Positive Movie Reviews ( joepineapples )
The Sting, George Roy Hill
" The con movie to end all con movies. Newman and Redford on top form as two grifters after revenge. Hilarious consequences! "
Moon, Duncan Jones
" Tremendous performance(s) from Sam Rockwell in this philosophical sci-fi. Brilliantly convincing model work rather than the usual spunkfest of shoddy CGI. "
Gonzo, Alex Gibney
" Fascinating, comprehensive insight into the creative, anarchic and debauched life of Dr. Hunter S. Thompson. Buy the DVD, take the ride. "
Trading Places, John Landis
" Murphy and Ackroyd on top form in this great spin on the riches-to-rags-to-riches tale. No one does comedy quite like Landis. "
Dirty Harry, Don Siegel
" Eastwood's iconically wonderful as the cop who gave every other cop a bad name.You really WILL feel lucky watching this classic. "
A Cock And Bull Story, Michael Winterbottom
" Another hilarious Winterbottom/Coogan/Brydon 'fly-on-the-wall' collaboration that postmodernly tracks the two hapless actors struggling to adapt the unadaptable novel Tristram Shandy. Brilliant! "
Into The Wild, Sean Penn
" Poetic biopic charting graduate Christopher McCandless's plight from the consumer world into the vast American wilds. Another directorial triumph from Penn. "
Dark City, Alex Proyas
" Little-known neo-noir SF-flick from the director of The Crow and I-Robot. Paranoia, amnesia, alternative-realities and extraterrestrial-parasites the order of the day. "
High Plains Drifter, Clint Eastwood
" Brooding, sinister, supernatural revenge-western in which avenging anti-hero Eastwood literally does paint the town red. Bloody, brutal, brilliant. "
Barfly, Barbet Schroeder
" Bukowski-penned anti-narrative with Mickey Rourke on fire as the controversial author's booze-loving alter-ego, Henry Chinaski.A movie about drinking, fighting, writing, loving. "
Lost Highway, David Linch
" Lynch, like no other director, has the knack of getting under-your-skin through the simplest of imagery. This psycho-sexual drama proves that. "
A Single Man, Tom Ford
" The film Firth should have really won the Oscar for, this is a powerful, visionary study of love, loss and grief. "
Choke, Clark Gregg
" Great cast (Sam Rockwell,Kelly McDonald,Anjelica Huston) for this Palahniuk adaptation. Might've been even better in the hands of an edgier director. "
This Is Spinal Tap, Rob Reiner
" Greatest mockumentary ever that isn't too far away from the true absurdity of rock'n'roll.Leaves a legacy of memorably hilarious lines. "
Wild At Heart, David Lynch
" Lynch does The Wizard of Oz in this ultra-violent, psycho-sexual and downright disturbing road-movie following Lulu and Sailor's fight-for-their-lives love affair. "
The Lost Boys, Joel Schumacher
" Great performances from, at that time, a burgeoning cast. Seminal, fanboy vampire flick with all the high-camp of a Hammer horror. "
Withnail And I, Bruce Robinson
" Classic, classy bittersweet British comedy with more quotable lines than a thousand Hollywood equivalents. Love, friendship, poverty, ambition, Monty's cottage... betrayal. "
Perfume, Tom Tykwer
" Visionary director adapts the so-called unadaptable with menacing panache, creating stunning gothic set-pieces for this tale of the fragrance-obsessed serial killer. "
Michael Clayton, Tony Gilroy
" Impatient for a Rebecca Brooks biopic?Then watch this cracking legal conspiracy drama.Clooney sheds his usual clown-suit and Tilda Swinton's on Oscar-winning-form. "
In Bruges, Martin McDonagh
" Blacker than black comedy thriller from the near-the-knuckle playwright who brings out superb performances from all involved. Funny, poignant; genuinely shocking. "
Dead Man's Shoes, Shane Meadows
" Disturbing revenge drama played in the lowest of keys. Considine is on tremendous, cyclonic form as the avenging angel of death. "
Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy, Tomas Alfredson
" Atmospheric big-screen adaptation of this cold-war pot-boiler, though this is more of a tense simmerer that brilliantly captures the period paranoia. "
Drive, Nicolas Winding Refn
" Blistering and surprisingly violent tribute to the man-with-no-name revenge drama and 80s cheese. Refn rivals Mann in filming a breathtaking cityscape. "
Hereafter, Clint Eastwood
" Multi-narrative musing upon the afterlife and the astral plane.Nowhere near as bad as it sounds though can Clint do any wrong? "
Darkman, Sam Raimi
" Tongue-in-cheek superhero action flick with a wonderfully OTT performance from Liam Neeson as the eponymous hero. Raimi at his wacky best. "
When You're Strange, Tom Dicillo
" Concise and ever-engaging documentary film detailing the rise and fall of The Doors. The fascinating archive footage is allowed to shine. "
The Awakening, Nick Murphy
" Atmospheric post-WWI ghost story that successfully founds its shocks on atmosphere and build-up rather than gore. The ever-brilliant Rebecca Hall stars. "
Snowtown, Justin Kurzel
" This uncompromising Australian indie flick portrays the events surrounding the body-in-the-barrel killings. Daniel Henshall is compelling as serial killer John Bunting. "
Paradise, N/A
" Incredible live performance from the Brechtian, Weimar-republic-esque duo. Amanda Palmer's rich vocals soar above intricate piano work and Viglione's powerhouse drumming. "
Inside Man, Spike Lee
" Classically influenced heist movie that deserves more recognition. Superb ensemble cast and slick direction. A re-watchable masterpiece that amuses and surprises! "
The Descent, Neil Marshall
" Tense, slow-burning indie horror flick that combines the traditional monster genre with the more psychological disaster movie. Some cracking jumping-cat moments! "
The Neverending Story, Wolfgang Peterson
" Classic children's fantasy from the unlikely director of Das Boot. Deeper themes of loss of childhood innocence heightens the story complexity. "
In The Line Of Fire, Wolfgang Peterson
" Tense, fast-paced cat and mouse thriller with John Malkovich's psychopathic presidential assassin pitted against Clint Eastwood's hard-nailed, dogged Secret Service agent. "
Young Sherlock Holmes, Barry Levinson
" A genuine grown-up, intelligent and poignant 'kid's' film reimagining the early life of the super sleuth. Excellent effects for its day. "
Marwencol, Jeff Malmberg
" Fascinating study of Mark Hogencamp who, after emerging from a violently-induced coma, creates photographic tableaux of a fantasy-world that reflects reality. "
Tombstone, George P. Cosmatos
" Knockabout, action-packed re-telling of the Earp brothers's law-bringing to the Wild West. Great ensemble cast make this a fine contemporary western. "
Control, Anton Corbijn
" Insightful and poignant biopic of the British post-punk outfit with a compelling performance from Sam Riley as the doomed Ian Curtis. "
Rare Exports, Jalmari Helander
" Brilliantly inventive and anarchically twisted take on the Christmas film as scientists unearth the REAL Santa Claus from Lapland's icy depths. "
The Big Country, WIlliam Wyler
" Epic western that is as much about a man's principles as it is about the brutality of the west. Incredible score. "
Eternal Sunshine Of The Spotless Mind, Michel Gondry
" Surreally beautiful film musing upon the nature of memory and love. Surprisingly sensitive performance from Carrey. Shame Gondry's never repeated this. "
Reservoir Dogs, Quentin Tarantino
" This put Tarantino on the map and is possibly his finest piece. No fat on this fast-talkin', ultra-violent, darkly-comic gangster masterpiece. "
X-Men: First Class, Matthew Vaughn
" 'Legacy' film paying respectful homage to comics and previous films alike whilst maintaining a palpable edginess and sense of impending doom. "
Goodfellas, Martin Scorsese
" Brutal, spellbinding expose of the American gangster. Slick direction and terrifying, relentless performance from Joe Pesci as the psychopathic Tommy. Awesome. "
Mean Streets, Martin Scorsese
" Scorsese's first feature is a superb study of friendship and ambition, with dizzyingly visionary direction and wonderful soundtrack. A true classic! "
Hard Candy, David Slade
" Claustrophobic indie-flick with the superb Ellen Page as 14-year-old angel of vengeance enacting retribution upon a pedophile photographer. Uncomfortable, compelling viewing. "
Inception, Christopher Nolan
" Baffling blockbuster with intricate plotting and breathtaking action set pieces. May take a couple of viewings but well worth the commitment. "
Duel, Steven Spielberg
" Spielberg's brilliant feature debut. Anonymous homicidal truck-driver goes apeshit for revenge... for being overtaken! Claustrophobic and without forced exposition. Must see! "
The Ides Of March, George Clooney
" Gorgeous George exercises his directorial and political muscles once more with this social commentary upon corruption at the highest level. Superb! "
Bite The Bullet, Richard Brooks
" Hackman and Coburn shine in horserace horse-opera with more twists and turns than the 700-mile course the riders have to beat. "
Angel Heart, Alan Parker
" 'Who do gone voodoo?' we ask in Alan Parker's skin-crawling adaptation of this occult-gumshoe thriller showcasing a vintage Mickey Rourke performance. "
Lone Star, John Sayles
" Racial politics and buried secrets combine to form a cracking, thoughtful thriller from the ever-brilliant Sayles. Mesmerising performance from Chris Cooper. "
Alien 3, David Fincher
" Usually seen as the poor cousin of its predecessors, this nevertheless packs a punch and hints towards Fincher's future visual acrobatics. "
Senna, Asif Kapadia
" No-nonsense documentary detailing the rise and fall of Brazilian racing genius. Fascinating, uncompromising behind-the-scenes footage make this both exhilarating and tragic. "
Negative Movie Reviews ( joepineapples )
There are currently no negative reviews.
Positive Album Reviews ( joepineapples )
Amanaplanacanalpanama, CreepJoint
" A rock-fuelled thrill-ride through the underbelly of society. Top notes of Martin Grech and early Muse, with a hint of Reuben. "
Richard D. James, Aphex Twin
" Like an electric insect crawling beneath your skin and tap dancing on your bones. An album chock-full of beauty and menace. "
Grinderman, Grinderman
" Dirty blues and growling vocals, plumbing the depths of primal desire and sexual frustration. Cave's never had so much fun. "
Kill The Body And The Head Will Die, The Premature Ejaculators
" Forever pushing musical boundaries, this is an exhilarating blues-punk assault on the senses, punctuated by Aidan O'Hooligan's poetic, witty, Rabelaisian lyrics. "
Original Pirate Material, The Streets
" Scorching debut from Skinner, spitting ill rhymes about "deep-seeded urban decay", booze-Britain and noughties drug culture. Play loud and get lairy. "
Violator, Depeche Mode
" Camp 80s-electronica outfit come good with this electro-goth classic, with Gahan's bassy, mellifluous tones bringing beauty to Gore's dark, brooding lyrics. "
New Forms, Roni Size And Reprazent
" Thumping, Mercury-prize-winning debut from the drum-and-bass collective. The double-bass tone and fresh beats of 'Brown Paper Bag' still blows the mind. "
Eat Your Tits Off, Rudolf Nureyev, CreepJoint
" What an absolute cracker of an album! Great riffs and a fantastic title! "
Yuck, Yuck
" Awesome medley of Dinosaur Jr-esque-guitar-blasting and melodiously acoustic musings a la Evan Dando. Some mind-blowing proggy instrumentals almost steal the show. "
Wasting Light, Foo Fighters
" The-nicest-man-in-rock-and-roll is back to his brutal alter-ego with a surprisingly raucous and head-bangingly catchy offering. 'White Limo' is an ear-bleedingly-wonderful highlight. "
Skying, The Horrors
" The Horrors continue to surprise with a psychedelic masterpiece. Badwan's darkly gothic vocals spin webs of surreal, ethereal and elemental dreamscapes. "
Outside Love, Pink Mountaintops
" Shoegazing masterpiece with sweeping psychedelica carrying waves of darker lyrical undertones that smacks of the great Spiritualized. Sit back, lose yourself. "
Take Care, Take Care, Take Care, Explosions In The Sky
" Post-rock Texan-quartet take minimalism and stretch it remarkably into dramatic, thrilling instrumental sojourns. A 6-track album lasting over 45mins? One word:EPIC. "
Debut, Bjork
" Stunning first album from the pint-sized Icelandic experimentalist. Thumping dance beats combine with elemental beauty and unique, weird and wonderful lyricism. "
In Utero, Nirvana
" Angsty, bleak and musically-mature offering from the Seattle grunge pioneers. Raucous and beautiful, this is boundary-pushing music. Head-bang-into-oblivion listening to 'Tourettes'. "
Is This It, The Strokes
" Blink-and-you-miss it debut from the influential New Yorkers, coming in at 36'28". Cracking collection of indie-pop magic they've never quite matched. "
Smother, Wild Beasts
" Another triumph from the Lake District boys, spinning a musical magic carpet of trademark, tongue-tripping wordplay and heart-string-strumming melodies. Blissful listening. "
Antichrist Superstar, Marilyn Manson
" Landmark Trent Reznor-produced album when MM still had teeth. Chainsaw guitars and flesh-ripping vocals meld with goth-electronica on this heretic gorefest. "
Rage Against The Machine, Rage Against The Machine
" Forget the controversy-hype of 'Killing In The Name Of', this is an album rife with top-class musicianship. The perfect funk/rock/rap fusion. "
Dresden Dolls, The Dresden Dolls
" Burlesque, Weimar Republic-influenced piano-punk, with scattergun vocals and mind thumping beats. 'Girl Anachronism' a perfect energetic example of the talented two-piece. "
Pornography, The Cure
" The Cure at their bleakest best, the mental turmoil of the stripped-down 3-piece pervading every nihilistic track. Goth dispiritism bottled up. "
Bloodflowers, The Cure
" 3rd in the Pornography/Disintegration trilogy, this Grammy-award-nominated masterpiece is epic and vintage Cure, tapping into the underbelly of human existence. "
Pretty Hate Machine, Nine Inch Nails
" The album that launched the musical auteur Trent Reznor and paved the way for the goth/industrial movement. Catchy, scratchy rock mayhem. "
Scott 2, Scott Walker
" Walker self-coined this as 'a work of a lazy,self-indulgent man'. It is, however, a collection that perfectly showcases his mellifluous performances. "
Curtains, Tindersticks
" Third instalment of seedy, sinuous tales of (sub)urban living with frequent flavours of Cave and Cocker. Listen and float to elsewhere. "
It's A Shame About Ray, The Lemonheads
" Slacker rock at its finest, Dando and Hatfield's vocals pirouetting with ease and style. Crack out the cold ones and chillax. "
Mechanical Animals, Marilyn Manson
" Brian Warner glams-it-up in this synth-heavy Bowie tribute. A surprise departure from 'Antichrist Superstar' and perhaps the pinnacle of a career. "
Who Killed Amanda Palmer, Amanda Palmer
" One half of the Dresden Dolls goes solo with piano-pounding, tongue-twisting tribute to Lynchian macabre. Rich, multi-textured production from Ben Folds. "
Madonna, And You Will Know Us By The Trail Of Dead
" Texan post-punkers mash it up with their stunning 2nd album. Thrash guitars segue into violin-led art-rock, possessing a scent of TheVU. "
Source Tags & Codes, And You Will Know Us By The Trail Of Dead
" Cracking follow-up to 1999's 'Madonna', with fuller, more-mature sound without losing any of its full-bodied punch. 'Relative Ways' is a cracker! "
Yoshimi Battles The Pink Robots, The Flaming Lips
" 10th studio concept-offering from the alt-rockers with surreal, beautiful and deeply melancholy ponderings about love & death framed against Yoshimi's 'battle'.Genius. "
The Soft Bulletin, The Flaming Lips
" Album that led the 'Lips down a new musical path, with blend of catchier, poppier melodies combined with thougtful, dream-like lyrics. "
Fever To Tell, Yeah Yeah Yeahs
" Blistering debut of unadulterated indie rock from the New York 3-piece. Foot-stomping head-bangers combine with the tear-jerking, heart palpitatory masterpiece 'Maps'. "
Songs For The Deaf, Queens Of The Stone Age
" Bluesy, hard-rocking 3rd album from the Josh Homme collective with Dave Grohl on fire as featured drummer. Songs for the Badass. "
Them Crooked Vultures, Them Crooked Vultures
" Riff-rife with John-Paul Jones's bass-blasts,this is the ultimate super group with Messrs. Homme and Grohl ( aka thehardestworkingmeninrock'n'roll) at the helm. "
Scott 4, Scott Walker
" Walker's first album solely to contain self-penned songs,this is an ethereal, near-operatic collection of introspective existential ballads and character-driven kitchen-sink dramas. "
Come On Feel The Lemonheads, The Lemonheads
" Combining the Gram Parsons-influenced country ballads and grungier, raw-edged headbangers reflective of their earlier incarnation, Dando's collective created an instant classic. "
Untrue, Burial
" Mercury-prize nominated ambient dubstep masterpiece from the media-shy Londoner. Slippage between drumtracks and ethereal, auto-tuned vocals make for a haunting urban-soundtrack. "
Pull Up Some Dust And Sit Down, Ry Cooder
" A game of two blisteringly excellent halves, with country ballads and Beefheart-esque blues grit, all cut through with biting political satire. "
The Loudest Engine, Howling Bells
" 3rd offering from the Australian 4-piece, with Juanita Stein's ethereal vocals never sounding finer. Has some transportational moments of pure psychedelia. "
Bubblegum, Mark Lanegan
" Lanegan growls and howls on this thrilling dirt-blues gem, with a host of guest artists including the ever-dependable P J Harvey. "
In Rainbows, Radiohead
" The Oxford alt-rocker's 7th studio album and perhaps their finest, combining catchy riffs with the off the wall sensibility of KidA. "
Passover, The Black Angels
" Debut album from the psychedelic-rock quintet. Sweeping, epic tunes that make you wanna down a bottle of Wild Turkey and party-on. "
Directions To See A Ghost, The Black Angels
" Second offering from the Texan rockers. Drilling guitars and ominous soundscapes do glorious justice to their biggest influence, the Velvet Underground. "
Phosphene Dream, The Black Angels
" Punchier, and perhaps more conventional 3rd album, showcasing memorable tunes that contain hints of The Beatles, Pink Floyd and The Doors. "
Mule Variations, Tom Waits
" Grammy award-winning belter from the master songsmith, with tunes as diverse as the grit-gargling Big In Japan and the horror-tale What's-He-Building-In-There? "
The Bends, Radiohead
" Remember when Radiohead wrote albums full of hummable tunes? Well, this album is chock-full of them, with each one shining brightly. "
Prince Blimey, Red Snapper
" Debut from the acid-jazz/electronica combo, and another cracker from the ever-reliable Warp stable. Skips effortlessly between foot-stomping breakbeats and smoky dub-jazz. "
Violent Femmes, Violent Femmes
" Blinding debut from the folk punk-trio, with infectious tunes exploring both the nether-region and cerebral yearnings for love, sex and belonging. "
Meat Puppets II, Meat Puppets
" Punk/country (punkry?) mindblaster including the raucous classics Lake of Fire and Plateau, made famous by Nirvana covers. Check out these originals! "
Sergeant Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, The Beatles
" A real turning-point in the band's career, this classic concept album combines experimental forms with trademark brilliance in song-writing and production. "
Mellon Collie And The Infinite Sadness, Smashing Pumpkins
" Overlong? Perhaps. Overblown? Maybe. But this doesn't stop this grungy, epic, lyrically complex, tuneful, heavy-as-fuck double album being a mindblowing masterpiece. "
Bug, Dinosaur Jr
" Slacker fuzz rock at its best, with stand out tunes Freak Scene and Let It Ride forming an iron-clad album backbone. "
Marie Antoinette OST, Various Artists
" Flawless soundtrack of a highly flawed film. Brilliant selection of artists as diverse as Siouxsie And The Banshees and Aphex Twin. "
Unknown Pleasures, Joy Division
" Debut from the post-punk miserabilists, with electro-goth influenced dirges complementing Ian Curtis's doom-mongering poetics. Still as groundbreaking and raw as ever. "
Closer, Joy Division
" Poppier though equally sombre second album, released after Curtis's tragic demise. The increasing lyrical and musical doom of the album compels. "
Kid A, Radiohead
" Ground-breaking departure from the riff-heavy earlier albums that plays with synthesized fits and starts and darkly ominous, spine-tingling vocals. A classic! "
Pet Sounds, The Beach Boys
" I resisted this album for SO long, 'GOD ONLY KNOWS' why because it's a slacker/surf/rock classic! Evocative of a by-gone era. "
Gish, Smashing Pumpkins
" Debut from the 'Pumpkins which combines hard-rocking, raucous riffs with an incredible bass-groove at its core. Jimmy Chamberlain's drum-performance is immense. "
Vitalogy, Pearl Jam
" Raw and unleashed third album from the Seattle rockers. Head-bangingly glorious, this kicks bucketloads of shit out of the oft-hailed 'Ten'. "
Derdang Derdang, The Archie Bronson Outfit
" Contemporary blues rock that is both filthy and blissful. Music to get the squarest of booze-fuelled snake-hips writhing. "
Thirteenth Step, A Perfect Circle
" Keenan's extra-curricular project away from Tool, this is more brooding and slow-burning but still with trademark sweeping riffs and lyrical poetics. "
Blues Funeral, The Mark Lanegan Band
" With a throatful of hot gravel, Lanegan storms forth again. Usual filthy blues here, but surprisingly tinged with mature, retro electronica. "
Golden, The Kit Downes Trio
" Stylish debut from the jazz trio with plenty of swing and exhilarating piano work that combines modern syncopation with classic roots. "
Noctourniquet, The Mars Volta
" Modern kings of prog-mayhem are back with a diverse helping of glass-shatteringly heavy riffs and electronica, cut through with powerhouse vocals. "
Negative Album Reviews ( joepineapples )
There are currently no negative reviews.
Positive Book Reviews ( joepineapples )
The Loved One, Evelyn Waugh
" Brilliant satirical expose of the Hollywood film industry and the funeral industry, decades before The Player and Six Feet Under. "
Syrup, Maxx Barry
" Brilliant, acerbic study of consumerist greed as marketing graduate, Scat, battles to promote his new soft-drink, 'Fukk', for the Cocoa-Cola company. "
Lost Souls, Poppy Z. Brite
" Gory,erotic New Orleansian reinvention of the vampire novel that has much sharper, edgier, punkier teeth than any Anne Rice equivalent. "
The Dead Zone, Stephen King
" Johnny has an accident. Johnny goes into a coma. Johnny comes out after 4-years and has psychic powers. The trouble begins... "
The Invisible Man, H.G.Wells
" The Godfather of modern SF creates the ultimate anti-hero, Griffin, detailing his struggle and obsession with the powers invisibility grants him. "
Choke, Chuck Palahniuk
" The controversial author once more ramps up his reputation with this tale of sex-addiction, medieval renactment theme parks... and messianic ancestry! "
Cathedral, Raymond Carver
" More tales of the suburban nightmare from one of the greatest short story writers the world has ever seen. Seismic simplicity. "
Rant, Chuck Palahniuk
" Inventively crude and mind-bending, this 'oral biography' from the king of extreme-fiction is a must for fans of serial-killers and time-travel. "
The Raw Shark Texts, Steven Hall
" Intriguing and downright weird novel about memory loss and language, this is a truly original debut that will baffle the brain! "
Sweet Thursday, John Steinbeck
" Quietly poetic, this sequel to Cannery Row doesn't disappoint with its delicate tapestry of stories detailing the hopes of lovable drop-outs. "
Pulp, Charles Bukowski
" Brilliantly metafictional take on the hard-boiled American detective genre, Bukowski's final novel follows Nicky Belane's quest to find dead, French author,Celine. "
Filth, Irvine Welsh
" With Bruce Robertson, Welsh has possibly created the most repugnant anti-hero ever to (dis)grace the pages of fiction. Squirmingly painful reading. "
Cannery Row, John Steinbeck
" Beautifully written collection of poignant, funny and tragic vignettes, overarched by the travails of the loveable bums, Mack and the Boys. "
Negative Book Reviews ( joepineapples )
The Invention Of Solitude, Paul Auster
" Painfully dull memoir,meditating on the nature of loss that will make you meditate on how much time you lost reading it. "
Apples, Richard Milward
" Literary equivalent to Skins or,worse, Hollyoaks,this debut shows flashes of artistic brilliance but negates this with naive, unbelievable characterisations and storytelling. "
Positive Television Reviews ( joepineapples )
The Wire Series 2, FX/BBC2
" Brilliant study of corruption at every level of Baltimore's infrastructure, this series focusing on dockworkers. Not as accessible as Series1 though. "
The Sopranos, Channel 4
" Each episode a mini-movie, this insight into the New Jersey mob never fails to miss the mark. Brutal, thrilling, funny. Genius. "
The Culture Show, BBC2
" Thank heavens for intelligent programming, each show guaranteed to speak to individual taste, or educate and help to expand the appetite. "
Sherlock (Series 1), BBC1
" Pacy, edgy, witty and, ultimately, loyal and respectful updating of literature's greatest detective. Snappy and engaging repartee between Cumberbatch/Freeman as Holmes/Watson. "
Nathan Barley, Channel 4
" Brooker/Morris collaboration satirising the hilariously contemptible "rise of the idiots": the back-slapping toadies and lickspittles of nu-media. "
The Hour, BBC 2
" Intelligent conspiracy drama set within the BBC in the 1950's around the time of the Suez Crisis. Outstanding script and performances. "
The Walking Dead (Season 2), FX
" Tense, bloody zombie drama returns for a second season that always impresses. Brit Andrew Lincoln is superb as the crusading hero. "
Game Of Thrones, Sky Atlantic
" Complex, mature fantasy-epic with superb ensemble cast. Nice to see the political intrigue has not been dumbed down for the masses! "
Treme, Sky Atlantic
" Post-Katrina New Orleans examined closely from the creator of The Wire. Multiple story-lines expose the personal and political frustrations and tragedies. "
Birdsong, BBC 1
" Heart-wrenching tragedy that explores what comes from breakdowns in communication in matters of the heart, set against the backdrop of WWI. "
Don't Tell The Bride, BBC3
" Watch-through-the-fingers reality show where the groom has to organise the wedding. Cringe-TV at its very, VERY best! "
Homeland, Channel 4
" Psychologically tense conspiracy drama that has more twists and turns than Brand's Hatch. Incredible performances not least from the always-superb Patinkin. "
Curb Your Enthusiasm, More4
" Partly improvised comedy in which hapless Larry finds himself embroiled in numerous cringe-worthy situations that escalate into disasters of biblical proportions. "
Negative Television Reviews ( joepineapples )
The Jeremy Kyle Show, ITV1
" The grand-master of daytime-dross, Kyle froths and frets like the Joe McCarthy of England's underbelly. This is car-crash TV: horrific; hypnotic. "
Dirty Sexy Things, E4
" More vacuous,soulless reality beasts to sully the mind.Turn on,grab the bucket and fill it with puke and vitriol. "
(Michael Barrymore's) Strike It Rich, Challenge
" Barrymore taps-dances shamelessly upon the apex of maintream racism. Makes The Day Today's sketch 'Them Next Door' look positively contemporary. "
Danny Dyer's Deadliest Men 2, Sky1
" Cheeky chappy career-skids Cockney Dyer does believe the hype as he over-excitedly produces a plethora of Daily Mail crapumentary wankfests. So-bad-it's-bad. "
Life's Too Short, BBC 2
" Surprisingly, the most tasteless, exploitative aspect of this plodding, joyless mockumentary is that Warwick Davis is simply inhabiting Gervais' endlessly-portrayed persona. "
Positive Games Reviews ( joepineapples )
Psi-ops: The Mindgate Conspiracy, Midway Games
" Underrated shooter with added twist of upgradable psychic powers. Great fun to levitate the enemy and brain him in mid-air! "
The Legend Of Zelda: Ocarina Of Time 3D, Capcom
" Welcome return for the spellbinding N64 classic, downsized for the DS. Still breathtakingly complex, though a shame it's been simplified somewhat. "
Robocop, Ocean
" The game that no longer made me jealous of my mates' Amigas and Commodores. The greatest movie tie-in for the Speccy! "
Left 4 Dead, Turtle Rock Studios
" Zombie shoot-em-up splatterfest that works best as a multi-player - especially when you're shooting the bejesus out of internet strangers! "
Negative Games Reviews ( joepineapples )
There are currently no negative reviews.
