jazfro
Joined Sep 2017
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Reviews49
jazfro's rating
On the surface, this is a lookalike of the long running BBC show university challenge. Same kind of format, questions, and so on. Good, if bland, family fare, you'd think, where parents and kids can come together. Bla-bla-bla.
An then inject some Micallef mischief magic: up comes a first-class comedic post-modern de-construction of the genre, with unusual questions, and weird conundrums that don't make sense, all this wrapped together by a satirical homage to Paxman's tenure at the BBC show.
The comedic bits between the students' questions are highly watchable, though one wonders if they are designed for or at the intended audience. Thus, is still the family show network 10 thought they commissioned in the first place?
An then inject some Micallef mischief magic: up comes a first-class comedic post-modern de-construction of the genre, with unusual questions, and weird conundrums that don't make sense, all this wrapped together by a satirical homage to Paxman's tenure at the BBC show.
The comedic bits between the students' questions are highly watchable, though one wonders if they are designed for or at the intended audience. Thus, is still the family show network 10 thought they commissioned in the first place?
This is a great coming-of-age comedy series. The timeless angsts of transition to adulthood are revisited from the perspective of a group of (mostly) young women of muslim descent, caught up between the pressure to conform to social norms and the curiosity to explore their own path. The characters and situations are keenly observed -you can tell that for creator Nida Manzoor, this is personal- and the humor is multi-layered, ranging from social critique, to girl-meets-boy sitcom, and slapstick.
The acting is consistently good and the characters are engaging and nuanced. The direction is good, the pace of the show is steady past the first episode. The punk music vignettes are good fun, too.
Overall an enjoyable comedy show with an original tone. 9/10.
The acting is consistently good and the characters are engaging and nuanced. The direction is good, the pace of the show is steady past the first episode. The punk music vignettes are good fun, too.
Overall an enjoyable comedy show with an original tone. 9/10.
This is as much a historical documentary as peaky blinders or pennyworth. Except for the opening sequence, which is factually accurate.
By the end of the first episode, one wonders where the series is going. The authors appear to procrastinate: is it a romantic comedy, a drama, a police procedural, or a political thriller? The story lacks focus, and about 25% of the scenes appear to add no value - except for the odd atmospheric shots. The characters appear to be card-board cut-out tropes of goodies and baddies, complete with corrupt chauvinist cops.
The acting is average, at best, and I found myself yawning and looking at another screen quite a few times.
Production values are mostly good; except for any outdoors locations which are very limited. I enjoyed the lighting and camera work, but that is not sufficient to sustain interest throughout.
Watchable if you have low expectations, or if there is little else on.
6/10.
By the end of the first episode, one wonders where the series is going. The authors appear to procrastinate: is it a romantic comedy, a drama, a police procedural, or a political thriller? The story lacks focus, and about 25% of the scenes appear to add no value - except for the odd atmospheric shots. The characters appear to be card-board cut-out tropes of goodies and baddies, complete with corrupt chauvinist cops.
The acting is average, at best, and I found myself yawning and looking at another screen quite a few times.
Production values are mostly good; except for any outdoors locations which are very limited. I enjoyed the lighting and camera work, but that is not sufficient to sustain interest throughout.
Watchable if you have low expectations, or if there is little else on.
6/10.