Totally Culture: September 2015

15/09/2015

The Best Brit Comedies

Before I start, I'd just like to warn everyone reading this that I'm not one of those insanely bigoted people who claim to be patriotic by sharing Britain First posts on Facebook (I swear, I'm the complete opposite), but there's something about British comedy that is truly special and unique. Attempts to replicate these comedies in other countries have failed, as seen with The Inbetweeners, because they miss the awkward British humour that comes with the comedy shows. Albeit, American comedies have achieved huge success, most notably Friends, and 'modern' comedies like The Mindy Project, New Girl and the Netflix success The Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, however these are totally incomparable to Brit comedies, perhaps a result of the huge contrast in culture. These 10 comedies rank highly on my list of favourites, with 10 being the least favourite (still an accomplishment considering just how many Brit comedies have come and gone), and 1 being my favourite. Which of these is your favourite? If you're not in the UK, which comedy based in your country is your favourite? Let me know on twitter: @TotallyCulture

10. My Family

The hectic lives of Ben and Susan Harper, their children Janey (and her son Kenzo), Michael and Nick, with the addition of Alfie, Abi Harper (a family relative) and Roger. My Family, shown on the BBC, was a childhood favourite of mine, and I grew up loving it just as much. Susan Harper's craziness clashing with Ben's seriousness is one of the most charming aspects of the show, and Michael's coming-out storyline in 2010 was covered in the news because it was a first for Brit comedy, showing just how important a (slightly more hectic) perspective on traditional family life is to people.

9. Not Going Out

Not Going Out, starring Lee Mack as Lee, Sally Bretton as Lucy, and Katy Wix as Daisy is a more mature way at looking at immaturity than other comedies, mostly set in Lee and Lucy's apartment 17. Not Going Out is a fun, yet sometimes emotionally charged, comedy that varies between the on-off relationship between Lee and Lucy, and the ditsy Daisy, being one of those shows you could watch a few dozen episodes of in a day and not realise where the time went.

8. Outnumbered

Sue and Pete and their three, rather bizarre, children, Jake, Ben, and Karen. Ben is initially the breakout star of the show, yet Karen quickly hops on that little spacehopper (pictured above) and manages to share the limelight. A comedy like this is truly unique, in that the children themselves are much more likeable and important than the parents.

7. Vicar of Dibley

This is probably one of the better known Brit comedies from this list, and you can definitely see why. Consider an outspoken and fun female reverend (created with reference to Joy Carroll, one of the first women to be ordained as a priest) you can see why it was so successful. In all honesty, one of the best aspects about the Vicar of Dibley is Geraldine's full name; Geraldine Julie Andrews Dick van Dyke Supercalifragilisticexpialidocius Chim-Chiminey Chim-Chiminey Chim-Chim-Cheree Granger. Yes. I have no words.

6. The Inbetweeners

I think I've seen every episode of The Inbetweeners numerous times, because it's such an easy watch. Baring in mind it's set in a sixth form college, something that I've just left, it was a fresh and truly comedic (although to a niche market) perspective on four teenage boys and their struggle to simply... fit in in a school setting (not forgetting Will's horrendous exam experience, featured below).

Viewer discretion is most definitely advised

5. The IT Crowd

The IT Crowd was THE comedy to watch at school, especially within my 'group' of friends. It was 'cool' to watch The IT Crowd, and it made you seem instantly smarter than you actually were. However, the truly redeeming thing about this sitcom was indeed the three main characters, namely Roy, 'Moss' and Jen. The ending to The IT Crowd was both hilariously played out, bringing closure to the trio, but also a truly emotional ending for the truly now-iconic characters.

4. Miranda

The ultimate guilty pleasure, mostly following Miranda and Gary's ever so hectic love life, and Miranda generally falling over beanbags/stools/people/anything. Add a tiny best friend, a slightly... bare with... posh friend and an overbearing mother, and you have one of the most iconic sitcoms to come from Britain. The finale of Miranda was, like many other comedies, truly hilarious, ending with an ensemble cast gallop back to Gary's restaurant for one last goodbye, and still managed to bring tears to so many people's eyes for an emotionally charged speech by Miranda Hart. Now I'm crying again, damn it.

3. Fresh Meat

Ah, Fresh Meat, a group of 6/7 students basically getting drunk and being cool whilst at University, this is a fresh take on the British comedy, with the core six characters; Josie, Kingsley, Howard, Oregon, JP, and Vod (those names alone are exactly why this comedy-drama hybrid is so cool), struggling with love, drugs, and student life, in their shared house. Fresh Meat has become a 'cult' classic among British youth, and has finished filming the final series, although a film adaption is also planned, The Inbetweeners-style. The reason this resonates so well with me is because, despite the characters being a few years ahead of me (I'm currently on my gap year before I head off to uni), it's all about youth culture, and I have to admit, seeing the six main characters graduate at the end of the fourth series will destroy my emotions. :( (check out Charlotte Ritchie who plays Oregon singing Ember To A Flame for the show below)

2. Keeping Up Appearances

Dear ol' Hyacinth Bucket (pronouned Bouqet) and her ever-struggling husband Richard Bucket, true icons of British comedy. If you haven't seen Keeping Up Appearances, I would highly recommend checking it out. It parodies the class system in such a clever way that you simply can't help but laugh hysterically as Hyacinth bumbles around everyday life.

1. Gavin & Stacey

Gavin & Stacey, essentially Barry Island VS Essex, right? Ever since the first episode of the well-loved Brit comedy, it's become one of the most iconic comedies of all time, and has been a huge earner for the BBC, even now, five years after it's final episode, being one of the biggest exports, trailing behind Doctor Who and Top Gear. The comedic awkwardness of Stacey's Uncle Bryn, her best friend Nessa, combined with the slightly-overbearing Pam (Gavin's mum) and his best friend Smithy (who conveniently spends the night with Nessa and gets her pregnant), Gavin & Stacey has it all; comedy, drama and a sheer British sense of place.

That's all for now.

Bye!

TotallyCulture

10/09/2015

PREDICTING MARVEL PHASE 5

Hello! Before you read this, feel free to check out my ranking of phase 2 of the MCU here, and additionally, feel free to check out my predictions for phase 4 of the MCU here. Despite Steven Spielberg's recent comments about the declining state of superhero movies (a rather redundant statement considering his recent filmography bar a few), I truly believe that the Marvel Cinematic Universe is to stick around until the 5th or 6th phase, preferably the sixth, before a hiatus on Marvel movies and then an ultimate reboot of some kind, perhaps focusing on superheroes other than the front-runners of the MCU; Iron Man, Thor, Captain America, and my predicted front-runners Captain Marvel, Spider-Woman, and Doctor Strange for the later phases. I would believe the rebooted MCU following the Marvel hiatus would focus on such heroes like Squirrel Girl (she's actually pretty damn cool, she defeated Thanos/Deadpool/everyone), Miss America (America Chavez) and more, as they become seasoned heroes in the Marvel comics (baring in mind this reboot would come in the late 2020's).

Obviously, I cannot fully predict the order of these films as I did with phase four as it's so far in the future, so these following 10 predictions are in no particular order.

1. Namor

I guess all I can really say for this is that it's so deserving for the MCU and would be a fantastic response to the DCEU's Aquaman, one issue though, despite Namor's fantastic storylines and his snarky characteristics, he belongs to Universal. Please Universal, give Marvel the rights back :(

2. The Young Avengers

America Chavez's Miss America, Wiccan, Hulkling and co would make a great Young Avengers movie, especially because they all have such interesting backstories. I mean, Miss America is an LGBT Latin-American teenage female superhero, talk about diversity. It's important and inspiring that the Young Avengers team is also the most diverse, it's a great message for a young audience and thus something I'd like to see played out on the big screen. 'It doesn't matter who you are, it matters that you're a hero'.

3. Adam Warlock

I don't believe that this would be an introduction movie to Adam Warlock, heck his cocoon has appeared in Guardians (confirmed by the director that it was indeed Adam Warlock), he was hinted at in Thor: The Dark World. I wouldn't be surprised if we see the character in phase three, especially involved in Guardians 2 and Infinity War, perhaps making a post credits appearance in Doctor Strange or Black Panther. Adam Warlock will be an established hero before his solo movie, similar to Spider-Man, as well as my predicted Spider-Woman appearances (see 5).

4. Nova

I would predict Nova for a few reasons, however an important one being that I doubt Tony Stark/Iron Man will be around for phase 4, let alone phase 5, and we need a character to fill that gap. Thus, we get Nova and the Nova Corps as a highly redeeming replacement. Nova, I predict, will be teased in phase 3 (a quick reference similar to Spider-Man's reference in Ant Man), and will make a post-credits appearance in phase 4, only to lead onto become a mainstay of phase 5 of the MCU. A storyline similar to Annihilation would be preferable, however with the Guardians and Captain Marvel being long-established characters by the time of phase 5 I don't see this happening.

5. Spider-Woman

If you've read my phase 4 predictions you will know that I've predicted Jessica Drew (Spider-Woman) to be one of the flagship heroes of Marvel's later phases, making appearances in Captain Marvel 2 and co-leading the Avengers in Secret Invasion, so it's only fair that she finally gets the movie she deserves in phase 5. Spider-Woman remains a fan favourite in the Marvel comics, despite recent controversy (seriously, just google 'spider woman costume controversy' to find out more), and has the perfect characteristics and story-lines to fit the MCU.

6. Captain Marvel 3

I feel this may be a definite, considering most MCU heroes have their own film trilogy (Iron Man, Thor, Captain America), and I feel Carol Danvers' Captain Marvel is going to continue that trend. I would possibly expect a team up in this film between Captain Marvel and the hugely important Kamala Khan's Ms. Marvel (expect Ms. Marvel to appear in a few films beforehand, such as the big Avengers movies, and possibly Young Avengers/Inhumans/Spider-Man). I would also expect this movie to be the Civil War of Phase 5, combining heroes of past and present (heck, how cool would it be to see a phase 1 hero pop up in phase 5).

7. She-Hulk 2

SHE HULK WAHEY. So, with the lack of Hulk movies in the MCU, and presumably Bruce Banner being long gone by phase 5, who else is going to continue the green rage other than Jennifer Walters' She-Hulk? For this sequel, I'd expect appearances from the likes of Black Talon, The Headmen and the X-Humed. As well as appearances from other heroes like Spider-Man, and cameos from the Young Avengers and the Runaways.

8. The Wasp

While Hope Van Dyne (the MCU's Wasp, with Janet Van Dyne being long gone) first appeared in the closing film of phase 2 Ant-Man, I do think that Wasp will be around for a while. The Wasp would be the comic relief of phase 5, as was Guardians/Ant Man with phase 2 and presumably Guardians 2 with phase 3.

9. Black Panther 2

Black Panther would finally receive his sequel following his solo flick in phase three, and following the story of The Client, I would predict be told in a mysterious way that yet again redefines the superhero movie all those years away. Hopefully, the rights to Storm would be negotiated (depending on what happens to Fox's X-MEN franchise in 10-15 years time), and we'd get a brief history on Storm and Black Panther, only to jump back to the mysterious story of Black Panther in New York.

10. Avengers: Masters of Evil

Perhaps bringing the MCU to an end, the big bads of MCU past and present unite to fight the Avengers (maybe for one last time depending on the possibility of phase six), we'd see a few major villain deaths, as well as a few major hero deaths, and if this were to end the MCU, the Avengers would of course win, only to disband for the final time once their job is done and the universe is safe once more, possibly hinting towards the potential of a 'reboot'/extension of the MCU, with the cliché shot of the Avengers looking out into the distance on top of a building. Oh, the feels.

Frontrunners for Marvel phase 5: Spider-Woman, Nova, Adam Warlock, She Hulk and Black Panther, with additional heroes such as Squirrel Girl, Ms. Marvel, The Defenders and more.

That's all for now.

TotallyCulture

05/09/2015

RANKING MARVEL PHASE 2

Hello! So, we've just concluded the Marvel Cinematic Universe's second phase with Ant-Man, and we're set to begin phase three with Captain America: ~~Serpent Society~~ Civil War, which will end with Inhumans, following the two part Infinity War and solo movies for Doctor Strange, Captain Marvel and Black Panther. I recently posted my MCU phase four predictions, check it out here. We began phase two with the ~~unfortunately~~ popular Iron Man 3, continued with Thor: The Dark World which saw Jane Foster go all magic and cray cray on us, we then got the huge Captain America: The Winter Soldier, only for that to be followed by yet an even bigger Guardians of the Galaxy, we were then introduced to Quicksilver (sob), Scarlet Witch and Vision in Avengers: Age of Ultron, and concluded with Ant-Man and were introduced to Wasp too, but more on that in my next blog post.

6. Iron Man 3

I mean, the best part of the movie wasn't any of the Tony Stark scenes, it was Pepper Potts going all badass on us. The film essentially screwed up Mandarin, this is one of those films I don't really talk about, much like Iron Man 2 and The Incredible Hulk. BUT YOU GO PEPPER YOU GO.

5. Thor: The Dark World

I actually quite liked this movie, I liked what they did with Jane Foster, as well as what they did with Loki towards the end. It just doesn't really stand out though, not in the grand scheme of things. Phase two had some really brilliant movies, and I guess you can't expect every movie in the phase to be just as good as each other.

4. Avengers: Age of Ultron

Now, I was a bit disappointed because both CA:WS and Guardians before AoU were amazingly good, but the film is pretty darn good. Vision and Scarlet Witch have instantly become favourites of mine, We didn't see much of Thor in the movie, he was busy building up to Ragnarok, which I was actually okay with. The villain was cool, and the focus on Hawkeye and Black Widow was even better, however the backlash against the Black Widow development kind of killed it for me because it was so unnecessary and overwhelming. :(

3. Ant-Man

Paul Rudd makes a surprisingly awesome superhero, and the supporting cast completely made the film. While the production for this film was troubled and complicated, the end result was comedic, inspiring and actually quite moving (Scott and Cassie). Peggy Carter's surprise appearance at the beginning was awesome, and a great way to connect the film to the MCU from the off-start, as well as a nod towards a soon-to=be MCU hero that's a web-swinger or something.

2. Captain America: The Winter Soldier

This was a difficult choice, because it deserves the top spot so much. The use of Black Widow was great, Falcon had a great introduction, and Bucky Barnes was a fantastic villain. This film redefined the superhero genre by not being an overt superhero movie, it was so much more than just a Marvel movie with a strong super, it was a thriller, it was a drama, it had the occasional comedy, it was a spy movie, and that's why it completely deserved the critical acclaim that it received.

1. Guardians of the Galaxy

A truly eye-catching, visually stunning, cinematic masterpiece, Guardians of the Galaxy plays on the unexpected hero (as does every other film), but in a conventionally challenging way that blends surprisingly well with the Marvel universe. The villains are just as important, with Karen Gillan having a standout performance as Nebula, much different to her days as Amy Pond in Doctor Who. I teared up watching this film, seriously, because the cinematography inspired me and was simply so beautifully done that it really completes the film.

That's all for now, check back on the 10th September for my predictions for the fifth phase of the MCU.

Byeeeeeeeeeeee

TotallyCulture

01/09/2015

My August Soundtrack

Hello! August has been a fairly 'chill' month, it's also been a slow month for the media in general. Film's haven't been favourable, television has been fairly vacant (saturday night TV starts in September, including Doctor Who), the music industry has also been fairly distant, with radio stations having the exact same playlist as they did last month. I guess this is because August is a 'dump month', despite the summer holidays. However, there have been some good stuff, i.e. these 10 songs which have either been released in August, come into prominence in August, or I've simply for some reason been listening to.