Well, we all loved the BBC mini-series State of Play, starring John Simm, David Morrissey, Bill Nighy, James McAvoy, Kelly Macdonald, Marc Warren and Philip Glenister (at least I hope we do. If we don't, we need to get it on DVD instantly). Now a Hollywood adaptation is on the way and is due to be released in US cinemas on April 17th.
Starring Russell Crowe (as John Simm), Ben Affleck (as David Morrissey), Helen Mirren (as Bill Nighy), Rachel McAdams (as Kelly Macdonald), Jason Bateman (as Marc Warren) and Harry Lennix (as Philip Glenister) it's got big budget US thriller all over it and not in a good way. Plus what's up with Russell's accent? Here's a trailer – see if you disagree with me. For comparison's sake, the trailer for the original mini-series is after it. You can also find photos from the movie at IMDB.
Ooh, tricky. So many good ones to choose from. Tin Tin? Sarah Jane Smith in Doctor Who, etc? There's Kevin McKidd in Journeyman to look forward to. I was always kind of partial to David Warner in Hold the Back Page. And Julia Sawalha in Press Gang. Danny in The West Wing? John Simm in State of Play?
I'd probably go for Darren McGavin in Kolchak: The Night Stalker though.
Who says I watch too much television?
But how about you guys? Answer here, answer there, answer in your own blog: the meme is on.
About the blog
This is a UK media blog with daily news, views, exclusive reviews and good conversation. There's a bit of a bias towards the latest and greatest US TV, but we also cover British TV ranging from new Doctor Who to old Z Cars, Property Ladder to Big Brother, and BBC4 to S4C – yes, this blog is firmly part of the conspiracy to promote all things Welsh where possible, particularly Caerdydd.
Add in film, theatre, art, books, events and media journalism and you've (hopefully) got one of the best places on the web for media lovers. Oh yes, and there's The Carusometer, the ultimate guide to quality TV.
About me
I'm Rob Buckley, a freelance journalist who writes for UK media magazines that most people have never heard of. I've edited Dreamwatch, Sprocket and Cambridge Film Festival Daily; been technical editor for trade magazine Televisual; reviewed films for the short-lived newspaper Cambridge Insider; written features for the even shorter-lived newspaper Soho Independent; and contributed sarcastic articles about television to the blink-and-you-missed-it "web site for urban hedonists" The Tribe. I'm freelance now and have contributed to the likes of Broadcast, Total Content + Media, Action TV, Off The Telly and TV Scoop. Have pity on me.
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