What I Watched This Week (w/e June 15th 2008)

DVD

House M.D.: Season 1 - I'd never seen this on TV - but that goes for numerous shows that I've since watched on DVD - and only bought the first two seasons because a) I was told the show was good and b) it was cheap! Those who recommended it were right, it is an excellent show: intelligently written; well acted by all involved and, despite the slightly formulaic nature of each episode, gripping viewing. Hugh Laurie was an odd choice to play an American but I can't now see anyone else in that role. I've started watching season two now. :D

Peep Show: Series 5 - A great series to end a great show - review on the site.
Black Water - An extremely effective chiller - review on the site.
Untraceable - Interesting and nasty - review to follow shortly.
WAZ - Again, interesting and nasty - review to follow shortly.
The Bank Job - Not as bad as I feared - review to follow shortly.

Cinema

Juno - I really enjoyed this when I saw it at the cinema on release and saw it again at the local Arts Centre which, despite its poor sound system and projection problems because of the 4:3 screen, still provided a better viewing experience because there were more people there in a smaller environment laughing along with me. :D

Prom Night - A remake, in name only, of the 80's slasher that manages to be even worse than the mediocre original. Desperately boring with no scares, tension or characters you give a damn about. >:(

Television

New Zealand vs. England - England put up a better fight than Ireland did last week and were extremely competitive at the tackle area, even turning the All Blacks over on several occasions. However, being competitive for 70 minutes wasn't good enough as the time in which England were outplayed, the ABs scored 17 unanswered points. This must be the end of Charlie Hodgson's international career and it'll be interesting to see what midfield Rob Andrew puts out next week.

South Africa vs. Wales - Wales put up a far better fight than last week when they were just inept and were in the game for large periods before the Springboks' superior strength and skill showed in the last quarter.

Australia vs. Ireland - Not a great game by any means due to the 'golden wall' that Australia put up against the Irish offence. Australia were better in the scrum than they have been for a while so the Tri-Nations should be interesting but I fancy Australia to finish last based on what I've seen of the last two weeks.

Tony Oakey vs. Dean Francis - The British and Commonwealth light-heavyweight champions met in a unification fight in Portsmouth with both boxers from Hampshire. Francis easily won the opening stanza with his jab alone but Oakey came back with his usual work rate and lack of reverse gear, even looking like stopping the former British and European super-middleweight champion. Francis showed a lot of guts and heart, coming back to knock down and force a stoppage with some wicked shots.