Blackball (DVD)

I don't know why I first came into contact with this movie, all I can tell you now is it is probably my favourite comedy of all time and goes right up there with my favourite films. Now if you do follow my advice which would be to go out and watch it then do not come running to me if you didn't like it, I'm afraid I have lent the DVD to a few people and they have thought it was merely 'good', pah, philistines. The film is set in sunny Torquay and it follows the life of a young man named Cliff Starkey (Paul Kaye), he is an assistant painter and decorator for his Grandad who plays down the local bowls club every weekend. Cliffs Grandad takes care of him and ...  Read the complete review

In deepest darkest Devon there is one man who is trying to take the game of lawn green back from the elderly. Cliff Starkey is determined to prove that the game of bowls is just as much for the young as the old. His attitude to the game though puts him at logger heads with the head of the Torquay bowls association Ray Speight. Things are made even worse when after banning Starkey for 15 years Speight finds out that he's sleeping with his daughter. With the help of an American agent Cliff becomes a national icon, irritating Speight even more but could they unite to win the day for England against the Aussies. When I first heard about blackball I thought that ...  Read the complete review

I remember seeing a couple of trailers for this film when it was released in the cinema and not being overly impressed with them. They didn’t inspire me to see this film on the big screen anyway so it was left to one night in the video shop before I finally decided to take the plunge and give it a chance. It was not something I came to regret. ** Overview ** Lawn bowling is taken very seriously in Torquay. Ray Speight is the reigning champion, and has been for over 20 years. Ray is posh and snobby, looking down on ‘lesser’ people. He has a very traditional view to lawn bowls and believes that the lesser classes should not play it. Cliff Starkey is a ...  Read the complete review

"In the world of spectator sports, there are of course the all time greats: Football, Rugby, Tennis, Golf and... Lawn Bowls?" And why not! Who said lawn bowls was boring! Paul Kaye plays the trouble making Cliff Starkey - Who's dream is to play lawn bowls for his country and show the world its not just a sport for the stiff upper lipped gentleman - And basically give the Aussies what for! This all star cast of some real British talent proves to be a real good giggle - the humour is spot on for topic, and there is even somewhat of a little love story going on in the back ground to provide you with more than enough laughs! With ...  Read the complete review

When I saw that this movie was directed by Mel Smith, I have to say I wasn’t sure about going to see it, but it the end, it had a “recommended” sticker on the poster, so in I went. The story is based on the true story of Geoff Saunders, who had been dubbed the bad boy of British bowls, and banned for life after swearing during matches. The central character, now named Cliff Starkey, is played by Paul Kaye, otherwise famous is the great and very funny Dennis Pennis.Also starring, as his best mate, is Johnny Vegas. So far so good. Both characters have some very funny moments. Ray Speight (the farmer in Babe) is great as the ...  Read the complete review