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David Walliams’ family-friendly films -
perfect for a BritBox kid’s movie night
Comedy actor David Walliams is most famous for Little Britain, Come Fly with Me and (my absolute favourite) Big School, but he’s also a best-selling children’s author. In fact, his funny stories have become so popular with the little ones that Walliams has been hailed as the new Roald Dahl for the 21st century.
Several of his successful books have been adapted for telly by the BBC, so if you are looking for some brilliant films for the kids this summer, you’ll find two of Walliams’ funniest on Britbox: 
Photo: BritBox, used with permission
Billionaire Boy
This adaptation of Walliams’ novel is the story of 12-year old Joe and his dad Len, who get rich quick by inventing a new toilet roll - Bumfresh. Their sudden wealth gives them everything they could ever want - or does it? The cast includes the fabulous Catherine Tate (who also starred with Walliams in Big School) as a glam 40-something hand model and Len’s new gold-digging girlfriend. Star Wars and Harry Potter actor Warwick Davis appears as himself in the role of Len and Joe’s celebrity butler. Opera-lovers will also enjoy a special cameo performance by Bryn Terfel. And look out for David Walliams playing Mrs Trafe, a dinner lady at Joe’s school who’s so not good at cooking. In a BBC interview, Walliams said, “I am thrilled we have put together an all-star cast for this adaptation. The script is even bigger and better than the book”. Billionaire Boy is a whimsical, heartfelt story about what’s really important in life. Not too moralistic or preachy, but there’s a big lesson to learn between the laughs. 
Photo: BritBox, used with permission
Mr. Stink
Another Walliams’ novel adapted for telly, now streaming on BritBox. The impressive cast includes Downton Abbey's Hugh Bonneville as a rather posh tramp befriended by a little girl called Chloe. Sheridan Smith is magnificent as Chloe’s snobby, overbearing, wannabe-MP mum, while Johnny Vegas plays a former rockstar turned henpecked husband and dad to Chloe and her overachieving sister. Once again, David Walliams makes a guest appearance, this time as the smarmy Prime Minister. When the lonely Chloe invites the vagrant Mr. Stink to move into her garden shed, she soon sniffs a whiff of mystery around a man who thinks one bath a year is more than enough. It turns out this smelly squatter has a few secrets up his stinky sleeve. I didn’t enjoy this one quite as much as some of Walliams’ other stories, but it’s still a touching tale about empathy and friendship. Other themes include bullying, egotism, sibling rivalry and homelessness, but in the usual kid-friendly-Walliams’ style, these are sensitively wrapped in gentle humor. Overall, it reminded me of Roald Dahl’s The BFG. Both of these made-for-TV movies have a bit of a Christmassy feel, but not too much, meaning these films can still be enjoyed by the whole family all year round. 
Also recommended - my personal favourite of all Walliams kid’s stories, available on DVD and in paperback:
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Brits in America - Living the Dream on BritBox (This review contains spoilers) As we love anything starring Philip Glenister (who could forget the infamous Gene Hunt in Life on Mars ?), hubby and I were really excited to discover Living the Dream on BritBox. And having binge-watched season 1 already, we can honestly say this is the best telly we’ve seen in ages.  Photo: BritBox, used with permission Living the Dream is a Brit comedy series following the Pemberton family from rainy Yorkshire as they sell up and move across the pond to sunny Florida. Like many real-life expats, the fictional Pembertons are thrilled to discover that living in America means a big house, a big car, a big bed and a big refrigerator. “I love this fridge!” Mal Pemberton (Glenister) gushes in the shiny new kitchen of his massive new home. Jen, the mum played by Lesley Sharp, grudgingly agrees to blend in with Stateside suburbia by getting all glammed-up, Desperate Housewife-style. And the teenage kids get their first taste of American high school, where football and soccer are two different sports and the Pledge of Allegiance is a daily requirement. Yes, this is the world of country clubs, evangelical churches and purity pacts, as well as mosquitoes, gators, vampire weddings and tornadoes. Mal and Jen find themselves running a rundown caravan (RV trailer) park, home to an eclectic group of eccentric residents who are not exactly thrilled to meet their new owners. The redneck manager informs Mal, “I ain’t workin’ for no Australians!” as he promptly quits on day one. And due to the terms of their investor visa, if they fail to make a success of the park, the Pemberton’s immigration status will be revoked, sending them back to Blighty before you can say “Bless their hearts”. No pressure then. This is a very funny and heartwarming tale of culture clashes and stiff-upper-lip Britishness as Mal and his family fight to make their American dream come true. The cast also includes Kevin Nash who plays the giant Troy (standing at an intimidating 6ft 10, Troy revels in towering over Mal) and Jimmy Akingbola (who previously worked with Glenister on Big School) as a fellow Brit investor. And for anyone wondering about the filming location, there’s a little bit of fake news going on here: season 1 was actually shot near beautiful Savannah, so it’s really Georgia pretending to be Florida. (Eagle-eyed viewers will spot the distinctive Talmadge Memorial Bridge in several scenes, which is a big giveaway.) But as we watched, the Georgia connection wasn’t the only thing that resonated with hubby and I. As Brit expats living in the Deep South ourselves, there was so much of the Pemberton’s experience we could relate to. From constantly getting into the wrong side of the car to compliments on our “Australian” accents and the funny looks we get for using a knife and fork at the same time, this was all so spookily familiar. And just like Mal and Jen, hubby and I often have to pinch ourselves: even after all these years, we still can’t quite believe we are actually Living the (American) Dream. The final episode of season 1 culminates with the Pembertons and the trailer park residents together singing an amusing mash-up of God Save the Queen and My Country Tis of Thee. A fitting tribute to Anglo-American relations and the perfect end to this brilliant first series. Highly recommended for expats (and everyone else). Living the Dream seasons 1 & 2 streaming on BritBox Poldark Closure
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Brilliant Brit dramas
on PBS and Amazon
They’re back - London detectives Cassie (Nicola Walker) and Sunny (Sanjeev Bhaskar) return for the third season of Unforgotten with a brand new murder to investigate.
A band new old murder, that is.
When the body of a long-lost teenager is dug up in the middle of the M1 by road workers, the gruesome discovery also unearths many deep-buried emotions and secrets from the past. The police investigation leads to four former school friends, played by
Neil Morrissey et al.
With its complex plot and detailed character developments, the latest installment of this ITV cold case series will keep you guessing “whodunit” till the very end.
If you did forget (bad pun, sorry!) to watch on PBS, you can still stream Unforgotten on Amazon and Apple TV instead.
As an Amazon & Apple Associate I am rewarded when you purchase. Thanks for supporting British Banter in Atlanta.
Mrs. Wilson, a powerful three-part drama starring Ruth Wilson, is inspired by the true story of her own grandmother.
This gripping BBC production switches between London in the 1940s and ‘60s to 1930s British India. These were the days of poised reserve, repressed emotions and social civility when family crisis was superficially quelled with a cup of tea (poured from dainty teapots into matching china cups and saucers, naturally). The whole show is stylish and polished with brilliant acting by Wilson as well as Keeley Hawes and Iain Glen. There’s tons of intrigue, shocks and surprises, and enough twists to keep you guessing about the secret life of the mysterious Major Wilson.
The personal connection here, with Ruth Wilson playing her real-life gran, makes this drama even more compelling and quite unique.
If you missed it on PBS, you can find Mrs. Wilson on Amazon & Apple TV instead.
The personal connection here, with Ruth Wilson playing her real-life gran, makes this drama even more compelling and quite unique.
If you missed it on PBS, you can find Mrs. Wilson on Amazon & Apple TV instead.
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As an Amazon & Apple Associate I am rewarded when you purchase.
Thanks for supporting British Banter in Atlanta.
Thanks for supporting British Banter in Atlanta.
Brace yourself, America
Bodyguard
is now on Netflix
Forget Kevin Costner, Whitney Houston and a movie with an almost identical name. To describe Netflix’s latest UK import Bodyguard, I only need three words:
intense, intense, intense.
Created by the brilliant Jed Mercurio (acclaimed writer of Line of Duty), this riveting new BBC TV drama stars Keeley Hawes (also from Line of Duty) and Richard Madden, who hubby immediately recognised from Game of Thrones.
With a storyline centered on political intrigue, terror threats, divided loyalties and numerous explosive twists, this series was a record-breaking success back home; more than 17 million Brits watched the final episode last August, giving the BBC its highest drama viewing figures of all time.
A word of warning, however. Now that Bodyguard can be streamed instantly on Netflix, binge-watching episodes 1 and 2 consecutively left me emotionally drained. This is gripping, nail-biting stuff. I strongly suggest several deep breaths and a spot of meditation between each of the six parts.
In my personal opinion, the only flaw is the casting of Pippa Haywood as a police commander. Despite my best efforts, I couldn’t help having flashbacks of her playing the comic but long-suffering wife of Gordon Brittas in The Brittas Empire circa 1992 (but that’s just me - don’t take any notice). She’s actually a fine actress and I really should know better. In any case, the fast-paced,
action-packed plot leaves little time for such frivolous distraction.
If you enjoy tension, shocking surprises and edge-of-your-seat suspense, you’ll love Bodyguard. Admittedly, you may need a lie-down in a darkened room after watching, but it's well worth the stress.
Trust me.
intense, intense, intense.
Created by the brilliant Jed Mercurio (acclaimed writer of Line of Duty), this riveting new BBC TV drama stars Keeley Hawes (also from Line of Duty) and Richard Madden, who hubby immediately recognised from Game of Thrones.
With a storyline centered on political intrigue, terror threats, divided loyalties and numerous explosive twists, this series was a record-breaking success back home; more than 17 million Brits watched the final episode last August, giving the BBC its highest drama viewing figures of all time.
A word of warning, however. Now that Bodyguard can be streamed instantly on Netflix, binge-watching episodes 1 and 2 consecutively left me emotionally drained. This is gripping, nail-biting stuff. I strongly suggest several deep breaths and a spot of meditation between each of the six parts.
In my personal opinion, the only flaw is the casting of Pippa Haywood as a police commander. Despite my best efforts, I couldn’t help having flashbacks of her playing the comic but long-suffering wife of Gordon Brittas in The Brittas Empire circa 1992 (but that’s just me - don’t take any notice). She’s actually a fine actress and I really should know better. In any case, the fast-paced,
action-packed plot leaves little time for such frivolous distraction.
If you enjoy tension, shocking surprises and edge-of-your-seat suspense, you’ll love Bodyguard. Admittedly, you may need a lie-down in a darkened room after watching, but it's well worth the stress.
Trust me.
The Great Train Robbery
Hubby and I almost overlooked The Great Train Robbery, a BBC production from 2013 that’s been sitting on our Netflix list for quite some time. Having finally got round to streaming it last night, I have nothing but great things to say about this great British TV drama that’s almost as clever as the crime itself.
From the creator of Broadchurch, this miniseries features a distinguished cast and more than enough 1960s fashion, music and cars for a decent nostalgia trip. It also presents two different perspectives on the group dynamics and power struggles behind the real-life multi-million pound robbery in 1963, which stunned the nation and still remains Britain's most notorious crime.
The stellar cast of familiar faces includes Tim Pigott-Smith, James Fox, Martin Compston, Robert Glenister and Jim Broadbent (briefly reunited with Gwyneth Strong, who he also appeared with in
Only Fools and Horses).
It’s a drama divided into two parts: first, the tale of the criminal gang who pulled off the £2.6 million theft, followed by the story of the subsequent police investigation in part 2.
On a superficial level this could be mistaken for a classic cops and robbers saga, but it actually goes deeper than that.
Both installments are linked by a focus on the leaders:
daring criminal mastermind Bruce Reynolds
and chief detective Tommy Butler of the Metropolitan Police.
These fascinating character studies reveal a few stark contrasts but many more surprising similarities between two personalities on opposite sides of the law. We learn that it’s not easy to pull together and hold together an elite team to execute/solve the crime of the century. Life is lonely, stressful and tough at the top, regardless of whether you are in charge of the Met or the “train gang”.
Although the infamous robbery took place a few years before I was born, hearing about and seeing old familiar places such as Aylesbury and Mentmore on the telly brought back fond memories.
Even lovely Luton gets a look in, albeit only on a road map!
And here’s my “parental guidance” announcement: why Netflix rated this as “TV-Mature Audience” escapes me. There’s no sex, the brief violence is certainly not graphic, and the only profanities occasionally uttered are typically British “bleedin’, bollocks” and “wanker”. I’m not spilling any beans by revealing that villainous deeds are not glorified here and there’s a strong moral message that crime doesn’t pay. Netflix’s rating seems as excessively severe as the sentencing during the subsequent trial.
In terms of a refreshing recount of a legendary heist, The Great Train Robbery is highly recommended. As this two-parter sharply explores, there are two sides to every story. Oh, and the quality of acting and attention to period detail is outstanding.
It would almost be a crime to miss it.
The Great Train Robbery is also available on DVD and streaming from Amazon & AppleTV :
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As an Amazon Associate I am rewarded when you purchase. Thanks for supporting British Banter in Atlanta.
Poldark returned to PBS Masterpiece in September
Poldark fans rejoice! The 18th century period drama starring gorgeous Aidan Turner as the dashing Captain Ross Poldark and Eleanor Tomlinson as lovely Demelza (or “Esmeralda”, as she’s known in our house!) has returned to American screens.
Hubby and I were lucky enough to watch all of season 4 (please don’t ask how - that’s top secret!) when it aired on BBC earlier this year.
No spoilers here, but I can reveal that the latest series involves:
- a new career move for Ross
- difficult dilemmas for Demelza
- big changes for Dr. and Mrs. Enys
- George as haughty and scheming as ever
- Elizabeth, moody and pouting as always
- little Geoffrey Charles all grown-up and played by the son of actor Peter Davison/brother-in-law of David Tennant (two Doctor Who connections there).
Of course, there’s romance, intrigue, tension and tons of stunning Cornish scenery shots that Poldark fans have come to love. Oh, and brace yourself for a shocking season ending (I will say no more!).
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As an Amazon & Apple Associate I earn commission when you purchase.
Thanks for supporting British Banter in Atlanta.
Thanks for supporting British Banter in Atlanta.
Comedy Clips
A few of my favorite funny folk from the UK.
I hope these clips will make you smile.
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For everyone who has kids,
and everyone who doesn’t. So basically, everyone then. |
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Looking for a way to stop scams forever? Joe Lycett has the answer! Most of his material is based around sending emails and texts, and I just love his delivery (excuse the pun!).
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Not sure I can relate to much of
the Girls’ Night In (except maybe the
8 bottles of Cava!), but the
Boys’ Night Out is so hubby and me that it’s actually spooky!
These are oldies, so apologies for the poor picture quality.
But Gina Yashere’s character "Tanya" on The Lenny Henry Showregularly had me in fits during the '90s, and these clips still make me laugh out loud today.
But Gina Yashere’s character "Tanya" on The Lenny Henry Showregularly had me in fits during the '90s, and these clips still make me laugh out loud today.
And just for balance ...
my favorite American in London
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As an Amazon Associate I earn commission when you purchase. Thanks for supporting British Banter in Atlanta.
Author
Living and loving life
in America - by a blogging Brit.
I am a wife, teacher & writer originally from the UK.
Now metro Atlanta is
home-from-home.
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