DVDs I spent my Christmas watching

Written by: Igg

Social butterfly that I am, I spent my Christmas period watching DVDs that I had received as gifts. I have a life.

This is indeed the first thing I have written for PI for some time. My apologies and I hope that I shan't be lynched for my efforts, or something.

Ah, you may also notice that none of my DVDs have bad reviews. That is because when possible I try to avoid watching crap. But if you really want to know of a crappy film, 'Dude, Where's My Car?' stinks.

So, onto my Christmas Entertainment:

The Complete Ripping Yarns (BBC DVD, 1977-1979, Palin/Jones, Cert:15)

The legend goes that Terry Jones' brother spotted an old book on Jones' bookshelf. This tome, a gift to Jones from Michael Palin, bore the title 'Ripping Tales' and suggested a comedy script which encapsulated the spirit of boy's adventure stories and tales of 'stiff upper lip' from the 1930s.

This is a DVD of all 9 episodes of the 2 ex-Pythons' delightfuly madcap and witty series 'Ripping Yarns'. Very enjoyable, especially for those familiar with boy's own style stories, or simply Monty Python fans. They are all very funny, although sometimes in quite a subtle way and should be easy to appreciate for almost anyone.

Brass Eye- Series and Special (C4 DVD, 1997 + 2001, Chris Morris et al, Cert:18)

If you're in Britain and over about 14, there's a good chance you'll have heard about 'Brasseye' in the News, since Channel 4 got a bit of a pounding after the notoriously offensive and controversial 2001 special.

One for those with a sense of humour that the more sensitive may describe as 'sick'; 'Brasseye''s spoof of investigative journalism type programmes such as 'Dispatches' or 'Panorama' constantly pushes and then completely demolishes the boundaries of good taste (though not as much as Morris' next venture, 'Jam'). Consequently, it is frequently hilarious, and though the series was made in '97, remains relevant satire to this day.

One of the most enjoyable parts about 'Brasseye' is the way they rope in completely unaware 'celebrities' who are then revealed as the gullible, publicity seeking prats they truly are. These include MP Rhodes Boyson endorsing the deployment of Batman as a way of fighting crime, and Bernard Manning giving a speech on an entirely ficticious drug called cake, including the line 'Cake is a made-up drug'.

Definitely not for the sensitive, those who remain firmly in good taste humour, or those Under 18. Yes, I am 15. But you can still save yourself. Not that I think you should. But I feel that I should warn you.

Black Books Series 1 + 2 (C4 DVD, 2000 + 2002, Dylan Moran/Bill Bailey/Tamsin Greig, Certs: 15)

The title of this series refers to the book shop owned by Bernard Black (Dylan Moran) a fouth-mouthed, antagonistic alcoholic who prefers the company of his books to...well, people. He has but two friends, equally strange- his assistant Manny (Bill Bailey) and the ever neurotic and odd Fran (Tamsin Greig).

A decent comedy (and I mean decent in the typically Northern way, where decent means 'really, really good'), although not always laugh-out-loud. The three characters' inevitable stupidity leads to a variety of deranged situations and highly amusing events. Series one features a very nice pastiche of Frankenstein.

Sometimes the gags can be a bit predictable, but they're pulled off well and even though you know what's coming, you can still appreciate it.

Series 2, in my opinion, is a great improvement on the previous- it's just generally funnier and includes my favourite scene, the fabulous 'playing the piano with spoons' from the wonderful Bill Bailey.

Special Features: The Outtakes include a lot of arsing around from Bill Bailey and general line fluffing from the rest of the cast. The audio commentary is a very enjoyable listen, if just to hear Dylan Moran say of his own creation: "Sometimes you watch scenes like this and you just think there's nothing you can say, it's all so... stupid and pointless".

Bill Bailey- Part Troll (Universal DVD, 2004, Bill Bailey, Cert:12)

A DVD filmed at London's Hammersmith Apollo of the comedian's immensely successful Part Troll Live Tour (which my friend Tash saw live...Grrr).

As with all stand up, it's not consistently fantastic, but it comes damn close, not falling below 'very good indeed'. Or something. And there are many points of sheer brilliance.

Actually, I'll just go ahead and declare it now: I Love Bill Bailey And He Can Do No Wrong. This DVD was truly wonderful giftage from my father, who has surprised me much this year. Absolutely hilarious, frequently silly and has me laughing pretty much continuously (that's the DVD, not my dad). Not only does Bailey have the comedy right down there, but he's also a very able musician, which is featured in much of the show. His Slayer-style love song ballady thing is an absolute triumph, the memory of which is making me laugh as I type. "And the duck is now shredded in a pancake...in the hoisin of your betrayal".

Another beautiful musical highlight is 'Augenblik- a homage to Kraftwerk'. So so funny if you're at all familiar with the German electro/dance/synth pop-sters.

Now it is your duty, whatever country you are in and however much the shipping costs (watch me care...) to buy and watch at least one of these. And don't say I didn't warn you if you watch 'Brasseye' and get upset. Feh.