REVIEW: Life by David Attenborough

Three years in the making, Life brings us up close and personal to nature – but not as you know it.
Everything we have come to expect from David Attenborough is not only realised but exceeded in this series. His calm yet exuberant narrative leads you through a world previously unbeknown to us.
The energy and effort put into this from the various agencies involved in its making is immense. The camera team and the world’s top wildlife photographers employ cutting edge, sophisticated cinematographical techniques to bring us scenes of incredible depth and beautiful detail. They are able to capture sights never before seen on television.
Attenborough’s ability to turn the mediocre into something life-affirming begs you to ask the question – how did they discover such trivial yet complex aspects of the daily lives of all the species they visited?
The intense music and expressive narrative gives the creatures human characteristics. We learn that our co-inhabitants do not differ a great deal from us. The commentary is clear, concise and easy to follow making it accessible to all. This is an amazing, breath taking and evocative series.

5 stars

REVIEW: Funny people

The melancholy acoustic soundtrack is wonderfully juxtaposed with self-deprecating and tongue-in-cheek humour.

Director Judd Apatow uses a similar formula to that of his previous film Knocked up. Ira Weiner, played by Seth Rogan, lives a slobby, seemingly pointless, mediocre life but the appearance of famous comedian George Simmons (Adam Sandler) changes all that. After being diagnosed with a rare form of leukaemia, Simmons takes up stand-up comedy and needs the help of a fellow comedian to write lines for him as well as fulfil all his wishes and desires. And so the adventure begins.

Although this is another one of those spoilt rich kid meets common loser - where each transforms the other’s life for the better but not before a fall out which is usually over a woman – the regular interjection of stand up shows performed by the protagonists will persuade you to not snap the DVD in two.

Funny people is a little on the slow side but the light humour will keep you entertained enough to make it to the end.

3 stars

REVIEW: Hustle Season 5

Simple, yet effective: Hustle abounds with brilliant story lines and great characters capable of charming you with cheekiest grins imaginable!

Albert Stroller (Robert Vaughn), who is being detained at her Majesty’s pleasure, comes up with an ingenious plan to encourage Mickey “Bricks” Stone (Adrian Lester) to put together a new band of “grifters” who con the rich and the greedy Robin Hood-style.

A change in cast gives this series a fresh look. Mickey is joined by the Kennedy siblings (Matt di Angelo and Kelly Adams) – a little young and rough around the edges but more than capable of giving the original characters a run for their money. Finally, Bill Bailey’s highly amusing cameos are the icing on the cake.

Although there are moments with cringe-worthy stereotypes Hustle is still great TV, in this, its fifth season. It is humorous right until the end of the series leaving you chuckling with satisfaction and a warm fuzzy feeling inside.

5 stars

REVIEW: Pressure Drop, Welcome Collection, London NW1

Pressure Drop provides us with a very poignant picture of the world today. Billy Bragg introduces us to people who are at odds with their identity and attempting to come to terms with what being English really means.

You enter the theatre with a pint in hand to find four sets: the band’s platform, a living room, a chapel and the all too familiar English pub.

The audience are promised part play, part gig, part installation – and the team certainly delivered!

In his usual laid back and easy manner, Bragg guides you to each performance area as they light up and the audience follows like moths to a flame. The audience passes through, along and around each set. The sheer proximity of the action keeps us engaged to the point of seemingly tangible involvement, enhanced by a superb performance from the cast.

The death of a father has brought his sons back together. John returns from America to find his brother Jack has been encouraged by his friend Tony to stand as a candidate for the BNP. There is a clash of ideologies: do you preserve the English tradition of pies at Ned’s café or do you embrace the new Argos that has replaced it?

On Theatre with Mick Gordon and director Christopher Haydon, have created a straight forward, black and white story: one where an open minded person will embrace all that society has to offer and the blinkered will make rash decisions without considering the consequences. As Jack’s son George puts it: the BNP’s ideas are much too “certain”.

This is a play full of sweat, spitting and in keeping with the English - a good old punch up. Certainly not one for the faint hearted! Pressure Drop is an interpretation of how present day society is perceived by particular groups or individuals – you can either adapt and embrace change or fight against it.

For the die-hard Bragg fans, he consolidates the play with the songs: 'All You Fascists', 'Same Again' and 'There Will Be A Reckoning' among others.

Distressing, tender and hard-hitting: Bragg and Gordon have produced something that will stay with the audience well after the election results have been counted.

5 stars