Review: The Great Gatsby

Review: The Great Gatsby

Director: Baz Luhrmann

Cast: Leonardo DiCaprio, Tobey Maguire, Carey Mulligan, Joel Edgerton

The roaring twenties; a time of post-war euphoria, alcohol flowing carelessness and the backdrop of one of America's most iconic novels: The Great Gatsby.

Written by F. Scott Fitzgerald, the title really should resonate with anyone who has suffered studied through their Higher English exams and as such, this latest adaptation from director Baz Luhrmann is likely to grab the attention of the masses thanks to its big name cast and even bigger visuals. 

Delayed for over five months to allow a completely unnecessary 3D conversion, The Great Gatsby does stay very faithful to its source material with around 80% of the dialogue and narration ripped more or less directly from the novel. But despite its bravely contemporary soundtrack and the best efforts of its stars, this particular adaptation of Fitzgerald's finest falls into the biggest traps of modern cinema: all style and no substance.

There really is something eluding and unattainable about bringing The Great Gatsby to the silver screen though. Take the 2000 made-for-TV version starring Paul Rudd, which was so dull from start to finish that reading the book in a colourless room was more exciting. Even further back there were Robert Redford and Mia Farrow as Gatsby and Daisy in an adaptation that was criticised for its slow-burning dialogue and boring screenplay. 

Luhrmann instead tries to hit a middle ground where die-hard fans of the book, or at least those who remember it from school, will be just as entertained as those entering the cinema for a fresh movie experience. The problem is that The Great Gatsby is an unadaptable novel in such a sense, and Luhrmann almost seems to know it by throwing hundreds of flashy visuals and Jay-Z songs at us in the hope it will distract from the fact that he doesn't quite know what he's doing.

His cast does, however. Tobey Maguire kicks off the proceedings as the perfectly respectable Nick Carraway, a young writer who heads to New York in 1922 - an era of loosening morals, glittering jazz parties, bootlegging kings and a stock market soaring sky high. With the American dream on his mind, Nick moves in next door to a wealthy bachelor named Jay Gatsby, a mysterious man who throws lavish parties at his mansion but rarely actually appears at them.

Across the water live Nick's cousin Daisy Buchanan and her husband Tom. As Nick enters Gatsby's life and attempts to learn more about the man, it soon becomes abundantly clear that Gatsby is chasing an American dream of his own - one that draws Nick into the world of the super-rich and the selfish secrets they hold.

If there is one actor who could possibly pull off a pink suit, it's Leonardo DiCaprio and luckily he also hits the mark with his portrayal of Gatsby too. Across from him (quite literally), Carey Mulligan adds another superb performance to her CV with an astonishingly complex play of Daisy. The scenes which they have together are romantic and tense in equal measure, and it's clear that they actually understand the characters and their trials much more than Baz Luhrmann himself.

That's not to knock the director too much; The Great Gatsby does look fantastic, with each over the top party at Gatsby's mansion more colourful than the last and, as the summer hots up over the course of the film so too does the soundtrack. Luhrmann took an enormous risk with the purists by placing the likes of Jay-Z and the frankly insufferable Lana Del Ray over the aesthetics, but most of it works. It's fitting that in a movie exploring an era of exaggeration and excess, those artificial, enhanced musical scores accompany the shady deeds of the cast.

The standout moments from the novel are given just the right treatment too, such as that iconic confrontation scene between Tom and Gatsby in the hotel room. DiCaprio is absolutely terrific and Joel Edgerton refuses to be overshadowed, giving Tom an ambiguously sympathetic air that translates well to the audience.

Still, good performances and visuals aside, there is a consistent sense that while The Great Gatsby stays close to its source material to an intense level (Maguire's deliverance of the final few lines "ceaselessly borne into the past..." are particularly affecting), Luhrmann simply doesn't have a fixed view of what the whole story is supposed to deal with. Metaphors for the bigger picture are thrown at us rather than subtly hinted at - the green light at the end of Daisy's dock is shown at least a dozen times - and things occasionally become so visually cluttered at the start that it's a worry. Does a story about lost love, desperation and the American dream really warrant so much CGI?

Then there's the framing device for the narrative itself, one which strays from the novel entirely. Nick in a psychiatric hospital, recounting the events to a doctor? Fitzgerald would have glared on that bizarre plot point like the eyes of T.J Eckleburg.

Summary

All in all then, it's good enough. While Baz Luhrmann makes The Great Gatsby looks just as beautiful as you'd expect from the man behind Moulin Rouge, there is an over-abundance of CGI and visual panache that suggests the director knows more about cinematography than storytelling. But the performances of the cast, particularly a spot-on Leonardo DiCaprio as the man himself ensure that The Great Gatsby is an entertaining and suitably tragic ode to America's classic novel. Some fans looking for more layers may just want to return to the book itself though - after all, you can't repeat the past.

7/10 - Good

See it if you liked: Romeo + Juliet (1996), The Pursuit of Happyness (2006), Midnight In Paris (2011)

TV Review: Doctor Who: S07E13

TV Review: Doctor Who

Series 7, Episode 13: The Name Of The Doctor

Air Date: April 18th

SPOILER ALERT! This review contains some pretty big spoilers for the season finale of Doctor Who!

"The Doctor does not discuss his secrets with anyone, my dear. If you are still entertaining the idea that you are the exception to this rule, ask yourself one question: what is his name?"

The Doctor's postman must have been jumping for joy this week with the promise of the Time Lord's name about to be revealed after 50 years of the same old question: 'Doctor who?'

For the past few weeks, the promotional material for this season's finale The Name of The Doctor has been accompanied by a single tagline: 'his secret revealed.' So with this episode finally closing the curtain on the seventh revived series of Doctor Who, was it a satisfying conclusion or a little more wibbly wobbly?

Applause! Despite a lacklustre run so far this year, showrunner Steven Moffat has written not only the best episode this series but possibly one of the most fan-pleasing Doctor Who stories of all time - and he didn't have an easy task either. Thanks to the 'one-shot' nature of the stories in series seven, the overall arc of Clara Oswald's existence still lingered over the narrative; so not only did Moffat have to put a full stop to her conundrum, he also had to ensure that The Doctor himself had plenty to do.

Even on top of that, the Moff had to reintroduce River Song along with old nemesis The Great Intelligence and ensure that new monsters The Whispermen had enough menace about them to provide a decent threat.

Luckily, Moffat has effectively succeeded in almost all of the above, with a script that not only gives a wink and nod to hardcore fans of Doctor Who and its history, but also manages to raise more questions as it simultaneously answers others.

Right out of the gate, the episode bolts off full steam ahead, with an incredible view of Gallifrey pre-Time War as we see the First Doctor stealing the TARDIS...with a warning from Clara thanks to some (admittedly dodgy) CGI. From then on, we see her frequently bumping in to past versions of The Doctor - and this is before the credits have even rolled!

The reintroduction of the Scooby Doo gang (as they shall forever be known) warranted an eye roll or two, but luckily Strax, Jenny and Madame Vastra are actually essential to the plot this time rather than just some groovy additions to shake up a tired story, with Strax even providing some hilarity.

This is the story of The Doctor's greatest secret however, and it truly is revealed - it's just not the one we were expecting at all. For an episode entitled The Name of The Doctor, it actually spent very little time asking that particular question, and the reason why is made abundantly clear come the final few moments thanks to some brilliantly crafty misdirection from Steven Moffat.

Instead, we are transported to the horrific Trenzalore where Strax, Jenny and Madame Vastra have been held hostage by The Great Intelligence. In order to save his friends, The Doctor must travel to Trenzalore and cross his own time stream in the biggest way possible - by visiting his own grave.

Speaking of which, the whole episode has very funeral-esque feel to it, with director Saul Metzstein throwing a darkened tinge over the proceedings like a veil. The scenes in the graveyard on Trenzalore are brilliantly dark and rightfully reflect the blackened hearts within The Doctor as he faces what he expects will be his death, or something akin to it.

So let's get the negatives out of the way first: The Great Intelligence and The Whispermen were laughable threats. All that The Whispermen seemed to do was to come up with creepy rhymes while poking people in the chest (ouch!) while The Great Intelligence seemed to just be interfering with The Doctor's life for the sake of it, although it was good to see Richard E. Grant snarling his way through the scenery in over the top style.

Yet then there was the actual climax, in which The Great Intelligence killed The Doctor at various points in his timeline, therefore erasing all of his good deeds from history. Ultimately, the threat was simply a much larger scale version of the Series 4 episode Turn Left, in which The Tenth Doctor dies too early in an alternate timeline and, to cut a long story short, the world goes through pain and misery as a result. Rip off!

Still, these were very minor niggles in a finale that delivers grandiose performances in spades. Matt Smith is absolutely terrific, giving The Doctor a sense of gravitas that makes us feel like we're watching an old friend in pain. In fact, it's surprising how emotionally affecting this episode truly is, with the mystery of Clara Oswald wrapped in a very neat bow indeed. Jenna-Louise Coleman refuses to be outdone in this episode, and Clara is for once one of the most exciting characters on the screen with her devotion to The Doctor and her enduring sign-off line ("Run, you clever boy...and remember.") truly cementing her as a fantastic companion, and one that will be welcome in more years to come.

Those last five minutes though! Stuck in a desolate place inside The Doctor's timeline, Clara hopelessly watches past versions of the Time-Lord streak by her until the Eleventh Doctor finally reaches her. All good! That is until a single figure stands on the horizon, and The Doctor describes his name as "a promise you make...he's the one that broke that promise." And in swoops John Hurt, credited as The Doctor!

In true Doctor Who style, we've been given a handful of answers and a shed load of questions...and I wouldn't have it any other way.

Summary

Steven Moffat has really pulled a fast one here, and in one of the best season finales of Doctor Who's 50 year history, he has managed to not only answer the most pressing questions of this series, but has also managed to introduce more questions for the Anniversary Special in November. While it is true that this year of the show has had its ups and downs (the latter more so than the former), Doctor Who has bowed out in superb fashion with a breathless, brilliant finale. All is forgiven.

Roll on November and the anticipated return of David Tennant!

9/10 - Brilliant

Doctor Who: Who is Clara Oswald?

Doctor Who: Who is Clara Oswald?

From a Dalek asylum to Victorian London and finally the present day, The Doctor has met Clara Oswald a grand total of three times - and she has died on two of those occasions. Her third incarnation is currently travelling with The Doctor and, while distinct, the characters are all played by Jenna-Louise Coleman and thus are regarded as the same person. Yet with no memory of ever meeting The Doctor before and boasting a generally normal past, how can Clara Oswald, the woman twice dead possibly exist?  

With that in mind and the season finale approaching this Saturday, here are five of the best (and occasionally laughable) theories flying around the internet regarding the identity and purpose of "The Impossible Girl."

5 - Clara is The Doctor

The theory: This one definitely dives head first into the laughable category, but it's an interesting starting point nonetheless. If canon has stayed true throughout the years since Classic Who, The Doctor can only regenerate twelve times - as he is currently in his Eleventh form (as portrayed by Matt Smith), that means he has two left. There has been media buzz in recent series', particularly during David Tennant's departure as the Tenth Doctor, that eventually the Time Lord could become a woman. The regenerative process is also a very painful one and, according to the Fifth Doctor, it becomes more dangerous with each occurrence  Could it be possible that in the future The Doctor has regenerated into a woman and forgotten his past incarnations?

Probability: While it would be a welcome and experimental change of form for the show, this still doesn't explain how Clara (or some echo of her) has survived an explosion and a fall from the sky. Even The Doctor himself couldn't regenerate from becoming a Dalek and then blowing himself up. Right? Right.

4 - River Song created Clara

The theory: When last we saw River Song, she had left a heartbroken Eleventh Doctor dealing with the loss of former companions Amy and Rory. However, in her own timeline, her last major event was her death in the Season 4 episode Forest Of The Dead in which she sacrificed herself in an enormous library to save The Tenth Doctor's life. The Doctor then realises that her mind can still be uploaded to the library's data core, therefore giving her a life inside the computer system.

In the upcoming series finale River will somehow be released from the computer and the trailers have seen her talking to Clara. With River living inside the biggest digital system in the universe, is it possible that she has somehow created the perfect companion for The Doctor to combat his loneliness and, if need be, save his life?

Probability: Not very likely. While River's appearance in this Saturday's episode does warrant plenty of questions of its own (how did she escape the library?), it seems impossible that she could create a human being with flesh, blood and a family from a computer system. That being said, it would explain how Clara was recreated in different eras with the same looks and characteristics - coincidentally at the precise time and place The Doctor happened to be. 

3 - Clara is an enemy

The theory: "What are you? A trick? A trap?" The Eleventh Doctor's words to Clara in Journey To The Centre of the TARDIS finally showcased his curiosity giving way to frustrated confusion, but with his companion's fearful and bemused reaction he deduced that she truly is a normal human being.

OR IS SHE?!

It is possible that, in some part of The Doctor's future or past Clara has been recruited by an enemy to keep him alive in order for him to land head first into a trap. In Season 6, River Song was revealed to be the woman who apparently kills The Doctor under the orders of The Silence, a religious movement who believed the Time Lord would somehow bring about the end of the universe. Luckily, The Doctor faked his own death and The Silence ceased their pursuit of him. Perhaps they have discovered his treachery and have taken cunning steps to bring his downfall by manipulating his reputation of always travelling with a companion.

Probability: It is a possibility, and not a bad one at that, however given that The Silence have already featured prominently in Matt Smith's run of Doctor Who it's unlikely that show-runner Steven Moffat will desire to use them in yet another series finale. Add to that the fact that The Great Intelligence and The Whispermen have already been confirmed as the antagonists in the finale and this theory feels increasingly unlikely. 

2 - Clara has a connection to Rose Tyler

The theory: LOOK AT ALL THE ROSES! With David Tennant and Billie Piper (The Tenth Doctor and Rose Tyler) returning for Doctor Who's 50th Anniversary Special, it makes sense that the series leading up to it would slowly but surely lead to a story arc reintroducing them - is Clara that arc? Perhaps these constant 'Rose' references are just Easter eggs for the fans, but there's no such thing as coincidence in Doctor Who. 

Now, this is possibly the most fan-rewarding theory around and it would certainly regain a lot of respect from fans who have felt that recent episodes have been lacking in nods to previous eras of Doctor Who. At the end of Series 1, Rose saved the Ninth Doctor (Christopher Eccleston) by briefly becoming the "Bad Wolf," an all-seeing, all-knowing entity that spread its name across the Doctor's past...and future.
It could be a red herring, but in the recent episode Cold War, the song Hungry Like The Wolf by Duran Duran is a consistent plot point. Again, there's no such thing as coincidence in Doctor Who. LOOK AT ALL THE ROSES!

Probability: This is actually one of the most plausible theories out there, although it still won't be right. With the 50th Anniversary Special coming up, it would make sense to have fan-favourite companion Rose Tyler play a pivotal role in the run up to it. That said, it's tough to see how exactly this could happen - if Rose could see the future, surely she would do everything in her power to stay with The Doctor instead of being trapped in a parallel universe?

1 - The Doctor created Clara

The theory: I know, right? Think back to the Tenth Doctor's episode The Waters Of Mars: stricken with guilt over not being able to interfere in an established point in time, The Doctor departs a space station in which several humans are being left to die. It soon hits him that his actions on the planet actually caused the massacre in the first place: "every time I try to save them, everything I do...just makes it happen."

With that in mind, it could be pitched that in his quest to discover who the seemingly ordinary Clara Oswald really is, The Doctor actually makes her extraordinary. It remains to be seen how or why exactly, but given his meddling with time in the past it's possible that he accidentally grants Clara some form of immortality, or gives her personality an echo through the universe which affects his entire timeline.

Probability: This is the most likely theory of the lot, and it would certainly give a darker tone to The Doctor and his guilt over Clara's two deaths. That said, the fact that Jenna-Louise Coleman has already confirmed she will be appearing in another series of Doctor Who puts a nail in this theory's coffin, and it's also unlikely that the show will take such a gritty route. Still, with nothing unusual rearing its head in Clara's persona so far it is incredibly possible that The Doctor "makes it happen." Curiosity kills the cat, after all. Or the Clara.

Check back to Movies Under The Microscope this weekend for a full review of Doctor Who: The Name Of The Doctor, in which the mystery of Clara Oswald will finally be revealed...

TV Review: Doctor Who: S07E12

TV Review: Doctor Who

Series 7, Episode 12: Nightmare In Silver

Air date: May 11th

Series 6 of the revived run of Doctor Who boasted one of its best episodes to date: The Doctor's Wife. Written by acclaimed author Neil Gaiman, it truly captured the essence of The Doctor and his relationship to both his companions and his TARDIS, making it an enormous fan-favourite (it even made it into my top 10 stories of Doctor Who countdown, which you can read by clicking right here!).

Gaiman returns to Doctor Who with this week's episode Nightmare In Silver, a story which boldly presents us with the return of classic villains The Cybermen while also giving Matt Smith some fantastic material with which to show off his considerable acting capabilities. 

Obviously comparisons between Gaiman's two episodes are an inevitability, so lets start things off by being as blunt as The Doctor would be: Nightmare In Silver is nowhere near as good as The Doctor's Wife. That being said, it is a whole other species of episode completely so it's almost unfair to compare them - where the latter delved further into The Doctor's own psychology and the personality of his TARDIS, Nightmare In Silver aims to give us a more action-packed 45 minutes of fun with a wider supporting cast. 

Warwick Davis really comes out on top in said cast, with each of his scenes really pushing the story forward positively and his character is easily the most entertaining addition to the episode. On the other side of the spectrum, however, are the two annoying kids whose presence only seeks to give Nightmare In Silver (an episode which has been hyped as one which "makes the Cybermen scary again") an incessant Sarah Jane Adventures vibe. 

Their appearance is warranted by last week's conclusion, in which they incredibly easily deducted that their nanny Clara has a means of travelling in time - apparently The Doctor takes a photo with people wherever he goes despite having previously made an extensive effort to erase himself from history. Seems legit. 

To stop the kids from telling anybody (because obviously everyone would believe them), The Doctor and Clara take them to an outer-space amusement park. When they arrive, however, they find that the park has been closed for years due to an inter-planetery war against The Cybermen. Presumed dead, they've been slowly but surely planning a means of resurrection, and The Doctor's arrival is the catalyst for The Cybermen's return and their upgrade - an upgrade which latches on to the Time Lord himself. 

It's here where Gaiman's script truly shines, with Matt Smith playing a dual role as The Doctor and the Cyber-leader attempting to take over his mind. Smith once again proves that he can be an absolutely fantastic Doctor, it just takes the right story to let him shine - when he gets serious, he gets really serious.

Of course, with The Doctor too busy metaphorically and physically playing himself at chess, it's up to Clara to lead the military resistance against The Cybermen. The monsters are genuinely quite threatening this time around, with a more agile, creepy arsenal of tactics up their metal sleeves and thankfully their "delete" catchphrase has been thrown in to the hypothetical trash can. Still, for all the hype that they are going to be scarier and meaner, Gaiman doesn't really add in any more pant-soiling moments for them thanks to their noisy, clunky nature. 

He does fit the story into the overall series though, sowing the seeds for some more tantalising plot threads which will hopefully be wrapped up in next week's series finale. "You've been deleting yourself from history, Doctor. Don't you think there will be an enormous Doctor-sized hole in the universe?" Then there's the ongoing story regarding Clara which has only really intensified in the last two or three episodes. Even The Cybermen recognise her as "impossible" - just who or what exactly is she? 

Plus you have to give Gaiman credit for having The Doctor say "allonsy!" just for old time's sake.

Summary

Ultimately then, Nightmare In Silver is a much better quality of Doctor Who than we've come to expect from this series run so far, with writer Neil Gaiman giving The Cybermen a worthy story with which to return to our screens. It doesn't quite live up to its name, lacking in the fear factor but making up for it with an astounding performance from Matt Smith and a nicely action-packed climax. Let's just hope that's the last we've seen of those bloody kids. 

8/10 - Great

Don't miss the review of next week's series finale of Doctor Who, The Name of The Doctor! Check out the trailer below:

Starring Matt Smith, Jenna-Louise Coleman and Alex Kingston, the story sees The Doctor's friends taken hostage by a mysterious enemy. Summoned to the fields of Trenzalore, The Doctor and Clara are about to find their greatest secrets revealed...

Air date: May 18th

Review: Star Trek Into Darkness

Review: Star Trek Into Darkness

Director: J.J Abrams

Cast: Chris Pine, Zachary Quinto, Simon Pegg, Benedict Cumberbatch

Perhaps unfairly, "Trekkies" (definition: a devoted fan of the sci-fi series Star Trek) have been pigeon-holed as the ultimate geeks with popular culture often depicting them as losers with bad acne and overly large glasses, not to mention an unhealthy obsession with fiction. 

All that changed in 2009 when director J.J Abrams reinvented the Star Trek that fans knew and loved. Casting ladies man Chris Pine as the movie's leading star and boasting enough shiny lens flare to rival the sun, the reboot/prequel was a hit with mainstream audiences worldwide and immediately warranted a sequel.

So it's only logical (pun intended) that the follow-up not only improves on its predecessor, but may even encourage casual movie-goers to delve deeper into the extensive lore of the original Star Trek series. It may not boldly go into fantastical new territory for science fiction movies, but ultimately Star Trek Into Darkness is a non-stop colourful roller coaster from start to finish.

Yet the main appeal of its narrative is, as many of its marketing material would suggest, its villain. For most film franchises, specifically trilogies, the second instalment is where the writers can really unleash a really effective antagonist; take The Dark Knight trilogy for example. The Joker is arguably the most popular Batman nemesis of all time, yet delaying his appearance until the second movie really allowed him to make an impact on the protagonists that we have already come to know.

The same applies for Star Trek Into Darkness, as the antagonist of the space opera is this time played by Sherlock actor Benedict Cumberbatch. As John Harrison, he manages to not only break out from his Sherlock persona - all brains and no brawn - he proves himself to be quite the action star as well as a very menacing and fearful presence.

He kicks off the story by planning a violent and bloody terrorist attack on a Starfleet archive, prompting Starship Enterprise captain James Kirk (Pine) along with his misfit crew to seek the traitor Harrison out for revenge. When our heroes are thrown into a years-long game of deception and lies, Captain Kirk has to fight to save the world and the only family he has left: his crew.

If the first movie was something of an Avengers-esque "can we sort our differences and work together?" narrative, Star Trek Into Darkness is much more of a divide-and-conquer story of a threat to the characters' personal worlds. Building this up are of course the iconic crew of the Starship Enterprise themselves, with the married couple/bromantic chemistry of Kirk and Zachary Quinto's excellent Spock making up the brunt of the comedic and emotional scenes.

In some ways it's a misleading title; Star Trek Into Darkness isn't nearly as dark and hopeless as it wants to be, with Simon Pegg still on board to provide some fantastic hilarity, even if his overly-Scottish accent is a little unconvincing. But what J.J Abrams and writer Damen Lindelof manage to do is ensure that each character gets his or her moment in the spotlight whether it be for humorous or emotional purposes. There's not one character just tagged "comic relief," or "sidekick." The Enterprise Crew is a well balanced bunch, and that makes all the difference in an epic story of this scale.

And what a scale it is. Detailing where exactly the crew head to would be to step foot in spoiler territory, but it's safe to say that hardcore Trekkies won't be disappointed with the nods to the Star Trek of the past. Yet more importantly, the story stays true to the core dynamics of Star Trek's ideals; do the crew follow the prime directive and do what's logical for the greater good, or do they follow their gut instinct?

It's this theme that runs through Star Trek Into Darkness and, with Cumberbatch's villain threatening to tear the team apart, we really do care about the characters. Come the end of the running time the idea of a third instalment in the series is a very welcome one indeed. 

Still, it's not perfect by any means. The fist fight climax is more of a whimper than a bang, considering that the astounding action preceding it has consisted of an amazing dive through space, a launch into a volcano and an epic chase at warp speed. Some of the dialogue is a little obvious too - it even comes as a surprise when the characters don't just turn around and wink at the camera, with Zoe Saldana's Uhura kindly asking us "Are you following so far?"

Take Karl Urban's Bones for example, a doctor with an incredible skill set but with a tendency to be an overbearing nuisance. "Are you really doing this, Jim?" "Jim, you can't do this.". "Are you out of your damn mind, Jim?!" And the madness continues.

Summary

Trekkies rejoice! J.J Abrams' reboot/prequel of the Star Trek franchise was no fluke, and the director has proven himself a very sturdy master of science fiction movie-making. The non-stop action should please those looking for a fast-paced cinematic adventure, but for fans looking for a deeper insight into the crew of the Starship Enterprise, writer Damen Lindelof ensures that there is heart and humour in equal measure. Benedict Cumberbatch also cements himself as a surprisingly brutal action star, and although much of the dialogue is very formulaic, the stunning special effects, the enduring themes and the purely entertaining qualities of Star Trek still live long and prosper. 

9/10 - Brilliant

See it if you liked: The Dark Knight (2008), Star Trek (2009), Thor (2011)

Doctor Who's Top 10 Stories

Doctor Who's Top 10 Stories

It's been around for 50 years and since its inception it's become one of the most iconic staples of British television: Doctor Who. In 2005, former show-runner and producer Russell T. Davies persuaded the BBC to resurrect the show after its demise following a very (very) badly received made-for-television movie in 1996. 

Since then, Doctor Who has aired exactly 100 full episodes and The Doctor himself has gone through two regenerations. Christopher Eccleston's hard-as-nails Ninth incarnation of the Time Lord, David Tennant's more human interpretation and Matt Smith's current Eleventh Doctor have all had their fair share of fantastic narrative delights - as well as their fair share of stinkers - but here are the top 10 greatest stories from "New-Who."

10 - The Time Of Angels/Flesh And Stone

Series 5, Episodes 4/5

The Doctor: Matt Smith

The companion: Amy Pond

The plot: The Eleventh Doctor receives a mysterious summons from River Song, a woman who claims to have met The Doctor before in her past but not in his with him having met her only once before. Investigating a crashed spaceship which contains a Weeping Angel (a deadly life form that can only move when it is not being watched) The Doctor, Amy, River Song and a religious team of soldiers soon find themselves lost in an impossible labyrinth. To make matters worse, the group soon realise that they have been trapped by not just one Angel but by hundreds. 

Why it's awesome: Matt Smith's first series of Doctor Who was shaky to say the least - until this point. The Weeping Angels had only been seen in one episode so far and this Alien-inspired story was ideal for their return. Then there's the edge-of-your-seat, hugely gripping speech from The Doctor in the final moments: "If you have any plans on seeing tomorrow, there's one thing you never, ever put in a trap. Me."

9 - The Impossible Astronaut

Series 6, Episode 1

The Doctor: Matt Smith

The companions: Amy Pond, Rory Williams

The plot: The newly married Amy and Rory travel to Utah to meet The Eleventh Doctor. Upon their arrival, they and River Song witness his abrupt death at the hands of a mysterious astronaut. However, it soon becomes clear that the Doctor they saw die was an older version, as a younger Doctor soon makes himself known to them. Afterwards the group deals with an alien race known as "The Silence" under orders from President Nixon.

Why it's awesome: What a way to start a series! Killing off the show's titular character within the first ten minutes of its return is a really daring move by current show-runner Steven Moffat and it makes for one of the most shocking series openers in Doctor Who's history. "Just popped out to get my lucky straw..."

8 - Tooth And Claw

Series 2, Episode 2

The Doctor: David Tennant

The companion: Rose Tyler

The plot: The recently regenerated Tenth Doctor and Rose end up in Scotland 1879 where Queen Victoria invites them to the Torchwood Estate. Unknown to them, however, the estate has been overtaken by a group of monks who plan to have a werewolf infect Queen Victoria. The Doctor eventually discovers the plan, but it's too late -  the wolf is already unleashed...

Why it's awesome: This is still one of the most tense, action-packed episodes of Doctor Who to date. From the initial attack on the estate to the edge-of-your-seat corridor chases with the werewolf, the tension is relentless and, just to put the icing on the cake, this story lays the foundations for the very organisation that dramatically tears The Doctor and Rose apart: Torchwood. "I am not amused."

7 -  Bad Wolf/The Parting Of The Ways

Series 1, Episodes 12/13

The Doctor: Christopher Eccleston

The companions: Rose Tyler, Captain Jack Harkness

The plot: The Ninth Doctor, Rose and Captain Jack are suddenly transported onto a space station which forces people to take part in futuristic versions of television shows such as The Weakest Link and Big Brother; it's all fun and games until it transpires that contestants die if they lose. However, The Doctor soon discovers that the enemy behind the plan is actually his oldest foe: The Daleks. Enraged, he vows to wipe them out once and for all - but at what cost?

Why it's awesome: Sadly this marks the end of Christopher Eccleston's run as the Ninth Doctor, and many fans wish that he'd stayed for at least another series. That said, his final episode certainly sends him off brilliantly with a huge TARDIS vs. spaceship battle in outer space followed by a satisfying self-sacrificing regeneration. "You were fantastic - and d'you know what? So was I!"

6 - The Doctor's Wife

Series 6, Episode 4

The Doctor: Matt Smith

The companions: Amy Pond, Rory Williams

The plot: The Eleventh Doctor, Amy and Rory find themselves on a mysterious, desolate planet where Time Lords have been led to be imprisoned and die. When the life of the TARDIS is pushed out by an intrusive force calling itself The House, the TARDIS places its soul inside a dying woman. For the first time ever, The Doctor and his ship communicate face-to-face in order to escape the dangerous planet.

Why it's awesome: Written by acclaimed writer Neil Gaiman, The Doctor's Wife is a superb piece of science fiction that focuses on the relationship between The Doctor and his iconic ship. Companions come and go, but the TARDIS will always be his, and The Doctor finally shows how ruthless he can be when his way of life is threatened. "Fear me, Doctor, I've killed hundreds of time lords." "Fear me. I've killed all of them."

5 - The Empty Child/The Doctor Dances

Series 1, Episodes 9/10

The Doctor: Christopher Eccleston

The companions: Rose Tyler, Captain Jack Harkness

The plot: While chasing an unmarked metal cylinder through the time vortex, the Ninth Doctor and Rose arrive in 1941 during the height of the blitz. Separated from The Doctor, Rose encounters a mysterious Time Agent called Jack Harkness, while The Doctor discovers a small boy in a gas mask stalking the streets calling for his mummy.

Why it's awesome: This is essential viewing for newcomers to Doctor Who, and is considered one of the definitive episodes of the show's first revived series. Steven Moffat's first ever contribution to the show has it all: humour, tension, jump scares as well as a satisfying conclusion, and this episode also features the first appearance of Captain Jack Harkness, a man who becomes integral to the overall universe of New-Who. "Don't drop the banana!" "Why?" "Good source of potassium!"

4 - Turn Left/The Stolen Earth/Journey's End

Series 4, Episodes 11/12/13

The Doctor: David Tennant

The companions: Everyone!

The plot: Having been visited by Rose in an alternate reality, Donna warns The Doctor that danger is coming. The universe is beginning to crumble and 27 planets, Earth included, have been moved but with The Doctor predisposed and unable to help, Earth's defenders - led by Captain Jack Harkness, Sarah Jane Smith and Martha Jones - come together to fight the threat and locate the Time Lord.

Why it's awesome: This is like The Avengers - Doctor Who style. While many would argue that the final episode Journey's End is a bit of an over-filled muddle, Turn Left and The Stolen Earth are fantastic stories that bring together everything from the Christopher Eccleston/David Tennant era of Doctor Who as a love letter to the fans. "You act like such a lonely man, but here you are with the biggest family in the world."

3 - The End Of Time Part 1/Part 2

2009 Specials, Episode 3/4

The Doctor: David Tennant

The companions: Wilfred Mott, Donna Noble

The plot: The end is coming for the Tenth Doctor. He has been warned that "he will knock four times," and the Time Lord has been running from his fate ever since - until he learns that The Master has been resurrected on Earth. The Doctor and Donna's grandfather Wilfred attempt to stop The Master's plan to use an "Immortality Gate" to recreate his DNA in every human on Earth - but something much worse is at stake, something that The Doctor could never have considered. The Time Lords are returning.

Why it's awesome: In many ways everything about this story is bittersweet. It's epic, it's huge, it ties up every loose end from the series in an emotionally satisfying way but at the end of it all is the departure of one of the best Doctors of all time, David Tennant. His tearjerking goodbyes to all of his former companions followed by his explosive regeneration is some of the best material the show has ever produced, and the manner of his departure sent many fans into fits of stubborn depression! "I don't want to go."

2 - Blink

Series 3, Episode 10

The Doctor: David Tennant

The companions: Martha Jones, Sally Sparrow

The plot: Young photographer Sally Sparrow enters an abandoned house to take pictures, but things soon escalate when she finds cryptic messages for her from someone called "The Doctor", made worse by curious statues which apparently move when she's not looking. She must decipher several more clues from The Doctor in order to find the truth behind The Weeping Angels, all while following one rule to survive: don't blink.

Why it's awesome: This is the perfect jumping on point for newcomers to Doctor Who, and the presence of Oscar-nominee Carey Mulligan is used to great effect. Despite The Doctor being absent for the vast majority of the episode, this is still one of the most entertaining, tense, funny and quintessentially mysterious episodes of Doctor Who not just since 2005 but since its inception in 1963. "Don't blink. Blink and you're dead. They are fast, faster than you can believe. Don't turn your back. Don't look away and don't blink. Good luck."

1 - Human Nature/The Family Of Blood

Series 3, Episodes 8/9

The Doctor: David Tennant

The companion: Martha Jones

The plot: John Smith is a teacher in the year 1913 who dreams of adventure amongst the stars that involve an alien time-traveller called The Doctor. As John (who bears a striking resemblance to the Tenth Doctor) and Joan Redfern, a school nurse, develop their feelings for each other, a deadly alien family inhabit the bodies of four villagers with the intention of finding The Doctor and his TARDIS. School cleaner Martha Jones knows the truth, however, and she must protect the TARDIS and John Smith's true identity at all costs.

Why it's awesome: This is where David Tennant really really excels, playing a dual role as The Doctor and John Smith. The heartbreaking story of John's discovery that he is not a real person, just a template, is really well played out thanks to all of the performances from the central cast, Freema Agyeman really giving Martha some much-needed worth. The script is emotional without being cheesy, a science fiction story with a real human weight which manages to really develop the audience's perception of The Doctor as a person as well as his relationship with Martha. It's a brooding, tragic tale but it's simply brilliant in showing the life that The Doctor could have had. "What? Falling in love, that didn't even occur to him? What sort of man is that?"

For more Doctor Who reviews, check out the side menu on the right and of course check back to Movies Under The Microscope for the usual mix of reviews, previews and opinion articles.

TV Review: Doctor Who: S07E11

TV Review: Doctor Who

Series 7, Episode 11: The Crimson Horror

Air date: May 4th

It's episodes like The Crimson Horror that make me long for a sick bucket followed by Netflix. Why? So that I can re-watch the episode Human Nature from the Tenth Doctor's era and remind myself that Doctor Who is capable of great stories - it just takes a lot of stinkers along the way.

Said stinker is the latest from acclaimed Doctor Who and Sherlock writer Mark Gatiss, whose previous episode this series, Cold War divided fans and critics alike. For The Crimson Horror, Gatiss not only takes everything that was enjoyable about Cold War and throws it away, he manages to do a large disservice to the two central characters while also throwing away what could have been a great opportunity for fan-favourites Madame Vastra, Jenny and Strax.

The trio of warriors-turned-sleuths return in late 19th century Yorkshire, investigating the mysterious appearance of oddly coloured dead bodies in the Sweetville canal. With The Doctor and Clara curiously absent from the proceedings, it's up to Strax, Jenny and Madame Vastra to take matters into their own hands - but when it becomes clear that The Doctor is one of the victims of "The Crimson Horror" inside Sweetville, the trio take on the sinister Mrs Gillyflower and her seemingly perfect little community.

Considering he's written a wealth of crime novels, sleuth series and is behind the BBC's reinvention of the world's most famous detective, it's surprising to find that Mark Gatiss' latest foray into the world of Doctor Who is a disappointment not just from a narrative standpoint but from an executive one too. 

That's because the "Scooby Doo gang" of Strax, Jenny and Madame Vastra were essentially given enormous supporting roles during last year's Christmas special, and as a result their appearance here feels very latched on. The Crimson Horror may as well be called The Snowmen 1.5.

Saying that, as far as Doctor-lite episodes go, those being episodes in which The Doctor doesn't actually appear until around halfway into the episode, this is much better than some that have come before thanks to the chemistry between the Scooby Doo gang. I'm looking at you, Love And Monsters. 

While their appearance was mostly justified in the excellent Series 6 episode A Good Man Goes To War, the sleuthing trio do make a really good impact here. If someone somewhere hasn't pitched the idea of a children's spin-off to the BBC yet then I'll eat my fez.

Yet that's part of the problem with The Crimson Horror - it feels like an episode of a children's show, not the sophisticated sci-fi that Steven Moffat has insisted he's tried to mould Doctor Who in to. The threat never really looms but the consistent focus on comic buffoonery from The Doctor and Strax becomes more of a nuisance than a thrill.

Then there's the wasted potential of having Diana Rigg - Diana Rigg! - in a villainous role that is occasional bark and no bite. The eventual reveal of the big bad is intentionally misleading (the constant use of the word "Great" building up to something not so great and not so intelligent), made even worse by the fact that the enemy looks like something even Christopher Eccleston's Ninth Doctor would have laughed off screen in 2005. 

To save itself, there's a pretty cool directorial decision in The Crimson Horror by way of a fuzzy, sepia-tinged Victorian flashback. But even that is hurtled back into the world of camp spoof by Matt Smith's over the top performance which, matched with a lack of chemistry with the suddenly dull Jenna Louise-Coleman (Okay, maybe I miss Amy and Rory just a little) feels very generic and disappointing.

Summary

Just when it felt as though Series 7 of New-Who was starting to reclaim its irresistibly energetic sci-fi vibe, Mark Gatiss had to go and produce what can only be described as one of the most unintentionally laughable episodes in recent years. A wasted villain, a wasted lead actor and three wasted albeit mildly entertaining cameos make for a waste of time; the 50th year of Doctor Who deserves much better than this. Let's retain a little hope though - next week's episode comes courtesy of none other than Neil Gaiman, the man responsible for the Series 6 fan-favourite The Doctor's Wife. There are also some Cybermen, whatever they are...

2/10 - Doctor No

Next Episode: Nightmare In Silver

Air date: May 11th

May Preview

May Preview

2013 is flying by at warp speed and May is already upon us. Let's take a look at the biggest movies hitting our cinema screens this month.

21 And Over

Directors: Jon Lucas, Scott Moore

Cast: Miles Teller, Justin Choo, Skylar Astin, Sarah Wright

Release Date: May 3rd

The plot: At some point in every young person's life, there comes a time when they need to break free. Jeff Chang is a well mannered, promising boy whose ascension to adulthood doesn't really phase him at all - until two old friends arrive at his door and force him to partake in a night of drunken antics.

Why you should see it: It's basically a teen version of The Hangover, except with a teddy bear rather than a mystery baby.

Dead Man Down

Director: Niels Arden Oplev

Cast: Colin Farrell, Noomi Rapace, Dominic Cooper, Terrence Howard

Release Date: May 3rd

The plot: Victor (Farrell) has infiltrated the criminal empire run by a ruthless crime boss (Howard), with the intention of bringing down the organisation as revenge for the death of his wife and child. Things become even more complicated when his next door neighbour (Rapace) discovers his darkest secret.

Why you should see it: Hyped as the best revenge thriller in years, this is director Niels Arden Oplev's first movie since the fantastic Swedish adaptation of The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo.

Star Trek Into Darkness

Director: J.J Abrams

Cast: Chris Pine, Zachary Quinto, Benedict Cumberbatch, Simon Pegg

Release Date: May 9th

The plot: After a bold attack on Starfleet courtesy of mysterious new villain John Harrison (Cumberbatch), Captain Kirk (Pine) and his Enterprise team embark on a daring mission fuelled by revenge.

Why you should see it: Director J.J Abrams showed the world that Star Trek could be cool with his 2009 reboot, a movie that balanced likeable characters with superb special effects. His sequel looks set to stun the world again - equipped with the excellent acting talent that is Benedict Cumberbatch.

The Great Gatsby

Director: Baz Luhrmann

Cast: Leonardo DiCaprio, Carey Mulligan, Joel Edgerton, Tobey Maguire

Release Date: May 16th

The plot: In the midst of the "Roaring Twenties", Nick Carraway (Maguire) moves to New York next door to a mysterious bachelor: Jay Gatsby (DiCaprio). Intrigued by his wealth and status, Nick begins to unravel more and more details about Gatsby's life - and the woman who changed it forever.

Why you should see it: With a killer cast and a visionary director at the helm, this opulent, stylish interpretation of F. Scott Fitzgerald's world famous novel could be a contender for coolest film of the year.

Fast And Furious 6

Director: Justin Lin

Cast: Dwayne Johnson, Paul Walker, Michelle Rodriguez, Vin Diesel

Release Date: May 17th

The plot: Top Gear's cooler cousin is back, with the original cast all reuniting for what promises to be the most fun ever witnessed in a car. Agent Hobbs (Johnson) enlists the aid of Dom (Diesel) and his team to bring a rival gang to justice. The big problem? The gang includes Letty (Rodriguez), who was suffering from a mild case of death when last we saw her.

Why you should see it: Potentially the penultimate instalment in a franchise built on action packed fun, Fast And Furious 6 promises to take the explosive vehicular warfare to the next level.

The Hangover Part III

Director: Todd Phillips

Cast: Bradley Cooper, Ed Helms, Zach Galifianakis, Ken Jeong

Release Date: May 24th

The plot: The Wolf Pack embarks on a final journey to Las Vegas, the place where all the chaos and bad decisions began. There's also a giraffe.

Why you should see it: Part II may have received a critical mauling but it made plenty of cash at the box office. With Part III, the comedy crew are going back to basics to provide a hilariously documented story of drunken antics. Bring it on.

The Purge

Director: James DeMonaco

Cast: Ethan Hawke, Lena Headey

Release Date: May 31st

The plot: 364 days a year, crime is a non-existent factor in the world. But for that 365th night, every crime is legal. When one couple naively lets a stranger into their home, the psychopaths come looking for them. Can they survive until the dawn?

Why you should see it: From the producers of Sinister and Paranormal Activity, Purge is certainly the most outlandish movie of the year with a brutal premise and a potentially horrific narrative. Stay indoors.

As always, keep checking Movies Under The Microscope for reviews of all of these films as they are released.