Dick_Starky Reviews

Spaced (1999–2001)

Excellent Comedy

[10/10 · 13 March 2007]

This sitcom is one in a million, so unique as to be in a league of it's own, yet drawing on dozens of film and television references per episode, like a blend between The Royale Family and Family Guy.

London - we are introduced to Tim (Simon Pegg) and Daisy (Jessica Stevenson), two twentysomethings searching for a place to stay. With the perfect flat limited to "professional couples only", they don the guise of just that, brushing up on life history and snapshots from a 5 year relationship in 5 minutes.

Adding to the ensemble is army-nut Mike, landlady Marsha, next door neighbor Brian, and a host of other oddballs.

With top-notch camera-work, precise editing, a sizzling soundtrack, quotable dialogue, and an expert blend of the mundane and surreal, makes for one of the TV shows to come out of the UK in 10 years.

Casino Royale (2006)

Bond is Back.

[10/10 · 27 January 2007]

The first roar of the MGM lion resonates like the jolt of a defibrillator bringing the Bond franchise back to life.

For years, the Bond films had been bogged down with outrageous plots, ridiculous villains, and cringe worthy banter. Yet with this installment we get a gritty, refreshingly new kind of movie. Like a Dr. No for the 21st Century, it relies more on sharp dialogue, solid performances, and exotic locales as opposed to over the top gadgets, special effects and stunt- men (Daniel Craig did almost all his own stunts.)

Craig is the best Bond since Connery: rough around the edges, yet still with a gentleman's taste and sly wit.

This sets the bar for things to come, and reinvigorates the Bond series.

Shaun of the Dead (2004)

There's No "I" in team...

[10/10 · 19 March 2005]

This was a very funny movie, as well as a top notch zombie flick from across the pond.

Synopsis: 29 year old Shaun (Simon Pegg), lives with his slacker buddy Ed (Nick Frost), and works at a boring job. His girlfriend Liz just dumped him, and he's not having a good day in general. Things get worse when London gets infested with flesh eating zombies. So Shaun and Ed go to save Liz, pick up his mum, and hide out in the Winchester, their usual pub hangout.

A great blend of Monty Python humor, genuine Zombie gore, and Romantic-Comedy, "Shaun of the Dead" has some classics lines and is an all-around good time.

9/10 -Cheers!

The Incredibles (2004)

Incredible!

[10/10 · 11 March 2005]

I saw this movie in theaters, and it was a truly awesome experience. It showed just how much can be done with computers. The characters were three-dimensional, (in more than one sense!), and blurred the line between pixels with voices, and real people. The world that the characters live in is lush and colorful, with green grass and blue sky's, sprawling cityscapes, and tropic paradises.

The basic story revolves around Bob and Helen Parr, an average American family, living in middle-American suburbia with a teenage daughter and hyperactive son. Bob has a dull job at Insuricare, and longs for some excitement in his average life.

All is not how it seems, however. Around 20 years ago, Bob was known as Mr. Incredible, and protected Metroville from crime. He weds fellow crime-fighter Elastigirl, and flash forward a few law suits against numerous other 'supers', and we're back where we started.

An excellent achievement in cinema, one, if not the best film of the year. If you haven't seen it, go to you're local video store, and enjoy.

10/10 Excellent!

SpongeBob SquarePants (1999– )

The Best Cartoon Ever!

[23 February 2005]

Spongebob Squarepants is a sea-sponge. He is shaped in a rectangle, and is in the form of a common household sponge. He lives in a pineapple under the sea, in the town of Bikini Bottom.

He is often found to be annoying his cynical neighbor Squidward, the grouchy Clarinet playing squid next door, who definitely thinks the sea is half empty.

Next to Squidward is a large rock, where dwells a starfish with about as much intelligence as his home-sweet home. He is Patrick Star, neighbor to Squidward, but lifelong friend to Spongebob.

Over yonder lives a 'land squirrel' by the name of Sandy Cheeks. Her hobbies include the search for the 'Hay in the Needlestack', to biking in the Industrial Park.

Finally there's Mr. Eugene H. Krabs, penny hugging/pinching proprietor of the Krusty Krab; Spongbob's beloved workplace, and the home of the Krabby Patty.

On the subject of the Krabby Patty, that brings us to the esteemed Sheldon Plankton, arch-rival to Mr. Krabs, and generally very evil. His constant attempts to steal the Krabby Patty make for very funny episodes.

In Summery, this show can be summed up with a single word: Brilliant. It is witty, smart, extremely funny, with timeless characters, appealing to all ages.

10/10 A Classic!

The Untouchables (1987)

Untouchable.

[10/10 · 18 February 2005]

It's Prohibition-era Chicago, and mob boss Al Capone (Robert De Niro) controls the illegal shipment of alcohol into the city. Federal Agent Eliot Ness (Kevin Costner), vows to bring him down. Assembling a crack squad consisting of: Seasoned Cop Jimmy Maloy (Sean Connery), dead-eyed rookie George Stone (Andy Garcia), and bookish Accountant Oscar Wallace (Charles Martin Smith). It is with this simple story that spawns a beautifully crafted piece of film-making. Sean Connery gives a compelling performance as Maloy; he's dedicated, determined, and dangerous. Kevin Costner is great as a man, just out to "Do Some Good". And Finally, you can't forget Robert De Niro. It must be his general calm that's so unnerving about him, as if you never know what he'll do next. I would definitely recommend this movie to anyone who likes movies. This movie had me on the brink of tears, had me standing up and cheering, and had me deeply satisfied and entertained.

My Final Rating: 10 out of 10 - A Must See!