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Reviews
This Country (2017)
Genuine heart and soul....
I don't normally find myself attracted to "mockumentary" style comedy - and yet there is so much of it out there and so few with the ability to articulate it to a point of even watchable. This Country however, is an exception among the masses. It is so down to earth that you can almost taste the soil on which our two protaganists wander seemingly aimlessly upon.
The characters are highly relatable, and as a person who grew up in a small village I can honestly say that they are that way because each tiny nuance is honest and steeped in reality. I sincerely hope the 3rd season is not the finale for this wonderful debut comedic entry by the Cooper duo - their charm and chemistry is completely undeniable from the beginning.
I shall be rewatching this from start to finish a number of times, and I absolutely am enthralled to see Daisy May and Charlie in anything they do in the future too!
If you're unsure about this one, stop being unsure and give it your full attention. You won't be sorry.
Space Force (2020)
Hilarious spoof of Americanisms and American Sitcoms
I can understand why this might get some poor reviews from American critiques. Americans are not used to seeing their worst stereotypes mocked in this fashion, and it may be a little uncomfortable for many to watch and find the humour in.
However, as a Briton, who has lived for a considerable time in the USA, we are used to our comedies using a tragic stereotype of our protagonists. This is funny, and a very fresh approach for the American Sitcom landscape. If you aren't quite ready for, or used to this kind of approach, it may not only disappoint you - it may drive you to scream out your disdain from the mountain tops. This is what the show is trying to achieve, I believe.
Give it a go - if you don't like it, that's fine - but if you open your minds to it, you may see the Basil Fawlty in this beauty.
Anita & Me (2002)
A charming story and must watch!
I must declare I have some "Black Country Bias" when watching this hidden gem. Rarely do I find a novel adapted into a movie that makes me want to read the novel - but this one is such a one.
The performances are heartfelt and genuine. Ayesha Dharker is a complete standout too. She oozes out that motherly magnetism, whilst retaining that air of individuality. Ayesha typifies the wholesome nature of the entire cast.
I'm late to this one, I admit, but watching it from a struggling United States in 2018 on 9/11 is by no means a coincidence i feel. The undertones of tolerance and respect for each other are both playfully and seriously dealt with in this master piece. Yes!! I called it a "master piece" - because it's deserving of that title. Would love to have watched the stage adaptation too - and maybe one day I will.
Kudos to everyone involved in this. Open your hearts and your souls and hit "play". You won't regret it.
Class (2016)
Terrible writing and immature content throughout.
The first thing of note, is just how poorly written the dialogue is in this slick looking, but clumsily delivered sci-fi. I found my psyche being tormented between whether this is intended as a giant spoof comedy, or an edgy young piece of science fiction. I fear it is trying to be the latter, but ends up as the former.
If you've lost that spoon you were looking for that you were going to scoop your eyeballs out with, this might be a valid replacement. I want so badly to enjoy it, as the premise of the show would seem worthy of watching - however, it is a cringe- fest from start to end. I had to google a bio on Patrick Ness before I slaughtered him here. I was praying he was a 13-year old and that I could actually applaud the effort... but sadly, he's not... he's just a terrible writer who fails to connect with his audience on every level.
Characters have no substance. Plot is just okay. Subplots are non-existent. Clunky show overall.
Visual effects are typically British, and that's something the fans of this genre can somewhat take relief in... but that relief is short lived as soon as these actors open their mouths. I don't blame them - they can't add gravitas to words that appear to be written by Donald Trump.
Watch 5 minutes of it - you'll wish you hadn't, but at least you'll know the truth.
Dark Minds (2012)
Drab, over dramatic, American attempt at "journalism"
Let me get this one out straight away, M. William Phelps claims to be a "journalist". He's more like a cheesy reality star, with very little star quality. His corny presentations are perhaps only undercut by an even worse musical underscore - and that by an even cornier "inside serial killer" with the "codename" of 'Raven.'
It is completely un-watchable, lowest denominator, drivel-formed television programming. I don't even know how the good name of Discovery even agreed to attach itself with this terrible stuff. I'm used to American cheeseballing faux-reality TV (with poorly constructed stuff like "Cheaters" or "Lizard Lick Towing") - but this one tries so hard to pass off as a serious crime show that it ends up being toe-curlingly cringe-worthy.
Avoid it at all costs if you're a serious lover of crime documentaries. It will waste several hours of your life if you try to "give it a go" (as did I). 4 episodes (from a selection of seasons) and it never gets any better - if anything, it gets worse.
The only thing this might be good for is driving up the profits of your local liquor store as you'll find yourself needed a liter bottle of Jack Daniels to make it through... though at least the show does give you some good tips and choices on how you'd like to bump off Phelps and the rest of the production team for inflicting this upon society.
Alcatraz (2012)
Great show... no ending...
This is a show that shows all the same sort of promise and excitement that Prison Break showed a few years back. Sadly, with the network axing it before we even get a sniff of a conclusion, there is little point in watching this.
Over zealous American Network bosses doing what they do worst - judging shows on the dollar bills in their pockets. No wonder the USA doesn't have the same cult shows that the UK produces so regularly. It helps to keep up the poor reputation of American Television though.
If you have nothing better to do, then watch this - but I warn you, you'll be disappointed when the series ends abruptly and leaving you wanting more.
2012: Ice Age (2011)
So bad I started scratching myself with a paperclip...
There needs to be an option to give the 0/10.
I'm gonna try to be fair and list the bad and the good...
Bad: Acting, effects, dialogue, plots and sub-plots, comedy, action, viability (ie timelines and geography don't work within the plot)...
Good: Made me realise My Blue Heaven isn't as bad as I first thought - and I even started to appreciate Going Overboard (Adam Sandler) - and EVEN though Picking Up The Pieces might qualify for an Oscar in comparison.
I seriously DID take a paperclip and unwind it - and begin scratching my arms till they bled. I've never witnessed anything quite so bad. I'd like to know who gave it enough to earn a rating of over 2??