Drop The Dead Donkey - The Writer's Choice DVD

Advantages: Sharply observed current affairs humour
Disadvantages: Stereotyped characters

...Drop the Dead Donkey was a Channel 4 production and regarded as cutting-edge humour in its time. It broke new ground in its current affairs satire and its office-based sitcom, and was a frequent allusion in newspaper columns and conversations round the coffee machine. I enjoyed it at the time, and having missed the re-runs, thought it was worth another look. It is set in the newsroom of an independent TV station. In the first episode the characters are established and delineated. George the editor, anxious and lacking in authority, Alex the thrusting professional deputy editor, Damian who would mug his grandmother for a good story, Dave, a bit of a lad, Gus the smooth corporate spy, Henry the lecherous old hack turned newsreader, Sally the posh airhead newsreader. The new ingredient in the standard sitcom mix is the current affairs... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: drama and comedy in one, excellent acting
Disadvantages: never got the praise it deserved

...Sadness and comedy. Bittersweet fun. 1992 in Grimley, but for this mining community life is stuck forty years before. The colliery is at the heart of local life, but with more and more being laid off, the juggling of paying the bills is becoming harder, life is becoming more and more depressing. The only thing to keep them all going is the Colliery Band led by Pete Postlethwaite. An all-star Brit cast, Stephen Tompkinson (Ballykissangel & Drop the Dead Donkey), Melanie Hill (Aveline in Bread), Pete Postlethwaite, Tara Fitzgerald, and Ewan McGreggor bring their natural talent to an already gritty comedy drama. This film is great from start to finish and I defy anyone to keep a dry eye throughout. I still can't understand how so few people know about this film and The Full Monty somehow stole the show from this film. BRassed Off... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful

Advantages: Very funny, very British, very Simon Pegg
Disadvantages: Requires a bit more pace toward the end

...This is a rocking great movie - GO SEE IT if you haven't! If only British films were more frequently like this, and not just offerings from Richard Curtis written, middle class - Rom Com's! (Not that there's anything wrong with Richard Curtis' writing at all - but it's refreshing to watch something different!) Shaun of the dead was quirky, very funny, gorey, and was NOT in anyway afraid of taking the mickey out of itself. The comedy was timed with perfection, the camera work was excellent, as was the editing. A film where people can actually relate to the characters and the 'life' aspect of them, i.e. going down the local pub. ) Simon Pegg is clearly a talented chap as one of the writers and the man being in the starring role. This could have so easily been a load of crap, but it is without a doubt the most entertaining flick I... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful