Reviews sub-category
Stop me if you’ve heard this before. I can’t remember if I’ve blogged this subject, but even if I have it’s worth seeing again. A few years ago, the BBC in the UK held a poll to find Britain’s favourite comedy moment. The winner was the Four Candles sketch by the Two Ronnies. But I’ve … More Comedy Sketch Face Off
This post was written a couple of days before the sad news of George Cole’s death. I hope this is a fitting tribute to the actor and his greatest character… There are few people whose names enter the lexicon of a language. If you hate the thought of spending money you’re a Scrooge. Block progress … More Arthur Daley
“We’ve been reading through this mountain of inanity, boring ourselves senseless.” Not the sort of line you’d expect from a ghost, but this was one of many violent outbursts from the foghorn mouth of General Sir George Uproar (KCMG), self-appointed leader of the Ghosts of Motley Hall. Between 1976 and 1978 the Ghosts of Motley … More The Ghosts of Motley Hall
Andre Dussollier, Catherine Frot Dir. Pascal Thomas Dussollier is a rare kind of actor; one comfortable and effective in both serious and comedy roles. Daniel Auteuil and Fabrice Luchini are two who come instantly to mind, but there are others. I first came across the mad side of Dussollier in the film Tanguy, where in … More Partners In Crime
Sid James, Hattie Jacques, Kenneth Connor, Charles Hawtrey, Liz Fraser Dir. Gerald Thomas From the ridiculous to the sublime, Carry on Cabby was the seventh official Carry On film. Based on the stage play Call Me A Cab, Charlie Hawkins (Sid James) runs a successful taxi business, Speedee Taxis, with a bit too much enthusiasm … More Carry On Cabby (1963)
Back in the 1980s, pseudo-celebrities didn’t voluntarily debase themselves in the jungle, they sat in the audience of these shows watching real celebrities demonstrate to them how its done. In 1983 it was the turn of the foppish Kenneth Williams, star of the Carry On films, Hancock’s radio series and Round the Horne, to speak … More An Audience With Kenneth Williams
Stanley Baxter, Leslie Phillips, James Robertson Justice, Julie Christie Dir. Ken Annakin There is the outside chance that someone north of the border (Scotland, not Canada) might read the Kenneth Williams review and say what about Stanley Baxter? Well, what about him? I can’t say I was a fan of his until I saw him … More The Fast Lady (1963)
Kenneth Williams, Harry H. Corbett, Fenella Fielding, Peter Butterworth, Jim Dale, Bernard Bresslaw, Charles Hawtrey, Joan Sims Dir. Gerald Thomas Look at that line up. Go on, how can a film go wrong with a line up that includes Williams, Hawtrey, Butterworth, Sims, Bresslaw and Dale, with added comic timing from Corbett and a literally … More Carry On Screaming (1966)
Fenella Fielding seduced Ernie Wise. She was one of hundreds of major celebrities who would subject themselves to the ritual humiliation and a slap in the face from Eric Morecambe. And these were celebrities, major celebrities, not the half-baked desperadoes who go by the name of celebrity in the 21st Century. A roll call of … More Morecambe and Wise – The Whole Story
Or Friends with PhDs. When I saw a scene in which Penny sat down with the Other Two drinking wine and discussing partners I had a feeling this would be the last episode I watch of TBBT. Remember the glory days when Penny was the socially aware, but academically dumb hallmate contrasting with the socially … More The Big Bang Theory – Season Six
Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Chloe Grace Moretz, Christopher Mintz-Plasse, Jim Carrey Dir. Jeff Wadlow Unlike Man of Steel, the bad guy in Kick Ass 2 has uncompromisingly bad traits. When the suggestion is made to him to kill Jim Carrey’s dog he responds by saying “I’m not that evil,” but really he is. With a name like … More Kick Ass 2 (2013)
The Opening Sentence 