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Whatever Works, a review by Tom

Whatever Works (2009/United States) IMDb | Wikipedia Sony Pictures Home Entertainment (United States) Director: Woody Allen, Big Film Design Writing: Woody Allen (Writer), Big Film Design) Length: 92 min. Video: Widescreen 1.78 Audio: English: Dolby TrueHD 5.1 Subtitles: English

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Stars:
Larry David as Boris
Boris' Friends
* Adam Brooks
* Lyle Kanouse
* Michael McKean

Clifford Lee Dickson as Boy on Street

Plot:Whatever Works. Director-writer Woody Allen returns to his comedy roots in this poignant and wildly hilarious romp that Gene Shalit of "The Today Show' calls "Colossally funny!"

Extras:

• BD-Live
• Scene Access

It was my turn to select a movie to watch in the theatre. I have chosen this one not because it is a Woody Allen movie, but because I like both the stars and I was curious. I enjoy watching Larry David on Curb Your Enthusiasm and I could really imagine him working in a Woody Allen picture. I enjoyed Evan Rachel Wood's work since I first saw her on the series "Once and Again". She was only about 11 at the time, but she already was a great actress. Much better than most child stars. The most recent movie I saw with her was "The Wrestler".
"Whatever Works" is a really funny movie and both the stars did not disappoint. They were terrific. This movie was also well received with the group I dragged into it.


Rating:

(From December Marathons - DISCUSSION AND REVIEW THREAD on December 21st, 2009)

Black Lightning, a review by dfmorgan

Black Lightning

Year: 2009
Director: Dmitriy Kiselev, Aleksandr Voytinskiy
Cast: Grigoriy Dobrygin, Ekaterina Vilkova, Viktor Verzhbitskiy
Overview: A student's life turns upside down when he discovers the battered old car his father gave him can fly...

After his entire world falls apart he makes a choice and shoots from zero to hero as a crime fighter known as "Black Lightning". Little does he know that evil forces are watching, they want the incredible car, and will stop at nothing to get it, even if it means killing him and destroying the city.

Produced by Timur Bekmambetov (Director of Wanted and Night Watch), this fast-paced action-adventure features the Special Effects Teaam behind Wanted and stuntmen from The Bourne Identity & Quantum of Solace.

Watched: 18th Sep 2010
My Thoughts: A superhero film from Russia which I found to be quite a fun little film. There are similarities with Spiderman with the reason behind the boys decision to become a hero and with a girlfriend in a love triangle. It took a while for Black Lightning to appear but when he did it seemed to me to be displayed well.

My Rating: Overall a good and very enjoyable 4

Dave

(From Dave's DVD/Blu-ray Reviews on September 19th, 2010)

My PILOT Marathon, a review by Rich

Gavin & Stacey - Series One

Episode One
Meet Gavin And Stacey. They've spoken on the phone for six months but never actually met until Stacey travels from Wales to London to meet Gavin. Gavin turns up with Smithy who is skeptical about the whole thing and Stacey's mate Nessa who couldn't care either way, to be honest, and is more concerned about a night out.



Gavin is an ordinary boy from Essex, Stacey is an ordinary girl from Barry, South Wales. Although they've spoken on the phone every day at work for months, they've never actually met... until now. But when Gavin and Stacey finally meet and their ordinary worlds collide, we see, through their friends, their family and their differences, that there's no such thing as ordinary after all.
Gavin and Stacey is the hit BBC show starring Alison Steadman, Rob Brydon, Larry Lamb, Joanna Page, Mathew Horne, Melanie Walters, James Corden and Ruth Jones.

A brilliant comedy show I am no stranger to, having watched haphazard series one episodes on TV.
Having watched the 1st pilot episode, I immediately watched the next 2, that is how good this is.
Everything about this just gets it right. The writing is fresh, original and damnright hilarious. The actors have been chosen perfectly, and no doubt scripts written to enhance the characters they portray so wonderfully. You (in UK) can relate to so many of the characters, I used to have a m8 just like Smithy in every way, and know many couples like Gavs parents!
It is the type of show that you talk about the next day, talking about the funniest instances and some really classic lines, especially from Ruth Jones. It leaves a smile on your face, and no higher compliment to a comedy can be paid.
I hope this works for other countries, would love to hear if other nationalities 'get this' comedy style.
Highly, highly recommended.
 

As a taster, one-off charity special sketch of Smithy with England football team 



(From My PILOT Marathon on September 23rd, 2009)