A brief look back at some lockdown late night watches that popped up on Dave / All4 app in 2020. Three bits of fluff that it was easy to fall asleep to and rewatch without total boredom. In theory, it sounds like none of these would work at all. Heavy on comedy improv, these format … Continue reading Comedy Panel Shows
The first of three compelling yet contrasting documentary "films" I am reflecting on today is the insanely ambitious and often explosively insane Wild Wild Country, which was split into a six part mini series by Netflix, but that the creators call a 403 minute cohesive film, intended to stand as one document. It won the … Continue reading True Crime Trio #2
When we look back at what was going on in the heads of our youth in 2019, then this is probably the document to study. The sense of humour and astute writing captures perfectly the zeitgeist of what being an American teen in 2019 meant. Irreverent, wickedly smart, self aware and with a healthy dose … Continue reading Booksmart
You would have to blame everything unlikeable about this film on Stephen Chbosky. He writes well but is prone to condescending and manipulative schmaltz. Take The Perks of Being a Wallflower (2012) and all its worst cringe moments as evidence. Here he is very fortunate indeed to have Jacob Tremblay to thank for a stunning … Continue reading Wonder
In 1999, as my own love life was transitioning from one heartbreak to the next, The Man Who by Scottish four piece Travis was the most important and most listened to album in my life. It got me through a very weird and sometimes wonderful year in Harrogate and the beginning of the best year … Continue reading 10 Songs
Welcome to the first instalment for some time in the series of bad movies with something to like. Today's selection all contain merit, and are all far from a waste of time given the right mood. For some or several reasons they just aren't what you'd call "good". See what you think, and let me … Continue reading Bad Movie Triple Bill #6
The idea of this film lurked on the periphery of my consciousness for quite a while before I got around to seeing it. The name of Greta Gerwig as a new force in feminist film-making around the release of Ladybird made me take a closer look. And eventually when her Little Women was first announced … Continue reading Frances Ha
Thom Yorke It was damp and misty after a lot of rain that day, the amps were on the fritz and there was a palpable tension in the electric air. Radiohead's headlining set on the Pyramid stage has gone done in music history as one of the best sets played at the seminal festival. Thom … Continue reading Radiohead, Glastonbury ’97
Book adaptations with long titles are made into films primarily to please women of a certain age who like a scone and a good natter about things - and I have no problem with that, it's nice. I've got a bit of time for Lily James, I think she has some talent and is very … Continue reading The Guernsey Literary & Potato Peel Pie Society
Season 2 This Christmas will see the climax of a very well conceived BBC drama series, in the fine tradition of their adaptations over the years of famous books for children and young adults, all of which contain some element of fantasy or magic. The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe, The Box of Delights, … Continue reading His Dark Materials S2
The Wasteland 