Netflix fans keep watching 'underrated' comedy with 'perfect' Ricky Gervais
Netflix fans keep watching an 'underrated' comedy movie featuring a 'perfect' Ricky Gervais.
Ghost Town, was recently added to the streamer's extensive library and has quickly become one of the most watched titles on the service. At the time of writing, it currently sits at number six in the top 10 chart for top films among UK users.
This places it just behind recent release Happy Gilmore 2 at the top and Adam Sandler's original film at number four. However, the 2008 release is certainly enjoying a resurgence in popularity with many viewers rediscovering the supernatural rom-com.
According to the film's synopsis, after a near-death experience during a routine colonoscopy, people-hating dentist Bertrum Pincus, played by Gervais, is shocked to discover that he is suddenly able to talk to the dead.
Constantly cornered by unhappy spirits who want him to help resolve their earthly problems, the misanthropic Pincus is driven to distraction. Eventually talked into helping the dearly departed Frank Herlihy, played by Greg Kinnear, Pincus attempts to talk to Frank's widow, Gwen. But problems arise when Bertram is smitten with her.
Ghost Town was directed and co-written by David Koepp, who has a distinctive filmography, mostly as a screenwriter.
He has penned the scripts for movies including Sam Raimi's Spider-Man, the original Jurassic Park, Tom Cruise's The Mummy reboot and most recently spy thriller Black Bag and Jurassic World Rebirth.
The film earned a more than respectable rating on Rotten Tomatoes of 85%. Many critics like fans were impressed with The Office co-creator Gervais' performance in what was his first leading film role. Gervais had previously had smaller parts in Stardust and Night At The Museum.
It is now considered a hidden gem of a romantic comedy, perfect for fans of the comedian or the genre. One fan, sharing their thoughts online, said: "What an underrated romance-comedy with some life lessons learned throughout. They don't make movies like this anymore I think."
Another posted: "This is one of my favourite comedy films that is great for repeat viewing. Ricky Gervais is perfect as the grumpy dentist that just wants to be left along, and Greg Kinnear serves as the perfect foil."
While a third added: "Hilarious and beautiful romantic comedy that perfectly tackles the feeling of loneliness and redemption. Underrated by most, but not by me."
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Metro
34 minutes ago
- Metro
Sam Ryder 'felt like a total fraud' after losing confidence at height of career
In 2022, Sam Ryder did the unthinkable. He made the UK believe that they actually had the chance to win Eurovision. Like an angel with perfect hair, the Space Man singer shot to dizzying heights and secured an incredible second place behind Ukraine. Following his success, Sam performed at the Queen's Platinum Jubilee, then sang at the British Grand Prix at Silverstone, all before releasing his debut album. The album, titled There's Nothing But Space, Man, came with the expected fanfare and then he all but disappeared. 'It's so easy to be optimistic and positive when the wind is in your sails,' Sam, 36, told Metro as he prepared to return to music after two years away. 'My optimism had never really been tested [until] that point. And I'm really not gonna say I kept it the whole time because I didn't. There were times when I felt like a total fraud because, I guess, positivity has always been this thing that I've wanted to champion. But there were times I was not positive, not optimistic.' He likened his rise to being 'in the Shire' at the start of Lord of the Rings, a peaceful and supported start with a 'storm cloud' on the horizon, which life inevitably brings. 'Life started getting really real,' Sam shared of leaving his label and going independent as he recorded his newly announced album, Heartland. 'That sadness or pessimism or lack of confidence had only reared its head a few times in my life. I thought that I wouldn't have those feelings again, unless they were just passing through normally, but then they just stuck around for a year, incessantly. 'I'd never been there for my life. Every day was a struggle to even fathom being confident or optimistic about the future.' While the Parlophone label was 'decimated', Sam was left having to start from scratch as he wrestled with being 'under attack from that incessant sort of voice within that's trying to pull you down.' New single, The Feeling Never Went Away, documents Sam's struggle to free himself from this darkness, but he acknowledges that artists' intentions don't always line up with fans' interpretations. 'As a songwriter, you're not completely in control,' he shared. 'You're just there with a guitar and a phrase will come out, and then you chase it. It's like rabbit down the hole, and then all other words come out, and sort of attach themselves to this train, until the train is a whole song.' During the process of writing the new album, Sam moved out to Nashville, Tennessee, which is the spiritual homeland of many musicians. He and his partner settled in an old log cabin, finally realising a dream the More hitmaker had had for the last 13 years. The move reminded him he was making space (man) to build new things while his mind was 'being unfair' and telling him he was 'losing things'. 'The Space Man era, all those jumpsuit shows, all that stuff without that, none of this is possible. So now, when I sing Space Man live at shows, I'm just so thankful and full of gratitude.' Sam's beloved song was a staple when he took to the stage (multiple times) at Glastonbury, for various secret sets as well as an Avalon Stage slot. 'I'd never been there before, never played there, had no idea what to expect,' he confessed of his first trip to Worthy Farm. 'I did five secret sets in total, so much to the point that they weren't really secret anymore.'There's him again',' Sam joked. 'They were really cool, when you do them, they are quite secret and you're like, how is anyone gonna know about this? 'But every time people found out and came, and I was just buzzing.' Later this year, Sam will once again head out on tour with his biggest show ever at Wembley Arena taking place on November 6, just weeks after Heartland is released. In a full circle moment, the London venue was also where he saw his first gig at around 13 years old and decided to become a musician. 'I remember leaving that [gig] and knowing what I wanted to do in my life,' Sam recalled of the fateful evening, thanking Sum 41 for the inspiration. He even still has the ticket, kindly framed with a poster by his mum, and is planning to put 'something' on the seat he once sat in for one lucky fan. This is set to be Sam's only UK headlining gig this year, although he could pop up in your local as he supports a new campaign with Greene King pubs for live music. On August 8, the 'biggest pub gig ever' will see nearly 800 acts performing in pubs across the UK, including the Tiny Riot hitmaker. '[I wanted to] do something that felt like I was actually being purposeful that wasn't just benefiting me,' Sam explained of the collaboration. 'It took me till I was 31 years old to get shot at this, and I'd been dreaming about it and never stopping working for that entire time. I didn't take a break or put down the guitar ever. 'I would do anything to make this work and I know there's so many other people out there that are in the same position and are doing whatever they can just to stay in the music game that [might feel] their time is running out.' 'We all have a responsibility to support grassroots music from people that don't have [an] advantage.' Before we say goodbye, Metro had to ask Sam his current thoughts on the possibilty of UFOs, since he once saw one in Hawaii. Laughing, he shared: 'I think that believing in aliens and UFOs — and bear with me here — is wholly optimistic. 'It's at base level, a good practice for optimism in your life to believe in UFO. Because for any society to get to a point where they can make the breakthrough of faster than light travel, means that they have, as a society, decided to not use that technology to blow each other up. More Trending 'We're in the throes of it now, it feels like any moment we could be like, 'Oh, by the way, nuclear war is beginning,' you know. So for a society to transcend the technology, go past that stage and use its collective mind to break through faster than light travel means that that society has found a way to live in harmony and peace. 'So because of that, I think it's completely a state of optimism to believe in aliens.' Sam Ryder's new album Heartland will be released on October 17th and is available to pre-order here. New single 'The Feeling Never Went Away' is out now. Got a story? If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@ calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you.
The Guardian
35 minutes ago
- The Guardian
Wednesday to Hunting the Yorkshire Ripper: the seven best shows to stream this week
It's a new term at Nevermore, and for the first time in her life, Wednesday Addams (Jenna Ortega) is dying to go back to school. After all, she's a minor celebrity now and dealing with autograph hunters ('I only ever sign my name in blood. I never said it was my own blood'). However, things are about to get much worse for Wednesday. Like every kid, she dreads the arrival of her family at school, but not only are her parents around more – her troublesome brother Pugsley and formidable grandmother Hester also soon become fixtures. Once again, it's stylish, smart and witty. However you feel about Tim Burton, it's hard to argue that his maximalist gothic style isn't absolutely perfect for this material. Netflix, from Wednesday 6 August The crimes of Peter Sutcliffe (and the flawed police investigation) have proved irresistible to documentary-makers, with the BBC and Netflix recently offering up versions of events. In truth, this latest series doesn't add much to our understanding of Sutcliffe's crimes, though it does broaden to examine the infamous 'Wearside Jack' tape that was sent to police by a man claiming to be the killer. Former DCS Chris Gregg – who assembled a team to catch the hoaxer – is interviewed about his career-long involvement with the case. Prime Video, from Sunday 3 August As represented in TV dramas, cold cases are often glamorous and mysterious. This documentary series shows the reality is sadder, if frequently no less intriguing. It focuses on the work of the DNA Doe Project, a US organisation that, in partnership with law enforcement agencies, uses detective work and genetic investigation to offer the relatives of some of the estimated 50,000 unidentified bodies lying in American morgues a measure of closure. It's a necessarily melancholy affair but also somewhat stirring in its depiction of tireless, valuable service. Disney+, from Wednesday 6 August A third series for this accomplished animation that follows the exploits of the Prouds, an upwardly mobile African American family who mix cartoonish hijinks with strong, slightly earnest moral messaging about identity and hot-button social justice issues. Trudy is worried about screentime and it isn't just her kids who can't put down their phones – her husband Oscar is hardly setting a good example. Cue a decision to live more consciously and to take a family holiday to London, Paris and Nairobi that becomes life-changing for everyone involved. Apple TV+, from Wednesday 6 August Sign up to What's On Get the best TV reviews, news and features in your inbox every Monday after newsletter promotion The chemistry between Seth Rogen's Will and Rose Byrne's Sylvia continues to underwrite this profound comedy. The series doesn't just tell us that deep, platonic friendships between men and women are possible – it shows us. It's hard to avoid the feeling that Will and Sylvia have more fun together than with anyone else. And that's the whole point: shouldn't that be enough? As we return, Will is preparing to marry Jenna but admits to Sylvia that he has a crush on someone else. The fear that it might turn out to be Sylvia herself soon passes but, even so, is this another symptom of Will's inability to commit to adult life? Apple TV+, from Wednesday 6 August Most people would probably agree that the absence of a gameshow for cats and their owners is a glaring omission from the TV schedules. So thank goodness, finally, for House of Cats, a three-parter of snappy episodes which is hosted by comic Ivo Graham and social media personality, and qualified veterinary surgeon, Cat the Vet. Fittingly, there's no hint of a cash prize here; instead the winning partnership will take home a golden litter tray. Given that cats are notoriously much harder to organise than dogs, they will have certainly earned it. Channel 4, from Thursday 7 August From Walter Presents, this daft but moderately creepy mystery drama from France stars Fantine Harduin as the titular teenager. When Promethea is hit by a car, she eventually wakes from a coma with no recollection of anything but her unusual name. Gradually, her memory starts to return but that proves to be a mixed blessing as a series of disturbing revelations about an unsolved recent murder start to spill out. At first, it seems that Promethea might have witnessed this killing – but could her involvement have been even more hands-on? Channel 4, from Friday 8 August
BBC News
2 hours ago
- BBC News
Suranne Jones says funding so important for small theatre
Actor Suranne Jones has talked of the importance of keeping community theatre alive, 18 months after becoming president of a small seaside stage and screen star - best known for Vigil, Gentleman Jack and Doctor Foster - took on the honorary position at Sheringham Little Theatre in Norfolk in February last then, she has been taking a leading role, encouraging local people to write plays, take to the stage and fundraise."If we can keep up with the passion and we find the money from somewhere to hold this beautiful community centre together, then it's got a great future," she said. "The money's the thing: we need new lights, we need backstage things - we can't do it on our own." Jones, 46, is heading for an "unusually busy" period of screen time, with her first political thriller, Hostage - in which she plays a fictional British prime minister - due to premiere on Netflix later this month. She also stars in a new BBC comedy-drama, Film Club later this year, and starts filming the third series of Vigil in she is a regular visitor to the Sheringham area with her family."I'm not really good at being famous," she admitted."It's a funny one, I love the connection with people who say they watch my shows but I really like to be low-key and have my downtime and family time. "When it's at the height of things coming out, like now, I have to put my Suranne pants on, and it's a persona in a way, but I'm equally happy being down the beach with an ice cream and a cap on." She fell in love with the theatre while watching a pantomime with her son, describing the performance and writing as "high talent". "I love Sheringham, I love Norfolk, I love the people here; I feel part of the community," she added. "This theatre has a pull on me because it's 160 seats; it's really intimate. "I started in community theatre drama groups so I feel having worked my way through the industry, I can come here and say 'Right, here's the knowledge I've got, this is what we should be doing.'"Nobody should settle, and the actors and team are so good here." Among the initiatives since Jones's arrival has been a one act play-writing competition, which was open to Norfolk residents. It culminates in the winning entries being read by the theatre's rep actors, and discussed, at two fundraising shows on 10 August. The following day, she is hosting a Q&A session for budding actors and has donated raffle prizes to the theatre's fundraising revue show on 17 August."For me, stories are so important and communities are so important, and we're trying to keep that level of connection going in an age where connection is lost." she said."Anything we can do to keep that going with these events, all the money goes back to the theatre so we can carry on going. "It helps me feel I am giving back in a really true way." Follow Norfolk news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
