Futurama, though, keeps coming back and still something that knows how to woo me. Doctor Who, as played by Matt Smith (being controversial again) has not lead me wrong yet. The adventures of the mad man with a box, the girl who waited, and the last centurion have kept me enthralled. And I look forward to what comes next with the new travelling companion, Oswin. Red Dwarf is another show that has risen again, and it’s proven in the latest series to still have the old charm, like their time traveling run in with Jesus. We also have had at least one new series of The Thick Of It. The political machinations continued wittily. If this is the end, they end on a strong bastardy note.

QI with host Stephen Fry

Also have to give some praise to all the British Comedy Panel and Quiz shows I watch, all helping to keep me sane and laughing. QI to Have I Got News For You to Mock the Week, thanks. Here's some of the QI to be found on YouTube.

Penny Dreadful and her cohorts

While it's more online these days, my favorite Horror Host shows have helped keep a smile on my face (whenever one appears). From Elvira to Penny Dreadful to Midnite Mausoleum, the snarky hosts dealing with horror and bad movies keep me coming back to join in the B-Movie mayhem.

Also online, largely, we have the movie riffing masters. From the great live shows of Cinematic Titanic (some available for download or ordering) , with part of the old MST3K team, to RiffTrax, with part of the old MST3K team. From the early MST3K on to today, these guys have helped me learn to laugh at the ridiculousness in life around me.

Captain Marvel - Art by
 Terry
and Rachel Dodson

Comics are also a great respite through the year. And, yes, their have been problems from many quarters, from bad ideas made manifest to editor meddling, good results have occurred. Captain Marvel (starring Carol Danvers) is proving a great read. Ed Brubaker, as always, has been a joy to read. His work with Captain America and Winter Soldier, have given me, and will continue to give me, great joy and satisfaction. Batman has been a good book though it's fight between the Bat Family and the Court of the Owls. Also at DC Comics, Demon Knights has proven to be a very enjoyable medieval romp, and Justice League Dark has proven to be far more engaging and interesting than the main Justice League book. Working somewhat in concordance at DC, Animal Man and Swamp Thing have kept me drawn in to the battle with The Rot. Along with these DC books, Smallville Season 11 has proven to be one of the better and more engaging reads now being released. I'm quite happy supporting these books.

Captain Britain and
MI13

As far as the creators behind these books. I really want to applaud and be so thrilled I get to enjoy the style and work of people like: Gail Simone (who's now back again with DC Comics after being fired for a short period). Ed Brubaker, now leaving Captain America, and taking my heart with him. His work on Gotham Central (a police drama book set in Gotham City and Catwoman has been amazing. Greg Rucka, someone who did amazing and interesting things in writing Superman and Wonder Woman, in their books, is also a favorite. He's also currently writing a new detective (P.I.) series, Stumptown (Worth a read.). And Paul Cornell. His work on Knight and Squire, Captain Britain, MI13, Doctor Who, Demon Knights, and more has been just a joy to read. 

Zack!

Ah, LEGO. I know, I should grow up. But there is something to putting the pieces together to build some place or thing. Or to come with a redesign. Or just do your own thing. It’s an accomplishment (Ages, 4 and Up.). And still I build, and it makes me happy.

I also want to remember those who are not doing well right now, and hope are on the mend next year. Hillary Clinton’s in the hospital right now, being treated, I hope things improve for her quickly. Also, a wonderful writer, Peter David, has just had a stroke. I can only hope he’s recuperating and will be better soon.

Also, want to be thankful for social media. From twitter to this blog to Tumblr to, yes, FaceBook, social media has helped keep me active, communicative, and engaged. I can only imagine what would become of me in a less techy world. I also am appreciative of those that FOLLOW or FRIEND me, or that I FOLLOW or LIKE. It is appreciated. Those people I do get to converse with and share ideas and jokes with are invaluable to me.

I also want to be thankful for my continued skepticism in life. For some, questioning, or not just accepting accepted wisdom or faith is a sad thing. But for me it means I'm trying to get a clear view of what is and isn't real. The world, humanity, and the universe are amazing. They don't need lies or tall tales to be staggering. The world is a wonder unto itself. And as a skeptic, I can take it in quite happily.

Which takes me to my ever persisting optimism. I am a grump. I am a pessimist at times. But, damn it, I do maintain some level of optimism. An odd sense that better results could still occur, that success could still be grabbed. And that is something that still amazes me. Even as dire as I can get, as lost as I can, I still see some way forward.

Many things help keeo me going. I hope you to have some sense of what helps propel you on, and appreciate it all.

Christmas: Let's just watch something and not talk. *UPDATED*

Well. It is Christmas Day...Crap! It's Christmas. That means you may be stuck with family. The awkward questions. The awkward silences. The awkward family members. What to do?!

What do we do in America? Watch some TV. But, trying to be me, let me offer up some ideas you may not have considered. If you can get them, enjoy them. ...So many Christmas choices.