Telly-fantastique!

Whoever said hacks weren't lookers?

For all my garbled ramblings on film I often neglect it's poorer, less glamorous sibling - the humble telly box.

Well not this evening, OHHHH NO.

Tonight it's getting my full attention, and not just because my brain has been sapped of all activity following a day of NCTJ law exams...but also due to an excellent two-part BBC Scotland drama, The Field of Blood.

This adaptation of Denise Mina's best-selling novel is set in the Daily News office in 1982 and follows the plight of "newsboy"  Paddy (up-and-coming talent Jayd Johnson) as she struggles to be taken seriously in the male dominated, and joyless, industry of journalism.

I'd look worried too if Malcolm Tucker was giving me that face

More than just an edge-of-your-seat who dunnit, of which my mother is a massive fan, this IS that but it's also a dark and humorous exposé of the way news rooms were run in the days before Google *HORRIFIED GASPS*

This depiction of a working environment fuelled by heavy drinking, chain-smoking, sexism and callousness is the exact reason I'm getting into journalism. Everybody wants to be a hack... (to the tune of Everybody Wants to be a Cat)

Jayd Johnson impresses in her role of brave, go-getter Paddy, in a time that she was told journalists were either mean old hacks or short-skirted little chickies who used their *ahem* charms to get ahead.

Funnyman Ford Kiernan, of Chewing the Fat and Still Game fame, does a convincing and amusing turn as a smarmy blood-lusting hack, keen to get the scoop on all things grizzly in order to fill the columns.

One can only assume he's on hold to Specsavers *chortles*

Whilst David Morrissey ticks all the right boxes as Glasgow Daily News boss, Murray "the devil" Devlin.
He is assertive, aggressive and rude. And oh.so.dreamy.

But alas, I DIGRESS, don't be fooled by my light-hearted bantering; this is as grizzly and dark as it is entertaining.

Let's hope the second part lives up to the first. Watch this space...

The Field of Blood is on BBC1 at 9pm TONIGHT (i.e. right now)
Or catch it on BBC Iplayer

The last film to REALLY grind my gears...

I\'d look ashamed too Martin - Ben's jacket is by far the most impressive thing to come out of this production..

...was Scorsese's ravaging of Dennis Lehane's pyschological thriller "Shutter Island".

From clumsy start to lacklustre finish I was utterly disappointed with everything from the cast and setting to the poor acting in this ham-fisted re-hashing of an excellent book. In less than 2 hours I lost faith in Scorsese, DiCaprio and mankind (too much?)

I read the book in one sitting, and this is not because I have little else to do with my time, quite the contrary in fact, but this is a skillfully crafted thriller brimming with excitement, doubt, terror and fear. The characters and setting are vividly brought to life from page one. Lehane's writing style is akin to that of Cormac McCarthy: cinematic, stark and instantly recognisable as a book that would transfer to film in one slick transaction.

But no.

Instead of sticking to Lehane's captivating and instantly enthralling opening scene, Scorsese instead opts for a bumbling and unconvincing boat-ride, omitting any sensitivity and key insight into DiCaprio's character "Teddy" and, infact, failing to even mention the significance of being out at the sea, and water - an intrisic piece of imagery that is recalled time and time again throughout the story.

Mark Ruffalo completely misses his side-kick role of "Chuck" entirely, appearing as less of the suspicious friend as intended, and more of an unconvincing oaf in an over-sized suit.

Ben Kingsley was well cast as the mysterious and cold Dr. Lawley, but even he left me feeling like something was array. The chief inspector and many of the inmates shrank in comparison to their spine-chilling descriptions in the book and were, quite frankly, laughable.



Leo's just realised what he's done in making this my reaction at the end credits...

Leonardo DiCaprio was, without doubt, the saving grace of this meagre offering but even he couldn't bring it anywhere near up to the standard of the book. His scenes with Michelle Williams were relatively emotive and believable, but nonetheless, disappointing.

Such a rich and captivating book would be a gift for any director, and when I saw Scorsese's name roll up at the end credits I just about cried. All emotion, style, sensitivity and...what's that other thing...oh yeah... NARRATIVE, were void in this adaptation.

Verdict: EPIC FAIL.