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Reviews
Louis Theroux's Weird Weekends (1998)
One of my favourite documentary series ever...you couldn't write this stuff
Over the last few months, I have become obsessed with Louis Theroux and his documentaries. However, as much as I've enjoyed his recent programmes, Weird Weekends is still his Magnum Opus.
Theroux is an endearing screen presence, not to mention intelligent, funny, articulate and attractive. During WW's 3-season run, he had covered a number of interesting subjects ranging from porn to demolition derby. His non-judgemental attitude and willingness to take part makes him one of the best documentarians working today.
My favourite WW episodes are:
Looking for love Gangster Rap Black Nationalists Body building Professional wrestling Off-off Broadway Informercials Swingers
Hell I pretty much like all of them!
I hope Louis decides to do another series next year to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the first series. He'll have his work cut out for him though trying to find another weird subculture to explore. Especially considering there are now channels devoted to extraordinary human interest stories (e.g. TLC).
The Skeleton Twins (2014)
Immensely enjoyable little film
The Skeleton Twins is one of my favourite films of 2014. Here are the reasons why:
1. Bill Hader delivers a career-defining performance which easily tops all his previous performances. The range he displays throughout is nothing short of remarkable. Hopefully this will lead onto even bigger and better things for him.
2. Kristen Wiig continues to impress as a leading lady with another fine performance.
3. Luke Wilson is effortlessly charming in the kind of role he has been perfecting for years now.
4. Ty Burrell (who I've only ever seen in a few episodes of Modern Family) delivers a strong performance and makes us care about his character more than we should. His scenes with Hader are some of the film's highlights.
5. The chemistry between Hader and Wiig is off the charts.
6. Some genuinely moving moments as well as plenty of funny ones.
7. The best lip-syncing scene since Pretty in Pink.
It doesn't break any new ground and is quite clichéd at times but it's still an immensely enjoyable little film. And at 93 minutes long, it doesn't over-stay its welcome. Definitely worth purchasing on DVD especially considering the number of extras that will be included.
Anger Management (2012)
Put it out of its misery
I've only seen a few episodes in full but I can say that it leaves a hell of a lot to be desired. The writing (especially the dialogue) is terribly awkward, the acting ranges from mediocre to cringe-worthy and there is very little chemistry between the actors (which is an essential ingredient in any decent sitcom). It just feels very amateurish. Charlie Sheen is just phoning in his performance (and that's on a good episode). The comic timing and charisma he showed on Two and a half men is gone.
I think it's best to pull the plug on this show before it gets even worse.
Two Pints of Lager and a Packet of Crisps (2001)
All-time Guilty Pleasure
I've watched Two Pints for years and it still cheers me up after a bad day. Yes it's far from perfect (no twenty-something year old living today would say the cultural references that are often heard on the show and the sexual references do occasionally verge on disgusting), but it's not without its charm and the cast do have some good comic timing. It was also a good breakout role for Sheridan Smith, who has since moved on to bigger and better things. I would recommend you only watch series 1-6 as the show's later series (with the exception of some series 7 episodes) were pretty bad.
If you're bored and fancy a silly laugh, you can do worse.