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 | A very interesting intro... |
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| What: | The Leisure Hive (BBC classic series DVDs/Blu-rays) |
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| By: | Matthew David Rabjohns, Bridgend, United Kingdom |
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| Date: | Thursday 10 March 2011 |
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| Rating: |   9 |
Its a lie that John Nathan Turner brought about the slow death of the classiuc Doctor Who. He actually injected some vital life back into the series. it is true that for the most part Tom was pretty funny for season 17. But now we have the intelligent, brooding fourth Doctor from his first three seasons, and its a nice return. This actually begins what I consider Tom's finest season as the Doctor. The comedy isnt totally lost, but iuts toned down rather a lot.
I love Lalla Ward here too. Shes given a decent chunk of script to get her teeth into and she goes with it so well. And I love her school girl outfit, which suits her so well indeed!
Pangol is a really brilliant character, a real psycho. And the foamasi look rather impressive. And the cliffhanger to part one is another David Fisher triumph, by giving us something totally unexpected. I love the fact that the Doctor is aged to 1000 here. Tom acts so brilliantly. And the resolution of this story is one of the best climaxes to any Doctor Who.
K9 is rather sidelined, flipping his lid in the sea. Sad. I love K9! I love the fact that the Foamasi hide in restricting skin suits, and its done better here than in that moronic slitheen episode. So, John Nathan Turner made his presence felt, as did all the new production members involved with this season. This is a great start to a highly interesting season. There is more real science in this season I feel.
| What: | The Visitation (BBC classic series DVDs/Blu-rays) |
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| By: | Matthew David Rabjohns, Bridgend, United Kingdom |
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| Date: | Thursday 10 March 2011 |
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| Rating: | 9 |
Doctor Who pseudo-historicals are always very entertaining. It helps too if the setting feels the era in which its meant to be set. And The Visitation achieves this very well. It looks for all the story like this is Victorian times or earlier.
The terileptils are a very interesting race. In the fact they are actually given a decent back story, which comes across rather sympathetically all in all. And they dont look too bad either. The final face metling climax is excellently achieved,and looks frankly skanky in the extreme. And the android when its disguised as The Reaper is really quite creepy, shame about the cricket gloves though! Not that I really care about that sort of thing.
The only big uugh of this story is the TARDISized Nyssa. I love Sarah Sutton, her character is far more likeable than most of the Doctor's companions, with her high moral tone and kindness, she makes a change. And having her relgated is really bad. But even in the scenes she is in shes excellent and charming.
One slight flaw too: what happened to all those poisoned rats left back at house at the end? No plot tie up there. But aside from these minor completes, this is yet another great Peter Davison story. I love the character of Richard Mace too, he's as witty and funny as Jago in The Talons of Weng Chiang. This is overall a very strong scripting debut from Eric, who gives us a classic old fashioned great Who storyw ith pace and plenty of good actions bits and even a little bit of horror too.
What I like about Petewr's time is his doctor was not so perfect all the time. He made mistakes, even if they were accidental, and this makes his Doctor all the more likeable. One last niggle is he seems to go totally against character at the climax of this story, by just brushing off ther fact that he's started the great fire of London even if this too was an accident. Just a little odd.
But like I said, this story is lkargely very good and engaging and a worthy story to add to your collection.
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| Patrick Troughton makes this.... |
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| What: | The Three Doctors (BBC classic series DVDs/Blu-rays) |
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| By: | Matthew David Rabjohns, Bridgend, United Kingdom |
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| Date: | Thursday 10 March 2011 |
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| Rating: | 8 |
Its such good stuff to see Pat Troughton back again after he left the role. And here in this tale Bob and Dave get his character totally right. He has all that endearing bumbling that has made him definitely my favourite Doctor of all time. "And this horrible great jelly..." makes me reel with laughter every time. I love the fact that his recorder holds the key to defeating the slightly very deranged Omega. Mind you I think Id be mental after spending 10000 years in a black hole!
Its sad that William Hartnell really is in poor health here, but the fact that even he still is written very well indeed and makes his presence really felt is a credit to the fine actor. "Now stop dilly dallying, and cross it!" is another brilliantlhy delivered order from the grumpy original first Doctor.
But what is a little jarring here is that for me is that Jon isnt as good as his two previous selves here. I dont know if its just me, but he just seems a little lost for the most part of the story. And that fight scene at the climax of part three really is rather poor as well. Gladly he gets better after part two, and I particularly like his anger of "Take it!"
Nick Courtney really was written brilliantly here too. "Im pretty sure thats Cromer" made me wet myself. I love Bob and Dave's writing here! And even Benton gets to be a laugh. So for on the most part, this celebratory story is very good indeed. And the Gellguards arent that bad at all actually, they actually look organic and realer than a lot of Who villains.
Stephen Thorne is cast so well as Omega!! The right choice indeed! Steals the show with his total insane performance!
And the other weak point is Katy as Jo, given nothing at all to do for the whole story. Sad, she was a great companion and its bad seeing her wasted so totally as she is here. But the good points still greatly outweigh the bad in this story and it is nevertheless memorable and achieves most of what it sets out to do!
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| Not all that much to write home about... |
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| What: | Earthshock (BBC classic series DVDs/Blu-rays) |
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| By: | Matthew David Rabjohns, Bridgend, United Kingdom |
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| Date: | Thursday 10 March 2011 |
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| Rating: | 5 |
One of the things I hate about this story is the totally background slot given to Nyssa. She always has been my favourite companion of the fifth doctor, along with Tegan. And I hate seeing Sarah Sutton reduced to staying in the TARDIS for most of a story, it happened in the Visitation and here too. Kinda was only pardonable on this score for the story was excellent. But Earthshock doesnt live up to expectation. And to be quite honest, I prefer the Cybermen of Revenge, even with the wobbly heads!
There are a few good moments in this story, such as Adric's very poignant demise, and its a bold step to have the final credits run in silence, which has never happened before in the shows history. And the Doctor's sunset speech is a good piece of dialogue, but otherwise this story is really forgettable and BORING. The cybermen look really good but this isnt a patch on Attack of the Cybermen. And the episode endings arent all that much to write home about, except maybe the third episode.
And I dont like the fact that such a cool character as Kyle is killed off so soon. Doctor Who always had a penchant for doing this. So for these reasons this story really doesnt hold any magic for me. It is probably the least interesting story to feature the Cybermen: and add to that the fact that the plot is almost identical to Revenge of The Cybermen: Using a bomb, then using a flying object to try to destroy a planet! That is rather similar isnt it? And this story doesnt have the wry humour of Revenge either. So nah, I dont really like this one. (Even the strong performance of David Banks cant save this, its just so bad)
| What: | Oblivion (Panini graphic novels) |
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| By: | joe dredd, san pablo, ca., United States |
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| Date: | Thursday 10 March 2011 |
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| Rating: | 8 |
Buy this book for children of the revolution featuring the Daleks (a sequel of a 2nd doctor adventure, power of the daleks) thats it. in the future i will endeavor to supply a more descriptive review
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| Love the Hardcover Graphic Novels!!! |
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| What: | The Only Good Dalek (Miscellaneous graphic novels) |
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| By: | Adam Regula, Horseheads, NY, United States |
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| Date: | Wednesday 9 March 2011 |
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| Rating: | 10 |
Aesthetically speaking this book is above and beyond. The hardcover format is great, and the dust jacket is very sharp looking. The colors and paper quality are also top notch.
The story itself is also very good, and the artwork has a great style (although you can notice the computer generated Daleks sometimes). The plot is very fast paced with plenty of old series references. If you look close in the very beginning you can see a chart on the office wall with the evolution of the Daleks, including the special weapons Dalek!
More BBC hardcover format Graphic Novels please!!!
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| The Doctor in Another Museum... |
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| What: | The Forgotten (IDW graphic novels) |
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| By: | Adam Regula, Horseheads, NY, United States |
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| Date: | Wednesday 9 March 2011 |
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| Rating: | 10 |
I actually picked this up in individual issues as I found them very cheap. This is a great series! The only problem with the collected paperback is you don't get all the wonderful covers of the 10th doctor with all his other selves (Please feel free to correct me if the trade has all the covers- haven't ever seen it). This series has a great plot line and the whole thing is packed to the gills with old series references.
I also noticed in pictures of the new Doctor Who Experience in London, that the room in the book and the room in the Experience of all the doctors clothes on stands was very close, which is great.
I especially love when all the Doctors are together at the end and they are picking on Colin Bakers Doctor.
Great read; Highly recommend!
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| A (Not So) Delightful bit of Nonsense |
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I really, really wanted to like this book more. I have been a huge fan of Michael Moorcock for years, love the Elric series, and was very excited to head he was doing an 11th Doctor Novel. Almost all of the new series novels I wish were longer... this one was making me wish it was shorter. The book drags on with allot of unnecessary detail about things which are more or less Alice in Wonderland style frivolous nonsense. This book does come off as The Doctor being shoe horned into an Eternal Warrior novel. It did have some good points but they kind of drown in a too - slow plot and the odd characters.
Bit of a let down, sorry.
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| The Pylons Are On the Move! |
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| What: | The Ring of Steel (New series audio originals) |
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| By: | Adam Regula, Horseheads, NY, United States |
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| Date: | Wednesday 9 March 2011 |
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| Rating: | 7 |
Arthur Darvill did a pretty good job narrating this one. The plot was interesting and moves along well; another great listen on a short car trip. My only problem with this one is that the alien's voice was way too loud and piercing (for a race that craved silence - lol ) and was annoying to listen to for long.
| What: | The Runaway Train (New series audio originals) |
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| By: | Adam Regula, Horseheads, NY, United States |
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| Date: | Wednesday 9 March 2011 |
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| Rating: | 10 |
I already listened to this a couple of times in the car, and I like it more each time I hear it. Matt Smith is just great as narrator and for a really short (~ 1 hr.) audio adventure it has great pacing and action. Highly recommend for the short car drive!
| What: | The King's Dragon (BBC New Series Adventures novels) |
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| By: | Adam Regula, Horseheads, NY, United States |
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| Date: | Wednesday 9 March 2011 |
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| Rating: | 8 |
I found this book to be a bit of a comment on certain parts of our current materialistic (Bling! Bling!) culture, which I always like in Doctor Who novels. The idea of a almost hypnotic effect from a metal was cool, and the descriptions of the Gold- Covered culture of un-dieing slaves was chilling.
Overall a great read and well paced plot with great character development for a short new series novel.
| What: | Nuclear Time (BBC New Series Adventures novels) |
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| By: | Adam Regula, Horseheads, NY, United States |
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| Date: | Wednesday 9 March 2011 |
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| Rating: | 7 |
The plot of this book was well thought out, but can be slightly confusing to follow at times. I really liked the idea of traveling backwards through time as a plot device but I found my self going back and re-reading sections to understand what was going on from different characters point of view. Great pacing overall but some of the characters were a little weak.
Good concept for a book, and a fun read even if it had me scratching my head at times.
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| Don't Mess with the Shadow Proclamation |
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| What: | The Glamour Chase (BBC New Series Adventures novels) |
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| By: | Adam Regula, Horseheads, NY, United States |
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| Date: | Wednesday 9 March 2011 |
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| Rating: | 8 |
I really liked the Weave as a new race, I really hope they do something in the show with them; although I think they would make better villains. My favorite part of this book was the explanation of why no one messes with the Shadow Proclamation (short version - they will kill half your galaxy).
Very well written with interesting, and filled-in characters.
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| INVASION OF THE LITTLE MEN |
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| What: | The Forgotten Army (BBC New Series Adventures novels) |
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| By: | Adam Regula, Horseheads, NY, United States |
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| Date: | Wednesday 9 March 2011 |
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| Rating: | 7 |
Not as bad as some people are making it out to be. I thought The Forgotten Army was a good read, but not as good as the first two 11th Doctor novels. The mastodon - ship was the coolest part in my opinion; and when the doctor tries to cram himself into it had me cracking up.
Worth the read for a fun afternoon.
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| Gothic Masterpiece of cake |
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| What: | The Deadly Assassin (BBC classic series DVDs/Blu-rays) |
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| By: | Matthew David Rabjohns, Bridgend, United Kingdom |
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| Date: | Wednesday 9 March 2011 |
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| Rating: | 10 |
This story is THE gothic jewel in the crown of Doctor Who. It is yes, at times very gritty and pretty violent too. But the script flows along so well, and the production values are tremendous.
Peter Pratt is a revelation as the disfigured Master, which looks grossly realistic and frightening. And to consider the fact that he usually did comedy really is something. For there is nothing comic about this Master at all. He is at his darkest, evil best. Rob Holmes really reached his peak here, his script sparkles with brilliant dialogue. Episode Three is a surreal extreme piece of brilliance, which could even teach a few Arnie films about great set pieces!
Bernard Horsfall is cast and is great as the bent Chancellor, and his character isnt likeable like all his other ones, here he's displaying a moron chillingly. The single most scariest scene on this story is that clowns face in the mirror. I jumped out of my skin at that when i first saw that! This story deserves its status as one of the best stories in Doctor Who history...
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| This is nowhere near the worst.... |
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| What: | The Twin Dilemma (BBC classic series DVDs/Blu-rays) |
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| By: | Matthew David Rabjohns, Bridgend, United Kingdom |
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| Date: | Wednesday 9 March 2011 |
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| Rating: | 8 |
There are a few bad points with this story, ye, that is certainly true. The Gastropods are rather silly looking and the acting of the two twins leaves quite a lot to be desired. But here is the list of the good things about this story.
There seems to be far more in depth and interesting interacting between the Doctor and his companion. The relationship is more multi layered, with moments of great banter and moments of great emotion too. Colin Baker really makes his presence felt by being a brilliant new Doctor, totally unstable to the fore and really different to all the Doctors who came before. And Nicola Bryant does very well within this story too.
Hugo Lang is maybe a bit of a stereotypical cop, but that Leftenant scene is great comedy. Maurice Denham is pretty excellent here too, and his final scene with Colin really is something special and nicely understated. And the only other flaw ive always wondered at is why in the henry Mestor would let Edgeworth keep those orange glass things (and come to think of it, what are they?!) if theyre so dangerous to him? The main script and plot though are highly engaging, and the egg spawning is a neat idea, and one for once that you could imagine happening in reality. So this is nowhere near the worst story ever, Robots of Death and Pyramids of Mars are nearer to that mark than this story. There is a lot to recommend here.
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| Humans are the Worst Monsters.... |
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| What: | Night of the Humans (BBC New Series Adventures novels) |
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| By: | Adam Regula, Horseheads, NY, United States |
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| Date: | Wednesday 9 March 2011 |
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| Rating: | 8 |
I love the new Matt Smith series of novels more and more! Any time in Doctor Who where the humans have devolved into an archaic state and become the monsters of nightmare is always kinda cool in my book. Great read with some cool twists.
| What: | Apollo 23 (BBC New Series Adventures novels) |
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| By: | Adam Regula, Horseheads, NY, United States |
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| Date: | Wednesday 9 March 2011 |
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| Rating: | 8 |
This was my first doctor who novel ever. I have been a huge fan of the show for a long time (when I was growing up in the 80s you could only see Doctor Who late at night on Public Television) and I'm glad to start seeing doctor who fiction more common in book stores. A great start for the new doctor I thought. As always a little short but a quick and clever plot, with a few moments that make you laugh out loud.
These are both great stories! The western is my favorite of the two.
| What: | Prisoner of the Daleks (BBC New Series Adventures novels) |
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| By: | Adam Regula, Horseheads, NY, United States |
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| Date: | Wednesday 9 March 2011 |
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| Rating: | 10 |
This was my first 10th doctor novel, and I absolutely loved it! Daleks (like most whovians) are my favorite villains and this book illustrates why they have been the Doctors longest and most feared foe. Dalek – X is a great character and I loved the idea of elite warrior Daleks with two gun arms. Very cool plot with well developed characters for such a sort book. All and all a great read!
