Highly Overrated But Still Good

It’s an especially fun movie from a director and cast who are clearly having a good time allowing themselves to let loose.

The film creates a perfect balance between action and depth of basic needs, in the midst of an infertile atmosphere.

It's easily one of the freshest, sharpest and most enjoyable films of this year.

Superbly demented comedy about the adventures (or non-adventures, as the case may be) of three maladjusted eccentrics trying to navigate a sea of troubles. Highly original ideas and concepts, excellent dialogue, fine performances and a tangible chemistry between the leads - so what more do you need ? (In case you're thinking : "I'd like some random dancing of the deconstructivist school", don't worry, there's that too.) For all its weirdness, the series is grounded in reality : as a devout visitor to second-hand bookshops I can confirm that this is a prime environment for the sad, the deluded, the angry, the perverse, the eccentric and the misanthropic.My memories include a manager, in Brussels, who liked to spell out his wishes and desiderata to prospective customers as soon as they entered the store. ("Article one. ALL customers, and I do mean ALL, will greet me in a clear and audible voice upon crossing the threshold"). I also remember a fellow customer who liked to browse his way through stacks of French cooking books - "I don't cook myself but one likes to dream" - while telling everybody about his dog, which had a double jointed tail ; and finally there was a vicious-looking shop girl, tattooed with the ugliest Mexican flower skull I've ever seen, who accused everybody of trying to buy and sell obscene materials. At one point she even accused the postman who tried to give her some mail.But to return to the subject : I firmly recommend the episode about the most expensive bottle of wine in the world. (The episode, sad to say, does not end well for the Supreme Pontiff.) I laughed so hard I nearly fell out of my chair.

This has to be one of the best series I have ever watched. Laugh till you fall off your chair funny. It is dark, sarcastic and typical of great British television. If you like dark humour and need a break from American "funny" make a point of watching this series, your biggest regret will be that they stopped after 3 seasons.Bernard is the worst boss (and probably person) ever while Fran is beyond "blonde", while Manny is typical of a down-trodden past sell-by date hippie.Just good watching!! Wish there was more.

I was recommended "Black Books" from a colleague. I had never heard about it prior to that, so I found a great bargain on Amazon and purchased the DVD boxed set.And it was with some expectation that I sat down to watch it. And I must admit that my expectations were more than fulfilled. "Black Books" is a great British comedy show, much in the likes of "Father Ted", "Fawlty Towers" or "Black Adder". If you enjoy the witty and often twisted British humor, then you will definitely enjoy "Black Books".I am not going to go too much into details here, as there are 18 episodes to the three seasons. But to summarize it, then Bernard Black (played by Dylan Moran) owns and runs a small and less than tidy book store named "Black Books". Bernard is a drunkard who hates life and even more so hates the customers that come to annoy him in his store. His long time friend Fran (played by Tamsin Greig) runs a store next to the book store and stop by for chats and often ill-gotten advice. To help him with his financial problems, Bernard hires a strange man named Manny (played by Bill Bailey).Now, most of the entire show is centered around these three main characters, and the people hired to play these roles not only did good jobs in portraying these strange and lovable characters, but they also carried the show very well on their shoulders. Throughout the various episodes you will see some familiar faces in the supporting roles, such as Nick Frost, Simon Pegg and David Walliams.The dialogue in "Black Books" is the typical satirical and hilarious dialogue you'd find in many other British comedies. There is nothing sacred here and nothing is barred.The episodes are fun and well put together, for an overall great enjoyment and amusement."Black Books" is a definite must watch for all fans of the British comedy genre.

This is by far the best comedy series I have ever seen. The witty ideas just seem to surprise you and the atmosphere is something one will remain with as something familiar and friendly. When I think of it it seems like I spent my vacation with some dear nutty friends, not watching a movie. The actors are also giving their best, totally love Dylan Moran and Bill Bailey in this gem of a show, and Tamsin Greig is so well guided that she makes you laugh and love her in the same time, perhaps she is more dear to the viewer that she would be if one would meet her in person, I don't know. A pessimistic, unadapted bookseller with smoking and drinking problems (Dylan Moran) befriends an air headed clerk (Tamsin Grieg) and unwillingly hires a long-haired ex accountant to slave around and sell books, with maximum hilarious effect, that's Black Books in a very very simplified nutshell. They are all great. Geniuses. Only one minor criticism that a friend pointed out: the laugh tracks. But never mind, once you get the taste of this great comedy show, you will not notice them.