Bad Tidings

Watched Bad Tidings last night the much hyped Sky comedy with Lee Mack and Chris McCauseland.

What a wasted opportunity.

It starts out okay, with the two comics as opposite neighbours who hate each other, McCauseland winding up Mack because he likes having someone who doesn't treat him with kid gloves because he's blind. There's a few good interactions and I did laugh a few times, too.

It all goes to hell when the two are left in charge of their street after a power outage on Christmas Eve meaning others have to leave to be with family or whatever as there's to be no heat or light etc over Christmas.

Cue local villain family deciding to go on the rob, and the two enemies trying to stop them. Of course, they become friends under adversity, because of course they do. The villains are appallingly written and acted (by a some otherwise decent actors, too), and much of the 'action' is too dark to see clearly which doesn't help.

Maybe setting it at night in houses with no lights wasn't the smartest idea...

I ended up being pretty bored and not caring how they inevitable victory was achieved. The two leads are pretty unlikable, never a good idea, and I got the feeling Lee Mack really should have been brought in as a writer as well, as half an hour of 'Not Going Out' has three times the laughs of this bloated soon to be forgotten holiday 'special'

2 out of 5.

Reading some of the reviews on here, it's as though people are expecting a big budget blockbuster movie.

It's a Sky made-for-TV movie made on a low budget.

It's basically an extended episode of Lee Mack's BBC Sitcom, "Not Going Out". If you enjoy that show and the ridiculously implausible storylines, you'll like this film. Lee plays Neil and the actor who plays his wife is very similar to the actor who plays Lucy in Not Hoing Out.

Lee Mack and Chris McCausland's styles of comedy blend together well. It is all a bit silly, a bit implausible and over the top, but it's a fun romp that you can put on and not have to think about too much. Not everything has to be an epic work of cinema. It's fun. It's an easy watch. It's family-friendly.

It won't be winning an Oscar (or even an NTA) but it's a fun is a fun 1hr20 of mindless humour and perfect for the festive season.

Was this the best film I've ever seen? No. Was this a classic Christmas film? No! But was this enjoyable and well made? Yes.

I have to say I really enjoyed this film. It was something that a lot of effort went into to create something new for Christmas in 2024. It wasn't breaking new ground, but it was a British comedy that was thoroughly enjoyable at this time of year. There were nods to Christmas classics like Deck the Halls and Home alone, done in a way that paid homage to the originals (with a British twist) without trying to be them directly. The chemistry between the two lead actors was brilliant. They made a great duo. I'd actually like to see more of them together in the future.

The humour that focused on the blind was done well enough that it didn't exploit nor undermine which must be difficult to get right and the sentiment of society often being oversensitive was handled perfectly.

It's amazing reading some of the negative reviews. I think a lot miss the point, a lot like many things in society these days. Folks are always trying to pick things apart rather than asking was this an enjoyable way to spend a few hours of my time without over thinking things. For me it certainly was and I'd certainly recommended giving this a watch over the Christmas period.

I read these reviews and no one mentions how this was written by Chris. There's a lovely scene where his character talks about how he doesnt want to be treated like a baby and that bonds him with Lees character. Perfect for the conclusion where they face the bad guys.

Fun comedic moments and characters. Lee + Chris are a good double act, but Chris is the funnier of the two.

I loved him on strictly and enjoyed watching him doing his own stunts and bantering with Lee. Was a good christmas feel good film with some heart and a nice takeaway message.

Not sure why its got negative reviews, some people like to moan.

Twenty years ago, movies featuring decking the halls were in vogue.

With monthly gas and electric bills trebling in recent years. You would expect the average family to downsize unless you happened to be filthy rich.

Scott (Chris McCausland) must be a wealthy accountant. He still has his Christmas lights on in the summer. Failing to have them taken down in January. I guess Scott is not going to do it himself as he is blind.

Neighbour Neil (Lee Mack) a home security consultant has had it up to hear with Scott. The Christmas lights irritate him and he thinks that Scott reported his old beaten up car to the council.

At a local neighbourhood meeting both are elected for the Home Watch. When the street lights go out for a few days. The neighbours evacuate and the local crime family the Brennans think it will be easy pickings.

Only for Scott and Neil to stay behind and now having to stop the crooks.

Sky thought they were on to a winner with Chris McCausland storming to victory in Strictly Come Dancing.

The opening part of the movie was feeble. Only picking up when the street gets empty and the Brennans arrive. Even then it just turns into Home Alone lite with a lot of the action taking place in the dark.