Three Not-So-Wise Men

[I considered not posting this, especially as I am a white male in New Zealand, but I'm pissed off. If you prefer, watch this Muslim comedy.]

People are being offended because the presenters of Top Gear wore burqas. Having seen the episode in question, I've got a few things to say.

Firstly, let's break down the wearing of burqas. Is this a Muslim only thing or what? And by Muslim, I mean religious Muslim concept. If the burqa is specific to the Muslim religion, then there are women in countries where Muslim is the majority religion who wear burqas but are not Muslims. In which case, the Muslims should first have something to say about that rather than be worried about three guys on TV. And if those women didn't wear burqas, it'd be easier to throw acid in their faces. [Not to mention the point of the burqa: to hide the beauty of the woman from men. Men who might otherwise become overwhelmed with lust for these women. ... Um, if your society is having problems of men being unable to control themselves, the answer is not to demand (and back up with physical force) women cover themselves. Frankly, your society doesn't even earn the label "civilised".] The point being that three guys wearing burqas is way down on the list of problems with burqas that Muslims should be having.

On the other hand, if it is not religious, then Muslims have no right to say whether anyone wears one or not.

On to the episode itself, the reason they wore the burqas was because a) it was funny, and b) it covered them up. They could have got with a more Arab Sheik look, for example, but they went for burqas. A point here to note: they did not do anything religious with the outfit, in the outfit, or even otherwise comment on the outfit, other than to say it covered them up. And it only lasted for a short time, and then they stopped. As one commenter on that news article says, they could have dressed as nuns. [But then the Christians would have gotten angry, and some of them already are with fatwa envy.] And, hey, may I point out that the people there didn't seem that bothered by the presenters being in burqas, even when it was obvious they were old white men dressed up? And I have no doubt that the producers would have done and/or shown something if it had been a problem.

As for the article, the person they quote is a "Controversial Islamic activist". Gee, I wonder if they rang such a person up expecting to get an extreme reaction out of them? Like NZ media calling on Bob McCroskie. Anonymous comments include "Death to America" (why? It's not like America was involved), "The Top Gear gang deserve to get hit by an IED [improvised explosive device]" (really, death? Hope they aren't representing the "religion of peace") and "Y the f*** r they wearing burqas!!?" (because it was funny! and no-one there cared).

Ultimately, this is largely an exercise in the media trying to get a story out of the few people who got riled up over it. No doubt the BBC will issue an apology (although no sign of this news even on their site), time will move on, and Top Gear will offend someone else, and the media will start this all over again.

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Treading on the Dawn

The latest in the Christian Allegory movies is a more simplified version of the book, as far as I can recall. That said, the movie hangs together in and of itself works decently enough, but there are huge chunks that are very lightly skimmed over, so the point may be missed. [I saw this in 2D, I doubt 3D adds those points back in.]

For example, I recall that Eustace has a big deal over becoming transformed in the first place, learns a big lesson and has a defining moment when transformed back... but that doesn't come across in the movie at all well.

Anyways, the three kids (who haven't grown up and discovered there's more to life than lion-based religions) are drawn into a painting and end up on a ship, which is going about a fetch quest and visiting lots of odd places. And by "lots of odd places", there are four of them. While the monopods are a big scene to wait for, don't hold your breath in the movie, as again the big backstory is skipped over so they can concentrate on the villain. As such. Who isn't that villainous, or even competent in any way that matters. (Once again, it works in the movie that we have, just not the movie we could have had.)

Good to see that they are keeping the cast constant (mostly) across the films, as it helps shorthand the character introductions (time is also shorthanded, skipping across day to night to day again in three minutes). And you too will believe that two CGI characters can communicate.

I expect The Silver Chair to be out at some point, less sure about A Horse and His Boy. The Last Battle is just going to be weird, unless they completely rewrite it... The point is, I am predicting another movie in the series to be out in a few years.

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DW: Shadows of Vashta Nerada

Right off the bat, let me say one thing: I was far more impressed by this than I was by the previous adventures. There were a few moments where, in the middle of peril, I just stopped and had a look around the set and vistas they had built. Just... amazing.

Anyways, we start with being attacked by a shark... hey, just like in the Christmas episode! Man, if there were any other similarities, like being timed during Christmas, that would be... oh wait, it is during Christmas. Well done there.

As I said, shark! So we're off and running. The first section of the adventure is all "run down the corridor, play Simon Says to open the door, then repeat". We're in an underwater base, and it's pretty sprawling, and I wasn't sure where I was supposed to go. Still took a few moments to poke around where I could, see if there were some places I could go and, yes, pick up more cards, but quickly it was "shark! door! run!".

Once in the main part of the base, the next part of the adventure was... run around the corridors, being careful in different ways. This time we get some dialogue action as well, and another 'wire challenge', but still it was run around the corridors finding things.

After that, there's a huge change... we run around corridors elsewhere. Still with a little danger avoidance (or non-avoidance in one interesting bit), and then another obstacle run... Although this featured the Vashta Nerada, many parts of it could easily have been Cybermen or Daleks.

I did enjoy this more, these were better sets, a better story overall, but still there was a lack of the player being the one to actually do the important things. Most of those moments were cut away sequences. Go on, let us take control. The worst we can do it die (did that... twice, I think).

Thumbs up for the final episode (I think this is the final one). Finally got it right.

EDIT: Meant to add in, it's not perfect. I think I missed some dialogue in places, and when did the Doctor figure out what type of radiation it was? Also, the controls bugged out when I was controlling Amy around the divers (leading to another death). Dunno what was up with that. So there are some problems, but when I look out at the big sets... I can live with those...

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Her Mother...So Funny

I asked about female comedians recently, and was suggested Lucy Porter, so looked her up on YouTube. Watching the first clip of her reminded of a difference between female and male comedians.

Female comedians will use their mothers as a source of material.

Not exclusively, they cover other topics, yet it does seem that they go there more often than men. And by "more often" I mean that men hardly ever do.

I did a YouTube search for comedians with mother-based material, found Lucy Porter, Chonda Pierce, Shayla Rivera, Mairym Carlo at the top of the list... and on the male side? Just Anthony Szpak.

Why? I'm not entirely sure. Maybe it's just my bias that I think so. Anyone else noticed this? At least it's a good excuse for me to link in a clip from QI...


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DW: A Christmas Carol

When I watched this, I got a certain sensation that the basic conceit was familiar, although about the Doctor trying to get a library book... gee, I wonder why...

Anyways, this is pure schmaltz. Even more, it is Steven Moffat schmaltz which, when it works, is schmaltz turned up to 11. And, to be honest, when we get to the end, the dial is twisted hard... and, yes, the schmaltz starts to rule. Thumbs up, mate, thumbs up...

(And this kind of knocks RTD's xmas attempts into a cocked hat. Do we need aliens every where? Do we need a giant lumbering mechanical construction? Do we, even, need earth under threat? Nope. We just need a great story about trying to convince one man to be good.)

I haven't seen the Confidential yet, but I'll bet that Steven Moffat says something like "We take A Christmas Carol, a wonderful Christmas story, and give it a Doctor Who twist". [Reminder to self: come back and edit this before posting if that line isn't there... however Ben Stephenson has already said it.] Fortunately, Moffat doesn't excuse that this just happens to fit that story, but has the Doctor get the idea to replicate it (by hanging up a lampshade... well, he should have just to complete the idea). Although with a nice time travel twist on Christmas Future. Nicely done all around really. [And although I deserve a near-slapping for asking: what about the BLE, eh? Just going to discard established rules because it makes for a better narrative? Damn you, Steven!]

Michael Gambon, eh? There's an actor who knows what he's doing? There are a few confrontations with the Doctor where I went "Matt, you've got a long way to go yet." And Katherine Jenkins, so beautiful. And quite the singing voice! Talk about a Christmas treat! (Another treat: Karen Gillan back in the police uniform, ta Steve!)

A mixture of classical and the new, Steven Moffat brings tears to Christmas...


Coming Soon: Do we really need the Ood back? And the companions get possessed by Zsasz at some point?

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Funny Guys, Part Two

Yet more comedian routines. And yes, I do note that lack of female comedians on this one. The only name that comes to mind that does full shows is Ellen, and even then I'm not sure if she tours or just does specials. Any suggestions of female comedians to watch?

Bill Bailey (Dandelion Mind): More gently weird comedy from a maestro. There's an interesting moment in this performance when the audience suddenly takes a fancy to something, and, basically, overplays that one note for the rest of the show. Bill, the professional, doesn't let it get in the way of the show too much, but does let the crowd have its moments. Frankly, there are times when the comedian should know to just get out of the audience's way when it is enjoying itself, and this is one moment, and Bill knows. Nice show outside of that.

Dermot Morgan (Live): Er, okay this one didn't amuse me that much. Not that Dermot isn't funny, but that his schtick for this show comprised him parodying politicians and other figures. From 1997. From the British Isles. Not a lot of connection to that with me, so I found myself fast forwarding through a lot of it.

Dylan Moran (What It Is): Wry humour with lots of rambling monologue. Doesn't really engage with the audience that much, just stands there and does his thing. Amusing observational humour, although only scoring "mildly amusing".

Ricky Gervais (Science): Ricky clearly has a high opinion of himself, and loves the controversy he causes... although I'm not sure the controversy isn't bigger in his mind than in actuality. He's telling stories, trying to shock, but his style is very wearing. "In your face", and not in a good way.

Russell Brand (The World According To): This is a compilation of his previous shows, which seems to be something comedians are doing now to stretch out their sales, I presume. Anyways, Russell thinks he's funny, there are moments where he is funny, however... he's not that funny.

Tim Minchin (Ready for This): He's that poet comedian you might have heard of. Did Storm and that Pope Song. Great music with awkwardly funny (funny in its awkwardness) monologues. Terrific stuff, highly recommend.

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Newtown by Night

I said I wanted to get a view of Newtown by night... and here it is! Wasn't quite as dark up the path as I suspect, but there was a surprise dog moment. Anyway

If I get a better camera, I might reshoot this, but that's not likely to happen.

There are many scenic spots around Wellington, so there may be more some month or so, the point here is that this scenic view as a surprise one, close to home.


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