Where The Wild Things Are: Movie Review
Rating: 7/10
Cast: Max Records, James Gandolfini, Catherine O'Hara,
Catherine Keener, Lauren Ambrose, Paul Dano, Forest Whitaker
Director: Spike Jonze
Max is your typical kid - rambunctious, lacking in boundaries and
discipline and blessed with a fiercely imaginative mind.
He spends his time building igloos in the snow and wandering around in a wolf
costume.
One day after a fight and heated argument with his mum, he runs off, gets in
a boat and heads to an island. That island is Where The Wild Things live - and
under the cover of darkness, he meets Carol and the rest of the gang - a group
of 10 foot tall hairy creatures wreaking havoc for no reason.
Max, feeling dejected and rejected from his home life, decides to stay with
the Wild Things after he's made King of their clan - however, he soon discovers
that ruling is not as easy as he thought.
Spike Jonze's version of Where The Wild Things Are is of course based on the
1963 book by Maurice Sendak and of course comes with the weighty expectation of
fans worldwide.
However, it's no disappointment.
Granted, there's not much story to build on but what Jonze has visually
created is stunning in places - and his decision to turn the Wild Things into
toweringly tall animatronic full suits (with creatures made by Jim Henson's
Creature Shop) is nothing short of cinematic genius.
Shot with a handheld camera, the film is full of beautiful visuals - as well
as nightmarish visions and will amaze you from the very moment the Wild Things
appear on the screen. They look like cuddly puppets in places - but Carol's
temperamental behaviour and tantrums which rock Max's world are brilliantly
brought to life by the vocal work of James Gandolfini of Sopranos fame. In fact,
it's possible to say Gandolfini's Carol is a creature version of his Tony
Soprano - charming and charismatic but with the capability of turning at just
the bat of an eyelid.
Let's be clear though - this is not really a kid's film. The themes of anger,
loneliness and melancholy coupled with some dark, sinister visuals are the stuff
of nightmares. The younger end of the audience may find it hard to watch - but
that said, there's wonderment aplenty in the vision Jonze has had.
He's clearly stayed true to his idea of how the book should be created; he's
fleshed out the plot and brought the creatures to life. There's a raucous
soundtrack to complement this ragtag bag of misfit creatures whose occasionally
sadsack ways will amuse and upset in equal measures.
Where The Wild Things will appeal to the imaginative - and Spike Jonze's
creativity deserves to be saluted. As the year heads to a close, it's proof the
best is still coming
Thursday, 3 December 2009
The Informant!: Movie Review
The Informant!: Movie Review
Rating: 7/10
Cast: Matt Damon, Melanie Lynskey, Scott Bakula, Joel McHale
Director: Steven Soderbergh
The Informant! is the tale of Mark Whitacre (Matt Damon) a rising executive at the American agricultural firm during the 1990s.
Despite doing well within the company, Whitacre ends up blowing the whistle to an FBI agent (Scott Bakula) about apparent price fixing within the market instigated by the very people he works with.
However, as the FBI dig deeper into what's going on, Whitacre reveals more about the company's involvement with lysine, an additive used in the commercial livestock industry.
And the closer the FBI get to nabbing those responsible, the more bizarre turns the investigation takes thanks to the increasingly erratic behaviour of Whitacre himself.
The Informant! is a curious new film from Matt Damon and Steven Soderbergh.
Based on an apparently true story, there's a feeling of growing incredulity the longer the film goes on. Matt Damon's Whitacre is clearly a conflicted and bipolar character, whose tormented inner monologue at key moments see him ruminate on the minutiae of life - one side comment sees him wondering how polar bears learnt to cover their black noses when hunting given they had no concept of black and white.
It's a dark comedy that Soderbergh's created in places - but with tremendously solid performances from the likes of Damon and Taranaki's very own Melanie Lynskey (who plays Whitacre's long suffering wife), you're never quite 100% sure where to laugh - or even if you should.
As the film nears its conclusion, there's more than just a little element of screwball appearing in it as Whitacre's world begins to unravel.
Blessed with a brilliant bossanova 70s style soundtrack, The Informant! is an odd treat with unexpected and unbelievable moments. Granted there will be those who feel the film is trying a little too hard to be quirky and aiming for an insane zaniness; however, at the film's conclusion, you'll be hard pressed to have anything but an unusual admiration for Whitacre and how he led the entire FBI on a wild dance.
Rating: 7/10
Cast: Matt Damon, Melanie Lynskey, Scott Bakula, Joel McHale
Director: Steven Soderbergh
The Informant! is the tale of Mark Whitacre (Matt Damon) a rising executive at the American agricultural firm during the 1990s.
Despite doing well within the company, Whitacre ends up blowing the whistle to an FBI agent (Scott Bakula) about apparent price fixing within the market instigated by the very people he works with.
However, as the FBI dig deeper into what's going on, Whitacre reveals more about the company's involvement with lysine, an additive used in the commercial livestock industry.
And the closer the FBI get to nabbing those responsible, the more bizarre turns the investigation takes thanks to the increasingly erratic behaviour of Whitacre himself.
The Informant! is a curious new film from Matt Damon and Steven Soderbergh.
Based on an apparently true story, there's a feeling of growing incredulity the longer the film goes on. Matt Damon's Whitacre is clearly a conflicted and bipolar character, whose tormented inner monologue at key moments see him ruminate on the minutiae of life - one side comment sees him wondering how polar bears learnt to cover their black noses when hunting given they had no concept of black and white.
It's a dark comedy that Soderbergh's created in places - but with tremendously solid performances from the likes of Damon and Taranaki's very own Melanie Lynskey (who plays Whitacre's long suffering wife), you're never quite 100% sure where to laugh - or even if you should.
As the film nears its conclusion, there's more than just a little element of screwball appearing in it as Whitacre's world begins to unravel.
Blessed with a brilliant bossanova 70s style soundtrack, The Informant! is an odd treat with unexpected and unbelievable moments. Granted there will be those who feel the film is trying a little too hard to be quirky and aiming for an insane zaniness; however, at the film's conclusion, you'll be hard pressed to have anything but an unusual admiration for Whitacre and how he led the entire FBI on a wild dance.
The Cake Eaters: Movie Review
The Cake Eaters: Movie Review
Rating 5/10
Cast: Kristen Stewart, Aaron Stanford, Bruce Dern, Jayce Bartok
Director: Mary Stuart Masterson
Kristen Stewart (sort of) sheds her Bella from Twilight image in this bittersweet story of love.
Set in small town America, Stewart plays Georgia, a teen with Freidreich's Ataxia, a progressive degenerative disease of the nervous system.
Georgia suffers with a slurred speech and a stuttering walk - but one day, while at a car boot sale, she meets Beagle (Aaron Stanford), the son of a local butcher. Beagle's family has been torn apart by their mother's death and his long errant brother has also just returned to town - to a wall of bitterness and anger at his absence during the family loss.
And that's really it for plot in this indie film, the directorial debut of actress Mary Stuart Masterson.
This quiet low key, character driven indie would probably have been consigned to TV movie status (and has sat on a shelf since 2007) were it not for Kristen Stewart and the Twilight mania. That said, while she does play a variation of the Bella character, Stewart shows what a talented actress she actually is.
She plays Georgia with a headstrong desire to live a life while she can - and she and Beagle pursue an uneasy relationship as those around them come to terms with life, love and loss.
There's nothing seriously wrong with The Cake Eaters - granted, it's a little predictable and clichéd and you can probably see what's coming a mile off. It's a Sunday afternoon film - but thanks to Stewart's superior and genuine performance, it is saved from the mire - given Stewart made this film before the ascendance of Bella, it shows she really does have the promise to make it long after the vampire franchise has been staked.
Rating 5/10
Cast: Kristen Stewart, Aaron Stanford, Bruce Dern, Jayce Bartok
Director: Mary Stuart Masterson
Kristen Stewart (sort of) sheds her Bella from Twilight image in this bittersweet story of love.
Set in small town America, Stewart plays Georgia, a teen with Freidreich's Ataxia, a progressive degenerative disease of the nervous system.
Georgia suffers with a slurred speech and a stuttering walk - but one day, while at a car boot sale, she meets Beagle (Aaron Stanford), the son of a local butcher. Beagle's family has been torn apart by their mother's death and his long errant brother has also just returned to town - to a wall of bitterness and anger at his absence during the family loss.
And that's really it for plot in this indie film, the directorial debut of actress Mary Stuart Masterson.
This quiet low key, character driven indie would probably have been consigned to TV movie status (and has sat on a shelf since 2007) were it not for Kristen Stewart and the Twilight mania. That said, while she does play a variation of the Bella character, Stewart shows what a talented actress she actually is.
She plays Georgia with a headstrong desire to live a life while she can - and she and Beagle pursue an uneasy relationship as those around them come to terms with life, love and loss.
There's nothing seriously wrong with The Cake Eaters - granted, it's a little predictable and clichéd and you can probably see what's coming a mile off. It's a Sunday afternoon film - but thanks to Stewart's superior and genuine performance, it is saved from the mire - given Stewart made this film before the ascendance of Bella, it shows she really does have the promise to make it long after the vampire franchise has been staked.
Zombieland: Movie Review
Zombieland: Movie Review
Rating: 8/10
Cast: Woody Harrelson, Jesse Eisenberg, Emma Stone, Abigail Breslin, Amber Heard
Director: Ruben Fleischer
From the opening slow mo titles which see zombies taking people out in very drawn out fashion to the final showdown at the end, Zombieland is one hell of a lot of fun.
Basically, thanks to a diseased burger, the entire US of A has been overrun with zombies, leaving just a few survivors determined to avoid being bitten.
The hero is Columbus (Jesse Eisenberg), a nerdy student who encounters Woody Harrelson's red neck Tallahassee one day as he tries to find out if his family's survived the apocalypse.
(That's one of the great things about Zombieland - none of the characters have real names; they've simply given their locations as their monkers)
So teaming up, the duo head across America - however, on the way they encounter Wichita (Emma Stone) and Little Rock (Abigail Breslin) who manage to con them out of their car, guns and belongings. It appears the end of the world has still brought out the worst in some people&as well as that whole zombie flesh eating issue.
Tallahassee is determined to wreak revenge - but as the road trip progresses, both parties grow closer together - will their nuclear family be ruined by revenge and zombies?
Zombieland is not your average undead film flick - for one thing, it's a terrifically fun ride, chock full of unexpected madness and laugh out loud moments.
Eisenbeg and Harrelson's nerdy Columbus and redneck Tallahassee double act sizzles with a sparkling energy - Tallahassee's not at all impressed with his new buddy, as it's throwing him off his quest to find the last ever Twinkie on earth.
Columbus on the other hand has a whole set of rules he has which help him survive the end of the world - and as he espouses these at the start of the film, they seem to have helped him get through. But having spent so much time as a loner, he soon realizes those ways are going to have to change.
Director Fleischer gives the film some visual flair and a vibrancy which sees it never outstay its 90 minute duration.
But there's one main reason to see Zombieland - and unfortunately, I'm determined not to spoil it for you - because the pure unadulterated pleasure I felt as I witnessed what was the best plot point I've seen for years left me beaming for ages after the end.
And trust me, it'd be a shame to spoil that for you - it's sheer genius and very brilliant.
Zombieland is a reminder of how fun and disposable great cinema should be - it's trashy, it's pulpy and yet underneath all the undead flesh, there's a beating heart which will give you the widest grin you've had for a long time, long after you've left.
Rating: 8/10
Cast: Woody Harrelson, Jesse Eisenberg, Emma Stone, Abigail Breslin, Amber Heard
Director: Ruben Fleischer
From the opening slow mo titles which see zombies taking people out in very drawn out fashion to the final showdown at the end, Zombieland is one hell of a lot of fun.
Basically, thanks to a diseased burger, the entire US of A has been overrun with zombies, leaving just a few survivors determined to avoid being bitten.
The hero is Columbus (Jesse Eisenberg), a nerdy student who encounters Woody Harrelson's red neck Tallahassee one day as he tries to find out if his family's survived the apocalypse.
(That's one of the great things about Zombieland - none of the characters have real names; they've simply given their locations as their monkers)
So teaming up, the duo head across America - however, on the way they encounter Wichita (Emma Stone) and Little Rock (Abigail Breslin) who manage to con them out of their car, guns and belongings. It appears the end of the world has still brought out the worst in some people&as well as that whole zombie flesh eating issue.
Tallahassee is determined to wreak revenge - but as the road trip progresses, both parties grow closer together - will their nuclear family be ruined by revenge and zombies?
Zombieland is not your average undead film flick - for one thing, it's a terrifically fun ride, chock full of unexpected madness and laugh out loud moments.
Eisenbeg and Harrelson's nerdy Columbus and redneck Tallahassee double act sizzles with a sparkling energy - Tallahassee's not at all impressed with his new buddy, as it's throwing him off his quest to find the last ever Twinkie on earth.
Columbus on the other hand has a whole set of rules he has which help him survive the end of the world - and as he espouses these at the start of the film, they seem to have helped him get through. But having spent so much time as a loner, he soon realizes those ways are going to have to change.
Director Fleischer gives the film some visual flair and a vibrancy which sees it never outstay its 90 minute duration.
But there's one main reason to see Zombieland - and unfortunately, I'm determined not to spoil it for you - because the pure unadulterated pleasure I felt as I witnessed what was the best plot point I've seen for years left me beaming for ages after the end.
And trust me, it'd be a shame to spoil that for you - it's sheer genius and very brilliant.
Zombieland is a reminder of how fun and disposable great cinema should be - it's trashy, it's pulpy and yet underneath all the undead flesh, there's a beating heart which will give you the widest grin you've had for a long time, long after you've left.
The Invention of Lying: Movie Review
The Invention of Lying: Movie Review
Rating: 5/10
Cast: Ricky Gervais, Jennifer Garner, Rob Lowe, Jonah Hill
Director: Ricky Gervais.
Oh, Ricky.
The Invention Of Lying is the latest outing from the man who'll be forever tagged as David Brent.
Set in an alternate reality where no-one's ever heard of lying and everyone tells the truth (no matter how awkward and how blunt it can be) Gervais stars as Mark Bellison, a screenwriter whose career, lovelife and life in general is heading down the pan.
One day, for no reason whatsoever, after being fired and facing eviction, Bellison ends up telling a lie - and realizing he's got the power to change mankind forever, he tries to lie his way through life and see how far he can get.
However, when his mum lies dying in hospital from a heart attack, Bellison ends up stretching the truth a little - and is overheard - and ends up being proclaimed as a new messiah for the world.
The problem is Bellison soon realizes that everyone's looking to him for answers - and he barely has enough for himself.
What do you say about the Ricky Gervais written, produced and directed by effort? Well, to start off with it's a fantastic concept - which somehow becomes mired in a quasi-religious satire mixed with a large dollop of romantic comedy.
Gervais is, to be blunt, playing once again another version of the character he's been peddling for years - don't get me wrong, I like that character - the slightly smug insufferable person who's beaten down and mocked by others.
But the problem is that the script just isn't strong enough to make its way to the end - and despite the crowd pleasing celebrity cameos, there's not much to stop this film from concluding in its own inevitable way.
It's a real shame as the central concept for the Invention of Lying is quite a clever one - and there's some real emotion on show when the mother passes away. The idea that you have to lie in someway to bring some kind of comfort to people is a nice twist (ok, white lies are nothing new) and works well as it just pushes Bellison further into more trouble.
Overall, The Invention of Lying could have benefited from a slightly tighter script and more of an idea of what exactly it wanted to be - it's a shame as it had all the markings of a great film. Instead it's a mess and a crushing disappointment.
Rating: 5/10
Cast: Ricky Gervais, Jennifer Garner, Rob Lowe, Jonah Hill
Director: Ricky Gervais.
Oh, Ricky.
The Invention Of Lying is the latest outing from the man who'll be forever tagged as David Brent.
Set in an alternate reality where no-one's ever heard of lying and everyone tells the truth (no matter how awkward and how blunt it can be) Gervais stars as Mark Bellison, a screenwriter whose career, lovelife and life in general is heading down the pan.
One day, for no reason whatsoever, after being fired and facing eviction, Bellison ends up telling a lie - and realizing he's got the power to change mankind forever, he tries to lie his way through life and see how far he can get.
However, when his mum lies dying in hospital from a heart attack, Bellison ends up stretching the truth a little - and is overheard - and ends up being proclaimed as a new messiah for the world.
The problem is Bellison soon realizes that everyone's looking to him for answers - and he barely has enough for himself.
What do you say about the Ricky Gervais written, produced and directed by effort? Well, to start off with it's a fantastic concept - which somehow becomes mired in a quasi-religious satire mixed with a large dollop of romantic comedy.
Gervais is, to be blunt, playing once again another version of the character he's been peddling for years - don't get me wrong, I like that character - the slightly smug insufferable person who's beaten down and mocked by others.
But the problem is that the script just isn't strong enough to make its way to the end - and despite the crowd pleasing celebrity cameos, there's not much to stop this film from concluding in its own inevitable way.
It's a real shame as the central concept for the Invention of Lying is quite a clever one - and there's some real emotion on show when the mother passes away. The idea that you have to lie in someway to bring some kind of comfort to people is a nice twist (ok, white lies are nothing new) and works well as it just pushes Bellison further into more trouble.
Overall, The Invention of Lying could have benefited from a slightly tighter script and more of an idea of what exactly it wanted to be - it's a shame as it had all the markings of a great film. Instead it's a mess and a crushing disappointment.
Tuesday, 1 December 2009
Something, Something, Something, Dark Side: DVD Review
Something, Something, Something, Dark Side: DVD Review
Family Guy: Something, Something, Something Dark Side
Released by Roadshow Home Entertainment
Rating: M
Family Guy continues to take on the Star Wars phenomenon with the blessing of George Lucas.
And with a foul mouth and an occasional eye in the toilet.
Something, Something Dark side is the sequel to the popular Blue Harvest which was a Family Guy style retelling of Star Wars.
So it's no surprise that Something, Something Dark Side is Seth MacFarlane's take on The Empire Strikes Back, one of the most loved of the original trilogy.
The story is a blow by blow retelling of the original with the Family Guy characters thrown in - Chris is Luke, Peter is Han solo and his wife Lois is Leia.
As ever with Family Guy, it's an all or nothing kind of a show - if you're a teen, you'll love it - and its occasionally foul mouth (one of the Empire's greatest lines is ruined by the gang) - and it does provide a few good laughs here and there. Although to be honest, not quite as many as Blue Harvest did.
That said, there are some amusing moments - some funny antics involving the AT-AT fighters, a bizarre Tom Selleck moment, and an unexpected American Idol parody. The final sequence involving Seth Green is great too - but to reveal too much would ruin the in joke.
When the humour's a bit more subtle, it tends to work a little better than the in your face moments - a running gag about how whiny Leia is makes you wonder why you didn't notice this in the original film.
There are some good solid extras - a fact up rerun of the 54 minute episode is done in the style of Pop Up video and has some humorous and unexpectedly interesting moments.
All in all, Something, Something Dark Side isn't as strong as the previous release; there aren't as many gags per minute ratio as compared to previous episode Blue Harvest- but it provides some mirth and merriment for the most ardent of Star Wars fans as well as fans of the original Family Guy show - and it's not long now until they parody Return of The Jedi&.
Extras: Audio Commentaries; Family Guy Fact-Ups; The Dark Side of Poster Art; Animatic Scene-To-Scene; With commentary by Director, Dominic Polcino; Something, Something, Something Dark Side Table Read; Episode VI: Feeling About This (aka Jedi) Table Read; Transfer Digital Copy feature title
Rating: 6/10
Family Guy: Something, Something, Something Dark Side
Released by Roadshow Home Entertainment
Rating: M
Family Guy continues to take on the Star Wars phenomenon with the blessing of George Lucas.
And with a foul mouth and an occasional eye in the toilet.
Something, Something Dark side is the sequel to the popular Blue Harvest which was a Family Guy style retelling of Star Wars.
So it's no surprise that Something, Something Dark Side is Seth MacFarlane's take on The Empire Strikes Back, one of the most loved of the original trilogy.
The story is a blow by blow retelling of the original with the Family Guy characters thrown in - Chris is Luke, Peter is Han solo and his wife Lois is Leia.
As ever with Family Guy, it's an all or nothing kind of a show - if you're a teen, you'll love it - and its occasionally foul mouth (one of the Empire's greatest lines is ruined by the gang) - and it does provide a few good laughs here and there. Although to be honest, not quite as many as Blue Harvest did.
That said, there are some amusing moments - some funny antics involving the AT-AT fighters, a bizarre Tom Selleck moment, and an unexpected American Idol parody. The final sequence involving Seth Green is great too - but to reveal too much would ruin the in joke.
When the humour's a bit more subtle, it tends to work a little better than the in your face moments - a running gag about how whiny Leia is makes you wonder why you didn't notice this in the original film.
There are some good solid extras - a fact up rerun of the 54 minute episode is done in the style of Pop Up video and has some humorous and unexpectedly interesting moments.
All in all, Something, Something Dark Side isn't as strong as the previous release; there aren't as many gags per minute ratio as compared to previous episode Blue Harvest- but it provides some mirth and merriment for the most ardent of Star Wars fans as well as fans of the original Family Guy show - and it's not long now until they parody Return of The Jedi&.
Extras: Audio Commentaries; Family Guy Fact-Ups; The Dark Side of Poster Art; Animatic Scene-To-Scene; With commentary by Director, Dominic Polcino; Something, Something, Something Dark Side Table Read; Episode VI: Feeling About This (aka Jedi) Table Read; Transfer Digital Copy feature title
Rating: 6/10
Monday, 30 November 2009
Extras: The Complete Collection: DVD Review
Extras: The Complete Collection: DVD Review
Extras: The Complete Collection
Cast: Ricky Gervais, Stephen Merchant, Shaun Williamson, Ashley Jensen
Released by BBC and Roadshow Entertainment
Collecting together all 12 of Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant's comedy and bundling it up with the TV movie which rounded off the series is a genius idea.
Granted it's nothing which hasn't already been released but it's a great collection which sucks you in.
Gervais is Andy Millman, a TV extra who longs to make it - his friend Maggie (Ashley Jensen) is also a struggling actress - and combined with his useless agent Darren (the gangly awkward Stephen Merchant), Andy tries whatever he can to get a bigger part onscreen.
Ultimately though, it leads to Millman being humiliated - however, in series 2, Millman gets the break he's wanted and lands a BBC sitcom. Yet that momentous victory is soured by the fact he's making TV for the masses with catch phrases and parts of his soul being torn from him.
And then in the special, Andy nearly loses everything when he heads for the top.
The joy of Extras comes in the writing and awkwardness which in some ways was pioneered in The Office. Gervais isn't afraid to make himself the butt of the jokes all the way through - and Merchant trades on his towering frame and stupidity for his agent Darren. Coupled with the Hollywood cameos throughout the series, this is compelling viewing.
However, it's the Special TV movie at the end which makes this set what it is - and showcases exactly why the poignancy and heartache - along with Ashley Jensen's terrific performance - work best in this series. As Andy forgets everyone around him on his way up, his friend heads for rock bottom and near depression - Ashley Jensen's performance will leave even the most hard hearted in tears.
Gervais has had the good sense to end Extras after two series - let's hope it stays that way because he's fashioned the perfect sitcom which deals with Hollywood; there's despair, desperation, laughs and tragedy in spades.
Brilliant viewing for fans of Gervais' "awkward moments" style of comedy comedy where the joke's on him - and there's heartbreak aplenty.
Extras: Behind the scenes docos, the difficult second album looks at how they wrote the show after The Office, commentaries, deleted scenes and Outtakes add to the package - but their inclusion only enhance the experience as all have been available on separate discs before.
Rating: 8/10
Extras: The Complete Collection
Cast: Ricky Gervais, Stephen Merchant, Shaun Williamson, Ashley Jensen
Released by BBC and Roadshow Entertainment
Collecting together all 12 of Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant's comedy and bundling it up with the TV movie which rounded off the series is a genius idea.
Granted it's nothing which hasn't already been released but it's a great collection which sucks you in.
Gervais is Andy Millman, a TV extra who longs to make it - his friend Maggie (Ashley Jensen) is also a struggling actress - and combined with his useless agent Darren (the gangly awkward Stephen Merchant), Andy tries whatever he can to get a bigger part onscreen.
Ultimately though, it leads to Millman being humiliated - however, in series 2, Millman gets the break he's wanted and lands a BBC sitcom. Yet that momentous victory is soured by the fact he's making TV for the masses with catch phrases and parts of his soul being torn from him.
And then in the special, Andy nearly loses everything when he heads for the top.
The joy of Extras comes in the writing and awkwardness which in some ways was pioneered in The Office. Gervais isn't afraid to make himself the butt of the jokes all the way through - and Merchant trades on his towering frame and stupidity for his agent Darren. Coupled with the Hollywood cameos throughout the series, this is compelling viewing.
However, it's the Special TV movie at the end which makes this set what it is - and showcases exactly why the poignancy and heartache - along with Ashley Jensen's terrific performance - work best in this series. As Andy forgets everyone around him on his way up, his friend heads for rock bottom and near depression - Ashley Jensen's performance will leave even the most hard hearted in tears.
Gervais has had the good sense to end Extras after two series - let's hope it stays that way because he's fashioned the perfect sitcom which deals with Hollywood; there's despair, desperation, laughs and tragedy in spades.
Brilliant viewing for fans of Gervais' "awkward moments" style of comedy comedy where the joke's on him - and there's heartbreak aplenty.
Extras: Behind the scenes docos, the difficult second album looks at how they wrote the show after The Office, commentaries, deleted scenes and Outtakes add to the package - but their inclusion only enhance the experience as all have been available on separate discs before.
Rating: 8/10
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Very latest post
Honest Thief: DVD Review
Honest Thief: DVD Review In Honest Thief, a fairly competent story is given plenty of heart and soul before falling into old action genre tr...
-
The Last Of Us Part II: PS4 Review Developed by Naughty Dog Platform: PS4 Wracked with but not wrecked by spoilers dropping before rele... -
Sex Tape: Movie Review Cast: Cameron Diaz, Jason Segal, Ellie Kemper, Rob Corddry, Rob Lowe Director: Jake Kasdan Predicated around the ... -
Brand new Oblivion posters unveiled Entertainment Weekly' s got the first look at some new Oblivion posters. The Oblivion posters s...
