Flight From Deathrow (Harry Hill, 2002/09)

basics...
The front cover promises 'a novel about life, love and a pig called Estrakhan', with a prominent picture of Harry Hill to imply this book trades on his silly wit more than being a serious literary endeavour. 

brilliant...
The book is funny in places, and there are some inspired set pieces and parodies. The mixture of real life celebrities, pulled from the pages of heat alongside political figures such as Chinese premier Deng Xiaoping alongside zanily named creations like Zevon and Meerox Haintree make for a heady brew of oddball digressions that somehow weaves into a series of interconnecting plots. 

but...
I'm doing an Open Uni course on creative writing at the moment and one of the techniques suggested to get the creative juices flowing is a freewrite, where you pick a subject and just note down a stream-of-conscious style passage or two. Flight From Deathrow feels very much like an extended version of such an exercise. It's exhausting trying to keep up with all of the asides and wanders down narrative cul de sacs. It feels like Hill uses celebrity names in the hope of being automatically amusing, and it may be odd to see Bobby Davro's name in a strange context once, but when this is done chapter after chapter, things get a bit wearying. I expected more from this book, certainly more laughs, but Deathrow reads too much like it is aimed at the people who can name Kardashians or X-Factor finalists. 

briefly...
A disappointing piece of fluff from a very funny TV star. I'll stick to TV Burp from now on, and so should Harry Hill.

Shameless: Series 8 (2011)

basics...
Series 8 of the once-unmissable Shameless delivered 22 episodes, with a break for summer, and saw Frank and Carl as the only Gallaghers left in Chatsworth. Pauline McLynn's Libby departed for pastures new, while Tina Malone's distressingly slimmed down Mimi Maguire got inexplicably hitched to the 16 year old father of her child. A new family, the Powells moved in next door to the Gallaghers to bring some colour to the estate while most episodes concentrated on the Maguires, with prositute Kelly (Sally Carman).

The last best reason for tuning into Shameless

bobbins...
As I wrote earlier in the year, the US version of Shameless has surpassed what the parent show has become. There are still sparks of originality and moments of top humour, with some fun characters - Alice Barry's Lillian is a constant delight, nabbing most of the best lines; Elliott Tittensor has made the final Gallagher child the unexpected emotional heart of the show (as well as looking smokin' hot in just a pair of boxers); and Mickey's struggles with his sexuality continue to provide humour and warmth. Sadly, I've lost the ability to care. Even Frank Gallagher, one of TV's finest creations, has lost something of the anarchist spirit he had. Even show creator Paul Abbott's return for the 100th episode felt a bit 'so what'. I don't like the fact that the Gallagher clan has contracted, diluting the focus of the show - if Carl and/or Frank were the stars it would be fine, but some weeks they barely have a line of dialogue. The Maguires have become too dominant - Shane and Jamie have become murderous thugs with no redeeming features, and although Mickey's gay storyline is fun, it needs to move forward; plus Mimi, who still has the odd hilarious put down, swears and shouts her way through nearly every scene. I think that after this lacklustre series, I'll be giving up on the British version and sticking to the more satisfying remake. 

briefly...
A long and painful decline for a once-innovative and funny drama means I won't be returning to the Chatsworth Estate next year, however often Elliott Tittensor gets his pecs out.

The Illumination of Merton Browne (J.M. Shaw, 2007)

basics...
It was the opening line that made me pick this book up: 'I don't know who my father is, and to tell you the truth I don't give a shit.' Merton proceeds to detail his childhood and adolesence at the hands of a neglectful mother and a weak education system. Despite the hurdles he must overcome, he has a passion to read and learn, and a will to survive that sees him become consigliere to school-bully-turned-gang-leader Savage. 

brilliant...
Shaw gives Merton a voice that feels authentic - gritty yet optimistic, the protagonist knows that there is a difference between right and wrong, knows a lot about history and facts, but he struggles to connect with people and has trouble making the best choices for himself. Occasionally Merton comes across as uncaring and irresponsible, casually sleeping with his mum's friend's daughter, taking drugs and helping Savage's gang to make money by scaring the community. It is easy to excuse Merton's behaviour through his abusive upbringing and neglect by authorities, but he is offered help by teachers, and he has a good streak running through him - circumstances and the people around him seem to conspire to beat him down. The portrait Shaw paints of contemporary disenfranchised, inner city youths is bleak and, as recent riots proved, depressingly close to the bone. The schools are ineffective at controlling argumentative, unparented children, letting bullies run riot, even raping a teacher and letting the perpetrators get away with it. Throughout the book though there is hope - Merton's secret trove of books is his sanctuary and through his reading he tries to apply knowledge to the world around him. Through community service Merton comes into contact with Gibbon, a private tutor who encourages the young man to apply to Cambridge. The reader has already been willing Merton to succeed and grow out of his angry box, and the pressure increases, both on the character to not mess up his opportunity and on the reader to expect a happy ending - it is never certain that one will appear.

briefly...
An effective, realistic narrative of what it is like to exist on the bottom rung of the social and educational ladder in modern Britain, with a character you can believe in. If Merton can succeed you can begin to think there may be hope for others too.

King Lear (WYP, 15/10/11)

basics...
The Shakespeare tragedy where an aged King gives his kingdom to his two evil daughters and then goes mad. With some bits about a bastard and other duplicitousness.

brilliant...
I saw this play as a (non-paying) punter rather than as a volunteer, and even with my full concentration it was a little difficult to get into. I've only read the play once at uni, and seen a Russian film version, but I was unprepared for how little I could remember about it. By the end of the long, 2.5 hr production I was up to speed on who everyone was, what their deal was and the main plot points - before that it was a bit touch and go! Lear, Tim Piggott-Smith, and the whole company were excellent, bringing some real power and emotional heft to the roles. The second act I found to be much more dramatically exciting, the set changed and it felt like everything kicked up a gear. There was a particularly memorable and gruesome eye-gouging sequence and some smashing duels, along with a triumvirate of different guises from Sam Crane's Edgar. James Garnon's Edmund, bastard son of the Earl of Gloucester, was moustache-twirlingly devilish and amusing as the main villain. 

but...
As I say, it took me some time to get into Lear - normally when watching Shakespeare, even one I'm unfamiliar with, I find after a short adjustment period I attune to the language and I'm away. I don't think this production helped by going at a fair speed, and then dressing the characters in a similar way to make it hard to distinguish Regan from Goneril or their husbands from each other. I also didn't think it was quite clear why Cordelia had decided to be so awkward at the beginning, and then buggered off til the very end. The Fool was also prominent in the first half and then disappeared - these grumbles of course are probably more issues with the source - Shakespeare did occasionally drop characters, or combine them so that actors could play dual roles. 

briefly...
A powerful lead performance in a production that would have benefited either from an edit or a few pauses for breath. 

The Twilight Saga: New Moon (2009)

basics...
The continuing adventures of mopey Bella Swan and her miserable vampire boyfriend Edward, with added Jacob - now a super-buff werewolf.

brilliant...
I wasn't overly excited by the first Twilight movie, but there were signs that it could have been good - Taylor Lautner's Jacob was not just attractive, he also lit up the screen when he appeared. Knowing his role expanded in New Moon then I was happy to watch this sequel. And boy was I happy once it started too! Bella makes reference to how buff Jacob has got since she last saw him at the beginning of the movie, and then once his long hippy hair is cut off and he starts walking around in just a pair of denim shorts we get to see just how buff he really is. It's easy to tell where the nickname Jak-Abs comes from! Lautner continued to be the most charismatic of the main cast members, with Bella mooning over Edward for much of the running time, as he's decided he has to leave - except he pops up in shimmer ghost/visions things that look stupid and appear to be there to placate the 'Team Edward' portions of the audience. Bella continues to treat everybody who's not a vampire shittily, and although she falls for Jacob, once she finds out Edward's going to top himself in Italy (go figure) she's off to stop him without a single thought for cute puppy dog Lautner. I found the whole film to be more satisfying than the first, possibly due to better direction, probably due to a focus on Jacob and his werewolf pack - who are mighty impressive, turning into HUGE wolves that are a solid CGI job.

but...
As ever this is Bella's movie, and Kristen Stewart continues to scowl and mope through the film - as the part demands I suppose. It would have been a braver move to completely forget about Edward rather than have the visions popping up. Bella becomes such a selfish character, and I wanted to reach into the screen and slap her silly, commanding her to get a grip and stop moping over her vampire boyfriend. The supporting characters get pretty short shrift, although Edward's sister is fun - she does however bring about a massive shift in the movie when Bella spontaneously flies to Italy (not telling her poor Dad) to stop Michael Sheen and Dakota Fanning killing Edward. Unfortunately, she gets there in time, and then none of the bad vamps decides to kill Bella, despite the fact she knows about their breed. This whole section is clearly a manipulative set up to make you come see the next movie, and undoes a lot of the good work of the rest of the film - Bella, and thus the story, forgets about Jacob who seems to have just been serving as filler in the ongoing love story.

briefly...
An average action/romance flick with a couple of uninvolving leads - brightened considerably by Taylor Lautner's smile and pecs. Could there be a bit more excitement next time please?

The Lion King 3D (1994/2011)

basics...
Not long after seeing the re-released version of Jurassic Park I got to see another of my top ten favourite movies at the cinema, and this time in spiffy 3D. 

brilliant...
There is simply no better Disney Classic animation to beat The Lion King. Aladdin, Beauty and the Beast and Lilo & Stitch all come pretty close, but The Lion King has it all. Perfectly cast with recognisable names that aren't there just because they are names (Matthew Broderick, Whoopi Goldberg, Jeremy Irons), humour that lasts, a Hamlet-referencing story of redemption, pain and duty, with romance, comedy sidekicks and a cracking set of songs from the mighty pen of Elton John and Tim Rice... The animation is breath-taking, the 3-dimensional rendering a cherry on top of a gorgeous whole. Hans Zimmer's score is one of the biggest stand-outs in a movie bulging with top moments, and the piece that plays during the stampede and Mufasa's death (...To Die For on the CD soundtrack) is hands down the most powerful few minutes of music in any film ever. Never mind Bambi's mother's (off-screen) death - Mufasa's murder at the hands of Scar and the following shots of his dead body are harrowing and pack a real emotional punch.

briefly...
I've seen The Lion King many times before yet I still laughed at the jokes, tapped my foot to the songs and got caught up in the emotional drama. A film this good deserves to be seen on a big screen, with a music system that can properly handle the truly epic score. A masterpiece.

Moonlighting: Seasons 1 & 2 (1985-86)

basics...
It's taken us a couple of months to fit in all of the 24 episodes of the first and second seasons of this seminal 80's comedy-drama, and I think we're going to pause before continuing with the series, so I thought it would be good to update now. Moonlighting is the 'classic' will-they-won't-they male-female drama (way before The X-Files did it), featuring Cybill Shepherd and Bruce Willis as former model Maddie Hayes and detective David Addison. 

brilliant...
I wasn't really sure what to expect when I put the pilot episode in the DVD player so I was pleasantly surprised to find a series that is witty, dramatic and daring and that is still all those things 25+ years later. The casting is spot on, Willis is an energetic presence who brings a real joy to the role, while Shepherd is a perfect foil without just being the straight-woman - she gets her share of the laughs. Other series regular Allyce Beasley is a hoot as Agnes 'Miss' DiPesto, the Blue Moon detective agency's dippy receptionist, who always answers the phone with a contrived rhyme. Following the rather short (5 episode + pilot) first series, the show really found its feet in season 2 and began breaking the fourth wall with Maddie and David commenting on the script or making asides to camera. These instances of self-referential humour really add something to a show that is already terrifically funny, with some interesting plots. There's the black and white dream sequence episode, introduced by Orson Welles; the Christmas episode that ends with the Moonlighting production crew joining Maddie and David in a carol (despite the references to being a TV show, the leads are never out of character, i.e. they're always Maddie and David, never Bruce and Cybill); the cracking Miss DiPesto-centered Next Stop Murder; and the fantastic final episode of the season that guest stars Whoopi Goldberg in a part very reminiscent of both Deloris van Cartier and Oda Mae Brown. One of the joys of Moonlighting is it always surprises, you never know whether the next episode will be an out and out comedy or whether it will have a more dramatic edge, whether Maddie and David will make any progress with their flirtation, or whether they might actually make some money from a case. Oh the theme tune is also top ten best!

but...
Some episodes work better than others - the show where Maddie suspects her father of having an affair for example wasn't as gripping as those around it. I suppose that this is par for the course though with a show that is so 'anything goes'. This being the eighties, I guess I can excuse some of the outrageous fashion too... I would also gripe that, as funny as the fast paced banter between the leads is, sometimes the technique of having each repeat what the other just said gets a little old hat. 

briefly...
Fresh, warm and witty, Moonlighting's fingerprints are all over many shows that followed. The particular highlight for me is Bruce Willis letting go and enjoying himself so much, I never realised there's so much more to him than John McClane.

Outnumbered: Series 4 (2011)

basics...
Series 4 of Outnumbered seemed to whizz by in a blur, I was completely unaware the series had finished! Featuring the continued adventures of the Brockman family, this series saw Jake's secret girlfriend revealed, Ben causing merry hell at a new school, the return of dreaded Aunty Angela and Karen trying to be friends with one of the cool girls.

brilliant...
As the child stars age it's good to see they're not any less funny, Karen (Ramona Marquez) is still the best though, the most consistent. Her logic is usually impeccable as well as gloriously wacky. Ben's (Daniel Roche) antics at his new school are great, and the episode at his parents' evening particularly good - Hugh Dennis and Claire Skinner do a marvellous job of being ineffectual and sympathetic, with a good line in defeated resignation when one teacher after another describes Ben's special energy. Jake's (Tyger Drew-Honey) relationship storyline weaves through the series, with Sue desperate to find out what he's hiding. I did find the eventual revelation - that he's dating an old pole dancer - to be a bit of a let down, I'd expected a more interesting reveal. Some of the funniest scenes of the series came in the last couple of episodes when Sue's sister-nemesis turned up, much to everyones dismay - Karen's reaction was the best. The real highlight was German exchange student Ottfried (Ben Presley) turning up during the Angela-debacle and his comments on how odd the Brockmans really are.

briefly...
The Brockmans are back, with more outlandish plots than usual, but with the same British charm, coupling satire on modern family life with the inspired viewpoint of youth.

The Abstinence Teacher (Tom Perrotta, 2007)

basics...
Ruth is the teacher of the title - she gets into trouble for veering away from the conservative curriculum and informing her students that some people like having sex. Tim is a born-again Christian, part of the Tabernacle church, and he is struggling with his history of drink, drugs and sex. The book follows the pair as they go about their lives in modern America, with their lives intersecting at a soccer game...

brilliant...
I admit that I picked this book up due to the funky design of the cover, which for some reason features a cheerleader shown from waist down - not once is there such a character in the book. I also picked this up because the premise and title promised much, I figured this would be a satire on the state of sex education in the US, along with a swipe at the religious right. I was partly correct. Perrotta's prose is enjoyable, he skillfully unpeels the characters of Ruth and Tim in alternate chapters by revealing their histories in non-chronological flashbacks, detailing their failed marriages, parenting skills and personal demons. Ruth is the more interesting character initially, and when the novel moved to Tim I was a bit disappointed, but his struggles with religion and the honest way he deals with the subject is thought-provoking. Perrotta does not deal with stereotypes, even the supporting characters, such as Pastor Dennis, have doubts about their place in life. This is a skillful and two-sided look at the state of modern America, with particular focus on education and religion, always contentious issues in some parts of the world. There's a good vein of humour running throughout the book, and I really liked the gay librarian character who has issues with proposing to his boyfriend - I identified very much with this relationship!

but...
As I said above, I picked up this book expecting something I didn't receive, so I was a touch disappointed that the satire wasn't as biting as I'd hoped. Instead though, the book has much more depth and was not as trashy as the cover would suggest. I really should learn about judging a book by its cover! Without the P.S. interview with Perrotta at the back of the book I think I would've enjoyed the book less - so much of the commentary on modern life was subtext I think I missed some, but that's my failing not the book's.

briefly...
A readable character study that provides food for thought.

Jar City (2006)

basics...
Shown as part of BBC4's Icelandic season a couple of months ago, I first learnt of this film in the same channel's documentary 'Nordic Noir' which looked at Scandinavian fiction. Jar City, adapted from a novel, is a none-more-noir tale of murder and genetics. Detective Erlendur (Ingvar E. Sigurðsson) is a world-weary cop tasked with investigating the death of a man who may be linked to a rape many years earlier.

brilliant...
There are shades of Wallander in Jar City, but this film is much, much more bleak. Beautiful Icelandic vistas are breathtaking, as they always are, yet this film looks more at the cityscapes and has a grey, grimy look that is reflective of the dark motives of the characters. None of the characters are particularly likable, nor are they unlikable. Erlendur is calm and methodical - he has to be to deal with his tearaway junkie daughter and the disturbing avenues that his investigation leads him down. The film doesn't shy away from the reality of crime, with grisly images of murder, an exhumed body and the revolting shot of Erlendur eating a sheep's head, eyeball first, that he picked up at a drive through. Not an easy watch, but a gripping one all the same. It is not until some way through the film that I realised some parts were being told in flashback, showing the killer's attempts to find the truth that lead to his fatal deed. It's an effective device, even if it's already obvious why he did what he did before revelations are made. 

briefly...
An uber-noir police procedural with real depth and commentary on the state of contemporary Icelandic life. Atmospheric and unflinching, Jar City is not a pleasurable, easy watch, but it is gripping.

Countdown to Zero (2010)

basics...

A True Stories documentary about nuclear weapons and the frightening truth behind how close the world has been and is potentially to nuclear destruction. 

brilliant...

This film is very powerfully made, full of talking heads with real gravitas - Tony Blair, Jimmy Carter, Mikhail Gorbachev, Valerie Plame Wilson and lots of other statespeople, scientists and historians - and images of mushroom clouds, possible fallout zones and historical footage. Director Lucy Walker keeps the visuals interesting and uses narration and pundits to explain how mistakes in the past had the world on the brink of launching nukes; how easy it would be for terrorists to get their hands on nuclear material to construct a dirty bomb; how the launch codes for America's nukes used to just be 000000; and how many countries today have the bomb and why they came to have it. It's scary to think that flocks of migrating birds have caused scares within the military and put them at high alert, and that the USA and USSR had too many close calls for comfort. It's a convincing documentary with a real message that is explained through clear examples as well as dire prediction.

briefly...
A fascinating insight into Cold War practices that haven't completely thawed, Countdown to Zero makes its points with visual flair and convincing pronouncements without seeming preachy or manipulative.

Dons of Comedy (WYP, 09/10/11)

basics...

Last Sunday I was supposed to be volunteering in the cloakroom at the Playhouse but once there found they weren't going to open it, so instead I just stayed and watched the show. As part of Black History Month, the show Dons of Comedy was on for a one-off performance. It was a stand up comedy show with compere and the following acts: Felicity Ethnic, Curtis Walker, Felix Dexter, and Slim.

bah...

Clockwise from top left: Walker, Ethnic, Dexter, & Slim

The only act I'd heard of previously was Dexter, who had been in Bellamy's People and on a couple of panel shows, so I was looking forward to him. He was funny, but nothing particularly special. The best of the acts was Walker, he was more consistently funny. My problem with the first three acts was that skin colour was a massive part of it, which I suppose is understandable. It's like gay comedians who do a majority of gay jokes, it's funny for a spell, but you wonder whether without that edge/difference from the mostly straight, white (male) stand up scene is enough to sustain an act. And I also wonder how progressive a black or gay comedian is when they continually use their difference to get laughs - comedy should transcend these labels. I had particular trouble at this night with Felicity Ethnic, who we were warned by the compere, would be speaking in Jamaican patois. Turns out he wasn't joking. I felt like I was watching a Shakespeare play I didn't know, trying to understand the language and catching a few words hear and there. This didn't seem fair to an audience that although predominantly black had ticket-buying white audience members who I'd imagine struggled to understand as well. At least I could tell what the others were saying. I was pleased to note that the final comedian, Slim, didn't appear to be doing the whole 'black people do this' routine, and was telling non-racially motivated jokes. Unfortunately they weren't very funny, and a very long, supposedly true tale about him breaking his cock during sex went on far too long and had no punchline. The strangest thing was that members of the audience were hooting and hollering and going into paroxysms of laughter over this stuff!

briefly...

I was clearly the wrong target audience for this show, however I did enjoy what I could relate to and understand.

Dragons' Den: Series 9 (2011)

basics…
Yet another series of the venerable business game show, with the novelty of new dragon Hilary Devey replacing ‘silver fox’ James Caan in the Dragon line up.

brilliant…
The introduction of Devey, with her dulcet northern tones and her massive shoulder pads, has added a dash of theatricality to the Den, along with a new dynamic. Now there are two female Dragons, and on occasion Deborah Meaden and Devey clash with the odd withering look. None of the Dragons are afraid to speak their mind but Devey adds a real earthy worldliness with a lack of business buzzwords. Duncan Bannatyne is still reliably grumpy, if not more so, Theo Paphitis has got a scowl for every occasion, and Peter Jones can be relied upon to see gold where the others just see rocks. There were some crazy pitches this year, including a particularly funny one from a guy trying to sell instant-abs via sun beds, but as usual I’ve forgotten them as soon as the show’s done. Dragon’s Den has become a reassuring programme that I can watch while washing up, not something that needs my full attention, but I still enjoy it.

but…
As ever, Evan Davis lurks around the Den’s basement looking like Gollum and providing as much useful input as a chocolate teapot. I don’t think he’s recorded any new voice-overs, I reckon as a cost saving measure the BBC just cuts old ones over the top of the new pitches. It’s hard to notice any difference.

briefly…
Reliable, funny and with the occasional surprise, Dragon’s Den remains one of the few reality shows I’ll willingly let into my life. I draw the line at the spin off shows though.

Tinker Tailor Solider Spy (2011)

basics…

A complex spy thriller set in the grey seventies, with a who’s who cast of British acting talent, headed up by Gary Oldman’s George Smiley – tasked with rooting out the mole in The Circus.

brilliant…

I can easily see why this thriller wouldn’t be everyone’s cup of tea. There are no explosions or car chases or anything you might term ‘thrilling’… other than the top notch plot that is. Moodily directed by the Swede behind Let The Right One In, Tinker’s visual style is intoxicating, the camera hovers on seemingly insignificant details and affords Oldman the time to react to things in a subtle way. The spy plot takes in many characters and several twists and turns as each of the 4 suspects are put under varying degrees of scrutiny. Toby Jones does a good turn in twitchy and snivelling while Colin Firth is charming. Kathy Burke makes a welcome return to acting, although what is going on with her massive neck I’ve no idea. She’s one of the few female characters in a film about men betraying men, perhaps a rather old fashioned concept, but one that works really well. Oldman is perfectly world-weary and his approach to the matter in hand is methodical and believable, while Benedict Cumberbatch ironically makes a great Watson-like sidekick. It’s good to see a film that is so resolutely unshowy and so undeniably British getting good box office, especially as this has no King’s Speech style triumph over adversity feel-good factor. Some of it is downright bleak, particularly what happens to Tom Hardy and his love interest, but Tinker is always gripping, never boring.

but…

Ciarán Hinds’ suspect is not as well developed as his co-stars, leaving him not a great deal to do. An extra few minutes of motivation for him would have marked him out as a more credible suspect alongside Firth, Jones and the other fellow.

briefly…

A cerebral thriller that held me rapt throughout as a result of labyrinthine plotting and masterful character work.

One World Divisible: A Global History Since 1945 (David Reynolds, 2000)

basics...
This book does it exactly what it says in the (sub)title, spanning 55 years of history in 700 pages, with a truly global reach. 

brilliant...
I first picked this book up a few years ago and didn't get very far. Back in May I hefted it down from the shelf and got stuck back in, and just a few short months later I'm done. Reynolds has produced an extraordinary work. Covering the East and West and everything inbetween, from Cold War beginnings to the fall of the USSR, taking in economic crises, the emergence of new technologies and countries and also finding time to look at social changes amongst the world-changing big events, One World Divisible was an enthralling read from beginning to end. Some sections were a bit less interesting than others - mostly ones that dwelt on economics - but that's less the fault of the historian than history itself, and of course my particular interests. I learnt a lot from this overview of world affairs, and Reynolds writes in a way that is accessible and even pleasurable, something other non-fiction writers could learn from. I particularly liked how Reynolds wove stories of different parts of the globe into the over-arching narrative, not just seeing events from a Western point of view.

briefly...
Comprehensive, enlightening and readable, an excellent introduction to world history and an awe-inspiring feat of abridgement, turning 55 turbulent years into a readable narrative.

Doctor Who: Series 32 (2011)

basics...
Matt Smith returns as Doctor Who for a series split in two (There's no time poetry corner!). Opening with the Doctor's supposed future death, witnessed by Amy, Rory (full time companion now!) and River Song, the first part of the series ends with Amy giving birth and a revelation about who her daughter actually is. The second part of the series builds to the Doctor's inevitable end... or does it?

brilliant...
The on-going saga concerning the identity of River Song gets a whole lot of answers this series, some of which I really should have seen coming, but mostly you only realise they were obvious moments before they are revealed. The increased presence of River and of the excellent Rory meant that the Amy-Doctor love story got less screentime, a good thing, and even better everytime you thought Amy was pining for her raggedy Doctor she actually wanted her loving husband. Aside from the ongoing story there were some top notch 'monster of the week' episodes, from the chilling minotaur/hotel/purgatory one, to the funny James Corden one, and all those ones back at the beginning of the year that have slipped my mind. It was good to see new monsters pushed above series favourites, such as the Gentlemen-like Silence, effectively creepy, and the sinister lady with the eye patch. The whole 'Amy's not really with the Doctor' bit in the first part of the series was audacious and I'll need to rewatch those episodes, like I will a lot of these, to fully grasp what's going on.

but...
One of the problems with Stephen Moffatt at the helm of Doctor Who is his propensity for time travel stories that completely confuse and discombobulate. I'm utterly baffled as to how River's time stream works. The rapid fire delivery of explanations by Matt Smith don't always have time to sink in before another explosion's happening or someone cracks a joke. Of course, watching Doctor Who one already has one's disbelief suspended, but sometimes you want to try to make some sense of the story!

briefly...
A return to form after last series, where I felt grumpy Amy dominated, proves that Doctor Who needs non-young-female companions to truly soar. Splitting the series in half made for effective, suspensful cliff-hangers too.

The Pelican Brief (John Grisham, 1992)

basics...
Having never read a Grisham, yet having enjoyed some of the many film adaptations, I decided to pick up one of his novels. The charity shop I was in at the time had The Pelican Brief, which begins with the murders of two Supreme Court Justices and then delivers a fast-paced hunt for the people responsible. Unwittingly, law student Darby Shaw writes the brief of the title that gets her involved in a life-or-death conspiracy.

brilliant...
Grisham's easy style and cracking plot coupled with interesting characters and well-researched subjects put me in mind of Michael Crichton, which is never a bad thing. I've seen the Julia Roberts and Denzel Washington starring movie version, but it didn't colour my enjoyment of the novel as I can't recall much about it! I got to enjoy The Pelican Brief with no foreknowledge of the outcome and enjoyed even more for that. Supporting characters are killed off unexpectedly, the motives of high-level government officials are intriguing and Darby Shaw is a sympathetic and resourceful heroine. I really enjoyed the interactions of the Supreme Court with the White House, CIA, FBI and the press, I always find it fun to read fiction set in the world of US government. I'd happily pick up another Grisham tomorrow.

briefly...
An exciting, non-stop chase with characters to care for and lashings of political intrigue.

Jurassic Park (1993)

basics...
18 years after it first appeared in cinemas Jurassic Park was re-released in a shiny new digital print, so of course we had to go and check it out. 

brilliant...
I've seen Jurassic Park so many times over the last couple of decades, including at the cinema in 1993, on my friend's pirate video copy (that I taped over with Neighbours...), on VHS, on DVD and now back on the big screen, and it's never looked better. Everything else about the film remains several notches above excellent, from the plot, which complements the sterling source novel, to the cast of fine actors. There's a lot of humour, a lot of suspense, dashings of real terror and awe inspiring special effects. While some of the CGI may not look as pristine as today's efforts, much of it surpasses expectations to remain fresh and real. One of the greatest joys about seeing the film again in the cinema is being able to hear John Williams' epic, magistic, instantly recognisable score blasting out all around. I would probably have been happy to just sit with my eyes shut and listen, since I can probably construct the whole film in my head anyway. Despite the number of times I've seen Jurassic Park, it never gets old. I can find no fault, and each viewing brings further chances to savour the perfectness of the whole and its parts.

briefly...
Quite simply one of the finest films that has ever evolved.

Parenthood (1989)

basics...
An ensemble comedy with Steve Martin, Rick Moranis, Mary Steenburgen, Dianne Wiest and a young Keanu Reeves, Parenthood does exactly what it says in the title, illustrating the torment and positive attributes of being a parent through the lives of the large Buckman family.

brilliant...
This film is an excellent advert for parenthood, and I say this as someone committed to never having children. Although there are numerous pitfalls shown, such as Martin's toddler who likes to head butt things, Wiest's teenage son (Joaquin Phoenix, back when he was 'Leaf', I'm not sure which one is the better name) who's just discovered masturbation, or Martin's brother (Tom Hulce), who's old enough to know better yet keeps running to his father for assistance. The ensemble works really well together, with Martin and Moranis getting the most laughs. It's easy to see why Wiest was singled out with an Oscar nomination for her role as a single mother dealing with the aforementioned moody son and a sexually active daughter (Martha Plimpton) while neglecting her own barren lovelife. There's nothing especially profound expounded by Parenthood, but the result is charming, funny and emotionally satisfying. Oh and the grandma is excellent.

but...
Maybe there could have been a few more laughs. 

briefly...
A film that makes you appreciate children and the joys of parenthood without actually having to deal with the little horrors.

Ed Byrne: The Crowd Pleaser Tour (City Varieties, 29/09/11)

basics...
My first visit to the newly refurbished City Varieties in Leeds was also my first there ever. It's a small theatre, oddly long, but just right for a stand up comedy show, which is precisely why we were there, for a couple of hours in the company of Ed Byrne.

brilliant...
It's not just the fact he's Irish and mates with Dara O'Briain that made Byrne remind me of the Mock the Week host, it's also the way both come across as intelligent and geeky alongside the big belly laughs. I really enjoyed the fact that Byrne isn't offensive, but neither is he bland, he's got something to say about religion and obesity, yet he articulates his points in such a way as not to be mean spirited, and with no concomitant affect on the comedy. I laughed all the way through - the audience participation bits were particularly funny and let Byrne show his skills as an improviser. A thoroughly enjoyable evening.

briefly...
Intelligent, occasionally extremely geeky observational comedy delivered with aplomb.

Room (Emma Donoghue, 2010)

basics...

The story of five year old Jack, kept prisoner along with his Ma in the titular Room and their subsequent escape into the scary and exciting world of Outside. 

brilliant...
Told from the point of view of an intelligent toddler, Room is by turns charming, funny and horrifying. Initially skeptical about how the book could sustain a plot within the one location, I was pleased when fairly quickly the central paid escaped and then the story became even more interesting as Jack had to adjust to a whole world he didn't even know existed outside of TV. The use of first person narration through a child's eyes put me in mind of The Incredible Adam Spark in the skewed, innocent approach to complex ideas and experiences. I really felt for Jack and the way his whole world was ripped away, causing him to question everything he thought he knew. Unaware of the true horrors that his Ma has experienced in her long years of confinement, raped nightly and giving birth to a still born girl before Jack came into her life, Jack is unable to understand why his mother wants to escape, and then why she cannot cope with his demands in the real world. Her overdose is frightening for Jack and the reader - I feared what would happen to the delicate young protagonist without his one constant by his side. Room is a powerful, meaningful yet pleasurable read, full of funny details and invention, and thankfully the ending feels real and appropriate, and overwhelmingly satisfying.

briefly...
Touching, comic and harrowing, Room feels more like an experience than a story. To see the world through the eyes of a child, and to be able to compare the events with real life dramas of recent years really make the story come alive.

The Go-Between (WYP, 14/09/11 & 25/09/11)

basics...
Both the second and third shows at which I was a Playhouse volunteer, The Go-Between is a brand new musical adaptation of the book by LP Hartley (apparently, I've never heard of it) in which a 12 year old boy acts as a messenger between a high society lady and her bit of rough farmer lover. Needless to say, it doesn't end well.

brilliant...

The Go-Between is a charming production, that wins out mainly on the performance of the young Leo, Jake Abbott, who is rarely off stage in a role that requires singing, acting, and quite a bit of running around. I was less keen on his co-star for the two shows I saw, played by John Cairns, but I think that was more because his character Marcus is less likeable and more obnoxious than any fault in the acting. The adult cast provided solid support, particularly in Sophie Bould's Marian, the female portion of the central love triangle - hers being the best voice and one of the more interesting roles. There is good use made of the limited stage space, even with a grand piano and pianist present all through. 

but...
The story is supposed to be a reminiscence of youth by the much older Leo (played by... I don't know, his name's not in the programme!) and apparently everything that happened that summer when he was 12 has turned him into a disfunctional old man. We see plenty of him commenting on the action and moping about and making ominous exclamations about how he should have left things alone... but I never really understood (or cared) for older Leo and what his problems were. Young Leo's story was much more wonderful and had a great deal of depth. I was also a little disappointed that this 'musical' was really a sung play, with no particular songs. It felt like it would have worked just as well if not better as a straight forward play. 

briefly...
If I'd had the choice I wouldn't have watched this twice, but each time the charming child performances held my attention, they really did shine.

Epic Win (2011)

basics...
A Saturday night game show that is not only watchable, it's often uproariously entertaining. Alexander Armstrong presides over a modern sort of You Bet where the contestants must use their special skill to win a challenge. If they succeed, the panel of comedians/celebrities each awards them a sum of money, and it's up to them to guess how much. If they overvalue themselves, they leave through the fail door.

brilliant...
We were completely hooked by Epic Win, it's so gloriously daft and knowingly stupid, without insulting the viewer or taking the piss out of the contestants. Some of the challenges involved: a guy who loves crisps having people breathe crisp-breath in his face to guess the flavour; a Smurf fanatic identifying the small blue guys just from their silhouette; a fishmonger guessing the fish by being slapped in the face with one; and a bendy girl who kicked herself in the head so many times in a minute. Aside from the ridiculousness of the challenges, there are funny intro sequences, top puns from Armstrong, and the almost constant presence of Micky Flanagan on the judging panel, who is a dab hand at a wry put down and is able to properly value some of these utterly worthless 'skills'. This is what I call Saturday night entertainment! I do hope it comes back, I want to see the fail door, the epic-centre and hear commentator Joe Lycett's 'Epic WIN' catchphrase again.

briefly...
Saturday night entertainment that is as knowing and funny as Harry Hill, but on the BBC.

Trees Lounge (1996)

basics...
Written by, directed by and starring Steve Buscemi, Trees Lounge is an indie movie that focuses on the multi-hyphenate star's Tommy as he goes through a bit of a mid life crisis in a pokey little US town.

brilliant...but...
I thought that this was a really nice little comedy-drama, with quirky characters and some great casting, including Samuel L. Jackson, Mimi Rogers and Daniel Baldwin. As ever with these indie character studies, not a great deal happens. Tommy has a bit of a thing with a teenage girl (Chloe Sevigny)... and that's about it, other than him driving around in an ice cream truck. I had memories of Junebug, which also had the same feeling of 'nice movie, what's the point?' Buscemi is a great director and it's good to see him in a lead role as a normal human being and not some weirdo. He's really sympathetic here, although there seems little motivation behind his disintegrating life. The supporting cast are an assortment of oddballs and hicks and there's a general good humouredness about the whole that left me satisfied.

briefly...
Nothing much happens, but sometimes that's ok, especially if it allows Buscemi to do his thing.