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Review: Scottish comedy shorts, Shark!, A Man Called Otto
Review: Scottish comedy shorts, Shark!, A Man Called Otto

The Herald Scotland

time18 hours ago

  • Entertainment
  • The Herald Scotland

Review: Scottish comedy shorts, Shark!, A Man Called Otto

Billed as an 'entertainment and wildlife crossover' - fancy - Shark! Celebrity Infested Waters (STV, Monday) involved seven moderately famous sorts being flown to the Bahamas to learn how to swim with sharks. To show that this was all about education and not cheap laughs, the celebs were promised that no one would be voted off each week. I'd have thought that was the least of their worries. Looking at their terrified faces in the briefing, a few were wondering why they had not accepted the offer of a train ride with Michael Portillo instead. It did not help that one of the instructors was missing an arm and a leg after an encounter with a bull shark - the very type the celebs were about to meet. Since it was the first day, the stars were allowed to stand in a cage while sharks the size of Renault Clios had fun rattling the bars. Call the Midwife's Helen George had the worst of it, being too scared to put her head underwater, never mind go eyeball to eyeball with a shark. She had her reasons for fearing the water, as did Lenny Henry. 'I like the idea of having a little bit more bravery,' he said. 'Yes, we're on the telly. Yes, we're all celebrities, but it's different, this.' Was it, though? Heartstring-tugging back stories, manufactured jeopardy - it all seemed pretty standard reality show fare. The instructors were good value, and the celebrities more thoughtful than your average bunch. Ross Noble kept the quips coming, while George, once the screaming stopped, was charming company, even when a stingray got too close for comfort. 'Oh my God, it's coming right for my vagina,' she cried. There are four more weeks of this to go. I don't think Sir David Attenborough has anything to worry about. New Scottish comedy talent was on show in Govan Fair Queen and Good For Her (BBC Scotland, Monday, now on iPlayer). Normally, that would be our cue to flee the area, but not this time. Both had laugh-out-loud moments and characters you would happily give house room to again. Written by Paul Black, Govan Fair Queen starred Elaine C Smith - one of several bigger names lending a hand - as a doting granny determined that her granddaughter (Harper Blue Hamilton) would win first prize in a local talent contest. Smith was in familiar Two Doors Down/Rab C territory at first as the fag-smoking gran in a housecoat and slippers, but the story soon branched out. I've watched plenty of talent show skits, but none as truly madly Glaswegian as this. Let's just say there was one visual gag in keeping with the local culture. Good For Her was a Fast Show-style sketch fest written and performed by Zara Gladman. You may be familiar with some of her characters, chiefly Aileen, the West End mum, but there were several others. Whether she was taking on the misogynist trolling of women comedians - surely not! - indie fan boys or the ways of local newsreaders, Gladman hit the mark. There was a catch, of course. Both offerings were shorts: Govan Fair Queen was 10 minutes long, and Good for Her 20 minutes. While there is nothing wrong with starting life as a short or a sketch - Still Game came from Chewin the Fat - it doesn't have the same ring of confidence about it as a pilot (the Two Doors Down Hogmanay special that led to seven series and counting). While a nicely produced short is a handy calling card, both performers are already well known on YouTube and TikTok, particularly Gladman. What they need now is to make the jump from online to mainstream. These shorts will help, but all concerned need to get a wriggle on. It's a crowded market out there for comedy, and getting more so every day. Bookish (U&Alibi on Sky/Virgin Media/Now, Wednesday) found Sherlock writer Mark Gatiss striking out on his own. Gatiss played Gabriel Book, a secondhand bookshop owner/sleuth. Blessed with brilliant recall and a nose for a wrong 'un, the Tolstoy-quoting Book was a handy man to have around when a body was found. Not every copper was pleased to see him, but he had a letter from Churchill which gave him special access. It was one of several clues suggesting Book was not a man to be judged by his cover. This being bombed-out London two years after the war, finding bodies was not a rare occurrence. Just as well Book had a new assistant, Jack (Connor Finch), fresh out of jail that very day. Jack wondered why Book had welcomed a stranger, and an ex-con at that, into his home and given him a job. Those were questions for another time, when they were not busy with the suspicious death of a local worthy. The case took two hour-long episodes to solve, a fair old chunk of anyone's time, particularly when the budget could only stretch to a handful of the same streets and interiors. Canny TV operator that he is, Gatiss introduced a dog into the mix just in time. Not just any dog, but one that carried messages in a special container attached to his collar. As an idea it could catch on (have you seen the price of stamps?). More of a daytime drama than evening fare, but worth a look, if only to see that clever dog (named simply "Dog" by the way) in action. Time was when a Saturday night movie starring Tom Hanks would have involved an expedition to the cinema and no change out of £20. Now you can watch the double Oscar-winner for free, at home, in a film on general release not that long ago (as long as you don't mind the ads). Old Hollywood would think the business had lost its collective mind. A Man Called Otto (Channel 4, available to stream for 30 days for free on 4) began life as a Swedish novel and film before this US remake by Marc Forster (Finding Neverland, World War Z). Tom Hanks played the grumpy widower who thought the world was full of idiots. Without Otto doing his morning 'rounds' of the neighbourhood and telling people off for poor parking and other crimes, it would be anarchy out there. So far, so Victor Meldrew - and so predictable. Sure enough, a young family moved into the cul-de-sac and chipped away at Otto's Easter Island exterior. Before you knew it, the old grump was doing good deeds left, right and centre. Among A-listers, what's left of them, only Hanks could get away with such an obvious schmaltz fest as A Man Called Otto. Tom Cruise would only attempt it if snow shovelling could be turned into a life-or-death stunt. Harrison Ford comes across as authentically grumpy, so that wouldn't be much fun. Clint Eastwood probably came closest in Gran Torino, though that too was a touch spiky. But Hanks, the heir to Jimmy Stewart as a paragon of decency? Perfect. That said, credit to the Forrest Gump and Philadelphia star for sticking with the Swedish original and going to some very bleak places with the grief-stricken Otto. Tom Hanks and feline friend in A Man Called Otto (Image: Niko Tavernise/2022 CTMG) Otto, we learn from (too many) flashbacks was another in a long line of everyday American heroes to feature on the Hanks cv. This one was notable because he was ordinary to the point of almost being dull. It was love that saved him before, and it would do so again. Hanks's son Truman did a fine job of playing the young Otto. Having him around was far preferable to the startling moment when Hanks appeared as his younger self, complete with weird CGI face and unfeasibly dark hair. As for the business model behind A Man Called Otto, it more than paid its way: made for $50 million, it grossed more than double that worldwide in cinemas. Nice guys like Hanks never finish last.

Virgin Media customers must check their TV boxes NOW or face being blocked from BBC iPlayer in days
Virgin Media customers must check their TV boxes NOW or face being blocked from BBC iPlayer in days

The Irish Sun

time21 hours ago

  • Entertainment
  • The Irish Sun

Virgin Media customers must check their TV boxes NOW or face being blocked from BBC iPlayer in days

IT'S the final warning to all Virgin Media customers that they could lose access to BBC iPlayer next week unless they upgrade now. The popular streaming service, for everything from EastEnders catch-up to Doctor Who box sets, will stop working on some kit from Wednesday. 2 iPlayer is used by millions to catch-up on favourites like EastEnders Credit: BBC 2 Virgin is offering affected customers an upgrade at no extra cost Credit: Alamy The Sun Virgin told us that they had written directly to the "small proportion" of customers affected about the change. The good news is households impacted can upgrade to a newer box that still has access to iPlayer at no extra cost. It's Virgin TV's older TiVo models that will lose the streaming app from July 23 onward. Read more about Virgin Media V6 and Virgin TV 360 boxes will continue to offer access to BBC iPlayer as normal. "We have written directly to the small proportion of customers with a TiVo box, who have used BBC iPlayer within the past six months, to inform them that their box will not support iPlayer from 23 July," Virgin Media told The Sun. "As we have previously communicated directly to relevant customers, anyone with a TiVo box is able to upgrade to a new Virgin TV 360 box at no extra cost." The move may not come as much of a surprise, what with the first TiVo-powered box launched way back in 2010. Most read in Tech Virgin's most recently box is Virgin TV 360, which burst onto the scene in 2020 with access to more entertainment apps and personalisation. So if you're affected, act now to avoid the nasty surprise of no BBC iPlayer very soon. Virgin Media Launches Two Free Rakuten TV Channels WHY DOES TECH STOP WORKING? By Jamie Harris, Assistant Technology and Science Editor at The Sun It's annoying when tech and gadgets are discontinued, rendering some features useless. Fortunately, companies have got better at lengthening how long they support kit. It tends to only happen after quite a few years have passed and the user numbers have dropped quite low. The truth of the matter is, firms have to keep updating and servicing this older tech which costs them money. When there's only a small number of people left using them older gadgets, it's harder to justify the cost. Moreover, new features on things like apps may not work on dated kit. So ultimately, in the end support is dropped for these gadgets so all their energy, money and time can be put into the newer ones.

Justin Bieber to Human: the week in rave reviews
Justin Bieber to Human: the week in rave reviews

The Guardian

timea day ago

  • Entertainment
  • The Guardian

Justin Bieber to Human: the week in rave reviews

BBC iPlayer Summed up in a sentence Explorer, paleoanthropologist and standup comedian Ella Al-Shamahi delivers a wonder-filled, joyful look at the origins of humanity that is never short of fascinating. What our reviewer said 'It feels as if a presenting star is being born here.' Jack Seale Read the full review Further reading 'Forever chemicals' are killing whales – and harming us U&Alibi Summed up in a sentence Mark Gatiss leaps into the world of cosy crime dramas as a postwar bookseller with a mysterious 'letter from Churchill' that lets him assist the police with investigations. What our reviewer said 'Bookish is a fine piece of entertainment – meticulously worked, beautifully paced and decidedly moreish. A joy.' Lucy Mangan Read the full review Further reading Mark Gatiss: 'What does Benedict Cumberbatch smell like? Strawberries' Sky Documentaries Summed up in a sentence A touching, beautiful and sad biopic of film star Jayne Mansfield, created by the daughter who lost her mother to a car crash aged three. What our reviewer said 'My Mom Jayne is tender rather than schmaltzy, compassionate rather than hagiographic and an evident labour of love for all involved.' Lucy Mangan Read the full review BBC iPlayer Summed up in a sentence A three-part retrospective of the era-defining 80s charity concerts, filled with startling archive clips and soul-baring modern-day interviews. What our reviewer said 'A fascinating portrait of a complex man's imperfect attempt to solve an impossible problem.' Jack Seale Read the full review Further reading Live Aid campaigner Bob Geldof was 'scathing about African leaders', files reveal In cinemas now Summed up in a sentence Tim Robinson is magnificently cringeworthy as a man in thrall to his cool neighbour Paul Rudd in Andrew DeYoung's comedy bromance. What our reviewer said 'This is a shaggy dog tale of ineffable silliness, operating ostensibly on the realist lines of indie US cinema but sauntering sideways from its initial premise, getting further and further from what had appeared to be a real issue: how difficult it is for grown men to make new friends.' Peter Bradshaw Read the full review Further reading 'A case study on psychosis': men on why Tim Robinson's Friendship feels a little too real In cinemas now Summed up in a sentence Jennifer Love-Hewitt and Freddie Prinze Jr return for a goofy, slickly made legacy sequel to the classic 90s slasher. What our reviewer said 'There's something charmingly deranged about this kind of hyper-specific fan service, appealing to a select few with the brash confidence that everyone knows exactly what you're talking about.' Benjamin Lee Read the full review In cinemas now Summed up in a sentence Reissue of 90s one-crazy-night clubbing comedy, a loved-up ensemble piece that is cheerfully apolitical, pro-drugs and pro-hedonism. What our reviewer said 'A reminder of that interesting 90s moment when euphoria and uncomplicated fun had cultural cachet.' Peter Bradshaw Read the full review Further reading How we made Human Traffic: 'The first question I asked in the auditions was: have you ever taken drugs?' In cinemas now Summed up in a sentence Stanley Kubrick's hypnotic masterpiece, adapted from Thackeray, follows the fluctuating fortunes of Ryan O'Neal's humble Irish hero. What our reviewer said 'Barry Lyndon is an intimate epic of utter lucidity and command. The final intertitle drily noting that all the characters are 'equal now' in death is exquisitely judged.' Peter Bradshaw Read the full review Further reading Stanley Kubrick: the Barry Lyndon archives – in pictures Mubi; available now Summed up in a sentence Gripping thriller about an Austrian ex-cage fighter called Sarah who goes to Dubai to work with three teenage sisters, and realises they are trapped. What our reviewer said 'It's easy to imagine the Hollywood version of this story, with a heroic escape orchestrated by Sarah. But Moon is gripping in its own understated way as it presents the unvarnished reality: that standing up to injustice is harder than it looks in the movies.' Cath Clarke Read the full review Out now Summed up in a sentence A black comedy about endangered snails and the Ukraine marriage industry is disrupted, in terms of both narrative and form, by Russia's full-scale invasion. What our reviewer said 'Rather than feeling distracting or tricksy, the author's intervention heightens the impact of the story, giving it a discomfiting intensity and a new, more intimate register. We all have skin in the game at this point.' Marcel Theroux Read the full review Reviewed by Lara Feigel Summed up in a sentence A flamboyant tale of fakery and forgers that delights in queering the Victorian era. What our reviewer said 'In book after book, Stevens is showing herself to be that rare thing: a writer who we can think alongside, even while she's making things up.' Read the full review Further reading Nell Stevens: penguins, paranoia and an old potato on the island of Bleaker Reviewed by Christopher Shrimpton Summed up in a sentence The perfect lives of wealthy New Yorkers are shattered by a violent act on a birthday weekend. What our reviewer said 'A bracingly honest and affectingly intimate depiction of abuse, family dynamics and self-deceit… it upends its characters' lives so ruthlessly and revealingly that it is hard not to take pleasure in a false facade being finally smashed.' Read the full review Reviewed by Joe Moran Summed up in a sentence Behind the scenes at the Guardian, 1986-1995. What our reviewer said 'Few events in these years, from the fatwa on Rushdie to the first Gulf war, failed to provoke fierce disagreements in the newsroom.' Joe Moran Read the full review Reviewed by Alex Clark Summed up in a sentence Life on the women's wards of Iran's infamous prison. What our reviewer said It is unclear how many of these dishes are materially realised within the confines of the prison, and how many are acts of fantasy, a dream of what life might be like in the future. Alex Clark Read the full review Further reading I endured Evin, Iran's most notorious jail. I can't understand how Sweden can leave its citizen to die there Out now Summed up in a sentence The London rapper and producer doubles down on his vaulting style, lurching from alt-rock to distortion and chipmunk soul on an astonishingly coherent and melodic third record. What our reviewer said 'It feels like the work of someone who has grown up with the all-you-can-eat buffet of streaming as standard, hurling contrasting ideas and inspirations at you in a way that recalls someone continually pressing fast-forward in a state of excitement … That it doesn't result in an annoying mess comes down to Legxacy's skills as a producer, which allow him to weave it all into something coherent, and to his songwriting.'. Alexis Petridis Read the full review Out now Summed up in a sentence While the sonic invention and off-kilter details remain, on his 10th album the cult musician eschews distortion for melancholic melodies and crooked love songs. What our reviewer said 'The sonic invention remains, but it is deployed with increased subtlety, serving the timeless, melancholic soft-rock rather than overpowering it.' Rachel Aroesti Read the full review Out now Summed up in a sentence Ruth Clinton of Landless and Cormac MacDiarmada and John Dermody of Lankum contrast hauntological synths with robust noise on this playful debut. What our reviewer said 'Poor Creature comprises three musicians expert in heightening and managing atmosphere … Within Clinton and MacDiarmada's dense harmonies, Dermody's drums and the track's cacophonous final minutes, you sense folk rocketing somewhere poppy, wild and new.' Jude Rogers Read the full review Further reading 'We are extreme' … how Lankum's heavy mutant folk made them Mercury favourites Out now Summed up in a sentence Bieber reverts to his first love, R&B, in what seems to be a genuine passion project. What our reviewer said 'It's all very considered, cleverly nostalgic and subtly satisfying – there's not a craven chart smash in earshot.' Rachel Aroesti Read the full review Out now Summed up in a sentence The Portuguese producer and British-Italian drummer united last year for a characterful, polyrhythmic debut; this redux sees each song remixed by a different producer, from Sherelle to Kelman Duran. What our reviewer said 'These transformations yank the source material in all kinds of different directions, from baile funk to breakbeat. My favourite is the brooding, bubbling take on the title track by Chinese producer Yu Su.' Laura Snapes Further reading 'Drumming is full of machismo, so vulgar, so dumb': Valentina Magaletti, the musician giving the underground its rhythm

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