The Complete Monty Python's Flying Circus Collector's Edition Megaset Review

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(More customer reviews)I just couldn't bring myself to give this set 5 stars. I wish it were possible to give it 4 1/2 stars.
First of all, it's true, the episodes are not 100% complete, however, many people, in my opinion, have been over-reacting about the cuts. Actually, the A&E DVD #1 has a sketch in the 2nd episode called 'The Wacky Queen', which was edited out of the show after the first broadcast & was never shown again on TV in the UK or abroad, as far as I know. Seasons 1 & 2 have no cuts, at least none that I spotted when comparing the DVDs to the synopsis in the Monty Python books by Jim Yoakum & Kim "Howard" Johnson. There is a slight edit of one word in the 5th episode of the 3rd season during the 'Summarize Proust Competition' which the BBC made to the episode before broadcast. Broadcasts outside of the UK had the uncensored version of the sketch. Unfortunately, A&E got a censored master. In the 7th episode of the same season during the 'Biggles Dictates a Letter' sketch, there is a slight glitch which can be blamed on slopply mastering on A&E's part. It doesn't detract from the enjoyment of the sketch very much. The episode that appears to be worst hit is the 12th episode of season 3. A&E goofed when they included 'Party Political Broadcast' on the box to this episode. The sketch was edited from the master tape and hasn't been seen since the original broadcast in 1973. This material is very probably lost forever. The very end of this episode, which has a trailer for Dad's Doctors & Dad's Pooves, is also missing from the episode. This was probably sloppy editing on the part of A&E video as the episode does a fade to black with the BBC TV logo then fades up again with the BBC TV logo again and the 'Dad's...' trailer. The person transfering the episode, who probably had no familiarity with Python thought that it wasn't part of the episode or something. A&E should have hired one of the US Python experts like Kim 'Howard' Johnson, Jim Yoakum, or David Morgan to oversee the A&E transfers so these mistakes might have been prevented. As far as I know, the cuts I just mentioned are the only ones that have been made to these DVDs. Not that much, in my opinion. Certainly not enough to bring this set all the way down to one star. Some have also complained that this set didn't include the German episodes 'Monty Python's Fliegender Zirkus'. These episodes were produced for German TV & not for BBC TV. In fact, the 1st one, which was done in German, was never shown on British TV. This set does contain all 45 episodes that were produced for BBC television. A&E has released the 2 German episodes. The first one, in German with English subtitles, is in the set 'Monty Python Live' and the second one, shot in and in English, is in the 'Life of Python' set.
Yes, yes, the quality of the picture and sound is not perfect, but still better than any TV broadcast that I've seen. I suspect that the quality of the shows as broadcast wasn't terribly impressive. BBC Television only started broadcasting in color in 1969 (the year Python started) and it was still new technology to them. The sound is Mono. The BBC didn't go to Stereo until 1988! To do some kind of stereo remaster, one would need access to seperate dialogue, sound effect, and music tracks, which I'm sure don't exist with the Pythons or the BBC. Such a thing did exist for Holy Grail, which is why Columbia was able to do a remastered Stereo soundtrack. Furthermore, each show had a budget of $6000. These shows were done on a shoestring and the BBC probably didn't have state of the art equipment, being a Government funded broadcaster.
I love Monty Python, and these 45 shows changed the face of comedy. There are a few, very few, bits missing.
If you love Python, you should buy it. Some fans have over-reacted way too much about the missing material. If something like the Lumberjack Song, or Parrot sketch, or Cheese Shop, or Nudge Nudge were cut, that would be reason for outrage. Not for the few fairly minor missing bits. Over 24 hours of pure fun.

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Very possibly the most tragic waste of Oxbridge educations ever broadcast. The programme that made all of America sit up and say: what? That put Spam back in the national pantry, launched crossdressing as a national craze, and made Rene Descartes a household name. That dramatically streamlined the high-school geek identification process.

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The IT Crowd: The Complete Third Season Review

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(More customer reviews)This is one of those amazingly funny shows that make me laugh like crazy. It is definitely in my top 5 list! :)
While some episodes are funnier than others, each episode has at least one really good laugh in it. The type of stuff that you spend the next few days giggling about whenever you remember the scene. I just really love it.
Hopefully, they will make a fourth season, since I already miss it.
Enjoy!

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From the Producer of the Office and Director Graham LinehanVersion 3.0 has finally arrived, and your most urgent IT Department queries can now be answered: Will Jen s builder urinate in all her sinks? Why is Moss speaking like a manly football fan? How did Roy end up living on the street? Who is Reynholm s new Employee Of The Month? Can anyone stop the horror of Friendface? Should a charity calendar ever feature topless nerds? Have you tried turning it off and on again? Chris O Dowd, Richard Ayoade, Katherine Parkinson and Matt Berry star in this all-new season of the Emmy winning IFC hit from writer/director Graham Linehan (FATHER TED) and executive producer Ash Atalla (THE OFFICE). THE IT CROWD proves, says Wired, that nothing beats funny walks or electroshock-therapy pants when it comes to getting a big-ass belly laugh!

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Black Adder: The Complete Collector's Set Review

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(More customer reviews)I'm a big fan of British comedy and consider Black Adder to be the greatest of them all, and that's saying something. The British have produced some great ones: Benny Hill, Monty Python's Flying Circus, Fawlty Towers, Red Dwarf, Ab Fab - and those are just the most famous titles. There are numerous other great shows out there, yet Black Adder is a cut above them all. It's very witty, hilarious, and expects the viewer to have knowledge of British history.
This set includes just about everything (there are bits and pieces not on the five discs). Let's review all of them.
Black Adder I is set at the end of the 15th Century and is based on the premise that Henry Tudor was a liar, that Richard III was a good King and was succeeded by his nephew, who became Richard IV. The first series is the weakest of the lot, though it is still quite good and contains two of the entire series best shows. The first two episodes (The Foretelling and Born to be King) are funny, but do not contain the side-splitting laughs common to the series. The show really hits its stride in the third episode, The Archbishop, one of the funniest episodes of the entire series. The success continues through the fourth and fifth episodes (The Queen of Spain's Beard and Witchsmeller Pursuivant), though the show dips in the final episode a bit. Brian Blessed is terrific, though can be a bit much at times. Tim McInnerny and Tony Robinson do great jobs, as they would throughout the series.
Black Adder II is set in Elizabethan times. Many would claim it to be the funniest of the four series, and that argument can most definitely be made. I, however, think that each successive series gets better. Every episode in the second series is a winner; every single episode is a stand out. Miranda Richardson is terrific as Queenie and Stephen Fry is smashing as Melchett. I honestly can't pick any favorites the rest of the way through. The second disc also contains Black Adder: The Cavalier Years which is also excellent, though short. It was done for Comic Relief and is set in the last days of Charles I (Stephen Fry was excellent in this role).
Black Adder the Third improves upon its predecessor. Hugh Laurie takes up permanent residence in the cast (he guest starred in the final episode of series 2) and does a brilliant job - better than McInnery did as the dimwitted Percy. Laurie plays the Prince of Wales, George - son of the infamous Mad King George. This Black Adder is no longer a Lord or Prince of the realm like his ancestors, he is now a servant. Once again, each episode is a gem. We also see McInnerny and Fry in guest appearances (Fry shines as the Duke of Wellington in the final episode), as well as Robbie Coltrane (now of Harry Potter fame as Hagrid). This disc also features Black Adder's Christmas Carol. Though funny, it jumps around quite a bit. the twist is that it features the lone good Black Adder. Don't want to give away too much here. It's funny but not as focused as the whole series.
Black Adder Goes Forth is the final entry. It is the most crass of all the series and the darkest. I find it to be the funniest as well. There's a lot more toilet humor and Baldrick, who has gotten progressively stupider as the series has gone on, is hilarious. Tim McInnerny is back, though not as Percy but as Darling. The Darling jokes do get a bit old, but Stephen Fry as Melchett is excellent.
The fifth disc contains Black Adder Back and Forth. This suffers from the same problem as Christmas Carol, it's unfocused and not as sharp as the series shows. It does have its moments, but Black Adder functions best when it remains in one period and established the characters.
Throughout the whole series, Rowan Atkinson is superb. He is the greatest comedic actor in Britain at the moment and hysterical to watch. Each Black Adder is a bit different, beginning with the whimpering Edmund Blackadder in series one to the very sharp and intelligent Edmund of the last series. Edmund gets sharper as the series gets on -and the character get more bitter as well.
These DVDs also have some helpers for those not familiar with the history of the time periods depicted. I would, however, advise those unfamiliar with the periods to do some research into the history of the time so they can get a better understanding of many of the jokes.
All in all, a great package of one of the greatest comedies every produced. Hours of enjoyment can be found here with plenty of replay value.

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One of the best comedy series ever to emerge from England, Black Adder traces the deeply cynical and self-serving lineage of various Edmund Blackadders from the muck of the Middle Ages to the frontline of World War I. In his pre-Bean triumph, British comic actor Rowan Atkinson played all five versions of Edmund, beginning with the villainous and cowardly Duke of Edinburgh, whose scheming mind and awful haircut seem to stand him in good stead to become the next Archbishop of Canterbury--a deadly occupation if ever there was one. Among tales of royal dethronings, Black Death, witch smellers (who root out spell makers with their noses), and ghosts, Edmund is a perennial survivor who never quite gets ahead in multiple episodes. DVD Features:FeaturetteInteractive MenusInterviewsMusic Video

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Absolutely Fabulous - Absolutely Special (The Last Shout/In New York) (1994) Review

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(More customer reviews)This DVD comprises the 2 ABSOLUTELY FABULOUS 'specials', "The Last Shout" and "Gay".
"The Last Shout" - In the AB-FAB timeline, this special takes place after Series 3, when Jennifer Saunders was adamant that this was to be be last-ever AB-FAB story. Eddy and Patsy take a trip to the snowfields of Val de Ser, leaving Saffy at home with her stuffy new boyfriend Paolo Carlo.
During their event-filled holiday, Eddy becomes convinced that she is Christ returned after having a near-death experience on a mountaintop where she visited God (Marianne Faithful). Patsy is evicted from her flat above the Oddbins in the Kings Road, and Mother has shacked up with some old friends in a grotty caravan.
Saffy and Paolo decide to get married, leaving Eddy to plan the wedding of the century...
"Gay" - In the AB-FAB timeline this story takes place after Series 4. Eddy discovers that her absent son Serge is gay and living in New York. Since she and Patsy are in town during Fashion Week anyway, she decides to seek him out. With the help of Goldie (Whoopi Goldberg), a lesbian marriage celebrant, Eddy and Serge are reunited...but for how long?
AB-FAB fans will relish adding these stories to their collections. Always a fantastic show!

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One of the most popular comedies in BBC history, this wickedly inventive comedy tells the tale of fashion femme fatales Edina (Jennifer Saunders) and Patsy (Joanna Lumley), and their endless quest for sex, love and eternal youth. In "Absolutely Fabulous in New York," Edina discovers that her long lost son Serge is shacking up in the city that never sleeps when the degenerate duo head to the Big Apple for a shocking reunion. In "The Last Shout," Edina is thrilled to learn that her sweet but frumpy daughter Saffy is engaged to the suave and wealthy Paolo Carlo.

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Mystery Team (2009) Review

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(More customer reviews)An ambitious, never boring independent comedy with a ton of really funny scenes and a great cast. Buy this DVD or continue being a communist.

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They were kid detectives. Now they’re eighteen and still solving child crimes. But when the Mystery Team is challenged to solve a murder, they see an opportunity to prove they’re real detectives – and to save the world of sex, crime and swear words. From Derrick Comedy, the Internet sensation whose short films have been viewed over 100 million times, comes this strangely hilarious, completely unique film that’s been called “’Encyclopedia Brown’ meets NAPOLEON DYNAMITE meets ACE VENTURA” (Cinematical.com).

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St. Trinian's (2007) Review

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(More customer reviews)For those who haven't enjoyed the Searle cartoons of the early 1950s film with Alastrair Sim, this movie is a delight. In this day of Will Farrell stupidity and dumbing down, it's a treat to watch something whose humour may be unsubtle but is fun. Rupert Everette steals the show in his 2 roles. I never thought anyone after Sim could do this but he does with style. I'm not going to spoil the surprises thriugh the film. I watched it on Virgin coming back from one of my London trip and am sure I annoyed other passenegers with my laughing. Who cares! Get the DVD because a sequel is about to be released and maybe this time whatever idiot is in charge of international distribution will make sure it gets a wide US release. Movies like this make it worth looking into a region-free DVD player!

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St Trinian’s, the infamous school for ‘young ladies’, is in trouble. Despite being an old flame of its Headmistress (in a top-of-his-class comic performance by Rupert Everett, My Best Friend’s Wedding), the new Education Minister is shaking things up and the school is facing financial ruin. But the students of St Trinian’s aren’t going to give up without a fight. After all, they excel at chaos and attitude not chemistry and algebra…and that’s exactly what it’s going to take to beat the authorities before they close down their beloved school for good. Starring Colin Firth (Mamma Mia!, Bridget Jones’s Diary), Lena Headey (“Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles,” Vacancy), Russell Brand (Forgetting Sarah Marshall) and Caterina Murino (Casino Royale). Also starring Mischa Barton (“The O.C.,” “The Beautiful Life”), Talulah Riley (The Boat That Rocked) and Gemma Arterton (Quantum of Solace, Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time), with a cameo appearance by U.K. sensation Girls Aloud.

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Shameless: The Complete First Season (2006) Review

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(More customer reviews)Brilliant, "comedy-drama". Because of the differences between British humor and American humor an American audiences will find more drama than comedy. Yes, we do "get" irony; however, it tends to make us smile rather than laugh out loud.
This series contains some of the best, most powerful scripts I've ever seen written for broadcast television. Yet, I expect this very R-rated series to be heavily criticized for coarse language, for themes of sex, scenes of drunkenness, and under-age smoking. Nevertheless, this series is one of the most family-positive series you'll ever see.
Imagine the picture perfect family, the very embodiment of "family values". Then one day somebody in the family snaps and is revealed to be involved in criminal activity, or infidelity, or substance abuse or darker more sinister assaults on the body and mind of other family members. In short, this imaginary picture-perfect family is dysfunctional.
Now, envision the opposite, a family with all the trappings of being dysfunctional. The father is unemployed and alcoholic, the children thieve, smoke and swear. One child has to keep his head shaved because he's so prone to nits, and there is no mother in the home because she's taken the family van and run away. Yet, this family is supportive, loving, caring and more honest than the Brady Bunch ever was.
There are no skeletons in the Gallagher family closet. They are very much a what-you-see-is-what-you-get group. Sometimes funny sometimes surreal and unlikely the goings on in this family are often moving and always entraining. While not promoting "family values" this is a very family positive series (but not for the whole family: R-rated I said). There is good reason why this show is called "Shameless".
One warning for American audiences. The story is set in Manchester, so that people in the story have strong northern accents. If your ear is unused to this or if your exposure to British accents ends at Hugh Grant... there are subtitles available on the DVD.
An excellent show, a sort of a fun-house mirror Waltons. Give it a chance

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Meet the Gallaghers. Mum went AWOL years ago, Dad stayed at home with the six children only to hit the bottle ... and sometimes the kids... Blisteringly funny, offbeat drama following the rollercoaster lives and loves of an anarchic family from Manchester. The real head of the family is big sister Fiona, who looks after Carl, Debbie and baby Liam. She is occasionally helped, more often hindered, by streetwise 'Lip' and the actively gay, but very private, Ian. Welcome to the hectic world of sexual adventures, triumphs, love, scams and a fair bit of crime on a rough Manchester housing estate, where wheel-less cars are the norm and the moving ones are stolen. DVD Features:Biographies:Meet the CastInterviews:An Interview with Creator Paul Abbott

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Craig Ferguson: A Wee Bit o' Revolution (2009) Review

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(More customer reviews)I went to see one of Craig's live shows and laughed so hard my stomach hurt. Nothing is as good as seeing the show live, but the DVD is pretty close. He has tremendous energy and enthusisam and really connects with the audience.
The interview that was included on the DVD was great too. The main thing you can say about Craig is that he's genuine. I think that's why so many people feel such a connection with him.

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Recently granted American citizenship, Craig Ferguson is ready to rule his adopted nation! Filmed live at the Wilbur Theatre in Boston, Ferguson shares his wisdom on rehab, explains why junkies are fun to be around and criticizes the latest James Bond for not being hairy enough in this not-to-be-missed, hilarious new performance. See why the Emmy-nominated and wildly popular host of the Late Late Showtook the world by storm with his brash, no-b.s. style of comedy here in his first-ever stand-up special.

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Shaun the Sheep: Sheep on the Loose Review

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(More customer reviews)Young and young-at-heart fans of "Shaun the Sheep" are going to love the newest adventures of the little sheep and his friends. With six features, each six minutes long, "Sheep on the Loose" is shorter that the others in the series, but it makes up for it in leaps and bounds with the ten additional minutes (not listed) of great, never before seen bonus features on the making of Shaun.
The adventures include:
* Sheep on the Loose - Shaun tries to keep the farmer from finding out his whole herd has disappeared after hitching a ride to the town fair.
* Saturday Night Shaun - an old record player and disco music are an invitation for party time at the barn.
* Tidy Up - It's cleaning day at the farm. Shaun and the gang have a run in with THE most powerful vacuum cleaner ever.
* Shaun the Farmer - Farmer's sick and his dog is taking care of him and must delegate. Or so he says. See what happens when Shaun takes over the chores at the farm.
* Camping Chaos - Never set up camp and go off hiking when sheep are around.
* If You Can't Stand the Heat - A warm wooly coat and a farmer enjoying a cool dip in the pool are a recipe for mayhem.
The bonus features include "Building a Pig", a 6-minute real-time workshop with children (8 years old or so) on how to make one of the pigs using plasticine (google "home plasticine" to make an easy homemade version or buy a whole set Plasticine Master Crafter). The children all enjoyed it and it was easy to follow along, with pretty good results.
This was followed by "The Mini Making of Shaun", a step by step mini-documentary of how the features are made, including the storyboard phase, using computers, the making of the models with a moveable skeleton inside to let them move, building of the sets, how they get everything to look so real, and the use of stop motion animation.
Don't be put off by the length. At 48 minutes total, it's right up there with other kid DVDs. Moreover, I have newfound respect for this type of labor-intensive clay animation after finding out it took 12 shots, each time moving the figure a tiny bit, to get just 1 second of footage. That's 4,320 pictures to get just one 6 minute feature!
My toddler loved the adventures and kept giggling throughout, but didn't really care for the extras (he's too young but an older child would probably like this). I loved the bonus features and learning all the secrets behind bringing the barnyard gang to life. Funny kid-friendly story lines, great extras, excellent quality overall. Can't get better than that!

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Shaun the Sheep™ and his barnyard gang are back with more chaos in the countryside! The Oscar(r)-winning creators of Wallace and Gromit ™ do it again with sheeptacular new adventures and just shear wackiness. Shaun is a sheep who doesn't follow the flock, and along with the other sheep and those naughty pigs, there's sure to be plenty of mayhem in the meadow.

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As Time Goes By - Reunion Specials Review

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(More customer reviews)"As Time Goes By" is the gentle, funny story of Jean Pargetter and Lionel Hardcastle, two people who used to be in love in the early fifties. When Lionel went off to fight in the Korean War, the two lost touch. They meet again 38 years later, quite by accident, and what is at first an awkward friendship slowly morphs into a warm romance.
The show first aired in 1992, and continued production through 2002. A lot had transpired in the lives of Jean & Lionel and their ever-growing extended family during those ten years, and the series ended with Jean's daughter Judith marrying her on-again, off-again book publisher boyfriend, Alistair Deacon. Jean's secretary Sandy moved to Canada with her boyfriend Harry for a one-year attachment to the Royal Mounties.
The Reunion Special DVD consists of two 45 minute episodes produced in February 2005, which pick-up where the end of the series left off. Judith and Alistair are trying to have kids, with nothing to show for it, and Sandy & Harry are back from Canada, with Harry wanting to try out for a dangerous police job, much to Sandy's dismay. An unexpected visitor arrives from Lionel's past, which causes a minor stir. Many of the old favorite supporting characters are back, including Penny & Stephen, Rocky and Mrs. Bale.
I enjoyed the two specials quite a bit. They came as a welcome return to form after the last series (season) of the show. That series was only four episodes, and felt rushed. One of the hallmarks of "As Time Goes By" is its slow, gentle pace. That is once again on full display here with these two specials. The first 45 minute episode is probably the better of the two. It has a little more plot than the second episode, although both are generally good. My main qualm comes with the end of episode two (which, at this point, constitues the end of series). It relies a bit too much on coincidence for my tastes, but that is a relatively minor quibble.
It's rare to find such a consistently well-produced and entertaining show as "As Time Goes By." The writing, acting and directing have almost always been top-notch, and it's a pleasure to have these two new specials. In fact, we're treated to even further deepening and exploration of the Lionel character through the arrival of the person from his past, a feat which isn't often accomplished 13 years after a character has been introduced. It's yet another testament to the quality viewing experience that is "As Time Goes By."

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The lyrically funny romance of Jean and Lionel continues its whimsical course in the Reunion Specials as Jean Pargetter's (Dame Judi Dench) great anticipation for grandchildren is revealed much to husband Lionel's (Geoffrey Palmer) dismay. With son-in-law Alistair and daughter Judy having problems things don't look too promising. But will Jean's dream of becoming a grandmother come true when Sandy and her husband Harry return from Canada?

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Doc Martin: Series 2 (2005) Review

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(More customer reviews)What makes this British Drama TV series so funny? What's so funny about a surgeon who is mentally and physically indisposed at the sight of blood? Why do you find yourself laughing at the sight of the townsfolk in this serene, beautiful little seaside Cornwall town of Portwenn? It is what happened with most scenes, in all 9 episodes of this 3 DVD series. In almost every scene, I'd lift my eyebrows to the Mrs (we watched together), she'd pick up a corner of her mouth, and we'd both begin laughing.
We thoroughly enjoyed the stories and the quirky British people of this small town. Doc Martin (Martin Clunes) and his stern, grumpy, all-business, rude, and seeming heartless bedside manner, just adds to the hilarity--as he fails to see any of the joy in the village. The medical conditions he is faced to address are often as hilarious as the character that complains of the symptoms. Mix with that a love triangle the Doc in involved in, but fails to acknowledge, and you have a season of some of the best British Comedy/Drama ever produced.
This second season (Doc Martin: Series 2) is even better than the previously released first season.
___For starters, it's 50% longer, 9 50-minute episodes rather than just the 6 in Series One.
___The episodes seem to have several plots woven together, much more complex stories, than in the original set. The action moves quickly and keeps you spellbound every minute. You'll be so happy, that by owning the DVD, you don't have to wait a week for the next episode. Episodes do tend to have a carry-over link.
___And this series, unlike the original set, has SDH subtitles, something we found to be helpful with some of the dialect as well as British terms. Their biscuit is our cookie, tea is a meal, etc.
___Extras include some star cast filmographies.
___I still recommend you watch Series One as well, but it's not completely necessary. But after watching series 2 you will want the earlier set.
After seeing the zany activity in Doc Martin's surgery (GP office), I decided if American doctors had patients as quirky and strangely symptomatic, all of them would give up and turn to plumbing or painting.
This comedy series about a doctor's practice, reminded me of the hugely funny comedy "Pie In The Sky", a British comedy/drama about a detective who really wanted to be a cook. I've reviewed both and recommend both.
Just a few Details:
Episode 1__Doc Martin gets a new receptionist (Katherine Parkinson as Pauline) only better in some ways. He gets in hot water with Aunt Joan (Stephanie Cole), because of her friend Muriel, who's son Danny, reunites with teacher, Louisa (Caroline Catz), whom Doc just recently kissed, a carry-over from Series One. I told you this had some woven plots.
2__Doc gets stuck with childcare for Peter while his mother gets stuck in the hospital. Bert Large (Ian McNeice), handyman, fries fish.
3__Doc has to compete with a herbal/nature remedy seller who is the sis to Mark (town cop) plus help the odd family with multiple problems who strongly object to house calls. Romantic question: Is Bert the REAL father of Al Large, now falling romantically for the new receptionist after being jilted by her sister?
4__Local radio host drinks and Mr. Cooke stinks--really, really stinks. And what's the new town's female bombshell doing with the local cop?
5__Mr. Pratt blames Doc for his wife's death but takes revenge by using pesticides that threaten Aunt Joan's organic farm license. Romance is muddled between cop/bombshell, Al/receptionist, and Doc/Louisa while another local teacher battles obsessive-compulsive disorder.
6___Doc's parents arrive in town to vex Aunt Joan. Doc forgets his manners while dealing with rapid weight gains of a local 50-year-old lady. Doc has to help his rival in the romantic triangle with Louisa. Doc, finally get's his own often used phrase, "Shut Up", told to him.
7__Mark (cop) and Al (his best-man after Doc rudely said "NO") get lost in the woods, Marks get's a snake bite, they get lost, the crazy forester who lived with a giant squirrel (season one) leads Doc toward them, and of course they both get lost too. Just another day of laughs in the forest.
8__Mark has an anatomy problem, his fiancee has her own problem, Doc is involved & making more problems, Danny and Louisa have a problem, the pharmacy neck brace lady has a problem, and Doc muddies the lives of all.
9__Birdwatchers, lunatics, explosives, guns, knives, romance and tourism all tickle the funny bone to an explosive degree.
Some touching moments, but mostly just beautiful scenery and hilarious activity in the life of a doctor in a small town. You will want more. But you'll have to wait for Series 3. That's the only negative I can state for this DVD set. "I want more."

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He’s surly, tactless, self-centered, and uptight--but he’s the only doctor in town.
As a hard-charging London surgeon, Martin Ellingham (Martin Clunes, Men Behaving Badly) didn’t need a bedside manner. His patients were unconscious, so he could be as rude and arrogant as he pleased. All that changes when he develops a crippling fear of blood and is forced to give up surgery. Now a GP in a sleepy, picturesque Cornish fishing village, Doc Martin offends everyone in town, including the one person he wants to impress, beautiful teacher Louisa Glasson (Caroline Catz, Murder in Suburbia). Getting her attention proves even more difficult when Louisa’s old flame returns to the village and becomes his new rival.
Martin Clunes shines in this award-winning comic drama set amid eccentric townsfolk and spectacular scenery. As the doctor says, "It’s good to be loathsome."
DVD FEATURES INCLUDE photo gallery and cast filmographies.

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In the Loop Review

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(More customer reviews)"In the Loop" is a sharp and witty and funny and depressing take on the office politics of politics. Simon Foster is the ambitious but largely clueless and weak-willed British "minister for international development." When he makes the mistake of suggesting, contrary to the official British position, that an imminent war was "unforeseeable" on a BBC radio interview, he is colorfully and harshly reprimanded by the British press secretary who seems incapable of putting three words together without a creative interjection of expletives. Simon suddenly finds himself in the midst of a power struggle between hawks and doves (both UK and US) and interns and career politicians, some who care about whether the war (ostensibly the war in Iraq, which is never actually mentioned) proceeds and, mostly, others who care more about their own future in politics. The point is that even when it comes to matters of greatest urgency, the petty and small are never far off. It's a clever and very funny take on bureaucracy and international politics, that would be even funnier if it weren't so awfully scary. Shot in the kinetic documentary style made popular on the BBC's Office and its American remake - it may make you dizzy while the wordplay has your head spinning. Definitely worth watching.

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It s the razor-sharp smash that critics are calling brilliant (San Francisco Chronicle), blisteringly funny (USA Today) and "One of the best films of the year... a little piece of heaven (Chicago Tribune). Peter Capaldi stars as a foul-mouthed British government spokesman who must act quickly when a mid-level minister (Tom Hollander of PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN) tells an interviewer that U.S. war in the Middle East is unforeseeable . But when they are both summoned to Washington D.C., the hapless politico quickly becomes a pawn of bureaucrats, spin doctors and military advisors, including a hardnosed General (James Gandolfini, in a performance Rolling Stone hails as slyly hilarious ). Gina McKee (WONDERLAND), Anna Chlumsky (MY GIRL) and Steve Coogan (TROPIC THUNDER) co-star in this hilarious satire from director/co-writer Armando Iannucci, the award-winning creator of the classic BBC sitcoms I M ALAN PARTRIDGE and THE THICK OF IT.

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Shaun the Sheep: Off the Baa Review

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(More customer reviews)Too good to miss! Ageless humor guaranteed to bring cheer. Watch for the eventual availability of all 40 cartoons in the U.S.
Shaun the Sheep, appearing in the thirty minute feature "A Close Shave" appeared in the UK (and other non-U.S. nations) as seven minute Oscar winning cartoons in 2007. "Off the Baa is a collection of eight of these cartoons from the first season (listed below). Shaun is the star of farm and flock in episodes that fascinate adults and children. There are no speaking parts, but the antics stretch reality and lighten any mood using animal and people sounds.
Disney Channel seems to be the only source for Shaun cartoon broadcasts in the United States, except videos from some foreign Youtube-like sites. If you buy any videos, beware of DVD regional coding, making sure it is zero or one for the U.S. Watch for other collections of eight cartoons each - including "Wash Day", "Sheep on the Loose", "Saturday Night Shaun", and "Abracadabra". "Back in the Ba-a-ath" is also available, but I cannot find the number of episodes it includes.
A little searching will reward you with plenty of Aardman Animations videos including Shaun the sheep exercise video, BBC shorts, as well as Wallace and Grommit features, "Cracking Contraptions", full length films, cartoons, advertisements, and over a dozen new characters.. The new "A Matter of Loaf and Death" will begin to be available in June 2009 in the U.S.
Two further recommendations: First, BEWARE of torrent downloads of Shaun the Sheep series. One is a vicious scam. Second, Wikipedia has a rather complete write up on Shaun.Links too.
Off the Baa includes the following eight episodes from the first season:
Off The Baa!
Timmy In A Tizzy
Buzz Off Bees
Things That Go Bump
Mower Mouth
Fleeced
Shaun Shoots The Sheep
Mountains Out Of Molehills
(episodes 1, 4,13, 20, 7, 14, 15, 18 respectively)
Happy Sheeping. Oh, and you may see clips on Amazon.uk

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Shaun of the Dead Review

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(More customer reviews)It is a very hard line to cross in today's cinema to make a film that part comedy and horror film. Normally, when this happens we end up with something like the Chucky series. It began serious, but after seeing the new preview, I know they have given up serious horror and invaded into the world of campy horror. I was afraid at first that this film was going to go into that direction, but then I remembered ... this film wasn't made in America, it was made in Britain where the humor is actually intellectually funny. As I was sitting and enjoying this film from beginning to end, I couldn't help but wonder why America has not been able to master this style of film yet. Why is our comedies still heavily based in the sex humor or bathroom jokes? While there were some in this film, I felt the majority of the humor was logic and intelligence based. "If you listen to the words, you will laugh at the jokes" style of comedy instead of waiting to see who will fall over what first.
With its firm grasp on the comedy aspect, Shaun of the Dead delivers an exceptional grade for its creativity. It takes a lot of brain work to be able to think of a story about zombies where our main characters are oblivious to the fact that anything horrible is happening in the world until the second act. That was actually some of my favorite parts of this film. I was there, sitting in the theater, knowing that it was a zombie film (still, can I call it that?), and nearly missing the entire zombie clues going on in the background. My eyes were focused directly on our star and scene-stealer duo, Shaun and Ed. One of my favorite scenes of this film is when Shaun is going to work after the dead have risen and goes through the motions as if nothing strange is happening while there is chaos and destruction all around. How many of us have gone to work and not even noticed anything-different happening in our daily routine. Sometimes we get so caught up in the motion that we miss any different actions. I couldn't stop laughing.
What also made this film work on every level was the cast. Director Edgar Wright has done a fantastic job of placing the right actors with the right characters. They were each believable in their own part, and I loved every scene with Bill Nighy. He was perfectly cased and you could just tell that he loved being in this film. That is another great aspect of this film. It was a fun film and you could tell that the cast was having fun with their roles and were comfortable in their environment. So many times we watch these style of films and we see miscasting and uncontrolled actors doing anything to ensure that they stay at the top of people's minds. This wasn't happening in this film. I wasn't familiar with many of the actors, so I couldn't play favorites. All I could do was sit back and enjoy everyone and everything.
I would like to end with the comment that this is still a zombie film. It is a love story surrounding a zombie film where the director has chosen to emphasize the love story instead of blowing everything up. I know that sounds strange, but you will get used to it American viewers. I mention that it is still a zombie film because I do not want people going thinking that this is a spoof. While it does pay homage to several of the classic horror films, this film stands on its own two feet. It had blood, it has violence, and it has those infamous scenes of people's heads being blown apart. That is why we see zombie films.
Overall, if you love zombie films and you are a fan of The Office or any Hugh Grant film, than Shaun of the Dead will appeal to you. I don't remember the last time I witnessed such a creative film.
Grade: ***** out of *****

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Wallace & Gromit - The Curse of the Were-Rabbit (Widescreen Edition) (2005) Review

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(More customer reviews)When else have I ever been able to write a review where both the words "clever" and "adorable" fit together?
From my perspective as a parent: I just took three boys, ages 3, 7 and 8, to see Wallace and Grommit: the Curse of the Were-Rabbit. They all had a great time with it, laughed often and were completely absorbed by the story. There was not one scary or inappropriate thing in this movie for kids. Thumbs up!
From my perspective as an adult: Hilarious, clever, silly, and somehow adorable all at once, just what one would expect from a W&G film but even better, if that's possible. If you haven't been introduced to Nick Park's creations Wallace and Grommit (an uber-inventor and window washer by trade, with his all-too-human dog) before, I urge you to look up the other short movies on Dvd as soon as possible and spend the next few evenings with them. I promise you that you will be surprised and delighted with the quirky Aardman universe, the sly parodies of cinematic clichés, and the perfect attention to little details that went into creating the claymation sets and figures. This is surely the pinnacle of its art form, and a lot of fun for "kids of all ages" to boot.
This new movie, Curse of the Were-Rabbit, continues in the world of W&G, but with a new twist; the pair are now in the business of pest control with the very unique humane policy; they cannot dispose of the marauding garden pests that they capture in the usual manner because Wallace is too soft-hearted, so instead they keep them in cages at their home. Of course this has become a growing problem since the business took off and has been very brisk lately...until Wallace hatches an ingenious plan to change the very nature of rabbitiness, from ravenous vegetable-munchers into...well, we aren't entirely sure. It would seem that something went awry with the latest mind control gadget. Now, there's some kind of giant rabbit monster on the loose and naturally the town is desperate to protect their prize-winning vegetables for the annual Harvest Faire. Can Grommit solve the mystery of the monster's true nature before somebody decides to exact some not-so-humane pest control?
Without a doubt, I am going to rush out and buy this one as soon as it's released on Dvd in order to complete my Nick Park collection.
-Andrea, aka Merribelle

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Hot Fuzz (Widescreen Edition) (2007) Review

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(More customer reviews)We are very nearly through the first half of 2007 and I'm happy to report that HOT FUZZ is easily the funniest movie that I have seen so far this year. I loved Edgar Wright and Simon Pegg's previous film, SHAUN OF THE DEAD, and am delighted to report that this is every bit as funny at that one, if not funnier.
The film concerns a highly decorated London police officer who is so good at his job that he is shunted off to an assignment in the country because he is so good he makes the rest of the force look bad. Sanford would seem to be an impossibly idyllic place, winner several times of the top village in England award. But it is a town that houses mysteries, which our hero Nick Angel gradually uncovers. Most of the film should be predictable, but it is a credit to Wright and Pegg that it isn't. Even the big ending, the week point in most such movies, is a delight. Despite a lot of action and special effects and explosions it is never taken over by them. It remains fresh and surprising to the very end. Although the plot is surprisingly interesting for a comic romp, this would be a fun film without it. The gags are consistently brilliant throughout and every one is executed marvelously. This is a much slicker film than SHAUN OF THE DEAD was, though that wasn't in any way unpolished.
The cast is a large one and they manage to bring the village of Sandford to life in convincing fashion. Pegg is paired with Nick Frost, his costar in SHAUN OF THE DEAD. The cast is littered with well-known actors such as Jim Broadbent, Timothy Dalton, Edward Woodward, Billie Whitelaw, Bill Nighy, Stephen Merchant, and Martin Freeman as well as a rich and varied cast of lesser-known performers. The great thing about this is that the actors really enhance the film. What I mean is that the success of SHAUN OF THE DEAD meant that they could hire a cast of better-known performers. Sometimes this can lead to a decline in the quality of projects (watch Robert Rodriguez's EL MARIACHI and DESPERADO back to back and you'll see how a no name cast can free up a director while a big name cast can inhibit one), but that absolutely didn't happen here.
The film is littered with in jokes and cultural references. There are also a number of references to SHAUN OF THE DEAD, but it isn't important to get any of these to enjoy the movie. There are also, according to Edgar Wright, a couple of nice cameos, though we have to take his word for it since neither is recognizable. The crazed Santa that stabs Angel near the beginning of the film is, says Wright, Peter Jackson, while his ex-girlfriend Jeanine is Cate Blanchett. Again, we have to take his word for it because her entire scene is played with a surgical mask over her face so that all we see are a pair of eyes that do indeed look like they could belong to Cate Blanchett.
As anyone can tell, I loved this movie. I enthusiastically recommend it to anyone.

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Doc Martin: Series 4 (2009) Review

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(More customer reviews)FUN LOL BRITISH COMEDY. If you've not experienced DOC MARTIN prior, get every series now. Series 4 picks right up with the dramatic falling apart of a wedding ceremony from the ending of Series 3. So what can get worse? Everything. About the only thing that compares to the eccentric characters in Portwenn is way back to Mayberry RFD. Is Portwenn a British Mayberry? May-be! It's Cornwall corny. And also a Cornwall (filmed in Port Isaac) beautiful quaint fishing port.
Every weird local is back for Series 4. Rude, grumpy Doc (Martin Clunes) still gags at blood; Aunt Joan (Stephanie Cole) is poorer thus less sane; teacher Louisa (Caroline Cutz) has an obvious situation; receptionist Pauline (Katherine Parkinson) is outrageously funny wanting a man, maybe Large Jr., son of Bert Large (Ian McNeice)plumber turned chef (ugh, don't order the soup); and newcomer Edith (Lia Williams)in charge of romantic mayhem. That's just the short-list of a crazy cast that keeps a tapestry of sub-plots moving fast.
A great family series, which does have a 'graphic medical scene' warning due to numerous accidents involving some blood for Doc Martin to gag or spew from. A surgeon afraid of blood is just part of the absurd humor. If you love English seaside village views and homespun humor, this will do & make you beg for more. Episodes carry over to the next and all with SUBTITLES. Some of the best British Doctor Comedy/Drama ever produced.
Need more evidence of greatness? Episode details:
1 BETTER THE DEVIL-Louisa left Portwenn & Doc is out-grouching his own sour records. Doc's ex-girlfriend from med school arrives. Will he soon be London bound? His blood phobia may decide.
2 UNEASY LIES THE HEAD-Louisa returns (much heavier) and town tongues tell tales. She doesn't want Martin involved. Edith becomes Louisa's doctor. Aunt Joan sides with Louisa & tells Doc to do right by her. The school headmaster acts stranger than the routine eccentric of Portwenn.
3 PERISH TOGETHER AS FOOLS-Local copper's bro is ill. There is romance all about--but not what you expect. Doc shows a rare sign of tenderness with seeing the baby scan.
4 DRIVING MR McLYNN-Louisa wants to be school head again, Joan needs money, & Doc tells Edith he applied for a surgery position but...what about the blood?
5 THE DEPARTED-Doc falsifies his blood fear problem in a surgery job interview. Doc's newly widowed patient is talking with her departed. A mental problem? Not uncommon for Portwenn. Joan gets sued.
6 MIDWIFE CRISIS-A midwife & Doc disagree on Louisa's care. Joan is told of Doc's new London job but who should tell Louisa? Bert's restaurant has a new cook, followed by an emergency.
7 DO NOT DISTURB-Word gets out the Doc is leaving Portwenn. Doc accompanies Edith to a conference but it ends differently than expected. Joan starts taking in B&B guests-paying guests.
8 THE WRONG GOODBYE-Doc's last day at Portwenn includes abundant patients, too many expressions of affection, Edith wanting an apology, Aunt Joan's on his back over his unborn baby, and...oh dear, an emergency at an emergency.
Bottom line recommendation: By all means watch it, but after Series 1, 2, & 3. Once you see Series 4, if not already owned, you WILL buy the others. Might as well watch them in order. Treat yourself. Laughter is good medicine.

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He’s surly, tactless, self-centered, and uptight--but he’s the only doctor in town.
"A smart, gentle comedy with loads of wit and zest" --The Globe and Mail (Canada)
After his wedding day disaster, Dr. Martin Ellingham (Martin Clunes, Men Behaving Badly) is even grumpier and ruder than before. His former fiancée, Louisa (Caroline Catz, Murder in Suburbia), has left the village to avoid embarrassment. The doctor himself plans to return to London as a surgeon--if he can conquer his fear of blood. But it’s hard to leave a place as charming and full of eccentric characters as Portwenn.
Matters quickly become complicated when Louisa moves back with startling news. Meanwhile, Martin’s old flame, Edith Montgomery (Lia Williams), takes a job at the local hospital and sets her sights on the doc. Sparks and rumors fly as patients crowd his office: a shouting oil rigger, the inept local constable, a woman who sees her dead husband’s ghost, and a man who eats his own hair. Facing all this, will Doc Martin leave Portwenn after all?
Contains graphic medical scenes.

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