Xmas Video Vault: The Box of Delights
A quarter of a century ago, a few weeks before Christmas, this happened…
…and children’s TV, particularly at Christmastime, was never the same again.
It has been twenty five years since the BBC’s adaptation of John Masefield’s magical fantasy The Box of Delights appeared and time has not weathered its charm and festive cheer.
If you find yourself [...]
Halloween Video Vault: Ghostwatch
On the 31st of October 1992 at 9:30 in the evening, as the BBC logo was spinning and the Announcer began to introduce Ghostwatch I was not watching, I was out somewhere, missing out on one of the scariest TV programmes ever broadcast.
It is seventeen years since the only terrestrial airing and it still has [...]
Video Vault: Clue
I sat down to write about one of my favourite films from the 80s, and had three reasons for doing so. Chief amonsgst these was that I wanted to celebrate what is a great and funny film, often overlooked as too broad a comedy or too frivolous a thriller, but this is missing the point.
My [...]
Video Vault: Stephen King’s IT
I hate clowns, yet I love Tim Curry. This presents a problem for me as I sit down to watch the mini series of Stephen King’s IT, as Pennywise the clown is one of the most terrifying screen villains ever seen.
Think Krusty the Clown bitten by a werewolf and you’re nearly there. Give him the [...]
Video Vault: Field of Dreams
I don’t know if it’s the Costner Factor, but I’d not seen Field of Dreams for a good fifteen years before tonight. I first saw it in school, no doubt as part of a bored teacher’s attempt at engaging us, and it was a true surprise. I really don’t like baseball, I didn’t buy into the [...]
Video Vault: A most excellent look back at Bill & Ted
Twenty years ago today a film was released that would change my life, proving certain truths the 12 year old me knew to be self-evident. Firstly, that the world would be saved by people being excellent to each other, secondly, that George Carlin was some sort of prophet, and lastly, that Napoleon was a dick.
Two [...]
