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Awix (3310 KP) rated I, Claudius in TV

Aug 27, 2019 (Updated Aug 27, 2019)

I, Claudius

1976 | Biography, Comedy, Drama, History

8.3

(12 Ratings)

TV Show Rating

It is entirely possible some modern viewers may take issue with this hugely acclaimed and influential drama simply because it was made entirely on videotape in TV studios, and some of the 1970s old-age make-up has not, well, aged well. I can't help but feel a bit sorry for these people, for this is one of the great TV treats of all time: the aged Emperor Claudius sits down to retell his family history, a horrifying tale of jealousy, lust, treachery, sexual perversion, murder, and insanity (quite how much of it is actually true is another issue).

A very unusual story by any standards: the main character isn't even born until well into the first episode, and the main villain dies of old age halfway through. Best to ignore the odd structure and enjoy the vicious black comedy the tale is dripping with, with an extraordinary cast making the most of a set of witty, sophisticated scripts. Hard to choose who shines the most: Brian Blessed is restrained as Augustus, Sian Phillips chilling as the psychopathic Livia, John Hurt hilarious and terrifying at the same time as the lunatic Caligula. Derek Jacobi carries the whole thing with warmth, wit and pathos. One of the masterpieces of TV drama.

Kudos

Elli H Burton (1288 KP) rated Gavin & Stacey in TV

Aug 20, 2019

Gavin & Stacey

2007 | Comedy

8.0

(30 Ratings)

TV Show Rating

Down to earth. (1 more)

Funny, witty and clever.

Only had 3 seasons :( (0 more)

A classic

Okay before I added my rating it was at 6.7 💣... I'm actually quite surprised at this as I have found it to be an all rounder. It has everything a sitcom should have. The writing is fantastic (Thank you Ruth Jones and James Corden) the acting is excellently done (you can get the odd hero that over acts in a lovely simple sitcom like this - luckily this isn't the case with G&S), the casting is fantastic and I love the locations etc.. That sounds random but the homes they are in feel like the characters homes, the hometowns suit the actors that have been cast as well. In some sitcoms you can think of another actor or actress that could have played the part better etc.. but in this, the parts were perfectly cast.
There's nothing unrealistic about it, it feels real, something that could be happening to someone down the road from you. The meeting over the phone rings true with me as I met my husband through a mutual friend on xbox!!! (We have now been together 7 years and have a beautiful daughter)
So yeah, I'd recommend if you like a classic, British heartwarming comedy.

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Lee (2222 KP) Aug 21, 2019

Big favourite in our household - probably an 8 or 9 out of 10. Can't wait for the Christmas special this year!

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Elli H Burton (1288 KP) Aug 21, 2019

Oh yeah it's not Christmas without a Gavin and Stacey special, so happy it's a new one though!!!

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Awix (3310 KP) rated The Assassination Bureau (1969) in Movies

Oct 1, 2020

The Assassination Bureau (1969)

1969 | Action, Comedy

7.3

(4 Ratings)

Movie Rating

Knockabout black comedy thriller. A feisty journalist (Rigg) challenges the leader of a group of elite assassins (Reed) to have himself killed: feeling his associates have become sloppy and corrupt, he accepts the challenge as it will allow him to purge his organisation. Exploits across Edwardian Europe follow, together with a touch of romance.

Oliver Reed never had the career as a leading man he deserved; Diana Rigg didn't get the film career you would have expected, either, so the film has a certain rarity value. However it's just not very funny, or thrilling, and the duo don't seem to have much chemistry - that said, a script which doesn't seem to know whether to be darkly witty or zany means he seems to be operating at about half-power. With Rigg and Savalas co-starring in a 1969 film about a suave assassin taking on a criminal conspiracy, the temptation is to speculate that this film gives a hint of what On Her Majesty's Secret Service might have looked like had Eon made better casting decisions - one hopes not, for this film isn't great in any department, on top of which the special effects in the climax are rotten and the closing song is pretty grim too. A waste of several great talents.

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Sarah (7800 KP) rated Killing Eve - Season 3 in TV

Oct 2, 2020

Killing Eve - Season 3

2020 | Crime, Drama, Thriller

6.3

(3 Ratings)

TV Season Rating

Bored now

I have to be honest, I was glad when series 2 ended as it seemed like a fitting end and also because the Eve and Villanelle relationship was getting rather tedious. And I’m afraid to say my verdict on series 3 has probably been influenced by this.

This is definitely the weakest of the seasons so far. It still has it's funny and witty moments and some of the kills are rather ingenious as always, but overall this whole season just feels rather tired. We’ve seen all of this in the other two series, the constant back and forth with Eve and Villanelle and it’s getting rather dull. It was fun originally to watch the killings and look at all the cool and silly outfits Villanelle wears, but after 3 seasons it’s nothing new anymore. You can predict exactly what the characters are going to do and it just isn’t interesting any more. It was nice to see more of Fiona Shaw’s character Carolyn but even that was spoilt by her beyond irritating daughter Geraldine.

I really hope this is the last series of Killing Eve, as I just don’t see where they can take it from here that will reinvent it and mix it up.