Wallace & Gromit Web premiere
Aardman, makers of award winning shorts and feature films (Creature Comforts, Chicken Run) have returned to what is likely their most beloved creations - daft inventor Wallace and his crafty canine companion Gromit - for a series of rather short shorts that can be accessed, exclusively - for the time being, over the internet. The ten shorts each feature another unique invention such as "The Autochef" breakfast cooker, a Christmas Card making machine, a remote controlled shopping trolley and something called "The Snoozatron".
As with all addictable consumables Aardman's giving you the first one for free. U.S. visitors can go straight to Wallace & Gromit's Cracking Contraptions, other nations should start at the International gateway, and preview the series with "The Soccamatic" which features a pair of cute soccer themed inventions. Judging by this initial toon the shorts are quite well done, as one might expect from the Aardman crew, and at about ten dollars for the whole series fans will certainly want to pick up the lot but keep in mind they are of relatively wee duration - mostly under two minutes with one epic exception breaking the three minute barrier - plus a seven minute behind the scenes featurette - but you are allowed to both stream them from the net or download them to your home computer.
Hopefully these "Cracking Contraptions" will prove a hit and lead to more web based goodies from telly land.
Worth watching
The Forsyte Saga DVD
Last time I recommended catching PBS's Masterpiece Theater as it aired the new version of that old classic The Forsyte Saga. Turns out it's also available ona three disc DVD set from Acorn Media. The DVD version features the complete U.K. broadcast edition plus a making-of featurette, behind-the-scenes photos, John Galsworthy biography and booklist and cast biographies.
More Supermarionation DVDs in 2003
I was probably happier than a grown man should be at reading, in Video Store magazine, a brief interview with Supermarionation creator Gerry Anderson that mentions not only the upcoming release of The Complete Stingray Collection but also a number of other Anderson projects scheduled for 2003 release. Apparabntly we can expect Fireball XL5, Joe 90, Supercar, Terrahawks and, a personal favorite of mine, Secret Service, to be released next year. If true it will mean hours of viewing pleasure, and, I suppose inevitably, a mighty hit to the wallet.
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