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In 1998, I toured Ireland with a group of Aussies. We stopped in Avoca only because Ballykissangel was filmed there. All the Aussies were excited to see the church, the store, and Fitzgerald's just as seen on their BBC back home. I remembered the cute name for the town (Ballykissangel) when I joined Netflix. The characters are so well developed. No U.S. TV series is ever this good. Only when PBS shows a series of BBC programs is there any quality, and this has never been shown where I have been. The quirky people of BallyK just keep on coming. Some better than others, but each disc always leaves me wanting more. This show could have continued longer that six seasons with Kieran Prendiville back in the helm, but alas, it didn't. I will be sorry when I watch the last disc. Should it ever appear on PBS, I will become an avid watcher again. It is worth seeing again and looking forward to each episode. Ballykissangel wins my highest praise as quality storytelling.

I took my son when he was about 12 to see Delirious and we laughed ourselves all the way through it. My son was rolling on the grass at the outdoor pavilion. There was Eddie in that ridiculous orange suit and saying the filthiest, funniest s*** that he had ever heard--at least I thought he hadn't heard all that before. He was mature enough. We laughed driving home and repeated some of his lines. This is going to be my gift to my son for Christmas as a memory, but I will definitely open it and watch it myself with friends. Maybe I will have to keep it and order another for him. Anyone who likes the old SNL Murphey will love him is all his foul-mouthed language you could never think of. He is hilarious. If you are depressed or feeling low, you will laugh so hard it will do you good.

After Kurosawa made his MacBeth with Throne of Blood, Zhang Yimou has chosen the same topic. It is, however, very confusing. As a former cinematographer, his scenery and costumes are stunning. Zhang is best with his outdoor scenery of his country and the contemplative films about the depth of feelings of the his subjects. Those are the films I love. He deviated by doing the martial arts films, House of Flying Daggers and Hero, but I think it was to try to come up with different uses of swords, spears and wire-flying martial artists than Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon. He did them masterfully, but his spirit is in his country and its people and the general stories of the past. I loved Raise the Red Lantern, Qui Ju, Jo Dou, and Red Sorghum. There are a few others I want to see that are in those earlier triumphs. I hope he continues to make films like his next, Riding Alone for a Thousand Miles. Absolutely wonderful. As for this film, I take it as a tribute to Kurosawa andShakespeare, nothing more. Kurosawa did it better. Zhang should stick with his cinematographic and in-depth studies of people. There he shines as a master.