Shaun Of The Dead

[poliphilo]

We spent yesterday afternoon drinking Cotes du Rhone and watching Shaun of the Dead. Afterwards I had to go and lie down for a while in a darkened room.

Shaun is the best comedy film with roots in Brit TV since Life Of Brian. It's a whole lot better (sharper, more disciplined, better directed) than anything the Comic Strip team came up with.

There's a scene in which a gaggle of young comedy stars makes a fleeting, non-speaking appearance. I spotted Tamsin Greig, Martin Freeman, Matt Lucas. It was like the new generation declaring its arrival. Look, we're here- and we're here in depth. Suddenly it's a golden age.

Comments

[currawong.livejournal.com]

I'm a fan of the new wave of Britcom. Starting with the "Fast Show", then the horrid, deadly-funny "League of Gentlemen" then "Coupling" (which started off ordinary, but became cleverer as it progressed), on to "Black Books" and the truly disgusting but gripping "Human Remains". (once seen, never forgotten).

I suppose "Ab-fab" was the first of the new-wave. Series 3 and 4 went off the boil, but along came series 5 and it was back to its vitriolic old self.

All of these programmes make American sitcoms of the "Friends" and "Everyone Loves Raymond" kind, look so insipid. The only American comedy I can watch is "Frazier" which, despite having moments, like all US comedies,of gagging sentimentality has, at least, a modicum of wit. (I would also count "Six Feet Under" if you count it as a comedy/drama)

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

Black Books is wonderful.

A new show that has the critics reaching for their superlatives is Green Wing. I missed it first time round (it came on at a time when I didn't feel like being amused) but I'll try and catch the repeats or get the DVD or something.

Do you get to see Curb Your Enthusiasm? That's one Yank sitcom thats devoid of sentimentality. The first episode I saw was the one where there's a misprint in the obits and Larry's wife's aunt (it's all Larry's fault of course) is eulogized as "beloved cunt".

[currawong.livejournal.com]

I've heard of "Curb Your Enthusiasm: but neither it nor :Green Wing" have made it down here yet because poblic TV is starved of funds and commercial TV is largely cretinous. Our most popolar network is owned by a casino czar!

Did tou ever see "Human Remains"? ...so dark ...it made "The Office" look like a joyous romp. Truly painful comedy.

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

We belong to a DVD lending library and I've just gone and ordered Human Remains.

Human Remains.

[currawong.livejournal.com]

Well, aren't you in for a ....erm...ahem...treat.

Look out for the dreaded curly-sausage casserole and make damn sure you assume a foetal position in the pet-cemetery.

Good luck!