Budgie is the greatest TV drama of all time. Brilliant scripts, brilliant characters, brilliant performances and all with so much charm. Adam Faith is wonderful as Budgie Bird, small time petty criminal, but a charmer too and there is a career best by Iain Cuthbertson as Charlie Endell, probably my favourite TV character of all time. Series 1 highlight is the Grandee Hotel with several guest stars including Peter Sallis while Series 2 is packed with great episodes. The very sexy Georgina Hale as Budgie's wife and the excellent Lynn Dalby as Budgie's lover add to the charm. Keith Waterhouse wrote some great stories to be played out here. It is a standout show and fully merits 10 out of 10.
Reviews
4 Reviews
That's My Boy
(1981–1986)
Mollie Sugden's show
23 March 2012
A strange premise for a sitcom but it sort of works chiefly because of Mollie Sugden's immensely likable performance. This show also has a terrific theme tune which suits the show really well. It is surprising that they made 5 series and maybe it did go on too long but some of the episodes are enjoyable, and in places, quite funny. I really like Jennifer Lonsdale as Angie, and Christopher Blake as Robert is also perfectly OK. I liked this show when first shown on TV without it being one of my favourites and the same applies now. Worth watching if you like something fairly gentle but with a few laughs and well worth seeing if you like Mollie Sugden.
The Smurfs
(2011)
Perfect Gargamel
28 November 2011
I am amazed that the average Mark for this film is so low. The film is very much made in the spirit of the cartoons and the live action mixed with cartoon special effects works really well. The key thing though is the performance of Hank Azaria as Gargamel. He is perfectly cast, a panto villain. I loved him. Doogie Howser is perfectly likable as is his screen wife. It's a nice film to watch, entertaining and surely ideal for young children. Unfairly ridiculed. It is really quite an old fashioned children's film and it is very colourful and with a lot of goodness. I think that maybe today's cynical world doesn't welcome something like this but that's a shame. If you want a nice easy to watch film for your innocent younger children then this is definitely for you or for adults who have never lost their inner child.
Free Willy: Escape from Pirate's Cove
(2010 Video)
Charming Simple Story
13 August 2010
I was a bit alarmed at the start of this film - the acting, especially by young Bindi Irwin was not great BUT it improved a lot as the film went on and slowly I began to really like the setting, the actors and the simple story. Yes it is predictable, yes it is a bit silly at times but it is good wholesome family entertainment and quite old-fashioned in a way - which is no bad thing. My only slight criticism is the obvious computer generated undersea orcas, but this aside the film provides a lot of entertainment, some very sweet moments and a nice chemistry between Bindi Irwin and Beau Bridges. The latter, as always, is excellent and the former is quite charming at times. If you want to watch a nice easy family film then choose this one. If you don't, then this is probably not for you.
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