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Reviews
Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy (1979)
A monumental epic of a series from the BBC's glory days.
I hired this from our library, and was agog. I saw the latter half of Tinker in 1980 when it was televised and always wished I had seen the whole thing. Now that I am older, I have developed a real interest in espionage, and consequently, rented the video set. The cast list is simply unbelieveable. The BBC could at that time, get so many big names together to do a major series, see for example "I Claudius". Sadly, the BBC today is a shadow of its former glory, and we in the UK have to either watch the old shows and dream, or watch the BBC in the present and be so disillusioned. I prefer the former. I can't pick out any performance in particular, because everyone was marvelous. Ian Richardson, who I have always admired, from seeing him as Neuheim in "Private Schulz", is possibly the very best, if I *have* to choose. If you are in any way interested in spying, or just love a really good intelligent thriller, this is for you.
Swingers (1996)
Yer money baby
I first viewed this film after reading a review which described "a bunch of guys turning their back on the healthy living of modern America". After watching Swingers, I decided the guy who wrote the review must have been talking about some other film. Swingers was beyond my expectations. An immense film which I watch again every so often. Story cool, actors immensely cool, music very hip, and loads of great catchphrases to pick up on. Could this be the first really "cool" love story?
Loved it.
The Rise and Rise of Michael Rimmer (1970)
One of the best satirical films I have ever seen.
This film was shown recently on Channel 5 in the UK. Basically, a young official looking man with a clipboard, Michael Rimmer (Peter Cook) walks into a dead beat polling company - and begins to change it dramatically. Very soon, the company is a thrusting dynamic organisation - with Michael Rimmer as it's head. He is loved by everyone, and he can manipulate people easily. He then begins to move into politics, and rises very quickly up to Prime Minister. It is then that his true motives begin to appear - he wants to be President of Great Britain. Will he succeed? Of course, he's Michael Rimmer. Watch this film and be amazed. Don't be concerned if you find you rewind it and watch it all over again. It is superb.
Bedazzled (1967)
Another superb Peter Cook comedy fest.
A young loser, played by Dudley Moore, decides to kill himself. At that moment, a groovy looking chap in a cape (Peter Cook) appears and offers to buy his soul for whatever reward he chooses. Dudley can't make up his mind what he wants however, so they spend lots of time going through the different scenarios. This film has a superb cast, all the best in comedy in Britain in the 60s. Dudley Moore did the music - which is fab and I wish I could get hold of the OST. Anybody?
The Wrong Box (1966)
Unbelievable first rate English comedy.
One of the best British comedies from a golden era. The cast list of this film, also see Bedazzled and Rise of Michael Rimmer, is like a whos-who of British comedy in the 60s. The plot is intriguing and well written. The acting is first rate, including Tony Hancock in possibly his last film role as the Inspector. Even the music score is beautiful, certainly evocative of the period, given the marvellous street organ segment. This film is a must for any fan of any British film or comedy star of the period. I love this film.