This hilarious British comedy was a cult hit in its day and has grown ever more popular for its connection with the recent Edgar Wright homage films Shaun of the Dead and Hot Fuzz. Wright worked on the show, which stars Simon Pegg and Nick Frost (the budding franchise's principal players). The essential premise sets Pegg alongside Jessica Hynes (the two also co-wrote the series) as a down on his luck guy who takes to living with a complete stranger (Hynes) in order to secure an apartment advertised as "for young couples only." The setup seems, and probably is, convenient and cheesy. But the execution is top-notch. Much in the way Wright and Pegg's talents as pop culture satirists have served their feature films, they also influence this series which comes crammed with references to Star Wars, "Resident Evil," and other geek chic titles. It's a marathon of references, quips, and affectionate interplay with a sense of randomness and spontaneity that makes every week an unexpected and enjoyable new adventure.
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
DVD of the Week: Spaced - The Complete Series
This hilarious British comedy was a cult hit in its day and has grown ever more popular for its connection with the recent Edgar Wright homage films Shaun of the Dead and Hot Fuzz. Wright worked on the show, which stars Simon Pegg and Nick Frost (the budding franchise's principal players). The essential premise sets Pegg alongside Jessica Hynes (the two also co-wrote the series) as a down on his luck guy who takes to living with a complete stranger (Hynes) in order to secure an apartment advertised as "for young couples only." The setup seems, and probably is, convenient and cheesy. But the execution is top-notch. Much in the way Wright and Pegg's talents as pop culture satirists have served their feature films, they also influence this series which comes crammed with references to Star Wars, "Resident Evil," and other geek chic titles. It's a marathon of references, quips, and affectionate interplay with a sense of randomness and spontaneity that makes every week an unexpected and enjoyable new adventure.
