Spaced

Spaced is a British sitcom directed by Edgar Wright and starring Simon Pegg as Tim, and Jessica Stevenson as Daisy. The show was short-lived, as it only ran for two seasons - one in 1999 and then again in 2001. Spaced revolves around Tim and Daisy, two somewhat comically depressing protagonists, both of whom are looking for an apartment after getting kicked out of their respective homes. Initially strangers, Tim and Daisy meet coincidentally while both looking at the same apartment ad. While the apartment seems to be the perfect match for both of them, the landlady requires tenants be a ‘professional couple.’ So of course, Tim and Daisy pose as a couple to get the apartment. 

Spaced has a couple big appeals to me, the first of which is the supporting characters and their interactions with each other. Supporting characters are comprised of Tim’s friends, Daisy’s friends, and other people in the apartment building. Very few characters in the show had ever known or met each other beforehand, and they all represent vastly different character tropes. These characters are all comically exaggerated, such as Tim’s best friend Mike Watt (played by Nick Frost) - a member of the Army Reserves, a job which he takes very seriously much to his avail. The fact that most characters in the show are strangers with one another along with the extreme clashing of character types leads to many hilariously awkward and absurd situations. Here is one such situation in which Tim has a 'heart-to-heart conversation' with his neighbor Brian, an eccentric tortured artist:

Secondly, the main appeal which drew me into the show was the director and actors. I found Spaced quite some time after it originally aired, after watching and loving Shaun of the Dead and Hot Fuzz. These movies are the first two of the “Cornetto Triology”, all of which were made by the trio of Edgar Wright (director/writer), Simon Pegg (writer/actor), and Nick Frost (actor). Spaced allowed me to watch a creation from that same trio, that was made before the “Cornetto” films. That made it all the more interesting for me, as watching through you can basically see how the films evolved from the show. The comedic style and timing used are very similar, and even little things like transitions used and little quips from Simon Pegg carry over to the movies.

Spaced is somewhat unpolished and doesn’t really hold up from a production standpoint today, so it might not be the easiest show to get in to. But if you’re a fan of the “Cornetto Trilogy” and somehow haven’t seen Spaced, I’d recommend it. In the end, it’s only 14 episodes over two seasons, and a fun watch. 

Hot Fuzz

Hott Fuzz is a British Comedy that came out in 2007. This film follows Nicolas Angel, played by Simon Pegg, who is an exceptional Police Officer (Not Policeman) that gets transferred from the city to a quiet little town in the country. On the surface this town is a perfect little slice of heaven, however after awhile Angel starts to realize that something strange is going on. I won't go any further with the plot because I don't want to spoil anything for those of you who haven't seen the film.

The cinematography of this film is quit original however. On almost every transition from scene to scene it feels like you are watching people gear up for war even though most times its just a glass being filled with cranberry juice or someone buying something from a store. It is strange and doesn't make a lot of sense however its a comedy and its intentional. I have to say I love it. It is a huge change of pace from what I am used to watching.

I originally saw this film way back in 2007 when it came out however it was just added to Netflix and I would recommend it to friends if they haven't scene it. Its a great watch and fun to see with friends. Also the film Shaun of the dead is another comedy by the same people and that is another film worth a watch in my opinion.

The World's End and The Cornetto Trilogy

Back in 2004, Edgar Wright and Simon Pegg released BAFTA nominated zombie-comedy Shaun of the Dead.  Directed by Edgar Wright and written by both Wright and Simon Pegg, this film instantly became a cult classic, starring Simon Pegg and his friend Nick Frost.  Pegg and Wright pledged to do two more movies together and they decided to call it the "Cornetto Trilogy".  The joke here being that each film features a different flavor of Cornetto Ice Cream in a quick shot (The Cornetto is an exclusively UK treat).  2004's Shaun of the Dead featured a strawberry Cornetto.  2007's police comedy Hot Fuzz featured a blue Cornetto.  The newly released The World's End features a mint chocolate chip Cornetto.  I really am a big fan of this trilogy and have to say that The World's End was by far the most hilarious, witty and creative of any in the trilogy.  Edgar Wright has a distinctive style featuring crash zooms, whip pans and really quick transitions that really help pace the comedies that he directs.  Click here to see an example!
What really makes The World's End special comes from its writing style.  This was one of the most well written comedies I have seen in quite a while.  The basic plot is that Simon Pegg's "Gary King" has never truly gotten beyond his high school years, which really were where he peaked.  Back in high school, he and his four friends (played by the hilarious team of Nick Frost, Martin Freeman, Eddie Marsan and Paddy Considine), decided to try and complete the Golden Mile, which is completed by drinking one pint in each of the town's 12 pubs.  The young friends never did manage to complete the mile and Gary King never got past it.  He manages to get the gang back together and what proceeds to occur is a comedy featuring five middle age men finding out that their stamina isn't what it was and that their town is hiding an alien force they must go toe to toe with.  The plot features a brilliant sense of parallel between the high school team and the current middle aged one.  I won't say much more, as it is loaded with spoilers!

Between Edgar Wright's beautiful cinematographic style/directing, Wright's and Pegg's writing and the acting from the five main cast members, this film makes itself the strongest of the Cornetto trilogy and an all around must see!  It currently has a 90% on Rotten Tomatoes!  See trailer here.