Tag Archives: Christmas

The Gentle Subversion of ‘It’s A Wonderful Life’

People often misunderstand Frank Capra’s classic Christmas film It’s A Wonderful Life. Released in 1946, it didn’t do very well initially in the United States. People found it too dark. Nowadays, many people find it too sentimental. I think both of these appraisals are a little wide of the mark. It’s both dark and sentimental,Continue reading “The Gentle Subversion of ‘It’s A Wonderful Life’”

Despot: The New Cologne

GRUFF VOICEOVER: What do you get for the man who has… everything? More of the same, of course. With top notes of masculine pepper, hamburger grease, piss and lies, Despot is the cologne for the president -elect who’s going places. Prison, hopefully. Despot, the new cologne, for tomorrow ‘s asshole… today. In 250ml and 500ml.Continue reading “Despot: The New Cologne”

Oh No, It Isn’t/Oh Yes, It Is: Good Panto/Bad Panto

Panto, pantomime in its shortened form (like porno, ha ha ha!) is where kids in the UK often first witness theatre. Sadly, it’s often the ONLY theatre they ever see, because it’s mostly bloody awful. Don’t fight me on this, I’ve been a critic almost fifteen years now, and have seen more panto than many,Continue reading “Oh No, It Isn’t/Oh Yes, It Is: Good Panto/Bad Panto”

A John Waters Christmas

Good taste? Bad taste? It’s all so subjective, dahhling. One man who has no such quibbles in these matters is peerless movie director John Waters. As befits the man dubbed The Pope of Trash by William S Burroughs, Waters’ seasonal picks are as kitsch and hilarious as many of his films. Not for him, theContinue reading “A John Waters Christmas”