The Philadelphia Story, 1940
This clever and manipulative picture sees Katharine Hepburn in a role not too dissimilar from her real-life persona: a toffee-nosed glamour puss who is cut down to size by her critics. Vying for the affections of Hepburn's character, Tracy Lord, are her ex-husband, fiance and the press, keen to cover her impending wedding. Acutely observed and cleverly portrayed, The Philadelphia Story is at once a cutting commentary on the politics of society and an ingenious piece of PR.
Read our review Buy the DVD
This clever and manipulative picture sees Katharine Hepburn in a role not too dissimilar from her real-life persona: a toffee-nosed glamour puss who is cut down to size by her critics. Vying for the affections of Hepburn's character, Tracy Lord, are her ex-husband, fiance and the press, keen to cover her impending wedding. Acutely observed and cleverly portrayed, The Philadelphia Story is at once a cutting commentary on the politics of society and an ingenious piece of PR.
Read our review Buy the DVD
The Pink Panther, 1964
Telling the adventures of a misguided detective, Inspector Clouseau, The Pink Panther is home to Peter Sellers' most celebrated role, and was the first (and best) of a series of eight Pink Panther films. Seller's performance is typically fabulous, and his usually intellectual comedic approach gives way to a more physical form of comedy in this very fine dick-flick.
Read our review Buy the DVD
Telling the adventures of a misguided detective, Inspector Clouseau, The Pink Panther is home to Peter Sellers' most celebrated role, and was the first (and best) of a series of eight Pink Panther films. Seller's performance is typically fabulous, and his usually intellectual comedic approach gives way to a more physical form of comedy in this very fine dick-flick.
Read our review Buy the DVD
Planes, Trains And Automobiles, 1987
A simple premise becomes a farcical hoot in this surprisingly well-matched travel caper. Martin is an up-tight advertising executive who gets stuck on a cross-country jaunt with Del Griffith, a curtain hook salesman with nothing between his thoughts and his mouth. The sheer lovability of this hapless pair is what carries the film through their ill-fated sojourn.
Read our review Buy the DVD
A simple premise becomes a farcical hoot in this surprisingly well-matched travel caper. Martin is an up-tight advertising executive who gets stuck on a cross-country jaunt with Del Griffith, a curtain hook salesman with nothing between his thoughts and his mouth. The sheer lovability of this hapless pair is what carries the film through their ill-fated sojourn.
Read our review Buy the DVD
Police Academy, 1984
Viewing Police Academy draws clear parallels with watching a child unwrap a birthday present, only to play with the box it came in. Self indulgent and whimsically oblivious as they are, it cannot be denied that both are a pleasure. The most basic of slapstick reaffirms its appeal under the persistence with which it is applied. Failure to unconsciously grin through this film represents a death of one's inner child.
Read our review Buy the DVD
Viewing Police Academy draws clear parallels with watching a child unwrap a birthday present, only to play with the box it came in. Self indulgent and whimsically oblivious as they are, it cannot be denied that both are a pleasure. The most basic of slapstick reaffirms its appeal under the persistence with which it is applied. Failure to unconsciously grin through this film represents a death of one's inner child.
Read our review Buy the DVD
The Princess Bride, 1987
Cary Elwes and Robin Wright Penn star in this jovial swashbuckler directed by Rob Reiner and written by William Goldman. A young boy is nonplussed when his grandfather starts to read him a bedtime story – until it comes to life. Undercutting the conventions of fairytales, this cult comedy is retains its charm for kids big and small alike.
Read our review Buy the DVD
Cary Elwes and Robin Wright Penn star in this jovial swashbuckler directed by Rob Reiner and written by William Goldman. A young boy is nonplussed when his grandfather starts to read him a bedtime story – until it comes to life. Undercutting the conventions of fairytales, this cult comedy is retains its charm for kids big and small alike.
Read our review Buy the DVD
Private Benjamin, 1980
Goldie Hawn is the classic dizzy blonde who joins the army after her second husband dies on her wedding night. However, she doesn't let her complete lack of suitability to army life deter her from pursuing her military ambitions. A well-meaning comedy which evokes enough tittering to make it enjoyably watchable.
Read our review Buy the DVD
Goldie Hawn is the classic dizzy blonde who joins the army after her second husband dies on her wedding night. However, she doesn't let her complete lack of suitability to army life deter her from pursuing her military ambitions. A well-meaning comedy which evokes enough tittering to make it enjoyably watchable.
Read our review Buy the DVD
The Producers, 1968
Mel Brooks does not make films which are not funny. In The Producers, he attempts to stage a musical production which is awful in every respect, as part of a fraudulent scam concocted with his accountant, and fails miserably. Crowds flock to see showgirls performing the signature tune 'Springtime for Hitler' and his show becomes a smash. A truly inspired piece of cinema by a truly formidable giant of comedy.
Read our review Buy the DVD
Mel Brooks does not make films which are not funny. In The Producers, he attempts to stage a musical production which is awful in every respect, as part of a fraudulent scam concocted with his accountant, and fails miserably. Crowds flock to see showgirls performing the signature tune 'Springtime for Hitler' and his show becomes a smash. A truly inspired piece of cinema by a truly formidable giant of comedy.
Read our review Buy the DVD