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| What: | The Ark (BBC classic series DVDs/Blu-rays) |
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| By: | Matt Saunders, Buckinghamshire, United Kingdom |
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| Date: | Friday 18 February 2011 |
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| Rating: |   9 |
Granted - the Ark is not the best of Hartnell's era, but it's still a pretty good story. It's another great use of time travel in this era (Space Museum does it too) and it has some good lead roles from Hartnell's Doctor (for once!).
In addition the extras on this DVD are brilliant - some tongue in cheek; others fascinating. I particularly love the interview with Peter Purves which has some sadness attached to it too when he discussed the departure of Hartnell due to ill health. The other interesting documentary is the one looking into why some monsters only appear in Doctor Who once - sometimes because they're just a bit rubbish! This was certainly true of the Monoids, though I love the ideas behind them. However, quite rightly one of the interviewees, Jacqueline Rayner pointed out that the real reason is the writers don't write for Doctor Who again - in this case quite right. Is it time for the Monoid's to return to Doctor Who?
| What: | The Mind Robber (Target novelisation readings) |
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| By: | JG, Gallifrey, United Kingdom |
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| Date: | Thursday 17 February 2011 |
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| Rating: | 7 |
The Mind Robber, on it's own, is an OK story, thankful with the CD, there's no torture of watching it, compaired to just listening to it. Like the TV version, it's good at the start, from the middle till the end, it's just total rubbish. :P
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 | A Read for all the Family! |
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| What: | Doctor Whom (Miscellaneous humour / parody) |
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| By: | JG, Gallifrey, United Kingdom |
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| Date: | Thursday 17 February 2011 |
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| Rating: | 10 |
Doctor Whom - it's a good p*** take of Doctor Who (you don't have to be a Doctor Who fan to read it, but it helps!), the book itself is brilliant. The actual contents of the book, are in a muddled up order (the chapter's don't cotain confusing, profound made up words (OK, they actually do) but the chapter's themselves are in a muddled up order (a bit like previous reviews!), for example, you have the 'Preamble' (watever that is!) followed by the 'Contents' page, according to the 'Contents' page (and the inside the book, itself), you have 'Chapter 12 - The End' then 'Chapter 2 - The Dimensions of the TARDY' followed by 'Chapter 1 -' ... You get the gist of wat I was currently saying. Hang on, that's not right - You get the pist of wat I am saying (Tht's better!). The book takes the currently established Doctor who Mythology and shines a comedic light on it. Like, for example, the TARDIS, is now the TARDY, Gallifrey is now Garlicfree, The Master is now the Master Debater.... The Time Lords are Time Gerntlemen - they, go around the universe, fixing any and every grammatically incorrect sign, by drawing an apostrophe on the aformentioned sign (which apperently fixies Time in-normalities). As the inner bool flap describes (it's a Hardback with a Dust Jacket, my comment's will be in [] those kind of brackets, just so y'know-- Anyway), on the third paragraph "Oh yes. Join the Dr., (full stop then a comma - that can't be right - look there's a little squiggly green line under it) Linn [Assitant stroke Companion] and Prose [Again, Assitant stroke Companion] as they fight to protect the galaxy from the perils of bad grammar, sloppy punctuation and careless sentence construction. Not to mention, the Cydermen [They're name basically describes the comedic transformation here], the remorseless android Garleks [Mutated between a Cyborg and millions of cloves of garlic], and the Celebrity Chefs du Mondu" Doesn't this book jhust scream a good read for the whole family?
10/10
| What: | Timeless Adventures: (Miscellaneous factual books) |
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| By: | JG, Gallifrey, United Kingdom |
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| Date: | Thursday 17 February 2011 |
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| Rating: | 9 |
For my first factual book read, it was good. The book talks about the different stages of the Show's devlopment, in each 'Era'. (The decades, were named after certain producial, & techinal, stages. The 1960's was called 'Black and White Heat'. From 1970 to Demcember 1974, it was called 'Colour Seperation Overlay'. From December 1974 till the end of the 70's, 'Gothic Thrills'. The 1980s was called 'Time Lord on Trial'. There is, also a section on Fandom (1990s) called 'The Fandom Menace'. And finally, there's a section on the revived, New Series, called 'Regeneration'). It's a good book, there's interviews from certain people (Like, Vertiy Lambert & Terrance Dicks, & more). I wish this book was published before 2006, it would've been a great addition to 'The Beginning' Box Set (As a pdf. file, of course).
The only flaws with this are:
"The Target Book range was finished in 1993" Which is odd, as we all know the Target Book range actually, finished in 1994! (With 'The Evil of the Daleks').
According to this book, "As of 2008, however, there were still 106 missing episodes of Doctor Who." So between 2004's The Daleks' Master Plan ep 2 'Day of Armegeddon' and 2008, 2 episodes have been found.... & I haven't been told, why?(!)
Doctor Who and the Ice Warriors - it was a damn, brilliant one! The brother-sister-esque relationship between Jamie and Victoria and the Father-Uncle-esque figure of the Second Doctor take on the Ice Warrior's! This book - unlike, the TV counterpart, which I've still yet to see - is quite fast paced. Most books have like, 10 or so pages, just for people saying Goodbye etc. but it wasn't until the last page, when the Doctor, Jamie and Victoria leave, even then it isn't actually written, when the Doctor and Co. leave - the only time we are given an hint they've left the (Britianncus) Base, is when (Leader) Clent, turns around to congratulate on the Doctor (for saving them), but he is nowhere to be seen. In this, it is really giving you the impression of the surroundings - compared to other novelisations (i.e. written by Terrance Dicks), like for example on page 11 - "The weird landscape--a nightmare of snow and ice which had been driven, part melted, and had then re-frozen into bizarre grottoes and sculpted caverns--looked as bleak and unwelcoming as the wildest reaches of the Antartic" - Brilliant words written by Brian Hyles, who wrote the TV and novelisation of [Doctor Who and] The Ice Warriors. On one final note - The Doctor and Co. don't appear until page 18. 10/10
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| Two-narrative - it works! |
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| What: | Heart of TARDIS (BBC Past Doctor novels) |
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| By: | JG, Gallifrey, United Kingdom |
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| Date: | Thursday 17 February 2011 |
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| Rating: | 9 |
First off, most shows/books don't work with a two-way narrative; it's usually one Main Plot, then a Sub-plot. The good things with this book, is that the two-way narrative works brilliantly within these pages - one section/chapter of the Second Doctor with Jamie & Victoria, stuck, trying to find their way out of Lychburg. then one section/chapter with the Fourth Doctor and Romana (I), being either kidnapped, shot at, seperated or all 3! The Second Doctor's narrative is a nice, slow pace just him, Jamie & Victoria finding their way out of the time-convergant, time-folding town of Lychburg. In this, The Doctor's don't actually meet, the closest, encounter they have, is where, the Fourth Doctor, and Romana (I) are hiding under, the Console, in the Second Doctor's Tardis, as the Second Doctor, Jamie & Victoria, come in, discuss, some idea's, then leave, "Pheew, that was close."
My favorite part, must be where, Crowley, & Delbane, are revealed to be, not humans, but as Demons(!) inhabiting, the bodies, of (Fake, synthetic) Crowley, and (Synthetic, but with real human memories) Delbane.
I would've rated this a 10, but becuase of the Second & Fourth, Doctor's never actually meet (Face-to-face). So, it's a 9.
| What: | City of Death (BBC classic series DVDs/Blu-rays) |
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| By: | Huw Davies, Taunton, United Kingdom |
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| Date: | Sunday 13 February 2011 |
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| Rating: | 10 |
The plot of 'City of Death' is many things - wacky, mad, complicated... but above all, it's brilliant.
The plot twists and turns as we journey from prehistoric Earth, to 20th century Paris, then to 16th century Florence, then back to Paris, followed by another visit to prehistoric Earth... not once does 'City of Death' get boring. The cliffhangers to Parts One and Two are shocking and effective (Part Three's is too run of the mill for me). The character of Scaroth/Scarlioni is played expertly by Julian "Richard the Lionheart" Glover, as is Tom Chadbon's Duggan, and of course we have the hilarious Tom Baker and the lovely Lalla Ward.
The structure of the plot ensures it has a great pace to it, though thankfully there are not too many characters to get confused with. My one gripe is that the ending, after Scaroth returns to Paris with Herman throwing the vase and starting the fire, is too rushed, and the Doctor's explanation isn't really enough.
Overall - brilliant, thoroughly recommended: and my new favourite story!
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| Doctor Who ist in der Keller |
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| What: | The Mind of Evil (TV episode audio soundtracks) |
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| By: | Huw Davies, Taunton, United Kingdom |
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| Date: | Friday 11 February 2011 |
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| Rating: | 10 |
'The Mind of Evil' is a pulsatingly quick Doctor Who story. This tale of global peace conferences, gas warfare and alien mind attack is a clever and thoughtful tale. It is a brilliant example of 1970s Earth-bound Who.
This CD comes with linking narration by Richard Franklin, who played Captain Yates. The reading is dramatic without being over the top, and there are two short interesting interviews on either disc.
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| This was a terrific book. |
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| What: | The Deviant Strain (BBC New Series Adventures novels) |
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| By: | C G Harwood, Dunedin, NZ, New Zealand |
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| Date: | Monday 7 February 2011 |
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| Rating: | 9 |
On tv a few years ago there was a documentary about a naval base in Russia that has all these old leaky ship and submarines. The people looked old and sick and all the ships and sub were rusty and poisoning everything around them. I had the visions of this documentary in my head all the way threw this book.
Justin Richards has captured the felling of freezing cold and horrible place to live very very well. I actually felt dirty and cold as I read this.
The Doctor and Rose are written very well. but I was very impressed at how he wrote Cpt Jack, the main thing to remember in this book is that Cpt Jack can die as Bad Wolf/Parting of the Ways hasn't happened yet, and that made his situations more exciting considering he was probably under the most threat in this book ( and the scene in the sub with the two Russian commandos was brilliant.).
The blue blobs with tentacles were very well done and would love to see something similar in TV Dr Who. But the thing that got me about this book was the body count, this was a blood bath.
This book almost had an Aleans feel about it with the marines keeping the Blobby monsters back, and getting killed one by one. while trying to protect the civilians.
I love Richards writing and he didn't let me down. The only nit-pick I have was that it seemed to end very quickly. But this is defiantly the best 9th Dr novel I have read so far.
| What: | The Brilliant Book 2011 (Miscellaneous annuals) |
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| By: | Earle DL Foster, Invercargill, New Zealand |
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| Date: | Friday 4 February 2011 |
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| Rating: | 9 |
This book certainly pays homage to the recently seen fifth BBC season, and the Eleventh Doctor's subsequent introduction into the time space fray.
But it also explores partially mentioned (but never properly elaborated) aspects of the series, a prime example being past encounters by a certain portly British Prime Minister with former incarnations of the Doctor leading up to the climactic "Victory of the Daleks". One can even learn how to perform the "Drunken Giraffe" celebration dance at their best friend's upcoming wedding nuptials!
There is even a nice artistic connection to the Target novelisation series, with key components of each episode in Matt Smith's official first season lavishly illustrated in a potential cover, from "The Eleventh Hour" to the season finale, namely "The Pandorica Opens" and "The Big Bang".
I've just read this locally purchased and brand new publication, and would personally recommend to all and sundry nostalgia hunters. While there is admittedly nothing new that hasn't been already seen on television already, don't be nonetheless fooled into therefore believing that you won't necessarily find anything new either.
| What: | Father Time (BBC Eighth Doctor novels) |
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| By: | MyGeekLife, Fort Lauderdale, Florida, USA |
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| Date: | Wednesday 2 February 2011 |
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| Rating: | 10 |
The Earth arc has so far surpassed all of my expectations. It seems to have given the writers an incredible sense of liberty when it comes to the Doctor's evolving characterization. This book in particular did everything it had to do and more. It is also a bit of a love story to all things classic Doctor Who. There are robots, murderous aliens, the audacious hijacking of the Space Shuttle, exciting fight sequences, even a political rebellion or two, but through it all the book never descends into pastiche, and never loses its heart.
In The Turing Test, by far one of my favorite books ever, Doctor Who or otherwise, the Doctor is just coming to terms with the certainty that he isn't human, that he's trapped on a planet that isn't his, and that knowledge, that certainty, has left him desperate and isolated. Alone, melancholy, and a very dangerous man. Endgame, while forgettable, shows the Doctor as beset by ennui, as depressed and soul weary as we'd ever seen him. But if this arc is to end, and Father Time to end it, it would take some incredibly believable character growth and some real, understandable, human reasons to bring the Doctor out of it. Father Time admirably takes on this challenge and succeeds brilliantly.
In many ways, it's the first novel since before Shadows of Avalon where the Doctor seems to have some of the dreadful weight of recent events off his shoulders. And everything that's happened to him isn't brushed away or forgotten. It's dealt with. At the start of the book, he is still absolutely lonely, melancholy, prone to tears. It is only when he gains a daughter, the likable, mysterious, Miranda, that he begins the process of healing.
In raising a daughter, the Doctor finally finds something to fight for once again, finally finds a reason to care for something greater than himself. And that changes him, or should I say, reminds him of who he was. Somebody who had never been afraid to care, as he has been throughout the Earth arc. The fact that raising a child is what brings him back and reminds him of what is truly important is not only believable, it is remarkable in a very human way. Definitely read this book!
| What: | A Christmas Carol (BBC new series DVDs/Blu-rays) |
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| By: | Earle DL Foster, Invercargill, New Zealand |
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| Date: | Monday 31 January 2011 |
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| Rating: | 8 |
A touching little festive romp with plenty of Dickensian alludement, intermingled with just enough stereotypical Moffat weirdness, combining to produce a semi-happy ending for all involved. A promising start for the Eleventh Doctor Christmas special concept, strikingly different from the usual "alien invasion" theme beforehand.
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| The adventures of Womulus and Wemus |
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| What: | The Twin Dilemma (BBC classic series DVDs/Blu-rays) |
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| By: | Huw Davies, Taunton, United Kingdom |
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| Date: | Sunday 30 January 2011 |
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| Rating: | 2 |
'The Twin Dilemma' is a naff Doctor Who story if there ever was one. The costumes and design is bad all round (look out for Hugo Lang's Quality Street wrapper jumper, and the Bacofoil computer console). Also I think the decision to make Colin Baker overtly hostile towards Peri was a mistake - it might have been OK in just Part 1 but the fact it continues through Parts 2-4 is questionable.
The twins Romulus and Remus are too wussy and ineffectual, and their line delivery is boring and stunted. However Maurice Denham and Edwin Richfield's Azmael and Mestor are at least well acted, even if the latter looks like a mouldy sleeping bag!
Overall - rubbish!
A shame they stopped Baker in his tracks one season on, because I really think he's now settled. This story is a really excellent one, and the script is a good mix. Well done, Saward. For those doubters, give it another go! :)
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| Lovecraft eat your heart out |
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Lurkers is a great story inspired by lovecraft and gothic horror. Strange islands, lurkers from another world, symbols, voices and lots of mad crazy people.
Ace has a great story and with a strong performance.
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| Flying fish or flying sharks |
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Relative dimensions calms the series down with a soft, fun story for christmas.
Nothing outstanding but enjoyable, the only issue is after watching the terrible flying shark on the TV xmas special, hearing a flying pet fish on the xmas audio, lost it for me.
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| Everything comes to a head |
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In this second installment, the Ice Warriors are pushed into the back ground. The subplot explodes bringing everything together nicely.
As before the monk is great, tackling the Doctors views; judging, twisting his impact on the web of time and turning his companions.
Where does it go from here.
I've always moaned about ice warrior voices on audio. However this time it works.
Demos is a classic who story and again a powerful twist carrying along the sub plot.
Another interesting twist is everyone challenging the doctor's views and beliefs. As a listener you get pulled in asking what would I do - "leg it and save myself"
The Book of Kells is a good fun story and I'm pleased to say the doctor's new companion starts to come out of her shell with some great one liners.
The introduction of an old foe and a great twist brings series 4 to a new level.
| What: | The Ark (Target novelisations) |
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| By: | C G Harwood, Dunedin, NZ, New Zealand |
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| Date: | Saturday 22 January 2011 |
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| Rating: | 8 |
My least favorite companion out of ALL Dr Who - be it TV, Audio, Classic and New series is Dodo. I made the mistake of watching this then reading it, and every-time I read one of her lines I could see that smug little chipmunk face and rolled my eyes (I actually tried to wipe her out of this story and put in Zoe or Susan :)).
Apart from that I loved this book more than I thort I would. It is a very good adaption of the TV story and the writer takes his time to expand on it. I would sagest thoe you read it first then watch the episode.
