Change Your Image
gregory-jon
Reviews
Generation Kill (2008)
Great show
Saw the first three episodes of this on cable whilst on holiday, and hope it comes to the UK very soon so that I can see the rest. I also saw part of the 'Making of...' documentary, and many of the production team where a) female and b)British. They've done a really excellent job of portraying the atmosphere of war-torn Iraq, and have not compromised the performances by trying to tone down the language and jingoistic views of many of the characters. Heart pounding action whilst transiting the first town when the convoy comes under fire for the first time, and euphoria when they emerge at the far side largely unscathed. Brilliant. Well done. A really fine piece of work. Snap it up BBC.......please!
The Wind That Shakes the Barley (2006)
A masterpiece
I watched this film yesterday. Twice. I feel sure that many "british" people will take one look at the summary on the dust jacket and see red. Todays population remember the IRA of the 70's, 80's and early 90's as the criminalised murderers they undoubtedly became, but this film deals with the emergence of a guerilla army committed to ridding their soil of a foreign occupying power. US. The British!! The people who could have remembered such a time are long dead, and I think it is very important that we are reminded by such great films as this, of a time when we had just finished 'the war to end all wars', and many of the men who had survived the appalling carnage in France were suddenly posted to Ireland, where they continued to vent many of their prejudices and frustrations on an undeserving populus. The acting is stupendous. The realistic way in which many of the scenes are portrayed and dialogue delivered REALLY makes you feel like an observer rather than a viewer. The ugly brutality with which we tried to subjugate the Irish is more than enough reason for the physical backlash, and the arms length political machinations going on in the background are more than reminiscent of todays governments handling of the events in the Middle East. Absolutely fantastic. I WILL be forcing one of my bigoted friends to sit and watch it in the earnest hope that a little light is shed onto a subject which, in our lifetimes, became more criminal than political, and in doing so might give him a bit of perspective.
Brand Spanking New Show (2000)
Harrys host of new characters
Once Harry swapped from the dear safe old BBC, to Sky, I feel he not only got a new lease of life, but perhaps felt able to explore the more controversial side of his comedy persona. Indeed, I have to admit to being a big kid, and this series really hit the mark for me. His anarchic portrayal of the handsome priest and the questionable antics with his lady parishioners, the south African pharmacist, and the drug crazed 'Mankies' had me rolling with laughter. The language is "choice" so don't watch it if you're easily offended, but purely personally, I think this is the funniest stuff he's ever done.....More please Harry....when you're ready.....4 years off is enough O.K.!
Murder One (1995)
Best of American
This is probably the finest TV series I have ever watched. The outstanding cast, and their superb acting was a joy to see. The plot and twists were great, and left me guessing right up until the end. I'm delighted that at long last the series is being released on DVD in September here, and I shall enjoy watching it all again through the autumn (fall!) This is TV as only the Americans can do it. We Brits are great at the period drama stuff (Sense and Sensibility etc), but you guys are the kings when it comes to this particular genre. The second series was good, but never quite recaptured the essence of series one. Does anyone know if they released the soundtrack as a separate entity??Thanks Mr Bochco et al, great stuff!!