Bad Tidings

Me and my mate Paul are in agreement that this is possibly one of the worst things we've watched, we both had high hopes but struggled to keep it on, les won't even watch it after our reviews, poor and disapointed . It could have been so much better but I'm not going to let it spoil my Christmas. I like Lee mac. He's great on the 1% club but found everything over acted on this... Don't waste your time even putting it on... Some of the scenes really are cringe worthy, I think Sky need to have a long hard look at their self's for actually thinking this was worthy of prime Christmas viewing but knowing sky they'll probably commision Bad tidings 2.

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.

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.

Modern take on a Christmas classic and the same kind of switch your brain off silly Christmas comedy as Home Alone which the film take heavy inspiration from.

Basic premise is two neighbours Neil (Lee Mack) and Scott (Chris McCausland) are in constant competition with each other until there oneupmenship goes too far and they are left alone to protect everyone's homes over Christmas in a blackout. Problems arise for the duo however when a recently released criminal and her family decide that this street would make the perfect target for their crime spree.

While a bit shorter than I would have liked they pack a whole lot in the 80 minute run time. Lee and Chris make a great comedy duo and I will certainly be adding this to my yearly Christmas watch.

As Christmas movies go, I've seen better. But I've also seen a lot worse!!!! Chris McCausland and Lee Mack clearly have great chemistry and deliver some witty (and mostly clean) gags throughout that the whole family can enjoy. I made the mistake of reading other reviews online before watching and clearly entered with extremely low expectations, but I was pleasantly surprise to be honest. This isn't a Christmas classic and I don't think it was ever intended to be one, but if you want to switch off and enjoy some light-hearted Christmas fun then go for it - ignore the wannabe Times movie critics.