"David Brent: Life on the Road", directed by Ricky Gervais

Movie, 2016

Reprisal of the David Brent character, who's giving rock and roll a proper try out in order to try and escape the drudgery of his sales job. This is a film which treads the line between rehash and some occasional moving scenes, but is never too far away from a good laugh or two. It's a savage character portrayal, very much in line and in the same style as The Office, although there's more emphasis on the human being and the frailties of David Brent, who is treated poorly, but who's gained a little more self-awareness. He's still cringeworthy, however, and although patchy, the film delivers. 

"Sons of the Desert," directed by William A Seiter

Movie, 1933

Thinly plotted caper starring Laurel and Hardy, who ham things up and pull of a fair few laughs from their ridiculous slapstick. This is a film with gender at its core - the wives dominate, bully and assault our heroes who are flawed and hapless. In this sense, they're strong and wronged, though on the other hand, they're clearly part of the machinery wearing Ollie and Stan down. Still, it's good fun and hokum. Possibly a little slow paced for modern audiences, although as a consequence, the film carries its audience along. 

"The Fundamentals of Caring," directed by Rob Burnett

Movie, 2016

Excellent road movie, featuring a carer taking his patient, who suffers from muscular dystrophy, on a road trip and rite of passage. There are almost too many points where the film could have slipped into schlock, though it avoids doing so with some aplomb. Some genuinely funny moments, some genuinely touching moments and while manipulating the emotions in that very American way, it retains a low budget integrity and doesn't ram home any position or attitude. Great entertainment from an unpromising premise.

"Whose Body?" by Dorothy Sayers

Novel, 1923

First Lord Peter Wimsey outing, setting up a London mystery between the wars, complete with man servants, domineering family members and a lightness of touch at times tempered with references to the darker psychological outcomes of the First World War. An entertaining read, above all, and if it's easy to dismiss this as a genre piece, there's much going on in the mental and moral and mental fibre of the book and the time in which it was written. This feels like a time catching its breath and looking to a future technological age with some trepidation. 

"Primer", directed by Shane Carruth

Movie, 2004

Perplexing film in which a group of nerds spend a load of time building stuff in one of their garages. The most notable piece of stuff is a time machine, which is kept in a storage facility, where things go a bit wrong with doubles inadvertently created and all manner of gloomy consequences ensue. The problem with the film is that the whole thing seems to have been improvised on no budget and all the action carried out with one hand over the mouth; nothing, ever, is clear or straightforward. Some lovely atmosphere and a stark authenticity, but a devil to try and follow.

"The Nice and the Good", by Iris Murdoch

Novel, 1968

A real lesson in engaging the reader with a hefty cast of characters, including more than a few conflicts and clashes. This is a book which really grips from the off and drives the reader through ever an more chaotic and unlikely plot, which keeps the pages turning even as more and more incredulity sets in. Shades and echoes of all sorts here, from country house whimsy to Black Magic to some almost classical aspects. A real rollicking read which twists between grim intensity and more more lighthearted trickery.

"The Internship", directed by Shawn Levy

Movie, 2013

Enjoyable comedy, which is almost over cloyingly American, but which nonetheless just about gets away with its over-sunny disposition with some near inter generational and cross cultural horseplay. The premise and story are both pretty thin and everything ridiculously predictable, but along the way, there are some funny set pieces and asides, even if a few of the set pieces outstay their welcome. Maybe not the most memorable film, but big and good enough not to have to be particularly bold.