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Some people still don't get this. I'm amazed how many people still give me that perplexed glare when I compare the genius of `The Office' with that `Faulty Towers'. `The Office?' they say, as if their long-standing respect for my opinion is suddenly in jeopardy, `but why is it funny? It's just people in an office'. An worthy reflection and précis, no doubt! I'm increasing convinced that people just don't WANT to get it! People just don't want to give undivided attention, absorb every aspect, and conclude for themselves (.e., without the assistance of a studio audience or laughter track) precisely what is and is not funny. Yes, the lack of a `laughter prompt' is a hindrance for some. I can't help but wonder how many past sitcoms would have been so superior if the laughter track been dropped: `I'm Alan Partridge', `Father Ted', `The Young Ones'..... but the dim reality is that they would not have been half as successful!

Thankfully, Merchant and Gervais managed it! In fact, they used this concept to attract the audience they desired: an audience who appreciated their art. Indeed, in this fast-paced day and age, many simply do not have the time they wish to emerge themselves in book, classics and culture, but are completely aggravated with the monotonous so-called entertainment that the `box' offers.

`The Office', in this sense, is perfect! That is not to say that it is for the elite. Actually, I fail to comprehend what is NOT to get or what is NOT funny. Gervais sets up the exasperatingly over-confident tactless idiocy of character David Brent right from the opening shot. As Brent interviews and promises to employ someone who is plainly under-qualified for a job as forklift diver, he `bigs up' the candidate to Sammy (who gives jobs in the warehouse) complete with fibs, comical hand gestures, and knowing glances at the candidate and camera that are the staple traits of this main character. The complex relationship between Tim (Martin Freeman) and Dawn (Lucy Davis) is performed outstandingly by the actors and produces the main thread of the plot that links all the episodes. In turn, their light-hearted harassment of Team Leader Garrath (Mackenzie Crook) is also great entertainment for the viewer. The highlight of the series is probably episode 4, when an outside trainer visits the team for a day's workshop. Having an outsider among the chaos enforces the ridiculousness and unprofessional nature of the whole set up, and what a real fool Brent really is, as his reaction to potentially being slightly out of control is played brilliantly by Gervais.

So, some people cannot understand what IS funny about `The Office', personally, I simply cannot see what IS NOT funny about it. Pure genius in fact.

This story is an adaptation of Joanna Trollope, whom I am told is the queen bee of the "Aga sagas", romantic-sexual novels set in places like Gloucestershire. I suppose this kind of setting appeals to a kind of Daily Mail female readership or audience. I have to say I found none of the characters particularly likeable or even interesting. The plot is basic: married couple with young children go to live in what would be described by the aforesaid newspaper as "idyllic" village-rural quarters in an old detached house with garden, nice village nearby etc. Husband tries to seduce posh neighbour's (black tie dinner at home...) daughter (turns out she's Lesbian anyway); some other character tries to seduce the wife of the couple. Both unsuccessful. Lesbian seduces wife of couple, successfully. Village finds out. Etc.

I have to say that I found the wife of the married couple terribly washed out, though this is no doubt deliberate. If she were a colour, she would not even be pastel, but a kind of very pale wash of some kind. As for the men, they all (the ones under 50) need a kick, if not several.

Frankly, this is scarcely worth watching. Another reviewer said he or she did not wish to give away the ending. Well, OK, I'll go along with that, but it is so wishywashy anyway, it hardly matters.

The Good Life is a classic comedy series and these are three of its best episodes ("Backs to the Wall", "Silly, But it's Fun" and "The Wind Break War"). If you don't want to invest in a whole series, but would like to watch some of "The Good Life"'s best episodes then this video is for you.

The show is guaranteed to cheer you up and have you howling with laughter, whatever your age. Even some children will enjoy watching Margo, the eternal snob coming to terms with the Good's make do and mend Christmas, cheeky but suddenly serious Tom's over the top outrage at Margo's plans for a windbreak and Barbara's woeful attempt at bringing in the harvest in a storm.

Overall, great fun for all the family and one to watch over and over again.

Ghost is an amazing film, it is the only film that has ever made me cry, and I assure you, that never normally happens. I don't know what else I can say that other reviews haven't already. Amazing film.

Film review of Matilda (1996)
Star rating-\\\gg

Matilda was originally written as a children¡¦s novel by Roald Dahl (tales of the unexpected) in 1988. His wry wit and humour certainly makes the book an enjoyable read and this humour still shows in Danny DeVito¡¦s movie version of the novel with a contrast of both American and English actors.

The film is about a young girl called Matilda played wonderfully by Mara Wilson (Miss Doubtfire). Though at the time, Wilson was fairly new to the acting scene; her acting skills still comes across as charming.

Another great actor in the film is the director, Danny DeVito (Mars Attacks), who also plays both the narrator and Matilda¡¦s father. DeVito is both clever and witty throughout the film and is guaranteed to make the viewer laugh.

The storyline consists of an extremely bright young girl living with her incredibly stupid, television addicted parents (Danny DeVito and Rhea Pearlman) and equally cretinous brother (Brian Levinson) who do not realise the sheer genius in Matilda and basically neglect her. To get rid of Matilda, the parents bundle her off to Crunchem elementary school governed by what Roald Dahl describes as a ¡¥rather eccentric and bloodthirsty member of the stag hounds¡¦ who is played by Pam Ferris (Darling Buds of May). Her rather sarcastic English humour contrasts brilliantly to the American actors.

The only flaw in the film is that in Matilda¡¦s home life, the atmosphere is in slight danger of becoming a little sit-com like. However, Danny DeVito¡¦s excellent narration skills solve this problem as he quotes lines from Roald Dahl¡¦s novel, making the film less American.

Overall, I think that Matilda is a lovely, heart-warming film to be enjoyed by adults and children alike. It is especially warming when Rusted Root¡¦s ¡¥Send me on my way¡¦ is played to accompany the narration fading into the end credits.













By Imogen Kupper

Like Simono I too was disappointed by the Cinemascope. In fact we did not bother watching it as it only took up the centre third of the television screen.

Same with DVD of Guys and Dolls, like looking through a letter box. Did not watch that either.

Amazon should point out the significance of Cinemascope. We cannot be the only people to suffer with this.

I loved watching mr. bean which i could find sometimes on HBO when i was growing up in the US. I especially loved him and his teddy, and whenever he planned anything that never went right.
I problem i have is that i've only found copies of this on U.S. Reg. 1 DVDs, does this even come on UK formats. I actually think I have another region coding when i bought it online somewhere because it doesn't play on my US DVD, so i think maybe its another region coding, but now i don't know what to do with the copy i have, if anyone is looking for it, i'd be glad to give it to you, since maybe you could play it and enjoy it.