Watching - July 2025

Taskmaster (season 19, 2025)

A sudden jump to season 19, as K - who I watch with - managed to grind through everything from 5 to 18 without me, and also it turns out she was desperate to watch Mathew Baynton. Very entertaining as always, although possibly ten episodes is stretching it a little and of course, as with anything improvised, it can be a bit hit or miss. But you can't fault the creativity or the effort put in, both by Alex Horne and the Taskmaster team (excluding Greg Davies, who seems to have it rather easy) and the participants. Also, fun fact I learned: Alex Horne lives in Chesham, near where I grew up, and many of the filming locations are in the area!

Live Aid at 40 (2025)

A documentary about such a complex subject - even a three part one, as here - is only going to be able to skim the surface of the event itself, let alone all the political and social issues that led up to it and that arose from it. Still, this was a balanced and interesting overview of an incredible series of achievements.

Brooklyn Nine-Nine (season 4, 2016-2017)

I said I'd give myself a break after the last season, but actually, this is perfectly sized for consumption in between other things, and sufficiently unchallenging viewing for when I'm tired or not feeling well (although this is obviously doing a disservice to the amount of effort involved in making it). I could do without the cliffhanger at the end of each season (of course it will resolve itself - the essence of a sitcom is that the "sit" never changes), but it's nice to see Jake and Amy in a straightforward relationship, without gratuitous roadblocks thrown in the way, and all 22 episodes are effortlessly funny.

The Naked Gun (1988)

It's possible that parody dates faster than just about any other form of comedy. Being the film version of the early 80s TV series Police Squad, which in turn was a spoof of 60s and 70s police dramas, this was probably already out of date when it was released. It didn't stop it being a success, and yes, it is funny - but I'm guessing only for people my age or above?

10 Things I Hate About You (1999)

Comfort viewing for while I'm ill. Still brilliant.

Inside Out (2015)

Having stumbled across an interesting video about Inside Out, I couldn't not watch the film itself, especially since I haven't seen it since records began! (ok, actually, so in at least five years) I still think it's incredibly insightful, and they have so much fun with the metaphor of how memories get stored (including repeatedly sending a random commercial back for fun). A classic for a reason.

Mission: Impossible (1996)

This is basically a James Bond film, right? Silly, fairly mindless action fun that jumps round multiple random locations. Kept me entertained.

I Know Where I'm Going! (1945)

A Powell/Pressburger film that I'm not quite sure warrants the "masterpiece" accolade given by some (including Martin Scorcese, no less), but as a lovely example of a romantic comedy of the time, it's unquestionably charming.

Once Upon a Time ... in Hollywood (2019)

A weird, hodge-podge of a film that can't decide what it wants to be, so ends up being bits of about three. Not that any of it is bad by any means, it's just that the motivation seems to be more that Quentin Tarantino wanted to do a pastiche/tribute to various bits of Hollywood history and retrofitted a story around them. He - along with Brad Pitt and Leonardo DiCaprio - seem to be having great fun remaking a lost era, but I suspect most of it is lost on anyone who isn't a film buff. For example, 8 August, 1969 - the date of the Tate murders - wouldn't have registered with me if I hadn't read the synopsis ahead of time. But without this information, or knowledge of what actually happened that day, the ending's impact is completely fudged. Still, I enjoyed it, nothing dragged, Pitt in particular is very good and I'm pleased I watched it. (side note: just reading some of the ridiculous critical theories catalogued on Wikipedia confirms to me that it's a film made for film geeks to bullshit about and I have no doubt that this is part of Tarantino's motivation also)

How Do You Know? (2010)

I can see what the makers were trying to do here, but the story is too slight for the emotions they're attempting to invoke. So, ultimately, it's a bit unsatisfying, because it's not clear why the two main characters should feel strongly enough end up together. It's a shame, because Reese Witherspoon and Paul Rudd are very good. Oh well.

Reading - July 2025

Book Lovers by Emily Henry (2022)

Enjoyable and readable bit of nonsense.

One Night on the Island by Josie Silver (2022)

If the setup is a bit contrived and unbelievable - two strangers sharing a one-bed cottage on a remote island for several weeks - the follow through is excellent, tracing the development of a relationship. Really sweet.

Things We Do For Love by Miranda Dickinson (2024)

Judging by her list of published novels, Miranda Dickinson has developed a habit of using well-known song titles for her books - I immediately thought of 10cc when I saw this but possibly she was thinking of Kylie. Anyway, the generic title bears no relation to the specifics of the plot, which is a shame because not only does the Shakespeare based plot begs to have something more relevant, but she even has one ready made in the story: "A Night of Bard Language". That aside, this is a reasonably predictable but enjoyable story set in Stratford-upon-Avon that I read happily to its obvious conclusion.

Return to Virgin River by Robyn Carr (2020)

'Tis the Season by Robyn Carr (2014)

And so ends my affair with Virgin River. I've really enjoyed the world Robyn Carr created, and the way it built up. I think the first half-dozen books were probably the best, as the secondary characters had their own story arcs too and someone introduced in one book might get their own chance as a main character in two books' time. Latterly, it's just new people randomly turning up at the beginning of a story - you know: "hey, have you met Kyle, my second cousin's son's best friend?" - and then amazingly bumping into the future love of their life. But I'll still miss reading the books now I've finished them all.

The Satsuma Complex by Bob Mortimer (2022)

Bob Mortimer's personality runs through this book like words through a stick of rock, as the main character could easily be a version of himself. That gives a unique flavour to the story and definitely helps make the book more readable. The plot is a little far-fetched but good-natured with it, and it's nice to see everything work out properly in the end.

Meet Me in the Margins by Melissa Ferguson (2022)

It's obvious where this is going from pretty much the first page, which makes the author's attempts at misdirection not just redundant but a little annoying. Nevertheless, it's saved by a cute storyline and what we have in the end is a sweet, PG-rated story that kept my attention.

Icebreaker by Hannah Grace (2022)

Hannah Grace, on the other hand, writes very un-PG-rated stories. The characters are all pretty much obsessed with sex but actually that doesn't strike me as entirely unrealistic, based on my recollection of myself and my friends at similar ages, and in fairness there is also a decent enough plot decorating the bones of the plot. This is her first novel and I think it shows a few rough edges: the villain in particular is just generally unpleasant for no obvious reason, and I can't decide if the female main character is a too-good-to-be-true male sex fantasy or just an honest portrayal of girls these days. But it's very readable overall and pretty spicy in places.

My Word is My Bond by Roger Moore (2008)

Roger Moore has, of course, achieved much more than just the seven James Bond films he starred in, and I came away impressed by the amount of work he's done. But the book is otherwise fairly boring, with little sense of progression, and largely becomes just a series of anecodotes. Passed the time though.

Watchmen by Alan Moore & Dave Gibbons (1986-1987; this compilation 2014)

I've known about Watchmen for ages, but graphic novels have never been my thing and the few times I've tried them, they seem pretty trivial - short stories with pictures that provide an hour's diversion. Watchmen is the antithesis of this: a complex story with multiple subplots, often being told simultaneously, using the illustrations to properly further the story. I'm still not sure I like it much as a medium, but there's no denying the sheer imagination and ambition here - I'm pleased I gave it a try.

The Story of the Country House by Clive Aslet (2023)

Undoubtedly a good introduction to the subject, but still somewhat dry - and woefully under-illustrated, which given that this is all about aesthetics, is an odd omission. Yes, I can look things up on Wikipedia but that's not the point. Still, it did make me want to go and see more of the remaining country houses so that's probably a good thing.

Space Hopper by Helen Fisher (2021)

I really enjoyed this. For a while I wasn't quite sure where it was going, but it came together really nicely at the end in a bit of a twist I wasn't expecting at all, and it was very moving in places.

The Spare Room by Laura Starkey (2024)

Simple and straightforward romance, with a chatty style and slightly one-dimensional characters. But readable and sweet.

Wildfire by Hannah Grace (2023)

A more complete plot than her first book - albeit still quite YA-angsty - helps this be a good read. Notwithstanding the main couple's issues with their families, it's all bit idealised, but the characters are fun to be around and as most of it's set at a summer camp, it appeals to me as it reminds me of my time as a supervisor!