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Reviews
Play for Today: The Muscle Market (1981)
Brilliant - Don't miss if repeated
In this missing link between "The Black Stuff" and "Boys From" - why this wasn't included in the DVD release is a mystery - Pete Postlethwaite excels as the out of his depth Duggan and the piece has all the warmth and incisive writing you'd expect from Bleasedale. Responding to success of "The Black Stuff", the BBC commissioned Bleasdale to expand each character into a separate drama. The first of these, The Muscle Market, featured Pete Postlethwaite replacing Calder as the owner of the building contractors, and Alison Steadman. It went out under the Play for Today banner in 1981 as a stop-gap measure while Bleasdale finished writing the other five.
Danny Duggan, played by Postlethwaite, runs a failing building contractors, and resorts to sub-gangster thuggery to keep the business afloat. However, with the bottom falling out of the building game, Duggan finds that playing at gangster is only fun when you're on the winning side.
The plot is brilliant with great Black Comedy - If you Ignore the Old Cortinas, this play would stand up well today
Mamma Mia! (2008)
Feel Good Factor of 10
As an Avid suspense thriller fan, it was the dutiful husband who was dragged along to see a Musical with ABBA songs which had sent my preconceived opinions and ideas into overdrive. 1 tub of Popcorn, 1 ½ hours later and some of the worst singing you'll hear in a musical and I was totally hooked.
The plot is simple, yet not wholly predictable. The interpretation of the ABBA sounds to a particular scene or Scenario was brilliant and at times very sensitive. I'm not sure it was intentional, but Pierce Brosnan's slightly off Key singing (I'm Kind) gave the film an authenticity that Hollywood does not usually allow. It made you picture yourself at your daughters wedding, you Know your singing voice is awful yet you go for it because the occasion led you there. I'm sure they could have dubbed or enhanced the singing, but that would have put a gloss on the film which would have been to its detriment.
The Greek Locations and the rustic setting just made you want to be there. The production showed Phyllida Lloyd's experience within the Theatre, and I was also impressed with the lighting Technicians, as they carefully balanced the fill in light to counter the strong Mediterranean Shadows.
On the Whole, The acting, the lack of big names in the younger set, the dancing & singing scenes, not unlike Grease, were totally uplifting, and you walked out of the Cinema singing ABBA songs.
It's a long time since I've experienced the Audience (including me) clapping at the end of a Film that says it all If you want a feel good factor film, this is for you.
Vaughan from Leeds
The Greatest American Hero (1981)
Absolute classic
Not sure what the previous subscriber has been watching, but from his comments it cannot have possibly Ben TGAH. Robert Culp was excellent as the FBI agent coming up with different 'Scenarios'. A cross between Superman and Ace Ventura, this series gave a great Platform for William Katt with his all American Boy Looks and excellent timing. Great Escapisim which was harmless and time less. Connica Sellicca provided the glamour and the balance between Robert Culp and William Katt which kept the show on track for all the series. I am now 50 and can't wait for the DVD to be released, as I'm sure my two boys , 9 & 16 will enjoy this time-less classic. Compared with quality of todays programmes which 26 strong wrtitng teams are delivering , this product was and still is 10 out of 10.