rbaylis Reviews

Starhyke (2009)

Cheap, badly written and a waste of time for cast and audience alike

[1/10 · 3 March 2020]

I'd normally rate a show like this as a three as very few shows are as truly bad that they only rate a one, but it is the only way to adjust the average to where it needs to be because some people have given it ten. Really? They consider it perfection and a masterpiece? Claudia Christian tries her best but the premise is lame and unappealing and she is surrounded by cheap sets, and sub par acting from pretty much everyone else. The jokes, such as they are, either fall totally flat or are telegraphed so badly they would disgrace a junior school play. Avoid at all costs.

Fisherman's Friends (2019)

Charming, gentle comedy that is well worth your time

[8/10 · 17 March 2019]

This is nice gentle comedy that plays out pretty much as you'd expect but that's not to disparage it in any way because it delivers precisely what you'd want it to. The real life personalities on which the story is based will be able to distinguish historical fact from liberties taken for the sake of the narrative of course. The audience knows that happens but that doesn't take anything away from the charm of the film. Had it played out a little less conventionally and a few of the supporting performances been sharper I'd have rated it a 9.

There's some nice humour that stems naturally from the tight knit community friendships when an outsider comes into their lives, and some truly wonderful harmonies in the singing of those shanties. I'm not a folk song enthusiast but there's no denying the music is resonant and lyrical. Definitely one I'll add to my collection on Blu-ray because I think it has repeat viewing potential as one of my 'feel good' film collection.

School of Comedy (2009–2010)

Not great, but not bad either

[6/10 · 10 October 2009]

I was dubious about the idea behind this show, and at times am still uncomfortable about gaining laughs from children swearing, whether they are behaving as adults or not. Of course they know all of the words but that doesn't mean using them is right. Fortunately the best sketches so far are the ones without any swearing - with the sole exception of the farmer sketch for episode 1 which depended on it for the punchline.

I agree however that some of the sketches just aren't funny, and yet it has little to do with the performances of the child actors. Will is very good and I'm looking forward to seeing him as Eustace in the next Narnia film.

When the writing is good it is very good. The Job Interview sketch from episode 2 with the names confusion was classic two-handed comedy. But too many fail to deliver clear comedic content and should have been rejected. Better to have made a shorter series with premium content instead of thinning out the laughs with weaker material. Perhaps those with recurring characters will become funnier as they develop over time, but so far the Pub Landlady has failed to impress.

I will continue to watch in the hope that it delivers on the potential that I believe is in the show.