Reviews by Keith Dudhnath

Order by: Date, A–Z

• 
  Special When Lit (2009)

  Review preview for Special When Lit

  Every geeky sphere has its own nutters, and pinball is no exception, but Special When Lit treats them kindly, respectfully, and leaves any slightly mean sniggering up to the audience.

  A history of pinball, and a look at its current devotees and major players.
• 
  The Thick Of It: The Specials (2008)

  Review preview for The Thick Of It: The Specials

  Biting satire, a sharp script and wonderful performances make it a must-see.

  Biting political satire that survives comparison with Yes, Minister.
• 
  Russell Peters: Red, White And Brown (2009)

  Review preview for Russell Peters: Red, White And Brown

  It's stand-up comedy and it's funny - do you need to know more?

  Stand-up comedy, investigating multiculturalism and stereotypes.
• 
  Step Brothers (2008)

  Review preview for Step Brothers

  You'll watch, you'll laugh, you'll have a great time, you'll quote the cheesy lines with your friends afterwards.

  Comedy about adult siblings sharing a room.
• 
  Shoot On Sight (2007)

  Review preview for Shoot On Sight

  Depending on your outlook, Shoot On Sight is either an opportunity missed, or a diamond in the rough.

  An innocent man is shot on the London Underground.
• 
  The Colour Of Magic (2008)

  Review preview for The Colour Of Magic

  Perfect family viewing for a lazy weekend.

  Rincewind the wizard is forced to become a guide for the Discworld's first ever tourist.
• 
  Donkey Punch (2008)

  Review preview for Donkey Punch

  The worst film I've seen in a long time.

  Seven go mad on a yacht. Plus read our interview with the director and stars of the film. The film is out to own on November 10.
• 
  Strange Wilderness (2008)

  Review preview for Strange Wilderness

  When the final scene fizzles out to nothing, you know it's been a wasted journey.

  Wildlife TV presenters go in search of Bigfoot with a crew of idiots and stoners.
• 
  Psycho Beach Party (2000)

  Review preview for Psycho Beach Party

  The major problem is a bland script. There's next to nothing to laugh at.

  Surfing spoof about a beach bunny with a sexually ravenous alter ego.
• 
  Let's Get Lost (1988)

  Review preview for Let's Get Lost

  The quality certainly shines out.

  Documentary about the jazz trumpeter.
• 
  Bee Movie (2007)

  Review preview for Bee Movie

  There's plenty in Bee Movie for people of all ages.

  A recently graduated bee decides to sue humans for eating honey.
• 
  American Dad: Volume 3 (2007)

  Review preview for American Dad: Volume 3

  It's broad silliness, rather than biting political satire, but it never feels too cheesy.

  Another slice of satire about the CIA dad and his family. Out to own on DVD from May 12.
• 
  Paprika (2006)

  Review preview for Paprika

  Every scene is a rich, visual treat.

  A dream machine is stolen, leading to people being unable to distinguish reality from fiction.
• 
  The Tudors: Complete Series One (2007)

  Review preview for The Tudors: Complete Series One

  Unfortunately, with a weak central actor, the interactions of those around him suffer as a result.

  BBC series about Henry VIII as a young man.
• 
  Evan Almighty (2007)

  Review preview for Evan Almighty

  Bland, cheesy and embarrassingly light on jokes, but it still has a certain charm.

  A US congressman is ordered by God to build an ark in preparation for a great flood. Out to own on DVD from November 26.
• 
  Fontane Effi Briest (1974)

  Review preview for Fontane Effi Briest

  The bold black and white cinematography looks stunning and enhances the mood of the film.

  A young woman, who has married a politician, finds an affair has consequences. Out to own now on the RW Fassbinder Commemorative Collection: Vol 2.
• 
  Fast Food Nation (2006)

  Review preview for Fast Food Nation

  Despite the characterisation flaws, the ensemble cast perform well.

  Exposing the beef burger industry as bacteria friendly, with blood in the boardroom and illegals in the slaughterhouse.
• 
  The Bow (2005)

  Review preview for The Bow

  Hwal is a wonderful piece of film-making. It's simple, thoughtful, perfectly focussed, and a delight to watch from start to finish.

  A young girl has been raised by an old man but now she is nearing 17 will a chance encounter with a fisherman change their lives forever?
• 
  Labyrinth Of Passion (1982)

  Review preview for Labyrinth Of Passion

  On strictly technical grounds, Laberinto De Pasiones is fairly average, but watching it with a cold beer on a warm summer's evening it strikes a chord.

  Early Almodóvar romp, focussing on a nymphomaniac, the son of a Middle Eastern emperor and a gay terrorist.
• 
  L'Homme De Ma Vie (1992)

  Review preview for L'Homme De Ma Vie

  If you'll forgive the stereotype, it should be more French, damnit.

  A woman searches for the man of her dreams.
• 
  Simon Magus And The Nine Lives Of Thomas Katz (1999)

  Review preview for Simon Magus And The Nine Lives Of Thomas Katz

  The acting performances, without exception, are excellent.

  Two films by director Ben Hopkins.
• 
  Twinky (1969)

  Review preview for Twinky

  Twinky starts off brightly, with a light-hearted and bubbly script... unfortunately, the film soon goes off the rails.

  A teenager's runs off with a man more than twice her age.
• 
  Simon and Laura (1955)

  Review preview for Simon and Laura

  While Simon and Laura may predict the reality TV genre, its take on it can't really be called prescient or telling.

  A bickering couple get the opportunity to revitalise their careers by starring in a reality TV show.
• 
  Monty Python's Personal Best (2006)

  Review preview for Monty Python's Personal Best

  All the Personal Best does is remind you that it's not the full series.

  Favourite moments from the series, picked by the surviving members of the team.
• 
  Tideland (2005)

  Review preview for Tideland

  Tideland is simply magnificent. It's bleak and creepy, but at the same time charming, wide-eyed and visionary.

  Lonely girl’s imaginary life in the wild open spaces of her mind.
• 
  An Evening With Kevin Smith 2: Evening Harder (2006)

  Review preview for An Evening With Kevin Smith 2: Evening Harder

  If you're willing to embrace a little geekiness, there are plenty of laughs to be had throughout.

  Creator of Clerks entertains fans with Q&As in London and Toronto.
• 
  Jimmy Carr Live Collection (2005)

  Review preview for Jimmy Carr Live Collection

  It doesn't always rely on rude words and shock value, but there's a good smattering in there.

  Double-dose of the Perrier-nominated stand up comedian.
• 
  The Woodsman (2004)

  Review preview for The Woodsman

  Kevin Bacon has never been better. His is a masterful central performance that deserves to be seen by as many people as possible.

  A paedophile returns to the terrible normality of life after 12 years in prison.
• 
  Earthlings (2005)

  Review preview for Earthlings

  Ultimately, Earthlings is a light documentary about a group of people who share a hobby.

  A documentary about Klingon speakers.
• 
  Quantum Leap: The Complete Fourth Season (1991)

  Review preview for Quantum Leap: The Complete Fourth Season

  It can be a little preachy, even twee, at times, but that is a major part of its charm.

  The fourth outing for an intrepid time traveller and his hologram sidekick.
• 
  MirrorMask (2005)

  Review preview for MirrorMask

  I defy anyone not to be blown away by the visuals.

  A circus girl falls into a fantasy world where darkness threatens the kingdom of light.
• 
  Jericho (2005)

  Review preview for Jericho

  The atmosphere and aesthetics are engrossing and go a long way to carrying the show.

  Detective series, set in Fifties London, with Robert Lindsay as the gumshoe.
• The Saint: The Complete Colour Series (1966)

  Review preview for The Saint: The Complete Colour Series

  The acting wavers between ham and cheese.

  An early freelance James Bond in lightweight, adventurous, TV-sized chunks.
• Kyon Ki (2005)

  Review preview for Kyon Ki

  One of the worst films I've seen in a long time - and that includes Deuce Bigalow: European Gigolo.

  Bollywood comedy romance in a loony bin, with songs.
• 
  American Gothic (1995)

  Spooky goings on in small-town America.
• 
  The Full Monty (1997)

  Review preview for The Full Monty

  Heart warming and enjoyable.

  Unemployed labourers get their kits off for cash.
• The Perfect Catch (2005)

  Review preview for The Perfect Catch

  There are two types of passion to capture here. Neither really show up at all.

  The Farrelly Brothers do Nick Hornby in an Americanisation of Fever Pitch.
• Eulogy (2004)

  Review preview for Eulogy

  Misses at every opportunity.

  Black comedy about three generations of a family who come together for a funeral.
• 
  Carlito's Way: Rise To Power (2005)

  Review preview for Carlito's Way: Rise To Power

  There is simply nothing worthy of recommendation here.

  Prequel. No Al Pacino. Puff Daddy.
• 
  Escape From New York (1981)

  Review preview for Escape From New York

  Carpenter's direction gives all the actors enough space with which to perform, whilst also creating a glorious atmosphere of urban degeneration at its most extreme.

  Kurt Russell embarks on a one-man mission to save the US President in a futuristic prison city.
• 
  To The Ends Of The Earth (2005)

  Review preview for To The Ends Of The Earth

  It would seem that The Ends Of The Earth has everything going for it. Unfortunately, it's interminably boring.

  Talking the long route under sail to Australia in the 19th century.
• 
  The Twilight Zone: Series 1 (1959)

  Review preview for The Twilight Zone: Series 1

  Although the ground it broke can only be broken once, it's clear to see why The Twilight Zone has been so respected, influential, copied and parodied since it first appeared, nearly 50 years ago.

  The first season of an iconic sci-fi TV series.
• 
  24: Series 4 (2005)

  Review preview for 24: Series 4

  Gushes tension and excitement from every pore.

  Another day, another crisis; this time terrorists are planning a major outrage.
• Paul Morrissey box set: Flesh/Trash/Heat (2005)

  Review preview for Paul Morrissey box set: Flesh/Trash/Heat

  Flesh, Trash and Heat are wonderful. I can only imagine just how groundbreaking they must have been when first released.

  Trilogy of films about a sometime hustler.
• 
  Gone In 60 Seconds (1974)

  Review preview for Gone In 60 Seconds

  The acting is as bad as you could imagine. However, as bad as Gone In 60 Seconds should be, it is, in fact, superbly fun.

  High-octane car heist that spawned the Nic Cage remake.
• The Internecine Project (1974)

  A former secret agent plots to bump of people from his past to ensure he gets a high-ranking government post.
• 
  Mayor Of The Sunset Strip (2003)

  Review preview for Mayor Of The Sunset Strip

  Whilst I wouldn't call the documentary dishonest, I would call it exploitative.

  Documentary about Californian DJ, who likes to be seen with the stars.
• 
  The Best Of Dave Allen (2005)

  Stand up from the irreverent Irishman.
• 
  Footballers' Wives: Series 3 (2004)

  Review preview for Footballers' Wives: Series 3

  Why parody the self-parodying?

  The continuing saga of a dysfunctional footbal club.
• Making A Killing (2002)

  Review preview for Making A Killing

  Despite the constraint of inexperience, they've turned in a clever little film that knows its limits and comfortably achieves them.

  Things go awry when friends fake a murder to get life insurance cash.