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Post by Mighty Jack on Mar 24, 2011 0:49:15 GMT -5
Quick note: I’ve refitted my 60’s top 100. It bugged me when I realized that I left folksters Pentangle off, and it really bugged me when it was pointed out I left off the Supremes – So I went back and listened to tracks on the list to see if there was anything I could take out. It was tough because I love these tunes, but when I got to Kak I thought “I can live without this in the top 100”. If I’m honest, I adore the opening guitar thingy, but the song kind of rambles thereafter. So I shuffled some things and my favorite Supremes number (You Keep Me Hanging On) - is now at #60.
I also added Pentangle to the Hon Mentions and in my list of the list, placed the Hon Mentions right above the top 100 as well as a few other tunes that missed the cut just above both of them. Now I can sleep at night, ha, ha!
Back to my current list…
#8 - Keep Holding On This power ballad almost earned Avril an Oscar nomination for best original song, but it was left off the final list in 2007. KHO isn’t a tune I can objectively review - without going into the gory details, it has some personal connotations - so what might seem a simple tune from that silly dragon movie actually cuts a little deeper for me. According to wiki the song is composed in the key of G major and is set in time signature of common time with a tempo of 56 beats per minute. Lavigne’s vocal range spans from F#3 to D5. It peaked at #17 on the Billboard 100, who described the tune as gorgeous. It was well received by critics in general. It won a Socan (Society of Composers, Authors and Music Publishers of Canada) award for best pop song
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Post by Mighty Jack on Mar 24, 2011 23:59:37 GMT -5
#7 - Nobody Home The third single from “Under My Skin” was co-written with Evanescence’s Ben Moody. Melancholic rock ballad employs a simple G, D, C chord structure and is about a lost girl - why she left home or why she can’t go back is never explicitly stated, but the piece has a haunted sadness. The bridge is a lot like something Moody would write, and Avril sounds like she’s trying to tap into Amy Lee territory in that section. It only got as far as #41 on the top 100, but did win a Juno award (Canada’s music awards)
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Post by Mighty Jack on Mar 25, 2011 23:18:17 GMT -5
#6 - Complicated The single that put her on the map and earned her 2 Grammy nominations (Song of the Year and Best Female Pop Performance) – the video is irritating (You damn kids, get off my Mall) but this smash hit is a breezy good time. Co-written with the Matrix (Scott Spock, Lauren Christy, and Graham Edwards). It reached #2 on the Billboard Hot 100 and is her 2nd most successful single (Behind 2007s “Girlfriend”). Rolling Stone Magazine readers voted "Complicated" as the 8th Top single of the decade. It also ranked at #197 in Blender magazine's "The 500 Greatest Songs Since You Were Born". Billboard Magazine ranked it at #83 of the 'Top 100 Singles of the Decade'. Among the positive reviews: David Browne of Entertainment Weekly gave the song a B- and said "Avril Lavigne's not kidding about that title, she's the epitome of the blossoming anti-Britney movement". Christina Saraceno of Allmusic described 'Complicated' as "a gem of a pop/rock tune with a killer chorus".
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Post by Mighty Jack on Mar 27, 2011 17:56:26 GMT -5
#5 - Tomorrow Opening with an A, F#m7 and Dsus2 chords. There’s a kind of calm in this mid tempo number from “Losing Grip”. It’s a good, “drive in the county” song. It was co-written with the husband and wife songwriting/producer team Curtis Frasca and Sabelle Breer. The track was not released as a single.
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Post by Mighty Jack on Mar 28, 2011 22:53:14 GMT -5
#4 – Alice The best number on “Goodbye Lullaby” was a hidden track, written (by Avril alone) for Tim Burton’s “Alice in Wonderland”. Her voice is a bit screechy (Avril seems to be shooting for Amy Lee, only her high registers are tinny as opposed to Amy’s warmer tones), still it’s a freaking cool song, and I like how she glides through the line. “I won’t cry”, the way she holds the “c”, extends the word to “C-u-ryyyy” and ends on a falsetto, is sweet. The production is epic - with thick, echoing piano and rumbling drum. It could benefit from surrealism in the lyrics (they are too literal. - It’s not enough to tell us that you’re ‘freaking out’, show us what’s freaking you out, so we can freak out too. Listen to the Beatles “Lucy in the Sky With Diamonds” for a great example) – beyond a few quibbles, this is an awesome tune. Of Note: If the high notes irritate, Lavigne sang this live on Leno in a lower register. It was a first-rate performance and the vocals less piercing. Avril on Leno
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Post by Mighty Jack on Mar 29, 2011 23:54:25 GMT -5
As much as I enjoy a nice Avril tune. Talking about the Beatles put me in the mood for something brilliant, so I popped on Sgt Peppers today. Lucy in the Sky is truly a marvel on all phases. The arrangement, production, musical structure, vocals (I listened to the mono with the flange effect on John’s voice) and those illustrative lyrics… the song still takes me to a strange and fantastic world. And the girl with kaleidoscope eyes was freaky, the way she’d pop up out of nowhere. Lennon puts me right there, has me feel it, breathe it – Avril, you wanna be a better lyricist, learn at the feet of the masters.
Anyway, back to the list…
#3 - I Always Get What I Want “Hit it Marky!” Avril does punk? Lavigne does her best imitation of the Ramones, in a playfully fun song about a spoiled gal who wants what she wants. Would be a great bookend to Spinal Tap’s “Give Me Some Money”. This was recorded around the time she did “Under My Skin” – and wound up on the soundtrack for Disney’s “Princess Diaries 2”. Some might call it stupid, but I call it my third favorite song from the Canadian superstar.
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Post by Mighty Jack on Mar 30, 2011 23:37:00 GMT -5
#2 - My Happy Ending Bolstered by a memorable pre-chorus and Avril’s strong alto vocals, MHE is the signature track from “Under My Skin”. It became her second single to hit platinum (Complicated was the first), wound up on several TV shows, such as CSI and Smallville, she even sang the number at the closing ceremonies at the 2010 Winter Olympics. Some critics found UMS too grim and not poppy enough (but then they complain when she released the poppy “Best Damn Thing” – the lady can’t win) - but it suits my taste. The grungy guitars and somber tones made for the best damn album Lavigne has released to my ears.
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Post by Mighty Jack on Apr 1, 2011 0:32:14 GMT -5
#1 - I’m With You If Avril did nothing else, she did this. This is classic, this is what made me a fan. It shows more sophistication than her previous singles from “Let Go” (Complicated & Sk8ter Boi) and was intended for the adult listener. IWY is a beautiful, powerful ballad that earned two Grammy nominations for Best Pop Song and Best Female Pop Performance. It spent 10 weeks in the top 10, 27 weeks in the hot 100. I love her vocals on this one. I find the passion and longing in the way she hits those high notes in the chorus breathtaking.
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Post by Mighty Jack on Apr 2, 2011 0:15:18 GMT -5
Concluding thoughts:I’m sorry I wasn’t able to accommodate those of you who were wringing your sweaty hands in anticipation of seeing Sk8ter Boi in the top 12 I tend to enjoy her mid tempo tunes and ballads. Though a few rockers are pretty cool. It’s been 10 years since the rise of the Anti-Britney’s. Of the primary movers and shakers in the group: Michelle Branch, who struck gold first in 2001 with her hit “Everywhere”, is now 27. Branch moved on to success as a county star with the Wreckers. They split in 07 and she is currently working on a new album, which returns her to her pop/rock roots. Vanessa Carlton, arguably the most talented musician and lyricist of the 3, hasn’t been able to match the highs of her first hit, “A Thousand Miles”. She is 30 and is planning to release a new CD this summer. Avril –the strongest vocalist and most constant chart topper- is now 27. After garnering her biggest sales with the bubble-headed “The Best Damn Thing”, the follow up -released a few weeks back- is experiencing wobbly returns in the US. This review sums up how I feel about it (strong vocals, weak lyrics) americannoise.com/album-review-avril-lavigne-goodbye-lullaby/I have no idea if these women inspired any girls to pick up guitars and write their own songs. Are there any 20+-year-old rockers around today who name Avril as the reason they got into music? As for Britney herself, she became a garish cartoon figure in a soap opera. No, wait, that was her actual life. Doing a little research (because that’s all the research I wanted to do). It sounds like she’s still plugging away at age 29 - scoring big hits; she remains one of the power celebrities in the musical universe. Baffles me, but if she’s making someone happy with her songs, who am I to take that away from them. A bare bones list of the Avril 131. I’m With You (Let Go) 2. My Happy Ending (Under My Skin) 3. I Always Get What I Want (Princess Diaries 2 Soundtrack) 4. Alice (Goodbye Lullaby/Alice In Wonderland Soundtrack) 5. Tomorrow (Let Go) 6. Complicated (Let Go) 7. Nobody Home (Under My Skin) 8. Keep Holding On (Best Damn Thing/Eragon Soundtrack) 9. How Does It Feel (Under My Skin) 10. Don’t Tell Me (Under My Skin) 11. Too Much To Ask (Let Go) 12. Why (Demo/My World DVD/CD bonus) -Honorable Mention- 13. Unwanted (Let Go) I’ll close this list and say goodbye with the song “Goodbye” – a tune Lavigne wrote solo and produced herself – Lyrically I wish she would have answered the “why’s”, as the reviewer in the posted link stated, but it’s a pretty tune and Avril’s voice (her best asset) is lovely and wistful
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Post by Mighty Jack on Apr 3, 2011 15:27:53 GMT -5
To Love Somebody, The Bee Gees I knew when I did the top 100 from the 60 that I’d forget something. And months later that has born out – there have been a few songs I’ve remembered or have been reminded of and currently I’m wondering why I never included anything from the Bee Gee’s 1st (actually their 3rd album). I was never a big BG fan and I hated the disco stuff – but they released some great material in the 60s. This blue-eyed soul number was written for Otis Redding, but he died before recording it (strangely, it was written on the day Brian Epstein died).
I’ve added them to the Honorable Mentions - Crap, maybe I should go back and make it a top 110? lol
Also liked Holiday from the BGs
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Post by Mighty Jack on Apr 9, 2011 2:16:09 GMT -5
Another change of pace for the blog. I haven't watched my Red Dwarf DVDs in years, recently I decided to give them a go, and thought I might be fun to offer up my two cents. If anyone would like to join in and watch along with me and add comments, please, I'd welcome the company. I'll post as I finish with each season. Dwarf saw life first in a series of radio sketches titled 'Dave Hollins Space Cadet' - Though it became a world-wide success, the show was rejected for 3 years by the BBC - looking at the cast, you have a poet playing a slob, an impressionist as a hologram, a dancer playing a cat, a writer as robot and 2 stand-up comedians in the role of the ships computer. So lets begin at the begining - Season One: 1988Starring: Chris Barrie, Craig Charles, Danny John-Jules, Norman Lovett Written by: Rob Grant & Doug Naylor Directed by: Ed Bye The EndThis is our introduction to the premise and the main characters. Slobby nice guy Lister who harbors a crush for dead crewmember Kochanski, uptight smeg-headed hologram Arnold “Judas” Rimmer, the cool, well dressed Cat (a descendant of Lister’s pet cat) and the addle minded computer Holly, are the last survivors on the mining ship Red Dwarf. Thoughts: Some of the comedic timing is off, and the sets are gray and none too eye catching. Yet while the show is not fully formed (and I miss Kryten), it’s not a bad début, there are laughs and even this early I can see that these are characters I’m going to enjoy watching, High points: The classic, “Everybody’s dead, Dave”, bit. Cat explains his origins (Cloister the stupid). The live audience (this is not a laugh track but spontaneous natural audience reactions) Low points: A few rough edges but I can’t think of anything out and out bad – Lister’s loud pals (Petersen etc) I know that was the point, but obnoxious, loud guys rarely entertain me. Future EchoesTraveling at light speed enables the crew to see bits of the future. Lister discovers that he’ll one-day father twins, while Rimmer views Lister’s death. Can Dave change his destiny? Thoughts: A decent though unspectacular episode. I didn’t get a lot of big guffaws from it. Rimmer’s a little too mean in regards to Lister’s death (though Barrie wrings some nice laughs out of it). How does Dave end up with twins? That’ll be addressed in the final episode of season 2. High points: Rimmer’s haircuts. Lister’s fish are named ‘Lennon & McCartney’. Rimmer delights in explaining Dave’s future death... Low points: ...yet at times, Rimmer goes overboard in delighting in Dave’s demise. Balance of PowerDave would like to visit with Kochanski’s hologram, but Rimmer refuses. Lister decides to take the Chef’s exam so that he’ll outrank Arnold and order him to give him Kochanski’s holo. Thoughts: A good episode for Craig Charles, he might not be a great actor, but he makes Dave Lister a guy I like and root for, plus I feel sorry for the poor slob here. The rest of the cast has their moments too. Barrie shows off some physical comedy and Jules has fun with his cat-like qualities (protecting what’s his). Lovett earns laughs trading jabs with Rimmer and even the Scutters are a kick (watching westerns in the theater) High points: Lister remembers his pals, but the memory fades away on the word “alone” and we see Dave in an empty room, it;s a a bit of nice melancholy. Cat and his fish dinners. Arnold fights with his arm. Kochanski (?) walks in on Dave’s exam (“I’m having a woman’s period”) Low points: “Four thousand, six hundred and ninty one irradiated haggis” (enough already!). Again, Rimmer’s a bit too mean... be a guy and let poor Dave spend some time with his gal. Dave’s loud pals are loud. Waiting for GodHas an alien pod arrived on Red Dwarf, Rimmer thinks so - and Dave as God meets up with an old Cat Priest. Thoughts: Some fans complain about the bits with the cat priest, saying that it goes on a bit long, but I thought Charles was real good and it was touching how he restores the Priests faith. Plus Cat was a hoot (we learn something about his parents too). On the other side of the coin - the Quagaars alien pod provides solid laughs, and allows for a couple of sharp back and forth exchanges between Lister and Rimmer. High points: Dave reads, er, sniffs a cat book. Rimmer and Lister discuss the Quagaars (“Imagine making love to a woman”). Cat earns laughs for his insensitivity (unconcerned about the dying Priest). Rimmer interrupts the credits. Low points: Hmm, I can’t really think of anything I disliked. Confidence and ParanoiaDave contracts a mutated space virus, which causes his dreams and personality traits to manifest. Thoughts: There’s some great work from the cast. Danny John-Jules is especially sharp throughout. We get a look at Rimmer’s love life and Paranoia got me laughing --- but for some reason the episode never completely catches fire. High points: The Cat! They way he sprays things and does laundry, to the way he catches chickens, and does his best to fool Rimmer so that he can be left alone with his meal. The wormy Paranoia. The Scutter gives Dave a thermometer. Holly accusing Rimmer of making up a word just to be cool. Low points: Craig Ferguson (future talk show host) is over the top and hammy, though he does get in a few good lines. ME2Two Rimmers? It’s Rimmer’s dream come true, until he discovers that he makes for an unbearable bunk-mate. Thoughts: This is a popular episode, and it’s a good character piece. You get a lot of insights into Arnold’s self-loathing and how he blames everyone else for his misfortunes. He becomes a bit more formed, more ‘human’ figure with this episode (though he’s still a smeg-head). Barrie gives a stand out performance. High points: Holly’s hilarious April fool joke. Arnold thinks he recognizes “Citizen Kane” on film (it’s actually a cartoon shoot ‘em up). And of course… Gazpacho soup! Low points: Nothing really, though it’s not a constant knock out laugh riot
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Post by mummifiedstalin on Apr 10, 2011 23:32:49 GMT -5
I generally agree. I don't rewatch Series 1 much, but I do think that the main cast got their roles down surprisingly quickly.
Have you seen the American pilot? During Season 4 or 5, I think, they decided to try it out in the US. Kryten (Doug L.) was the only cast member to appear in the states' version. Otherwise, the writing is almost exactly the same, same plot and very similar dialog as "The End." Grant and Naylor had their hands in it, although I think someone else actually "wrote" it. But it's amazing how much the cast matters. The US version just falls painfully flat. Seeing that proved to me how much that show was driven by Craig Charles and the rest.
The only one of this I don't like of Series 1 is "The End." It's the same reason I don't like Series 8: too many people. I love Red Dwarf when they're alone or in places where there may be other people, but it's still really just the 3/4/5 of them doing their thing. Even though it has its moments, and I still think that Lister and Rimmer have their roles down well, it isn't the same.
Edit: turns out youtube has the American edition:
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Post by Mighty Jack on Apr 12, 2011 1:24:14 GMT -5
^Yeah that's odd - the guy playing Rimmer was pretty bad. Craig Bierko was okay as Lister, though he had the advantage of playing off Llewellyn. Season Two: 1988Starring: Chris Barrie, Craig Charles, Danny John-Jules, Norman Lovett Written by: Rob Grant & Doug Naylor Directed by: Ed Bye KrytenIt didn’t take the series long to find its groove. This is a big step up from season 1. The lines are funnier, the delivery impeccable – they guys do more than stay in their quarters this time out, and get out and about. Here they receive a distress signal from a crashed vessel, the last remaining crewmembers include a robot and 3 lovely ladies. Thoughts: As the title character, David Ross is no Robert Llewellyn, but he’s not bad and delivers some cute lines. For me this is the first truly great episode of the series, as it is lifted by one hilarious sequence after another - and the superb interaction between the leads makes all the better. High points: The dogs’ milk. The whole bit with Rimmer telling Lister how to build him up in front of the women – to the scene where they go on board and discover the truth. Kryten’s quip when he’s first told that the ladies are dead ("But I was only gone 2 minutes"). Lister helps the bot to rebel against Arnold, using Marlon Brando’s “Wild One’s” as inspiration. Cat’s line on why cats don’t chase sticks. One of the female crew is named “Jane Air”. Low points: Not a single solitary one. Though American’s wont completely get the “Android Soap Opera” scene without a bit of help. Better Than LifeThe guys dig through some old mail and find a video game where all their dreams come true… or do they? Thoughts: Nay Sayers either get hung up on the weak production values, or aren’t comfortable with how pathetic Rimmer is – But why focus on the wee negatives when this episodes offers up a bounty of comedic rewards. This flat out had me in stitches. The virtual reality eps are often among their finest, and yeah, Rimmer’s pathetic but that was part of the funny. I thought it was uproarious how his lack of confidence infects the game. High points: Just about everything in the game. Lister’s story about talking to his dead dad down the toilet bowl. The scutter’s as western fans continues here. The genius of the supercomputer named Gordon! Low points: Though it’s not enough to spoil it for me, yeah, the production values are weak (the FX vehicles in the sand the most glairing). Of Note The remastred edition removes Cat’s mermaid GF. Fan reactions to the early remasters were not positive and the project was scrapped. As for myself, I ignore their existence. I don’t mind fixing the FX, but I hate the idea of them cutting lines and scenes.Thanks For The MemoryAfter a drunken night of celebrating Rimmer’s death day, and subsequent sad confession made by Arnold. Lister decides to give him one of his memories. Thoughts: I find this one a bit on the dull side. That opinion gets me in trouble with some RD fans, who assume I’m not into the character stuff. Wrong: I like character moments on Dwarf (Marooned is one of their best IMHO), this one simply didn’t resonate as strongly. I guess there is a good ‘friendship’ angle here, but scenes drag on longer than they should, the conversations and story didn’t strike my fancy – and as a character study? “Marooned” was tight as a drum - TFTM meanders. High points: Aliens did a jigsaw? Rimmer tries one of Lister’s custom made sandwiches – but... Low points: ...the sequence goes on and on and on and goes over old material (Lister already knew Rimmer’s lost virginity story). Many punch-lines land with a thud ("It’s like watching Spanish TV"/"It’s like trying to find a fart in a Jacuzzi") Stasis LeakThe boys find the means to enter the past; Rimmer hopes to save himself, while Lister hopes to save Kochanski. Thoughts: This is another that screws with the character continuity and sci-fi logic, which bugs a certain type of viewer. But, what the hay, if the creators weren’t that concerned with consistency, why should the fans allow it to spoil their fun? Yes ‘leak’ is riddled with holes (and they never again mention that Lister’s supposed to marry Kochanski in 5 years), but it’s an overall fun farce and that’s really what matters most. Not a top 10er, but enjoyable. High points: The bit with Cat saying, “What is it?” Rimmer thinks he’s going nuts. Low points: No true resolution to all this madness. QueegAfter Holly messes up time and time again, backup computer Queeg takes over… and is he a hard ass! Thoughts: I wouldn’t rank it in my top 10, but is still a must-see episode (better on the 1st viewing, than later when you know the punchline) because it is a story that focuses on Holly. In this ep Rimmer gets pushed to the fainting point and Lister falls from his bunk and is later blown up (Charles did his own stunts too) High points: The confrontational exchanges between Holly and Queeg. Holly’s ‘jape of the decade’ revelation. Lister wants his pea, no matter what! Low points: Nothing glaring, there are times when a sequence runs a bit dry. Note: Get your end away? It’s a reference to sex. Parallel UniversePlato invented the plate? The Holly Hop drive is supposed to send the boys to Earth in seconds flat, but it doesn’t go according to plan and the crew of Red Dwarf instead enters the 5th dimension, a parallel universe where women dominate. Thoughts: If you go with it and relax, this is a laugh riot. The guys meet their female counterparts, with a few opposing personality traits (Dave is more respectful of the opposite sex than is Deb). Some fans wonder why Rimmer resists sleeping with himself? After watching Me2 from season1, it’s apparent he doesn’t really like himself, right? This episode would have lead to Lister’s pregnancy becoming a plot point in season 3, but they dropped the idea. This was voted the best season II episode in a fan poll from Red Dwarf magazine. High points: Tongue Tied is a pure classic RD moment. Cat meets his double. Holly and Hilly hook up (“I’m in there”). The Arlene/Arnold scenes are priceless. Rimmer’s artificial nose story. “Miss ‘Yo-Yo’ knickers” lol. The baby scutters were cute. Low points: Poor Ringo Starr, people always take cheap shots at the guy (oh well, it was kind of funny) – and why did they have to speed up Cat’s dance, it just makes the cool cat look silly.
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Post by Mighty Jack on Apr 13, 2011 23:06:54 GMT -5
Season Three: 1989Starring: Chris Barrie, Craig Charles, Danny John-Jules, Robert Llewellyn, Hattie Hayridge Written by: Rob Grant & Doug Naylor Directed by: Ed Bye BackwardsThe third season gives us a new Holly, Starbug replaces the Blue Midget and Kryten becomes a vital regular to the cast. In the opening scroll it is explained that Dave gave birth to twins and that the children are with their mother in the parallel universe and then we are off. Rimmer gives Kryten a flying lesson in Starbug, the two slip through a time-hole and wind up on an Earth where everything is backwards. Thoughts: And all of a sudden it's glorious... the previous seasons had their winning episodes, but III will offer up some of the funniest comedy this side of MST3K. The best addition, the thing that made the show oh so much better, is having Kryten on board. Robert Llwellyn is a gem from the word go. There’s more color and FX, Starbug is cool and while the backwards premise here messes with the sci-fi literal – if rated on the basis of comedy alone, it’s one of their finest. High points: The classic Wilma Flintstone conversation between Dave and Cat is pure gold (“"go with Betty, but I’d be thinking of Wilma"). Rimmer and later Kryten in the pub, trying to figure out the score. "Santa Claus, what a bastard". 1 word – "Unrumble!" And Cat in the bushes. Low points: I actually don't mind Hattie’s take on Holly, but she hadn’t quite found her rhythm on this one. Kryten’s head is a work in progress. Marooned5 black holes leave Dave and Arnold stranded on a frozen planet. Thoughts: It took a while for this one to find its audience. Back in the day it wasn’t well received, but is now frequently embraced as one of the series best. It's a great character piece between Lister and Rimmer - Barrie and Charles are both wonderful. They bicker and banter, show some compassion and share stories about their lives -- and all of its interesting – The episode doesn’t slack on the laughs either. High points: Alexander the Greats Chief eunuch. Lister eats dog food ("Now I can see why dog’s lick their testicles"). Dave sacrifices his guitar and Rimmer is deeply moved. The golf-course exchange. Low points: I don’t fixate on the continuity issues, but it is weird how we get another, different lost virginity story from Rimmer (as they say in the first ep into, this is a slightly different universe) PolymorphA shape shifting alien life form that feeds off negative emotion steals away on board the Dwarf Thoughts: Out and out, one of the most sidesplitting episodes in the series. Unlike MST3K, I haven’t over watched Dwarf; it has been 4 years since I last saw this episode so it’s still as fresh and funny as it ever was. Plus it's an exciting sci-fi adventure to boot. What fun seeing the boys acting out of character. Hattie’s good in this one too. High points: Rimmer's home movies. Kryton helps Dave with his shorts (the explosive reaction of the audience only makes it funnier). Lister, the man without fear. Lister, the great lover. Rimmer, the intellectual peacenik. Low points: Nothing BodyswapRimmer convinces Lister to swap minds so that he can get him in shape. Only Arnold is enjoying himself so much he wont give up the body. Thoughts: It's a cute idea and there are some giggles to be had, but it never delivers the big payoff for the premise. A so/so episode, especially in comparison to the last 3, Kryten and Cat are pretty much wasted, though Holly gets in a nice zinger with the bomb bit to open the episode. Strange to see Rimmer acting competent at the beginning. High points: Cat drops Lister’s mind in his coffee. The culmination of the self-destruct sequence. Low points: The voiceover is kind of wonky, plus this episode is what keeps the third season from perfection. TimeslidesMutated developing fluid causes photographs to come to life, and the dwarfers can enter the pictures. Dave hopes he can use this to change his fate. Thoughts: After a melancholic start, the episode whisks us off into an inventive, fun adventure as the guys muck about in the past. Llewellyn has slid so easily into the role of Kryten and his interaction with the other characters is so smooth, it’s hard to believe that he wasn’t member of the cast from the start. While this begins as a Craig Charles’ show, Chris Barrie takes over in the second half and shines. High points: Game time with Cat. Lister vs. Hitler. Rimmer talks to his younger self. Rimmer is alive ("Unpack Rachel"), for a little while at least. Low points: Nothing really, but with Kryten around, I’ve noticed that Cat is given fewer shots in the spotlight this season. And Graham Chapman of Monty Python fame was to have a cameo, but died before rehearsals. The Last DayKryten’s reached his expiration date so the gang gives him a goodbye party - and then battles his replacement, the malfunctioning Hudzen. Thoughts: Thus is a Kryten heavy episode and Llweleyn excels, giving a truly inspired performance. His cast-mates are rock solid as well. The show explores the afterlife, loyalty and friendship and it all culminates with a tension filled standoff. "The Last Day" is charming, warm and funny – a win on all phases. High points: Kryten and Lister discuss Silicone Heaven. Kryten’s party. Low points: The Hudzen-bot breaks a brick with his winky –juvenile - not a deal breaker- but that’s about all I can come up with for this outstanding episode.
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Post by Mighty Jack on Apr 15, 2011 23:41:41 GMT -5
Season Four: 1991Starring: Chris Barrie, Craig Charles, Danny John-Jules, Robert Llewellyn, Hattie Hayridge Written by: Rob Grant & Doug Naylor Directed by: Ed Bye (Paul Jackson took over directing White Hole when Bye came ill) CamilleRed Dwarf and Casablanca collide in this robot love story – which gets a little complicated when we find out the title character is a pleasure gelf. Thoughts: What fun watching Lister teaching Kryten to break his programming, not only to be a thorn in Rimmer’s side, but to provide new personality traits for the bot. This is another superb Kryten-centric episode and it’s so cute to see him fall for Camille. But considering who Camille is, it allows for the entire cast to sparkle and opens the door for huge laughs. Oh, and Kryten’s new head is an improvement from last seasons. High points: When Kryten Meets Camille. Kryten asks Rimmer if he finds him attractive. Cat meets his prefect mate. Camille shows her true self and Kryten shows her a kindness. Kryten tells Lister, "It’s an old familiar story..."Low points: Nothing, not even a nit to pick here. DNAThe boys find a machine that can transmogrify all organic matter. Which turns Lister into a chicken and Kryten into a human. Thoughts: Danny John-Jules gets more screen time and I was happy to see Cat involved in the plot. Of course the idea of Kryten turning human is a fun angle to explore. Some fans might get hung up on the logic (wouldn’t Kryten know how a human works?) but I can’t quibble when I’m in tears from laughing. DNA isn’t one of the greats, it’s final third is unfocused and ends without resolution. But the episode has enough fun moments to make it worthwhile. Note: Changed continuity. Lister goes from unrequited love to having dated and broken up with Kochanski with this episode. High points: Cat's hairdyer. Lister answers Kryten's questions on how to work a human body (though the scene does go on too long). A man made of dandruff, that’s Rimmer’s plan. Kryten talks to his spare heads. Robo-Lister Low points: The final act wanders and fizzles and loses its way. JusticeThe gang visit Justice world after picking up a pod from a prison ship. While there Rimmer is arrested and put on trial for causing the deaths of the Red Dwarf crew. Meanwhile the simulant prisoner has broken out of the pod. Thoughts: Memorable for Kryten’s defense of Rimmer as a half witted incompetent. This is a cleverly written episode, with sight gags (such as the bulky justice shoes) to go along with witty verbal exchanges. High points: Kryten defends Rimmer (love how Lister describes his job position as “bum”). Lister vs. the simulant. Low points: Though it's funny, when Lister's space mumps explode, it looks pretty gross. White HoleHolly undergoes intelligence compression, which makes her a genius but with the side effect of limited lifespan. Later a white hole causes a curious time phenomenon. Thoughts: Another Holly episode, this time with Hattie in control - and she’s outstanding, for the brief slices of time she has. Lister’s foe, talkie toaster returns (voiced by the original Kryten, David Ross) and it wrings out solid laughs in a couple of scenes. We get a new gag here, when someone makes a suggestion and Kryten replies "an excellent suggestion is except for..." and then he gives 2 cute reasons why it can’t work. We also get the "Space Corps Directives" bit. High points: Holly gabs with Talkie. Holly argues with Rimmer. Lister and Cat try to fry an egg using a hair dryer powered by a bike. Low points: I always thought the pool shot thing was a little too silly, even for this show. Dimension JumpAce Rimmer, the hero Arnold could have been, slips into the Dwarf universe and meets his counterpart. Thoughts: One of the bonafide classics, DJ acts as a showcase for Chris Barrie as it digs deep into the psyche of the man called Rimmer. Superb character based humor is what makes this special. Here, Rimmer comes off like a royal whiner, while Dave is genuinely a decent man. Note: I think this is the first time I’ve hear the term, "Swirley thing" - Holly says it. Oh, and that was a well-done Starbug crash. High points: Ace gets hit on several times. Lister tells Fish tales. Don't you just hate front seat drivers? Ace meets the crew for the first time; and boy is Arnold a big disappointment. Low points: Are you kidding? MeltdownA teleporter sends the boys to a warring planet of wax-droids, which causes Rimmer’s love for war games to switch into overdrive. Thoughts: This is an unpopular episode though I don’t understand why. Rimmer is reprehensible and maybe that’s what bugs folks - or perhaps the fact that these are sentient droids being killed that causes upset? So sure, this is black comedy but it’s funny and smart. Craig Charles is especially good in delivering an anti war speech at the end that is wise without being maudlin. All the famous figures add to the fun. Frequent guest, Tony Hawk is a riot as Caligula and as director Ed Bye mentioned, “You got Queen Victoria with a machine gun, that’s classic stuff.” I agree. Note: That Elvis costume later showed up on an episode of Sledge Hammer. And with this episode we are introduced to Arnold’s holographic ‘light bee’. High points: Cat and Lister try to escape Hitler and wind up in a fireplace. Rimmer gives Gandhi a hard time. Winnie the Pooh is put before the firing squad. Low points: Sorry haters, but I don’t have a problem with this one.
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