Writer and director Bryce Hart’s sitcom Only Child is fairly generic on paper: prodigal son returns to small town to reconnect with ageing parent. But it’s the minutiae and pathos that make this sitcom so binge worthy, and, ultimately, truly affecting. Greg McHugh portrays Richard Pritchard, a mid-level actor returning to the small northern townContinue reading “TV Review: Only Child”
Category Archives: Humour
Film Review: Days Of The Bagnold Summer
If this was an American film, lessons would be learned and resentment eased, in a neat “I was never the same after that summer” trope. But it’s not: it’s British, full of warm days and familial complications. Effortlessly directed by comic actor Simon Bird, it’s a little like Mike Leigh, if lighter and more incidentalContinue reading “Film Review: Days Of The Bagnold Summer”
The End Of The End Of The Pier, As We Knew It
Noel Edmonds and Mr Blobby: nightmare fuel Jokes which don’t land, surprises which are deeply humiliating to all involved, rubbish ventriloquism with cheap puppets, hellish Saturday night quiz shows, the Brian Rogers Connection and Robin Askwith… Welcome to television in the UK, circa 78- 95. This, readers, was the not- so golden era of lightContinue reading “The End Of The End Of The Pier, As We Knew It”
Quote On Life from Eugene Ionesco…
” Life is essentially meaningless, progress an illusion and the totality of our experience nothing but a piece of incomprehensible gobbledegook”. Ionesco was never ever hired for children’s parties.
Film Review: Emma
How bad is Autumn De Wilde’s adaptation of Emma? The awful Miranda Hart has a “comic” turn in it as Mrs Bates, that’s how bad. Anya Taylor -Joy takes the lead as Emma Woodhouse, depicting her as the spoilt, unlikeable gossiping brat with a peripatetic accent, who spends all her time matchmaking and studiously tryingContinue reading “Film Review: Emma”
Favourite Cover Versions: The Mike Flowers Pops- Wonderwall
Set the table for fifteen, get the bowls ready for the keys, tout de ruddy suite. Make sure the kids are safely ensconced with the neighbours across the road, chill the Blue Nun and get the Twiglets and cheese and pineapple on sticks onto the orange. We’re swinging tonight, like it’s 1969. The Mike FlowersContinue reading “Favourite Cover Versions: The Mike Flowers Pops- Wonderwall”
Lost In Music: Joshua Idehen – Mum Does The Washing
Truly one of the best lyrical jams of the last five years, this sly and surreal piece of spoken word describes our screwed-up times in an eloquent, deadpan way that makes me chuckle every time. I can’t wait for his debut album..The video is also excellent. I’m not a mum, and never will be, butContinue reading “Lost In Music: Joshua Idehen – Mum Does The Washing”
The Gaulier Effect
Phillippe Gaulier has passed away at the age of 82. The French clown genius who alongside mentor Jacques Lecoq taught Bouffon clowning as well as more traditional technique, was a real trailblazer, teaching to countless actors and performers. Eschewing the more rigid, serious Stanislavsky method which was so beloved by a whole generation of methodContinue reading “The Gaulier Effect”
TV Review: Small Prophets
Michael Sleep (Pearce Quigley) is a man living life on pause. His girlfriend Clea went missing on Christmas Eve seven years ago, and never returned. He’s unable to move on and stuck in a literal dead end (a suburban Manchester cul-de-sac). Working in a DIY store, where he cracks wise with his one friend KaseyContinue reading “TV Review: Small Prophets”
Vintage Film Review: Children Shouldn’t Play With Dead Things (1972)
There is a reason that some film directors are regarded as maestros of the genre, whereas others are relegated to cult status, and so by extension are their products mere cult fodder. This 1972 film sits firmly and comfortably in the latter category. With all the scares of ‘Scooby-Doo’, plus some of the wardrobe, directorContinue reading “Vintage Film Review: Children Shouldn’t Play With Dead Things (1972)”
Hit The North 