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My Family - Series 8 - Complete [2007]

starring: Robert Lindsay, Zoe Wanamaker

July 14, 2008
I agree with the last review, I too have this on pre order, the only difference in my review is that although the first series after Kris left was a tad iffy, since then it has gone from strength to strength, S8 was very good, the downside of the DVD's are no extras, but some have been filmed recently, whether they will be on this disc of series 9 is unknown.
It is still the only sitcom that the whole family can sit down and watch safely, there is no need to resort to 'shock and awe' to try a raise a laugh, and the Chemistry between Robert & Zoe is there for all to see.
Alfie's character gets a bigger say now as well.
They have just finished fliming series 9 (2009 ?) and completes 100 episodes, pretty damn good for multi ... Read More:

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Wilde [1997]

starring: Stephen Fry, Jude Law, Vanessa Redgrave, Jennifer Ehle, Gemma Jones
directed by: Brian Gilbert

April 27, 2006
I kept watching this film as I found it extremely fascinating. All the actors were noteworthy, but Jude Law as Bosie was easily the star of it. I especially liked the sulky, spoilt attitude he depicted when Bosie declared he was bored of living in the country and later when Oscar was ill in bed!
Jude Law is superb and he is truly Britain's finest export as an international actor. Surely he has cupboards full of statuettes after this film's main character's namesake?
I think there are many ways one could portray Oscar Wilde. Instead of focusing solely on his famous `wit', this film allowed his personal life to be the area of interest and it worked brilliantly.
We rarely get to witness raw maleness in the media; that emphasis in ... Read More:

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My Family - Series 1-7 Box Set [2000]

starring: Robert Lindsay, Zoe Wanamaker, Kris Marshall, Daniela Denby-Ashe, Gabriel Thomson

October 22, 2007
The first series of "My Family" might not have been the funniest programme ever made. But later, as the writers ran out of inspiration and half of the cast abandoned ship, the character traits became so parodied and the scripts became so formulaic that watching each episode soon became more of an endurance test than a joy.

In my opinion, the best thing about the first series was Daisy Donovan's portrayal of the upper class, idiotic, hippie dental assistant from Hell. Because even though she didn't appear very often, she always brought a smile to my face.

However, she was the first character to jump ship, and Janey followed soon afterwards. And so as Ben became grumpier with every passing moment, Susan's obsessive compulsion ... Read More:

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Gormenghast [2000]

starring: Celia Imrie, John Sessions, Warren Mitchell, George Yiasoumi, Ian Richardson
directed by: Andy Wilson (IV)

June 05, 2000
Ignore those who say that this doesn't do justice to the books - it's different, yes, but in a good way. What's the point in sitting down to watch something that's EXACTLY like the book, or complaining because it doesn't EXACTLY match what you thought it should look like? The BBC made an amazing job of what was almost impossible to film, and the cast is just perfect. Jonathan Rhys Meyers plays Steerpike with more than a touch of genius, and the chemistry between him and Fuchsia is spot-on... Everything about this is awe-inspiring; the sets, the scripts, the acting. Admittedly, Warren Mitchell's portrayal of Barquentine is more comical and capricious than the fearsome and powerful character in the book, but it works. Likewise, Irma Prunesquallor seems more ridiculous ... Read More:

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My Family : Complete BBC Series 7 [2006]

starring: Robert Lindsay, Zoe Wanamaker

September 24, 2007
Having seen every series of My Family, I believe that the programme was never quite the same after the departure of Nick (the eldest son), who in my mind was the funniest character. Following Nick's departure at the end of series 4 (bar 1 episode in series 5), he was shortly replaced by the character Alfie Butts (Nick's friend), and more frequent appearances of Abi and Roger. The programme has still maintained much of its comic element, however I am a believer that the first three series saw the programme at its funniest. Another small problem with the later series (series 5/6 onwards) is that, not only does Nick leave home, but Janey too leaves home and Michael turns into more of an adult. This, for me, slightly defeats the object of the programme, which is making fun of ... Read More:

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Prime Suspect Complete Collection Box Set [2006]

starring: Helen Mirren, Danny Dyer, Robert Glenister, Lesley Sharp, James Laurenson
directed by: Christopher Menaul, Philip Martin, John Strickland, David Drury, John Madden

November 06, 2006
I have just finished watching this set. I had seen some early episodes originally but watched all again. It is almost a bit "Lost on Mars" as the early series now do seem dated or rather perfectly portraying that time - the early 1990s. I found myself watching the clothes of DCI Tennison and of course the ageing of her in her character with all the trials and tribulations faced by a woman in the police force and in her personal life. She is a demanding , admirable yet imperfect character and it is heart wrenching to see the last episode when retirement beckons. Absolutely fantastic performance by Helen Mirren and of course the rest who make their characters just so believable!

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My Family - Christmas Specials

starring: Robert Lindsay, Zoe Wanamaker

November 20, 2006
THE DVD OF MY FAMILY CHRISTMAS EDDTION IS SO FUNNY ON THE 1ST ONE IS SHOWS NICK JUMPING ON HIS MUM AND DAD BED ASKING IF HE COULD OPEN HIS PRESENTS JUST LIKE A BIG KID.
THE 02 IS WERE NICK OPEN A CHRISTMAS TREE BUNESSS WHICH IS SO FUNNY. THE LIVING ROOM'S FULL OF THEM. AS BEN COME DOWN HE FIGHTING HIS WAY THOUGH THEM HE CAN HEAR NICK BUT CAN'T SEE HIM.
03 WHEN THEY GET STUCK ON A TRAIN AND SUEEN IS RUNNING THE SHOW U CAN IMAGEN WHAT CAN HAPPEN.
04 JAINY PREGENT BUT WHO THE FARTHER?
LAST ONE IS WERE ALFTY COME ON DOING KENZOS B'DAY PARTY.
THIS DVD IS A MUST FOR A MY FAMILY LOVER DON'T GET PUT OFF WITH THE 2 STAR REVIEW.

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David Copperfield [1999]

starring: Emilia Fox, Pauline Quirke, Maggie Smith, John Normington, Daniel Radcliffe
directed by: Simon Curtis

August 20, 2001
'David Copperfield', is, by all respects, a brilliant story. It is partly autobiographical, but this gives the story an extra layer. The story of a man's development from boyhood to man is nothing new, and Dickens' novel sets his tale apart because of his emphatic understanding of human nature. This adaptation however, is fairly pedestrian in its handling of human emotions. Trevor Eve is perhaps, a little OTT and there is very little depth to his character, whilst I could say the same to Emilia Fox and Zoe Wannamaker.
The real triumph of this adaption is, I feel, Maggie Smith's performance which is in a league of its own. Betsy Trotwood is a very likeable character anyway, but Smith is superb.
The film is worth a look though, for any period drama fan, however to get ... Read More:

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Prime Suspect - Complete Collection [2008] [1991]

starring: Helen Mirren, Danny Dyer, Robert Glenister, Lesley Sharp, James Laurenson
directed by: Christopher Menaul, Philip Martin, John Strickland, David Drury, John Madden

September 01, 2008
'David Copperfield', is, by all respects, a brilliant story. It is partly autobiographical, but this gives the story an extra layer. The story of a man's development from boyhood to man is nothing new, and Dickens' novel sets his tale apart because of his emphatic understanding of human nature. This adaptation however, is fairly pedestrian in its handling of human emotions. Trevor Eve is perhaps, a little OTT and there is very little depth to his character, whilst I could say the same to Emilia Fox and Zoe Wannamaker.
The real triumph of this adaption is, I feel, Maggie Smith's performance which is in a league of its own. Betsy Trotwood is a very likeable character anyway, but Smith is superb.
The film is worth a look though, for any period drama fan, however to get ... Read More:

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Five Children And It [2004]

starring: Kenneth Branagh, Zoe Wanamaker, Freddie Highmore, Eddie Izzard
directed by: John Stephenson

March 21, 2005
The five Children and it

This enthralling children's classic has been converted into blockbuster screens. An emotional adventure tells the tale of five children who when evacuated due to world war one find a secret tunnel in the forbidden greenhouse in their cousins manor. As the story progresses the children discover the sand fairy or `it' buried in the magical beach through the tunnel. 'It' helps the children discover that what they want isn't necessarily what's best for them in the long run. The fairy grants them one wish each day and due to their father being away at war their wishes are often far-flung and drastic, events quickly spin out of hand....

This movie is carried along by the young child star Freddie Highmore who also played Charlie in Charlie and ... Read More: