soap_expert Reviews

American Hustle (2013)

Don't be fooled by all the great reviews! Soooo boring - why all the high scores?

[2/10 · 3 February 2014]

I went to see the this movie last night. After seeing the trailer and a fan of 70's/80's style, as well as a great cast (and high ratings!), I thought I was in for a treat.

Honestly, I have seen some stinkers in my time, but this really takes the biscuit. I was quite literally bored from start to finish. It was absolutely awful!

Full of boring, long-winded dialogue, stupid scenes, a plot that could have been summed up in about 15 minutes. I was sooo disappointed and quite frankly felt like asking for my money back.

I only give it a 2 for the great music and fashion, it was the only parts that kept my attention. Garbage.

The Upper Hand (1990–1996)

A Classic!

[16 June 2004]

The Upper Hand was fantastic and I have fond memories of it.

It was about a man moving from the the big city with his daughter, to become the housekeeper of a wealthy woman's house, whom she lived with her son and mother.

Everything about it was just great. The story lines were hilarious, but also there were so many touching moments. They were both clearly made for each other, however never seemed to get together. Instead they were always arguing, and so was the son and daughter! But deep down they all really loved each other and were a big family.

The show was just a classic 90's show and ITV at its best. If only all the comedy's they made were as good as this one!

Just a shame that its not still on. However it is sometimes repeated and when it is, it is well worth watching.

The theme tune was also great!

Keeping Up Appearances (1990–1995)

One of the BEST British comedy's ever made!

[15 June 2004]

Keeping Up Appearances has got to be one of my favourite shows EVER!

I remember watching it years ago when it was first on BBC1, and thinking it was SOOO funny! Now it's back on UK Gold, and I can't help but watch it every time it's on.

Patrcia Routledge as Hyacinth is fantastic! The casting and acting are perfect. OK, as some people have pointed out, there are so many running jokes - but that is what is all part of what makes this show great!

Hyacinth's candlelight suppers, her answering the phone "the Bucket residence, the lady of the house speaking!", Elizabth constantly spilling her coffee, always trying to resist her daily order from Hyacinth for morning coffee, Emmett and "she'll sing at me", Onslow "Oh Nice", Vilot - "It's MA Sister Violet, "Daddy!", the vicar, Rose and Mr. whoever, and throughout all this poor old Richard, lol.

And one of the best and most famous Hyacinth lines - "Sauna, Swimming Pool and room for a pony!!!!"

It is a true proper British comedy, and is up there with the likes of that other great 90's BBC sitcom - One Foot in the Grave. And also the likes of To The Manor Born, The Good Life, and Some Mothers Do 'Ave 'Em.

Everybody you talk to always raises a smile when you mention "the Bucket woman"!

Only the other day I watched an episode when Hyacinth wanted to test drive a new Rolls Royce so she could get one-up on another one of her posh local rivals - Lydia Hawsworth, whom had just overtaken them in her brand new Jag.

She made Richard drive it out of the garage without the salesman's permission, and take it to this posh hotel deliberately, as she knew this was where this woman had afternoon tea. Of course Rose, Daisy and Onslow turn up as usual, so they have to get out of there before she bumps into them - how embarrassing! lol. When they get into her "getaway car" as she callas it to Richard, the police turn up and arrest them outside the hotel! And then just at that point who turns up but Lydia Hawksworth!

This is just an example of how great this show is!

Quite frankly, I really don't understand how anybody could NOT like it!

If they don't, then I actually feel slightly sorry for them - as they are missing out on so much enjoyment!

Oh...and contrary to what somebody has said - in my opinion it is just about the closest thing to perfection that a sitcom can get!

Sweet Medicine (2003– )

Absolutely fantastic!

[6 December 2003]

Well, what can I cay about Sweet Medicine? It was simply fantastic. I enjoyed every minute of it.

The series revolved around the Sweet family, who were prominent figures of the community of the small Derbyshire town of Stoneford, and had a medical practice.

The first episode has Doctor Nick Sweet come home from London for the funeral of his father Ed, who had the surgery. He brings home his new wife Deb, also a doctor, and this doesn't go down well at all with his mother Georgina, who was brilliantly played by Patricia Hodge.

Let's just say Georgina and Deb don't really see eye-to-eye. However, they both want Nick to stay in Stoneford and to build a life there.

Georgina wants Nick to take on the surgery and carry it on in the family. He is reluctant at first, but by the end of the first episode he has agreed.

But, it isn't long before Nick's old flame Lillian is trying to put a wedge between him and Deb, with a little help from Georgina.

Nick also has a brother Eddie, who is the black sheep of the family, and doesn't really know where he is heading in life. In total contrast to high-flying Nick.

Ed's brother Andrew also arrives on the scene in the first episode, and becomes a consultant at a local hospital. There was a long-standing feud between him and Ed. Andrew also has a son called Geoff, who is Nick and Eddie's cousin.

He is madly in love with Lillian, although Andrew will not hear of it. And blackmails Lillian to stay away from him.

There is history between Andrew and Georgina, and a lot of chemistry between them. There is also a deep dark secret that rocks the whole family to its core, which comes to light later on in the series. This is the reason of the long-standing feud between Andrew and Ed.

This series was just perfect. It had beautiful scenery, brilliant acting, lots of glamour and great storylines that had you on the edge of your seat.

It was often compared too much to the medical drama Peak Practice, but was infact TOTALLY different.

It got off to a slow start ratings-wise but by episode 5 or 6, was easily beating BBC1 and getting a large chunk of the audience share.

So why then did ITV move it to a late night 11pm slot for episodes 9 and 10? Well, this was ITV being stupid again, and not giving anything a chance. This meant that so many people missed out on the spectacular finale.

The last line has Georgina saying:

"It all comes down to family, in the end."

Well, Georgina I certainly hope that this isn't the end. I really hope ITV comes to their senses and commissions a second series. We were really left on a cliffhanger, and would I love to see the Sweet saga continue.

Howards' Way (1985–1990)

Excellent!!

[9 July 2002]

I totally disagree what this person has written as I think Howard's Way was brilliant! It had great acting, great storylines and a brilliant theme tune. It should have ran much longer in my opinion. It was the BBC's version of "Dallas" and "Dynasty" and I think they did a great job!