Sadly Over-hyped

Entertaining from beginning to end, it maintains the spirit of the franchise while establishing it's own seal with a fun cast

a film so unique, intoxicating and bizarre that it not only demands another viewing, but is also forgivable as a satirical comedy where the jokes eventually take the back seat.

This is ultimately a movie about the very bad things that can happen when we don't address our unease, when we just try to brush it off, whether that's to fit in or to preserve our self-image.

Black Books is silly and goofy and about a group of messy, mostly useless slobs... and I loved every single minute of it! What great entertainment.Black Books is absolutely one of my very favourite television programmes of all time. I really loved the characters and the silly situations they would get involved in. There were laughs from start to finish.The episode where they drink then foolishly try to replace the priceless wine for the Pope... the episode where she takes piano lessons from a blind man... the episode where they just try to go on vacation...What a brilliant show! Will make you smile.

STORYThe storyline found within Black Books is fairly straight forward, following the lives of three characters: Bernard Black, an alcoholic, short-tempered bookstore owner (the bookshop in question being the show's title, Black Books), Manny, his employee/slave and Fran, a friend of Bernard's that regularly hangs out with them. The show follows of life of Bernard's book-shop, with the series almost exclusively set within or around the bookshop. The various plots revolve around the idea that Bernard is, for all intents and purposes, a cranky alcoholic bastard that treats his only employee, Manny, terribly and expects him to wait on him hand and foot. The group go through life trying to be cool and trying to succeed and this leads to quite a few funny situations. ACTINGThe acting is just superb, in fact after watching this it would be difficult to see Dylan Moran (who plays Bernard) in any other role than a cranky, alcoholic bookshop owner. Bill Bailey's portrayal of Manny is equally amazing, with neither actor breaking character for even a second. The third key character (and, indeed, the only time another character is ever seen they are around for one episode and vanish, giving the whole show the entire focus on just the key characters), that of Fran, is equally played well, though the character herself is not quite as interesting, as such she often comes off as somewhat of a less significant character than the two men. HUMOURThe humour found within Black Books is, at times, very odd. In fact, unless you can laugh at the mistreatment of a character to the extent of Manny's suffering or find the constant and never-ending failure of their lives entertaining then you may not find much to laugh about in this show. The main focus on the humour is rather downtrodden, there is rarely any success of joy found in the show and even when there it is inevitably leads to even greater failure. However this is also compelling and actually makes for great comedy, despite how absolutely dull it may seem. OVERALLIf you are somewhat on the fence about this show then I'd highly suggest watching an episode or two, regardless of in which order as nothing really progresses in an overall sense. The humour can be rather bizarre at times and the overall feeling is that life is depressing, but it somehow combines to make an almost charming comedy about a grumpy bookshop owner and a lively, eager assistant. There is never a moment that feels forced and even when the humour doesn't work it still adds something. I highly recommend this, there is almost no reason not to at least give it a try!RATING: 9/10- An almost must watch for fans of British comedy.

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.

I've just finished watching through all 3 series (again) and I just cannot get this superb sitcom out of my head. Dylan Moran, Tamsin Grieg & Bill Bailey are all brilliant as the main characters & there are some great cameos from people such as Nick Frost, Johnny Vegas, Rob Brydon, Annette Crosbie, Omid Djalili, Ricky Grover, Keith Allen and Simon Pegg (Don't eat Muffins when I'm developing you!).Bernard, Manny and Fran are deeply unbalanced people who rely on each other to get by in the world. They almost sort themselves out with the help of Freud & a shrink at one point but things inevitably revert to madness before long.Series 1 and 2 are the best. There isn't a bad episode to be found. In series 3 there are a couple of weaker episodes but the Moo-pa Moo-ma and Goliath books ones are great.If you like misanthropy, social awkwardness, dirty little Bookshops and towers of soup, then the surreal Black Books is ideal. It has a great combination of the surreal, slapstick, clever writing and excellent performances throughout. I love it & want to work in Bernard's shop."Everybody get out! The Shop's closed."